Lumitel Burundi Launches $10M High-Speed Internet Project Across the Country
The project is a public-private partnership with a total investment exceeding $10 million, of which the World Bank contributes $4.37 million and Lumitel invests over $5.62 million.
Lumitel Burundi has launched the country’s largest high-speed internet project in over a decade, marking a significant milestone in Burundi’s digital transformation. On March 2, 2026, Lumitel signed the contract for the Project Support to Digital Economy Foundations (PAFEN) at the Ministry of Finance, Budget and Digital Economy headquarters. The signing ceremony included representatives from the Ministry, the ARCT Technical Directorate, the Universal Service Fund (FSU), the World Bank, the PAFEN Coordination Unit, and other relevant authorities.
The project is a public-private partnership with a total investment exceeding $10 million, of which the World Bank contributes $4.37 million and Lumitel invests over $5.62 million. This partnership highlights Lumitel’s long-term commitment to enhancing digital infrastructure in Burundi. Over the next 14 months, the project will expand high-speed internet to 86 hills across 14 provinces, benefiting more than 400,000 citizens and connecting nearly 300 schools. The initiative aims to support digital education, telemedicine, and online public services, particularly in rural areas.
Roles among stakeholders are clearly defined. The World Bank provides guidance to achieve strategic goals, including reducing the digital divide, promoting digital inclusion, and fostering a sustainable digital economy. The PAFEN ensures project coordination, supervision, and transparency, while Lumitel manages all technical aspects, from the design and deployment of 2G and 4G equipment to long-term operation and maintenance.
“Economic activity must go hand in hand with social responsibility. We’re investing in infrastructure not only to expand our market, but to expand opportunities for citizens.”
– Phan Truong Son, Director General, Lumitel
A PAFEN representative emphasized that Lumitel’s selection followed a rigorous and transparent tender process and stressed the importance of adhering to deadlines and quality standards to deliver tangible benefits to the population.
The PAFEN project is seen not merely as an infrastructure initiative but as a strategic step in Burundi’s broader digital transformation. For Lumitel, each new base station represents a foundation for knowledge, opportunity, and sustainable development, contributing to the long-term growth and modernization of the country.
