Kirundo : power outages paralyze activities

SOS Médias Burundi

Kirundo, November 11, 2026 — The city of Kirundo, in northern Burundi, has been facing a persistent power outage for several months. These shortages disrupt the daily lives of residents, affect commercial activities, and complicate the operation of many businesses. This situation is part of a broader context of supply difficulties also reported in several regions of the country.

Residents interviewed in various neighborhoods of Kirundo indicate that the lack of electricity has paralyzed many activities. Some say they can no longer remember the last time they had a regular power supply.

“It’s been about three months since I’ve had almost any electricity. Even when it is available, it’s only for a very short time,” a resident testifies.

The situation is also affecting accommodation facilities. An employee at a shelter explains that residents have grown accustomed to living without electricity.

“In Kirundo, we’ve almost forgotten what electricity is. Many have gotten used to using solar panels and flashlights. When the power comes back on, it’s almost a miracle,” he says.

Visitors to the town are also affected. A visitor, who came for business, says he is having difficulty carrying out his activities properly due to the lack of electricity.

Merchants, especially those who sell milk, as well as people whose businesses require electrical equipment, are also suffering the consequences of these outages. The lack of power makes it difficult to preserve certain products and slows down business operations.

“Our businesses seem to have ground to a halt. We feel like our problems have been forgotten,” laments one of the merchants.

Faced with this situation, which affects both households and businesses, the residents of Kirundo are calling on the authorities and relevant services to take urgent measures to restore a regular electricity supply.

Shortages reported in several regions

The situation in Kirundo is not an isolated case. Electricity shortages are also being reported in several regions of Burundi, including Bujumbura, the commercial capital, where many businesses, administrative services, United Nations offices, and other international institutions are concentrated. These outages disrupt the operation of businesses, services, and professional activities in a city where energy demand is high.

In Kirundo, as in the other affected regions, residents and businesses expect concrete measures from the authorities and the Water and Electricity Production and Distribution Authority (REGIDESO) to guarantee a regular electricity supply.

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A street in the city of Kirundo, northern Burundi, where recurring power outages disrupt daily activities, commerce, and the operation of several businesses (SOS Médias Burundi)