Burundi to Join East African Payment System by December 2026

Burundi is set to become a member of the East African Payment System (EAPS) by December 2026, a move aimed at facilitating real-time cross-border transactions and promoting the use of regional currencies in trade.

During the 29th Ordinary Meeting of the Monetary Affairs Committee of Central Bank Governors held in Kampala, Uganda, the Bank of the Republic of Burundi announced its plan to complete integration into EAPS within four months. This development follows the bank's recent upgrade of its Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) system to the ISO 20022 standard and the launch of Burundi Pay, the country's instant national payment platform operational since March 2026.

Currently, the EAPS connects Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda, with most transactions conducted in Kenyan shillings. Burundi's entry is expected to encourage greater use of partner states’ domestic currencies in cross-border trade, reducing reliance on foreign currencies and enhancing financial integration across the East African Community (EAC).

Key points from the announcement include:

• Completion of Burundi's EAPS integration targeted for December 2026.
• Modernisation of Burundi’s payment infrastructure with ISO 20022 migration.
• Launch of the national instant payment system, Burundi Pay, in March 2026.
• Commitment to promote regional currency usage in cross-border trade.
• Emphasis on the importance of seamless payment systems for effective monetary union.

Burundi’s Deputy Governor Irene Kabura highlighted the broader economic challenges facing the region, including geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and climate shocks, all contributing to financial market volatility and inflationary pressures. She stressed the need for central banks in the region to remain vigilant and coordinated in response.

Burundi’s integration into the EAPS marks a significant step toward deeper monetary cooperation and financial harmonisation within the East African Community.