Telecommunications in crisis in Burundi : ABUCO denounces authorities’ inaction in the face of deteriorating services

SOS Médias Burundi

Bujumbura, July 31, 2026— The Burundian Consumers Association (ABUCO) is sounding the alarm about the ongoing deterioration of telecommunications services in Burundi. In a statement released on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, its president, Pierre Nduwayo, denounced the poor quality of services offered by mobile phone operators and lamented what he describes as the lack of effective responses from authorities to a situation that is increasingly impacting economic and social activities.

Rising prices, insufficient quality

According to Pierre Nduwayo, mobile phone subscribers have been complaining for several months about persistent difficulties related to internet connectivity and telephone calls.

The president of ABUCO asserts that internet package prices have risen sharply, while service quality has not improved. He indicates that, in some cases, the cost per megabyte has doubled or even tripled since 2025.

According to the consumer advocacy organization, subscribers are thus finding themselves in a situation where they are paying more for services deemed less efficient.

Calls for improvement have gone unheeded

Pierre Nduwayo recalls that in January 2025, the Ministry of Telecommunications asked operators to take measures to improve the quality and accessibility of services.

But according to him, these recommendations have not produced the expected results. He even believes that the difficulties have worsened over time.

The president of ABUCO also states that the Head of State and several members of the government have repeatedly called on telecommunications companies to find lasting solutions, without any significant changes being observed.

“A situation reminiscent of the 2000s”

To illustrate the scale of the problems faced by users, Pierre Nduwayo compares the current situation to that of the early years of mobile phone development in Burundi.

“When you call someone, it frequently happens that the automated message announces that the subscriber is offline, even though they are not,” he laments.

According to him, these malfunctions affect not only individuals, but also businesses, merchants, government agencies, and all stakeholders whose activities depend on digital services.

ABUCO proposes a national conference on communication

Faced with this situation, the Burundian Consumers Association (ABUCO) is proposing the organization of a national conference on communication.

This meeting would bring together public authorities, telecommunications operators, regulatory bodies, consumer protection organizations, and other stakeholders.

The goal would be to identify the root causes of the sector’s difficulties, propose concrete solutions, and guarantee consumers reliable services at fair prices.

For ABUCO, improving telecommunications is a major challenge to support Burundi’s digital transformation, facilitate trade, and foster the economic development of this small East African nation.