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Bujumbura, Burundi | 10–11 November 2025

Burundi has taken a decisive step toward reducing trade and transport costs after hosting a high level United Nations workshop aimed at strengthening evidence based policymaking for landlocked developing countries (LLDCs).

The two day national workshop, titled “From Data to Policy: Strengthening Trade and Transport Cost Analysis in LLDCs,” was held in Bujumbura from 10 to 11 November 2025 and brought together government officials, technical experts, researchers, and private sector stakeholders involved in transport, trade facilitation, and regional integration.

The workshop was convened under a global initiative led by the United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN OHRLLS), with Burundi selected as one of only four pilot countries worldwide.

Opening the workshop, Mr. Abdoul Salam Bello, Chief, Office of the High Representative for the LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS, commended the Government of Burundi for its leadership and commitment to addressing the structural challenges faced by landlocked countries.

“Burundi was selected as one of the four pilot countries for this initiative—a recognition of its strategic role and its commitment to promoting trade and transport connectivity in the region,” Mr. Bello said.

Turning Evidence into Action

The workshop marked a key milestone in the implementation of the Awaza Programme of Action for LLDCs 2024–2034, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2024. The programme prioritizes the reduction of high trade and transport costs, which continue to constrain the integration of LLDCs into regional and global markets.

“These obstacles stem not only from geography,” Mr. Bello emphasized, “but also from infrastructure gaps, inefficient border procedures and fragmented regulatory environments.”

Participants were trained in a range of advanced analytical tools to better measure transport and trade costs and identify policy bottlenecks. These included macro level approaches—such as gravity models and trade cost databases—alongside applied methodologies like the Time Cost Distance Model and the Border Performance Index (BPI), using national and corridor level data from Burundi.

According to the workshop report, these tools enabled participants to link empirical evidence with real world policy challenges, improving their ability to design targeted reforms.

“This workshop is built on the principle of strengthening capacity through action and demonstration,” Mr. Bello noted. “Participants work directly with real data and apply methodologies to national corridors, ensuring that the tools are not only understood but also applied.”

Key Findings and Policy Priorities

Discussions and analyses during the workshop revealed that high transport costs in Burundi are driven by a combination of factors, including limited logistics infrastructure, inefficiencies at border crossings, and insufficient digital connectivity. Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of indirect costs, such as administrative delays and procedural inefficiencies, which significantly reduce trade competitiveness.

Participants highlighted the need to modernize border facilities, improve multimodal transport links—particularly along the Southern Corridor—and enhance regional coordination with ports such as Dar es Salaam and Mombasa. Lake Tanganyika’s navigability was identified as a potential low cost opportunity for expanding regional trade.

The workshop also underscored the importance of institutional capacity building, data systems, and digital solutions to support trade facilitation and reduce clearance times at borders.

Building Long Term Capacity

Beyond technical training, the workshop served as a platform for collaboration between the public and private sectors. Participants reported improved understanding of transport cost drivers and gained practical skills in applying analytical methodologies to Burundi’s development priorities.

According to the workshop evaluation, the majority of participants rated the training as “very good” and expressed strong willingness to apply the knowledge gained in their professional roles.

The workshop forms part of a broader roadmap leading to a global level LLDC workshop scheduled for March 2026, where pilot countries—including Burundi—will present their experiences and lessons learned.

Concluding his remarks, Mr. Bello stressed the broader development importance of the initiative.

“By improving data systems, we aim to support evidence based policymaking in landlocked developing countries, strengthen connectivity, and reduce trade transaction costs,” he said. “Together, we can turn data into policy, and policy into progress.”