Kayanza : 1,600 tons of minerals exported, MPs question revenue destination

SOS Médias Burundi

Kayanza, June 12, 2026 – The management of revenues from mining operations in the former district of Kabarore, now part of the district of Kayanza, in Butanyerera province, northern Burundi, has raised numerous questions in Parliament. MPs are demanding explanations regarding the traceability of the revenue generated by the export of more than 1,600 tons of minerals.

The issue was raised during a question session addressed to the Minister of Finance and Digital Economy, Alain Ndikumana, on Friday, June 12, 2026.

According to the elected officials, these minerals, primarily cassiterite and coltan, were extracted between 2006 and 2015 before being exported to the international market. However, they assert that the foreign exchange earnings from this mining activity are not clearly recorded in the public accounts.

The members of parliament also questioned the actual impact of this mining activity on the development of local communities. Despite the significant volumes exported, the populations living near the former mining sites have not seen any significant improvement in their living conditions.

They specifically mentioned the lack of basic social and economic infrastructure, as well as the absence of visible projects funded by mining revenues for the benefit of local communities.

For elected officials, this situation raises major concerns regarding the governance of natural resources, transparency in the management of mining revenues, and the redistribution of wealth generated from their exploitation.

When questioned on this issue, the Minister of Finance was asked to provide clarification on the mechanisms for managing revenues from the mining sector, as well as on the measures planned to strengthen transparency and improve the return of profits to local communities.

This questioning reignites the debate on the actual contribution of the mining sector to local development and on the need to strengthen accountability mechanisms in the management of natural resources in Burundi.

Members of parliament also emphasized that, given the prices observed on the international market for cassiterite and coltan, the revenues generated could have significantly contributed to infrastructure development and the implementation of socio-economic projects benefiting populations living near mining areas.