Burundi
A nation facing hardship, with hope for change
Burundi, a small landlocked country in East Africa, is rich in resilience but faces deep poverty. Most rely on small-scale farming, yet limited land, soil depletion, and climate change threaten food security. Political instability and poor infrastructure add to the challenges, keeping many trapped in hardship. Still, Burundians show remarkable perseverance, and with investment in sustainable farming, business skills, and climate resilience, lasting change is possible.
Key challenges
In 2021, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) found that 75.1% of people in Burundi struggle with poverty, lacking basic needs such as access to food, healthcare, education, and decent living conditions.
In 2023, UNICEF found that 56% of Burundian children under five years-old suffer from chronic malnutrition, affecting their growth and development. This leads to lifelong health challenges and hinders their ability to learn and thrive.
Burundi has a very young population, with nearly half being under 18. This youthful demographic requires investment in education, healthcare, and job creation to ensure a brighter future for the next generation.
Gloria Nimpundu, Ripple Effect Burundi Country Director
Empowering Burundians with endless opportunities
Ripple Effect works in Burundi to empower communities with sustainable opportunities that break the cycle of poverty. Through climate-smart agriculture and environmental conservation, families improve food security and build resilience to climate change. Targeted nutrition programmes ensure better health for children under five, while income-generating activities create financial stability. Women’s empowerment is at the heart of every project, ensuring equal access to training, resources, and decision-making. By equipping people with the skills and knowledge to thrive, Ripple Effect fosters lasting change for communities across Burundi.
Current projects:
- Climate Resilient and Thriving Smallholder Farmers - Bururi province - 2023-2026
- No Time to Waste - Mwaro and Muramvya provinces - 2024-2025
- Gender and Nutrition Centered on Agriculture (phase III) - Mwaro province - 2024-2027
- Soil and Water Conservation to support Livelihoods and Climate Resilience for Smallholder Farmers around Cyohoha Lake - Kirundo province - 2025-2026
This project is engaging both male and female farmers within households, with the aim of improving family relationships and sharing work more equally. Families are growing more food, and a wider range of nutritious food, with training in diversified agricultural production, improved food storage and conservation. Young people are being engaged with encouragement to set up their own micro agribusinesses.
This project empowers people to grow nutritious food all year round and develop resilience to financial and climate shocks through sustainable farming techniques. Communities are establishing successful agribusinesses, whilst ensuring equitable access to resources and rejuvenating their land for generations to come.
Malnutrition is one of the biggest challenges faced by people in Burundi, particularly in rural areas, causing stunted growth and deaths in young children. Recent studies have shown that Burundi has the agricultural capacity to eradiqate malnutrition, with Mwaro and Muramvya provinces offering the biggest opportunities. We are working with rural communities in these provinces to share sustainable farming techniques that enable people to restore their land, and grow diverse and nutritious foods.
This project works with communities around Cyohoha Lake, who are struggling to grow crops due to land degradation and facing challenges in accessing safe water. With our tailored training in land preservation and water conservation, they learn farming techniques that work for them, enabling them to grow more food, feed their families and gain a sustainable income.
Our partners
Our work in Burundi has established strong, relationships with government bodies, partners and the wider community. Government extension workers (especially commune-level agronomist and veterinary technicians) are closely working in collaboration with our project facilitators in training and monitoring an Agroecological Climate Positive Approach to farmers.
Our current projects are funded by:
Get in touch
Office address:
Rohero I
Boulevard Mao-Tse-Toung
No 10
P.O.Box 1230
Bujumbura, Burundi
Tel: +257 22 27 80 85 or +257 67 58 51 59
Email: burundi@rippleeffect.org
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