Burundi and India have opened early talks on cooperation in digital identity and electronic payments, with India offering to share the expertise it has built through its large-scale digital public infrastructure. The discussions, reported by the regional outlet TechAfrica News, remain at an exploratory stage and have not produced a formal agreement.
According to the report, the talks took shape at a June 22 meeting between Isidora Ntakiyiruta, an adviser to Burundi’s Ministry of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, and Upender Singh Rawat, India’s representative to Burundi. The Indian representative outlined how India could support the digital transformation of government services in Burundi, and expressed interest in expanding cooperation specifically in digital identity systems and electronic payment solutions, drawing on India’s experience implementing digital public infrastructure and digital financial services at scale.
Ntakiyiruta welcomed the proposals, the report said, noting that they align with Burundi’s efforts to modernize public services and expand the use of digital technology across government. The meeting also reaffirmed the broader relationship between the two countries, including existing development cooperation such as the Kabu 16 hydroelectric project.
If the cooperation advances, it would add Burundi to a list of countries turning to India as a model and a partner for digital identity, following deals such as Sri Lanka’s selection of Indian firms to build a MOSIP-based digital ID system and its India-funded national digital ID program. For now, the talks reflect intent rather than a committed program, and details on scope, financing, or timeline have not been announced.
Sources: TechAfrica News
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By the ID Tech Editorial Team
