Burundi, a landlocked country in East Africa, is a nation rich in history and resilience. Despite its small geographic size, Burundi boasts a deeply rooted cultural heritage shaped by centuries of monarchy, colonial rule, and post-independence struggles. Known for its rolling green hills, vibrant drumming traditions, and warm-hearted people, Burundi is now taking meaningful strides toward economic transformation and modernization. At the heart of this journey is the capital city, Gitega — a historic and symbolic center that was officially named the capital in 2019, replacing Bujumbura. Gitega plays a central role in Burundi’s political and economic development, acting as a hub for national governance and regional coordination.
In recent years, Burundi has been making notable progress on the economic front. According to the World Bank, Burundi’s GDP grew by approximately 2.4% in 2023, driven by improvements in agriculture, public investments, and service sectors. The government has been actively pursuing structural reforms aimed at improving governance, boosting infrastructure, and encouraging private sector participation. While challenges such as limited infrastructure and reliance on agriculture remain, efforts to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) are showing signs of promise, especially in telecommunications, energy, and tourism.
One of the most exciting trends in Burundi’s economic landscape is the rise of financial literacy and digital entrepreneurship. Access to mobile phones and internet services has expanded rapidly, giving rise to fintech solutions and enabling more citizens to access banking services, digital payment platforms, and investment tools. Young entrepreneurs in Burundi are increasingly exploring digital markets and global trading platforms, including forex trading, as alternative sources of income and economic empowerment.
The growing interest in forex trading reflects a broader shift in the mindset of Burundi’s younger generation. With increased awareness of global financial systems, many Burundians are eager to learn how to invest wisely, manage risks, and participate in international markets. Educational initiatives, online trading academies, and local mentorship networks are also contributing to this upward trend in financial engagement.
The best forex broker for traders in Burundi is HFM, known for its low spreads, diverse asset offerings, and user-friendly platforms. For additional options, FxPro and AvaTrade also provide reliable trading environments tailored to the needs of Burundian investors.
HFM – Best Overall Broker
HFM, formerly known as HotForex, stands out as the top choice for traders in Burundi thanks to its exceptional blend of accessibility, low-cost trading, and platform reliability. With over a decade of experience in the global forex market, HFM has built a solid reputation since 2010. Traders in Burundi appreciate the broker’s low spreads starting from 0.0 pips on major currency pairs, as well as access to over 1,200 instruments across forex, commodities, indices, shares, and cryptocurrencies. HFM provides excellent multilingual customer support and a variety of account types that cater to both beginners and advanced traders. The broker’s local deposit options and low minimum deposit make it especially attractive for retail traders in Burundi. Additionally, HFM’s user-friendly MetaTrader platforms and strong regulatory credentials give traders confidence and convenience. Its focus on trader education and market analysis also resonates with Burundi’s growing number of self-taught, tech-savvy investors.
FxPro – Second Best Broker
FxPro is a respected forex broker that appeals to Burundian traders looking for advanced tools and a high level of market transparency. Since its establishment in 2006, FxPro has served millions of clients globally with a wide selection of trading instruments, including forex, shares, futures, indices, and cryptocurrencies. The broker offers highly competitive spreads and operates with no dealing desk execution, ensuring fast and fair order fulfillment. Traders in Burundi often choose FxPro for its integration with MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader platforms — ideal for more experienced investors seeking speed and customizability. The availability of detailed market analytics, real-time news, and risk management tools is particularly valuable in a region where financial literacy is on the rise. FxPro’s strong regulatory framework and flexible trading conditions make it a solid option for ambitious traders in Burundi who are ready to scale their trading strategies.
AvaTrade – Third Best Broker
AvaTrade is another favored broker among Burundian traders, recognized for its stability, educational resources, and well-rounded trading environment. Founded in 2006, AvaTrade has grown into a global leader with regulatory oversight in multiple jurisdictions. It offers access to more than 1,250 financial instruments, including forex pairs, stocks, ETFs, cryptocurrencies, and commodities. With fixed and variable spreads, AvaTrade appeals to both conservative and dynamic traders. The broker is especially known for its robust educational platform, which aligns well with the needs of new and intermediate traders in Burundi eager to deepen their market knowledge. Its platforms, such as AvaTradeGO and MetaTrader 5, provide mobile-friendly experiences with intuitive interfaces. AvaTrade’s strong focus on client support and investor protection adds another layer of trust for Burundian users entering global markets.
Traders’ Characteristics in Burundi
Burundi remains one of the poorest countries globally, with a modest nominal GDP of about USD 6.75 billion in 2025 and per capita income of under USD 500 (Wikipedia). Despite this, the economy is showing signs of resilience, with annual growth around 3.5% in 2024 and projected to remain near that level through 2025 (World Bank, World Bank Docs). However, high inflation—estimated at around 39% in early 2025—and persistent foreign exchange shortages continue to challenge everyday economic participation (Wealthway FX+5State Department+5IMF+5).
Formal financial inclusion is extremely limited: only around 2% of Burundians hold bank accounts, while approximately 4% engage with microfinance services, which provide crucial savings and credit access for many (Wikipedia+1World Bank+1). This low-level coverage significantly constrains retail access to investment tools and capital markets.
Nevertheless, forex trading is gradually gaining awareness, particularly among urban professionals, youth, and diaspora members. Though precise figures are scarce, reports suggest Burundi joins broader African trends where smartphone-based forex access is expanding; there are about 1.3 million African forex traders via mobile (Wealthway FX+2research-center.amundi.com+2State Department+2). These individuals—often educated or connected overseas—invest modest amounts (typically a few hundred to a few thousand USD annually) via trusted international platforms.
Key reforms such as the launch of an interbank foreign exchange market in May 2023 reflect government efforts to stabilize currency markets and improve FX access (IMF eLibrary). Still, macroeconomic challenges—including limited reserves, high debt (~68–70% of GDP), and inflation—affect trade and financial sector growth (World Bank Docs, bti-project.org, Coface).
Conclusion
Burundi is steadily taking its first steps into the global forex trading landscape, driven by growing financial awareness, youth interest, and mobile accessibility. Despite structural economic challenges and low formal financial inclusion, a small but determined group of traders is beginning to engage with international brokers. With continued reforms and digital expansion, Burundi’s trading community is poised for gradual but promising growth.
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