Payment methods in Burundi

Africa

3methods

2banks

Mobile money penetration is approximately 1%, one of the lowest in Africa — significant growth potential exists.

Market takeaways

Mobile money penetration is approximately 1%, one of the lowest in Africa — significant growth potential exists.
Approximately 11 fintech startups operate in Burundi, mostly focused on mobile money and digital payments.
AfriPay is a digital bank offering accounts, transfers, and payment services.
IBB Mobile Plus (Interbank Burundi, launched 2021) provides digital banking services via a modern platform.
Cash dominates virtually all economic transactions; formal banking is concentrated in Bujumbura.

Population

~14M

Online population

~2M

Banked population

~10%

Mobile Money Penetration

~1% of adults

Credit card population

~0.5%

Payment method breakdown

Cash90%
Mobile Money5%
Bank Transfer4%
Card1%
Other0%

Card scheme breakdown

Visa60%
Mastercard35%
Local Schemes5%
Other0%

Cross-border e-commerce

Market data coming soon.

Featured payment methods in Burundi

Popular options based on coverage and prominence in this market.

AfriPay

AfriPay is a Burundian digital bank offering accounts, transfers, and payment services. It is part of the emerging fintech ecosystem, targeting the underbanked urban population.

Lumicash (Econet Leo)

Lumicash is Burundi's primary mobile money platform, operated by Econet Leo. It provides P2P transfers, bill payments, airtime top-up, and agent-based cash services to mobile subscribers. It remains small relative to the population but is one of the few active mobile money services.

IBB Mobile Plus

IBB Mobile Plus is a digital banking platform launched in 2021 by Interbank Burundi, providing mobile bank account management, transfers, and payments using a modern digital banking platform.