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Burundi's press: Iwacu, RTNB and media in exile
In Burundi, news is read in Iwacu, the public daily Le Renouveau and the weekly Burundi Eco, and heard on the RTNB and private or exiled stations such as RPA, in Kirundi, French, English and Swahili, with sites that are largely free.
A press long controlled by the state
After independence in 1962, news was dominated by Le Renouveau du Burundi and national radio. The opening of the 1990s saw private radio stations emerge, including Radio Publique Africaine in 2001, and later the Iwacu newspaper in Bujumbura.
Iwacu, Le Renouveau and other titles
Le Renouveau, the public daily, follows the work of the government and institutions. Iwacu, an independent weekly and website, stands out for its reporting on politics, the economy and human rights. Burundi Eco concentrates on business and public finances.
Kirundi, French, English and Swahili
Kirundi is spoken by almost the entire population and dominates radio. French remains the language of the print press, English has been official since 2014, and Swahili, useful within the East African Community, is used by the RTNB.
Bujumbura, Gitega and the provinces
Gitega became the political capital in 2019, while Bujumbura remains the economic hub where most newsrooms are based. In the provinces, news travels through community radio, ABP correspondents and websites that cover local affairs.
SOS Medias, Yaga and digital platforms
Digital media have taken over part of the press's role. SOS Medias Burundi publishes daily briefs on security and refugees, Yaga runs a collaborative blog by young writers, and Burundi Daily carries news that is often critical of the government.
ABP, the public news agency
The Agence Burundaise de Presse (ABP) distributes official wires, ministerial activities and provincial news. It serves as the reference for government statements, official figures and the travels of the President of the Republic.
What does the RTNB offer?
Radio-Television Nationale du Burundi (RTNB) is the public broadcaster. It airs programmes in Kirundi, French, English and Swahili on radio and television, and remains the most listened-to source in the hills thanks to its national coverage.
Media in exile since 2015
During the attempted coup of May 2015, several private radio stations, including RPA, were destroyed. Some journalists went into exile, notably in Rwanda and Belgium, from where RPA and the online station Inzamba still broadcast.
Coffee, tea and the Intamba in the news
Burundi Eco and Iwacu follow coffee and tea, the main exports, as well as foreign currency shortages and fuel supply. Sport is dominated by football and the Intamba mu Rugamba, the national team, covered by general news sites.
Press freedom: what you should know
The National Communication Council (CNC) regulates the sector. Journalists have been prosecuted and jailed in recent years, including an Iwacu team arrested in 2019, and several international outlets have had their authorisation suspended in Burundi.
Free access and the Belgian connection
Burundian sites are generally free. Historical ties with Belgium explain regular coverage by the Belgian press, presented on the foreign press in Belgium page, which is useful for following the diaspora in Brussels.
Comparing public, independent and exiled media
The same event can be presented very differently by the RTNB, Iwacu or an exiled outlet. Read all three, then compare with the Rwandan press and the African press to place the story in the regional Great Lakes context.
Following Burundian news from abroad
- Read Iwacu for in-depth reporting and Le Renouveau for the official position on the same topics.
- Add ABP for government wires and statements from ministries based in Gitega and Bujumbura.
- Listen to the RTNB live for bulletins in Kirundi, French, English and Swahili.
- Follow an exiled outlet such as RPA or SOS Medias Burundi for a critical angle, bearing its editorial line in mind.
- Check Burundi Eco every week for fuel prices, the Burundian franc and coffee exports.
- Always check the date and origin of a video before sharing it, especially on security topics.
Access and subscriptions for Burundian media
| Media type | Access | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Iwacu (website) | Free online | Print paper sold by the copy in Bujumbura |
| Burundi Eco | Partly free | Paid print edition, variable price, indicative |
| RTNB | Free live streams | Public radio and television |
| Exiled radio stations and sites | Free | Distributed mainly online and on social media |
| ABP agency | Free | Official wires in French |
Key facts on Burundi's media
- Languages: Kirundi, French, English and Swahili
- News agency: Agence Burundaise de Presse (ABP)
- Public broadcaster: Radio-Television Nationale du Burundi (RTNB)
- Regulator: National Communication Council (CNC)
- Reference titles: Iwacu, Le Renouveau; business: Burundi Eco
- Capitals: Gitega (political), Bujumbura (economic)
- Time zone: UTC+2; currency: Burundian franc (BIF)
Reading traps in Burundian news
- Presenting an exiled outlet as neutral, or a public outlet as the only reliable source: each has an editorial line you need to know.
- Sharing a fake page imitating Iwacu or the RTNB on Facebook without checking the outlet's official account.
- Using an old article on the 2015 crisis as if it described the current political situation in Bujumbura.
- Confusing a post on the Yaga blog, often personal and committed, with a report checked by a newsroom.
- Ignoring Kirundi content, which accounts for most of the radio news heard in the provinces.
Your questions about the Burundian press
What is Burundi's main independent newspaper?
Iwacu is the best-known independent title. It publishes a weekly paper and a news website in French, with content in English and Kirundi, and stands out for its investigations into politics, the economy and human rights.
Why do some Burundian radio stations broadcast from abroad?
After the events of May 2015, private radio stations were destroyed and many journalists left the country. Some newsrooms, such as RPA and Inzamba, resumed their programmes from exile, mainly online and on social media.
Which language do I need to read the Burundian press?
French is enough for the print press and most of the news websites. For radio, Kirundi is essential, although the RTNB also airs news bulletins in French, English and Swahili.
Where can I follow the Burundian economy?
Burundi Eco is the leading business weekly, covering companies, agriculture, public finances and the Bank of the Republic of Burundi. Iwacu also publishes special reports on foreign currency, fuel and the cost of living.
Burundian public and independent media to read online
- IwacuBurundi's leading independent newspaper, a weekly and news site covering politics, economy, society and human rights.
- SOS Médias BurundiCollective of Burundian journalists publishing daily news on security, refugees and human rights in Burundi.
- RTNBNational Radio and Television of Burundi, the public broadcaster airing national and international news on radio and TV.
- ABP – Agence Burundaise de PresseBurundi's public news agency, distributing official dispatches and news on political, economic and provincial life.
- Burundi DailyOnline news site covering Burundi's political, security and economic news, often critical of the government.
- RPA – Radio Publique AfricaineIndependent private Burundian radio broadcasting from exile, known for investigations into security and human rights.
- Burundi EcoBurundian business weekly focused on companies, public finances, agriculture and the country's development.
- Radio InzambaBurundian online radio run by journalists in exile, offering a daily news bulletin on the country.