The Ambassador of Burundi to Nigeria, Edward Nduwimana, has urged Nigeria to urgently resume the supply of crude oil to his country, warning that the suspension of the long-standing arrangement continues to affect Burundi’s energy capacity.
Nduwimana made the appeal during an interaction with journalists in Abuja, where he also called for the immediate reconvening of the Permanent Mixed Commission for Cooperation between both countries to revive stalled agreements and unlock new economic partnerships.
Nigeria had previously supplied Burundi with about 45,000 barrels of crude oil per day under a bilateral agreement that ran between 2008 and 2014, before it was halted amid reforms in Nigeria’s petroleum sector.
The envoy said the arrangement had played a vital role in stabilising Burundi’s energy supply and supporting economic activities, adding that its suspension created a significant gap in the country’s energy needs.
“Burundi wishes to express its gratitude to the Nigerian people, through their institutions, for the support provided since 2008 through the supply of crude oil,” he said.
“This support helped mitigate the effects of the energy deficit in my country. We understand that the suspension in 2014 occurred in a particular context, driven by the government’s desire to restructure the sector.”
Despite the interruption, Nduwimana expressed optimism that Nigeria would consider restoring the arrangement in the spirit of African solidarity and mutual benefit. He noted that discussions are already ongoing to revive the partnership as part of broader efforts to strengthen bilateral relations.
He also stressed the urgency of reconvening the cooperation commission in 2026, noting that its last session was held in Bujumbura in 2021. According to him, the meeting would provide an opportunity to review past commitments, resolve outstanding issues, and chart a new course for collaboration.
“The second session will represent an important step in strengthening bilateral cooperation between Burundi and Nigeria,” he said.
The ambassador added that the proposed engagement would focus on key sectors including trade, education, tourism, mining, and agro-industry, while also strengthening legal frameworks needed to support joint projects and investment flows.
“Our ambition is to achieve concrete commitments that deliver tangible results for our two countries and their populations,” he said.
Beyond diplomatic efforts, Nduwimana invited Nigerian businesses and investors to explore opportunities in Burundi, describing the country as an emerging investment destination in East Africa.
He noted that Burundi serves as a gateway to the East African Community market and offers prospects in agriculture, mining, energy, infrastructure, and tourism.
“Burundi is a stable country, open for business, and committed to improving its investment climate,” he said.
The renewed push underscores Burundi’s determination to revive its energy partnership with Nigeria while expanding cooperation into trade, investment, and regional integration.
Michael Olugbode
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