Burundi Digital Economy Assessment
Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has highlighted the need for accelerating digital adoption in Burundi. Burundi’s current sectoral strategies acknowledge the importance of investing in digital technology. However, these lack an overarching approach with...
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| Format: | Report |
| Language: | English |
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World Bank, Washington, DC
2021
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| Online Access: | http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/605991608528899689/Burundi-Digital-Economy-Assessment http://hdl.handle.net/10986/34999 |
| Summary: | Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has
highlighted the need for accelerating digital adoption in
Burundi. Burundi’s current sectoral strategies acknowledge
the importance of investing in digital technology. However,
these lack an overarching approach with an actionable
roadmap and clear resources behind it. Burundi’s mobile
network coverage and mobile broadband uptake continues to be
characterized by a stark urban-rural divide. Digital
platforms are paramount in connecting people, businesses,
and the government - enabling both transactions and the
exchange of information, goods, and services in more
efficient and convenient ways. At present Burundi’s digital
entrepreneurship sector remains embryonic, hampered by
barriers such as limited ecosystem support and weak access
to financing. Whether through the provision of public
services closer to its citizens with digital platforms, or
through increased financial inclusion enabled by digital
financial services and dynamic digital ecosystems, Burundi
stands to gain from a continued investment in the
foundations of its digital economy. Chapter one gives
introduction. Chapter two reviews cross-cutting factors that
affect the strategic, institutional, and regulatory
environment for the digital agenda in Burundi. The report
proceeds to explore the five foundational pillars of the
digital economy, in more depth. Chapter three looks at the
access, quality, and usage of digital infrastructure, as
well as the dynamics of the connectivity market, including
what it will take to get more Burundians online. Chapter
four discusses the current state of digital skills
attainment and coverage. Chapter five analyzes the current
application and scope for expanding the use of digital
platforms - both in the public and private sector. Chapter
six examines the state and uptake of digital financial
services (DFS) among individuals, businesses and by
government. Finally, chapter seven assesses the state of
digital entrepreneurship and the culture of innovation in Burundi. |
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