Bujumbura : when the economic crisis steals Christmas from families

SOS Médias Burundi

Bujumbura, December 24, 2025 – On Christmas Eve, the holiday spirit is struggling to find its place in Bujumbura, Burundi’s commercial capital. Between soaring prices, a chronic fuel shortage, and delayed salary payments, many households are approaching the end-of-year celebrations in an atmosphere marked by uncertainty and resignation.

In downtown Bujumbura, traffic remains heavy and pedestrians are numerous. But behind this apparent activity, the usual signs of Christmas preparations are scarce. Stalls are no longer as crowded as before, and holiday shopping is limited to the essentials. For many, going into town is more about curiosity than a genuine intention to celebrate.

The situation is exacerbated by transportation difficulties. The fuel shortage, which has persisted for nearly five years in this small east African nation, complicates travel, both for shopping and for accessing churches for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Mass. “Even going to church is becoming a luxury,” confides a resident encountered at the town hall.

Adding to these constraints is the continuous rise in food prices, denounced by many city dwellers. “As the holidays approach, some shopkeepers raise prices even further,” laments a passerby. This inflation further erodes the purchasing power of already struggling households.

The financial situation of families is made even more precarious by the delays in salary payments. Several civil servants who spoke to SOS Médias Burundi reported being informed that their December salaries would not be paid until January 8, 2026. This delay deprives many households of income at a time when holiday expenses are at their highest.

Despite this situation, some families are trying to maintain traditions, particularly for children’s baptisms, which are often celebrated on Christmas Day. However, these celebrations are taking place with great restraint. “We are careful with every expense. The holidays are not what they used to be,” several parents confided.

In Bujumbura, Christmas is thus experienced under the weight of a persistent economic crisis, where daily worries have overshadowed the joy of the celebrations. For many residents, this holiday, once a symbol of sharing and hope, has become a reflection of the social difficulties to which the authorities are struggling to provide lasting solutions.