BURUNDI ³

(BIF) Currency News >>

CURRENCY:

Burundi Franc BIF

DENOMINATIONS:

NOTE: BIF5,000, 1,000, 500, 100, 50, 20 and 10

COIN: BIF10, 5 and 1

US DOLLAR ACCEPTED:

Euros are better aside from the local currency.

CREDIT/DEBIT CARDS AND ATMS:

DO NOT rely on credit cards in Burundi - there is low acceptance of these. ATM machines are also not available.

CURRENCY EXCHANGE:

Currency exchange is available, but it must be done in the main banks of the capital, Bujumbura, or Gitega. It would be wise to organise foreign currency before travelling to the region.

TRAVELLER'S CHEQUES:

Best in US Dollars or Euros, but best avoided as commission rates will be high. Again it is highly recommended to organise cash currency in advance.

BANKING HOURS:

Mornings only, Mon - Fri

CURRENCY RESTRICTIONS:

Limited import and export of local currency; unlimited on import and export of foreign currency.

COUNTRY OVERVIEW:

Burundi's full name is the Republic of Burundi and is located in Eastern Africa, surrounded by Rwanda, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The country is associated with the political unrest made famous by the conflict between the Tutsi and Hutu tribes. The main proportion of the population of Burundi are Roman Catholic, although the Muslim faith and Christianity are also practised. The capital is Bujumbura.

POPULATION:

3,589,434

ECONOMY:

Burundi is one of the poorest nations in the world. This has blamed on a number of factors including the high levels of AIDS, lack of education, a poor legal system and the landlocked location. Famine has blighted the region and the largest proportion of the population lives in poverty. The main element of the economy is agriculture although Burundi relies on international aid.