Republic of Burundi

Brazil established diplomatic relations with Burundi in 1980. In 2012, the African country opened its Embassy in Brasilia, which functioned until December 2020. Since January 2021, the Embassy of Burundi in Washington has also been responsible for representing that country in Brazil. The Brazilian Embassy in Nairobi (Kenya) exercises, cumulatively, its diplomatic representation in Burundi

The first visit by a Burundian foreign minister to Brazil was paid in 2009 by Augustin Nsanze. In February 2013, President Dilma Rousseff met with the President of Burundi, Pierre Nkurunziza, on the sidelines of the 3rd South America-Africa Summit (ASA). Foreign Minister Laurent Kavakure visited Brazil in April 2013.

Brazil is an important cooperation partner for Burundi, both bilaterally and trilaterally. The history of Brazilian cooperation in favor of Burundi includes initiatives in areas such as fighting poverty, health (combating HIV/AIDS), energy (biofuels), sports (soccer) and food security (food donations and school meals).

Two projects in the cotton sector are currently being implemented bilaterally: the Regional Project to Strengthen the Cotton Sector in the Lake Victoria Basin (Cotton-Victoria Project) and the African Integration Project for Sustainable Genetic Improvement of Cotton, with the aim of promoting the development of cotton varieties that are more adaptable to the local conditions of African countries. In addition to Burundi, the projects benefit other countries on the continent.

On a trilateral level, in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP), a project is being implemented to support the development of sustainable school feeding programs in Burundi.

Chronology of bilateral relations

2020 – The Embassy of Burundi Brasilia is closed (December).

2018 – The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aloysio Nunes, and the Ambassador of Burundi sign an Agreement in the Educational Area and a Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation in the Training of Diplomats, in Brasília

2013 – Visit to Brazil by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Burundi, Laurent Kavakure; signing of the Visa Exemption Agreement for Holders of Diplomatic, Official or Service Passports and the Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation in the Area of Eradication of Hunger and Poverty

2013 – President Dilma Rousseff meets with Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza, on the margin of the 3rd ASA Summit, in Malabo

2012 – Brazil participates in the Burundi Development Partners Conference and offers support to the 2nd Action Plan for Poverty Reduction in Burundi (2012-16)

2012 – Brazilian Ambassador (non-resident) to Burundi participates in Bujumbura in the opening of a health center for the detection and prevention of HIV/AIDS, built within the scope of the cooperation provided by the IBSA Fund, and meets with Foreign Minister Laurent Kavakure

2012 – Burundian technicians attend eleven courses within the framework of the Brazil-Africa Dialogue on Food Security

2012 – Opening of the embassy of Burundi in Brasília

2011 – Foreign Ministers Antonio de Aguiar Patriota and Laurent Kavakure meet on the margins of the 4th ASA Ministerial Meeting in Malabo

2011 – Burundi is included among the beneficiaries of the Law 12,429/2011, which authorizes Brazil to donate public food stocks for international humanitarian assistance. In 2012 Brazil donated 2,000 tons of rice to the country through the World Food Program.

2011 – Foreign Minister Antonio de Aguiar Patriota meets with Foreign Minister Augustin Nsanze, on the margins of the UN High Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS in New York. Burundi expresses support for Professor José Graziano da Silva's candidacy to the General Direction of FAO

2010 – Study visit to Brazil by technicians of the Ministry of the Fight against AIDS of Burundi

2009 – Official visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Burundi to Brazil; an Agreement of Technical Cooperation is signed

2008 – Dr. Paulo Galerani, from EMBRAPA's Regional Office in Accra, visits Bujumbura where he had meetings with the Minister of Agriculture of Burundi

2008 – Memorandum of Understanding between the Institute of Applied Economic Research and the Burundi Institute of Economic Development

2007 – Brazil participates in the Bujumbura Round-Table for the Development of Burundi

1980 – Brazil and Burundi establish bilateral relations