This report argues that urbanizationbrings significant opportunities for both rural and urbanareas and that Burundi needs to prioritize issues ofeconomic growth and job creation. Based on a diagnosticevaluation of the current urbanization and spatial growth,GDP, and job potential, the report highlights the importanceof prioritizing policies and investments to addressdeficiencies in Burundi urbanization. These remedial actionswill help prepare Burundi for coming urban growth and helpleverage agglomeration effects, minimize negativeexternalities associated with rapid urbanization, andpotentially reap the demographic dividend of thistransition. Getting urbanization right will need to beassociated with targeted implementation strategies forgrowth in the agribusiness and tourism sectors. A rapid moveto cities is a central element of Burundi developmentstrategy, including an increase in the urbanization ratefrom 11 percent to 40 percent by 2025. Burundivision 2025aims to aims to promote urbanization via rural-urbanmigration, freeing arable land, providing nonagriculturalurban employment opportunities, and in turn, reducing therisks for social conflict and economic fragility. Thisreport shows that while the Vision 2025 target of rate 40percent is unrealistic, Burundi urbanization rate mayalready be higher than expected due to limitations in thecurrent urban classification and the agglomeration ofhouseholds along major transport corridors. This uncertaintyfurther underlines the need for government to address thekey issues that will affect whether Burundi will achieveeffective urbanization or not.
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