PRESS RELEASE
Government of Burundi, through the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Energy, Industry, Trade and Tourism Strengthens Industrial Cooperation with Kiluwa Group of Companies Following Official Working Visit to Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania from 5–10 June 2026
The Excellence Minister of Mineral Resources, Energy, Industry, Trade and Tourism, Dr Hassan KIbeya, accompanied by the Ambassador of the Republic of Burundi in the United Republic of Tanzania, Honnorable Leontine Nzeyimana, the CEO of SONALEC, Mr Jean Baptiste Ntakirutimana; and the Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Management, Dr Suwadu Bugoma; among others, has successfully concluded an official working visit to Kiluwa Group of Companies in Tanzania. The visit aimed at strengthening industrial cooperation and promoting potential strategic investment partnerships.
The visit, led by the Excellence Minister of Mineral Resources, Energy, Industry, Trade and Tourism, forms part of Burundi’s broader agenda to accelerate industrialization, attract foreign direct investment, enhance value addition, and deepen regional economic integration in line with the country’s Vision 2040 and Vision 2060 development frameworks.
Strengthening Industrial Cooperation and Investment Partnerships
During the visit, the Burundian delegation engaged in high-level discussions and technical exchanges with Kiluwa Group, one of Tanzania’s leading diversified industrial conglomerates with investments in manufacturing, renewable energy, mining support services, transport engineering, agro-industrial development, and healthcare products.
The mission provided an opportunity to assess Kiluwa Group’s industrial capabilities and explore potential areas of cooperation, including mining and mineral beneficiation, renewable energy development, industrial manufacturing, transport infrastructure, fertilizer production, and agro-industrial value chains.
Key Areas of Cooperation Identified
The discussions were structured around six strategic pillars, namely mining and value addition, renewable energy development, industrial manufacturing and industrial parks, railway and transport infrastructure, agro-industrial development, and investment promotion and strategic partnerships; among others.
Both parties identified significant opportunities for collaboration in mineral processing, solar energy development, industrial infrastructure, railway engineering, agricultural mechanization, and pharmaceutical production, among others.
Toward a Structured Partnership Framework
The visit culminated in the development of a preliminary cooperation framework and roadmap aimed at guiding future engagement between the two parties. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is under consideration to formalize cooperation in key sectors, including infrastructure development, mining, energy, agriculture, industrial manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and trade facilitation.
A joint technical working group is expected to be established to advance implementation, oversee feasibility studies, and ensure structured follow-up on priority projects.
Strategic Importance for Burundi’s Development
The visit aligns with Burundi’s national priorities of promoting industrial transformation, job creation, skills development, and economic diversification. Engagement with Kiluwa Group provided valuable insights into integrated industrial development models that can support local manufacturing, reduce import dependency, and enhance value addition across key sectors.
Special emphasis was placed on energy security, mineral value addition, transport infrastructure modernization, and agro-industrial development as critical drivers of sustainable economic growth.
Commitment to Long-Term Cooperation
Both parties expressed commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation and advancing mutually beneficial investment opportunities. The engagement is expected to contribute to technology transfer, capacity building, private sector development, and enhanced regional economic integration within the East African region.
Next Steps
Following the visit, the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Energy, Industry, Trade and Tourism and Kiluwa Group will proceed with:
- Finalization of the Memorandum of Understanding;
- Establishment of a joint technical working group;
- Development of a detailed cooperation roadmap;
- Conduct of feasibility studies for identified priority projects;
- Organization of follow-up technical missions.
Conclusion
This official working visit marks a significant milestone in strengthening economic and industrial cooperation between Burundi and Tanzania. It lays a solid foundation for long-term strategic partnerships aimed at accelerating industrial development, promoting investment, and supporting sustainable economic transformation in Burundi.
Issued by:
Ministry of Mineral Resources, Energy, Industry, Trade and Tourism Republic of Burundi
Bujumbura, 11th/06/2026