How to send money to Burundi in 2026: in francs, to a foreign-currency account and to relatives by phone
Money reaches Burundi in francs at the central bank's official rate, about 3,010 francs per dollar, or to a foreign-currency account that any resident and non-resident may hold under the 2023 rules. Since 23 April 2026 a national instant payment system has worked inside the country, and non-residents invest and take money back out freely.
In short
- Official rate on 8 October 2026: 3,010 francs per dollar.
- A foreign-currency account may be held by any resident and non-resident.
- Instant payments inside the country since 23 April 2026.
- Non-resident investment and its repatriation are free.
In detail
How to send money to Burundi: what works on 9 October 2026
On 9 October 2026 money reaches Burundi by bank transfer in Burundian francs in 1-3 business days, to a foreign-currency account in dollars or euros, and through a money transfer system. Francs are credited at the central bank's official rate: on 8 October 2026 it was 3,010 francs per dollar and 3,370 francs per euro. Inside the country money then spreads in seconds through the national instant payment system.
| Route | Now | Currency credited | Time | What you need |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank transfer to a Burundian franc account | works | francs at the official rate | 1-3 business days | account number, international bank code, recipient name |
| Transfer to a foreign-currency account | works | US dollars or euros | 1-3 business days | a foreign-currency account at a bank in Burundi |
| Money transfer system | works | Burundian francs | from a few minutes | the recipient's ID |
| Transfer inside the country by the instant payment system | works since 23 April 2026 | Burundian francs | seconds, around the clock | the recipient's account or wallet |
Is a payment to Bujumbura stuck in a bank check? There are usually more options than it seems: tell a manager about your situation, and they will offer a route for your amount.
Dollars and euros to a foreign-currency account in Burundi: no exchange into francs
2023 is the year the Bank of the Republic of Burundi approved new currency regulations. Under them current payments and capital movements between Burundi and the rest of the world are free, and any resident or non-resident may hold a foreign-currency account at a bank, receive money on it and pay from it. The bank may pay interest on the currency balance.
A transfer in dollars or euros to such an account arrives with no conversion into francs, and the holder sells currency to the bank when francs are needed for spending, with no limit on the amount. Banks must show the client the buying and selling rates together with the exchange fee.
So that your relatives receive the money in the currency that suits them best, we will advise how best to send it to Burundi. The capital is described on the Gitega page.
We will help you send money to Burundi
Mistakes cost more than fees: exchanging the whole sum into francs straight away on crediting, a capital contribution without the bank's document on bringing in currency, which later makes the investment hard to take back out, an investment without investor registration. We will help you avoid them: we choose the route and timing, prepare source-of-funds documents for the bank and carry out the transfer until the money is credited.
Details and cost are with a manager in the chat: the price depends on the amount and the purpose of the transfer.
Instant payments in Burundi: money by phone number in seconds
On 23 April 2026 the central bank launched the national instant payment system. It linked banks, microfinance institutions and wallet operators into one network, works around the clock with no days off, and can be used even from a simple button phone. Before, to transfer between different operators money was withdrawn from the account and deposited again; now it goes directly.
That is why a transfer from abroad is conveniently credited to one relative's account in Bujumbura and then sent on in seconds to family in Gitega, Ngozi or a village. The recipient sees the money at once, even at the weekend.
Investing in Burundi: money in and back out freely
Under the 2023 rules investment by non-residents in Burundi is free: a capital contribution is made in currency or in francs bought against a bank document, and the investor registers with the state body that promotes investment. Money for the investment goes through a local bank, which also keeps the investment account.
Repatriating the investment abroad is free too: the application goes to the bank with the amount, proof that the money was brought in, the sale contract and a tax office certificate of no debts. If the sum goes into a business, a manager will check the documents for both steps in advance.
How many documents a bank in Burundi will ask for
- Up to $10,000. The recipient's name, the account or phone number and the transfer purpose: family, study, medical care.
- $10,000-100,000. The sender's account statement and a contract: rent, tuition, payment for goods.
- From $100,000. The source of the money, investor registration and the bank's document on bringing in currency for a future repatriation. At this level a specialist will prepare the documents with you.
How to prove the origin of money is covered in proof of source of funds, and large sums in sending large sums abroad. If all your capital is moving to East Africa, start with the capital relocation page.
Sending money to nearby countries
- How to send money to Rwanda: Burundi's northern neighbour
- How to send money to Tanzania: the eastern neighbour and Lake Tanganyika
- How to send money to Uganda: a partner in the East African Community
- How to send money to Kenya: the region's financial centre
- How to send money to Zambia: the southern shore of Tanganyika
When savings move as a whole, see the capital relocation page.
FAQ
Can a non-resident hold a foreign-currency account in Burundi?
Can investments be repatriated from Burundi?
Since what date has Burundi had an instant payment system?
Is interest paid on a foreign-currency account balance in Burundi?
We will suggest the best way to send your money
We will choose a transfer method for your amount and country, prepare the documents on the origin of the money for the bank, make the transfer through licensed partners and follow it until the money is credited. Ask your question in the chat - the manager will suggest the best terms and the cost. The legal side with banks and government bodies is handled by Murblz specialists and locally licensed partners.
Details and cost are with the manager in the chat. Describe your situation and we will reply right away.
Check transfer termsHow we handle a transfer: 4 stages → · Country rules checked