Burundi faces severe fuel shortage, rise in cost of living

The scarcity of fuel oil in Bujumbura has severely impacted drivers of vehicles dependent on this fuel type for transporting people and goods, RPA has reported. Drivers say they now have to “spend more than two days waiting in queues at gas stations'' due to the shortage resulting in dire financial consequences for them.

Additionally, frequent disputes arise with employers demanding payment for services rendered during these periods of scarcity.

Aside from drivers, owners of construction companies are grappling with significant challenges due to the shortage of fuel oil. Construction companies are experiencing substantial shortfalls, leading to difficulties in meeting contractual deadlines and incurring penalties for delayed projects.

The situation is further exacerbated by the escalating costs associated with vehicles transporting construction materials, adding financial strain for contractors, as highlighted by a contractor who secured a contract for building a school establishment.

"When construction materials are lacking on the site, workers cannot work. So, they are not going to receive their full monthly salary, because instead of working for 30 days, they only work for 15 or 20 days because of the lack of construction materials,” a contractor told RPA.

“A kilogram of potatoes which sold for 1500 BIF, is currently 1800 BIF. The price of a kilo of bananas, which was 1,200 BIF, is sold at 1,500 BIF… the price of 20 litres of fuel oil currently costs 150 thousand BIF on the black market. A price which is very high, which means that some of us have decided to park our vehicles,” a resident of Nyakabiga zone added.

While fuel crises have been recurrent over the months, Burundians have made incessant calls on the government to take decisive action to address the problem.