Mouna Diawara Appointed AfDB Country Manager for Burundi
The African Development Bank Group has appointed Mouna Diawara as its new Country Manager for Burundi.
Diawara officially assumed the role after presenting her letters of accreditation to Edouard Bizimana, Burundi’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Development Cooperation, during a meeting held in Bujumbura on 3 March 2026.
Welcoming the new appointment, Bizimana praised the long-standing partnership between Burundi and the African Development Bank and expressed confidence that Diawara would help strengthen cooperation between the two parties.
He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the Bank’s mission and development initiatives in the country.
Diawara said the African Development Bank remains committed to supporting Burundi’s national development goals, including the country’s ambition to become an emerging economy by 2040 and a developed nation by 2060.
The African Development Bank has supported Burundi’s development since 1974, with cumulative commitments exceeding US$1.2 billion.
Current cooperation between the Bank and Burundi is guided by the Country Strategy Paper for 2024–2029, which focuses on strengthening economic resilience, reducing fragility and promoting inclusive and sustainable growth.
Under the strategy, the Bank prioritises support for agricultural value chains and economic governance to enhance resilience, while also expanding energy and transport infrastructure to stimulate inclusive and green economic development.
As of March 2026, the African Development Bank’s active portfolio in Burundi consists of 19 projects valued at US$501.4 million. The investments are mainly concentrated in the transport sector, which accounts for 44 per cent of the portfolio, followed by agriculture at 23 per cent and energy at 20 per cent.
Other areas supported by the Bank include the social sector, water and sanitation, multi-sector initiatives and financial services.
