Regulatory Alerts2026-07-01
Added · Updated
Circular No. 25/2026 Amending the Tariff Schedule for Central Bank Supervision Services for Credit Institutions
This circular establishes the tariff schedule for supervision services rendered by the Bank of the Republic of Burundi to credit institutions and representative offices. It mandates an annual supervision fee calculated at 1% of net profit with a minimum of 25,000,000 BIF for credit institutions, and a flat 5,000,000 BIF for representative offices, payable by January 31 each year via automatic debit. The document also sets specific fees for application approvals, derogations, foreign exchange services, and defaulting client lists, entering into force upon publication.
BANK OF THE REPUBLIC OF BURUNDI THE GOVERNOR
CIRCULAR N° 25 /2026 AMENDING THE CIRCULAR OF DECEMBER 21, 2020 RELATING TO THE TARIFF SCHEDULE FOR SERVICES RENDERED BY THE CENTRAL BANK IN THE FIELD OF SUPERVISION OF CREDIT INSTITUTIONS ISSUED UNDER LAW N°1/17 OF AUGUST 22, 2017 GOVERNING BANKING ACTIVITIES
The Governor of the Bank of the Republic of Burundi;
Having regard to Law No. 1/34 of December 02, 2008 on the Statutes of the Bank of the Republic of Burundi, specifically Articles 7 (paragraphs 4 and 6) and 8; Having regard to Law No. 1/17 of August 22, 2017 governing banking activities, Article 41 thereof; Having regard to the foreign exchange regulations;
Having reviewed Circular No. 25/2018 as amended on December 21, 2020, relating to the tariff schedule for services rendered by the Central Bank in the field of supervision of credit institutions and representative offices established in Burundi issued under Law No. 1/17 of August 22, 2017 governing banking activities;
Enacts:
CHAPTER I: GENERAL PROVISIONS
Article 1: Purpose
The purpose of this circular is to establish the tariff schedule for services rendered by the Bank of the Republic of Burundi, hereinafter referred to as «the Central Bank», in the field of supervision of regulated institutions.
Article 2: Categories of Tariffed Services
The services tariffed by the Central Bank are subdivided into the following categories:
- Application fees;
- Fees related to the provision of the list of defaulting clients;
- Fees related to the granting of an approval act;
- Annual fee (covering all administrative fees for files processed by the Central Bank, including ongoing monitoring of regulated institutions);
- Fees related to foreign exchange regulations.
Said services and corresponding tariffs are set out in the tariff schedule annexed to this circular.
Article 3: Modalities for the Collection of the Annual Fee and Other Charges
The annual fee, as set out in the annexed tariff schedule, is payable by regulated institutions no later than January 31 of each year. The annual fee and other charges are collected by automatic debit from the account of the regulated institution concerned, opened in the books of the Central Bank. The annual fee and other charges required from institutions not holding an account with the Central Bank are payable by deposit into the dedicated accounts of the Central Bank.
Article 4: Repealing Provisions and Entry into Force
All previous provisions contrary to this circular are repealed. This circular enters into force on the day of its publication on the Central Bank's website and in the Official Gazette of Burundi.
Done in Bujumbura, on 16/07/2026
Edouard Normand BIGENDAKO Governor
Annex to Circular No. 25 /2026
Schedule of applicable tariffs for services rendered by the Central Bank in the field of supervision of credit institutions
| DESCRIPTION | TARIFF |
|---|---|
| Application for approval of a credit institution or a subsidiary of a foreign credit institution | 30 000 000 BIF |
| Application for approval of a representative office of a foreign credit institution | 20 000 000 BIF |
| Application for authorization for Burundian institutions to open subsidiaries abroad | 30 000 000 BIF |
| Application for authorization for Burundian institutions to open representative offices abroad | 30 000 000 BIF |
| Application for authorization, by credit institutions, for the modification of legal form, change of corporate name, trade name, commercial sign, type of operations for which they have been approved, and shareholdings of shareholders holding 25% of the share capital | 3 000 000 BIF |
| Application for approval of a Director/Manager | 4 000 000 BIF |
| Application for approval of an Administrator/Board Member | 4 000 000 BIF |
| Application for non-objection for exercising the function of Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of a credit institution | 1 000 000 BIF |
| Application for approval of an Auditor | 4 000 000 BIF |
| Application for renewal of an auditor's mandate | 2 000 000 BIF |
| Application for derogation from provisions relating to risk diversification | 20 000 000 BIF |
| Application for derogation from deadlines set by the Central Bank for the submission of financial statements | 5 000 000 BIF flat rate |
| Application for derogation from other regulatory provisions | 4 000 000 BIF |
| Application for relocation of the head office of a credit institution or a representative office | 8 000 000 BIF |
| Application for non-objection for the sale of insurance products to their clients | 4 000 000 BIF |
| Application for authorization to carry out non-banking activities | 3 000 000 BIF |
| Provision of the list of defaulting clients | 500 000 BIF per month |
| Granting of an approval act for a credit institution or a representative office | 30 000 000 BIF |
| Capacity building upon request from regulated institutions | 2 000 000 BIF per day and per institution |
| Annual supervision fee for credit institutions | 1% of Net Profit with a minimum of 25 000 000 BIF |
| Annual supervision fee for a representative office | 5 000 000 BIF |
| Fees for BSA-related services | 5 000 000 BIF per year |
| Derogation from the circular relating to the granting of loans or guarantees in foreign currency | 5 000 000 BIF |
| Application for derogation for payment before import of goods beyond the authorized ceiling: | 5% of the foreign currency amount for which derogation is requested |
| Application for derogation for cash withdrawal from legal entities' accounts, outside cases provided for by Circular 001/RC/2023 relating to foreign exchange limits for payment of services | 10% of the foreign currency amount |
| Application for derogation from Article 4 of the Foreign Exchange Regulations relating to the legal tender currency in the Republic of Burundi (BIF) | 5 000 000 BIF |
| Application for authorization to transfer an advance payment for services exceeding 50 000 USD | 5 000 000 BIF |
| Application for validation of an Import Declaration (DI) after import of goods | 5 000 000 BIF |
| Application for extension of an Import Declaration (DI) | 2 000 000 BIF |
| Application for modification of an Import Declaration (DI) | 2 000 000 BIF |
| Derogation for payment on an expired Import Declaration (DI) | 2 000 000 BIF |
| Application for cancellation of an already used Import Declaration (DI) | 2 000 000 BIF |
| Application for reactivation of a suspended Import Declaration (DI) | 2 000 000 BIF |
| Application for derogation from other provisions of the Foreign Exchange Regulations | 2 000 000 BIF |
| Fees for validation of an Export Declaration (DE) | 1 000 000 BIF |
| Application for unblocking an Export Declaration (DE) | 1 000 000 BIF |
| Application for extension of an Export Declaration (DE) exceeding 12 months | 1 000 000 BIF |
| Application for cancellation of an already validated Export Declaration (DE) | 1 000 000 BIF |
| Application for extension of the deadline for repatriation of export proceeds | 2 000 000 BIF |
| Application for derogation for repatriation of proceeds to a bank other than the one that validated the Export Declaration (DE) | 1% of the foreign currency amount |
| Application for derogation for additional time to use foreign currency | 5% of the total unused foreign currency amount |
| Application for derogation to close an Export Declaration (DE) with proof | 1 000 000 BIF |