Why does Burundi import petroleum products and capital goods?

Burundi imports petroleum products and capital goods primarily to support the country's ongoing consumption and investment needs. Because the nation’s economy is heavily reliant on traditional subsistence agriculture—with industrial activity accounting for less than one-fourth of its gross domestic product—it lacks the domestic capacity to produce these essential goods internally.123

The country experiences a chronic trade deficit, as the cost of these necessary imports consistently outweighs the earnings generated by its primary exports, such as coffee and tea. This imbalance is further exacerbated by rising international import prices and a steady growth in domestic demand. While the government remains committed to protecting the industrial sector, which is limited to small-scale processing and manufacturing, the country remains dependent on external sources for energy and the capital equipment required for development.123