CHICAGO, UNITED STATES — Burundi is making a strategic push for investment, centering its efforts at the Africa Speaker Series in Chicago on April 23, 2026. This high-level forum, a pivotal platform for U. S.-Africa commercial engagement, is shining a spotlight on Burundi, an East African market often overlooked for its investment potential.
President Évariste Ndayishimiye’s administration is leading this initiative, aiming to reshape the nation’s economic narrative and attract international capital. H. E. Jean Bosco Barege, Burundi’s Ambassador to the United States, will present a detailed plan outlining investment opportunities and policy directions, focusing on sectors like mining, agriculture, and infrastructure.
Burundi’s mining sector, rich in rare-earth and critical minerals, is particularly attractive in the global pursuit of clean energy and advanced manufacturing. The country’s agricultural sector, known for its coffee and tea, is also set to expand with investment, aiming to enhance production and processing capabilities.
The Africa Global Chamber of Commerce (AGCC) is actively supporting this effort, with Olivier Kamanzi, AGCC’s leader, ensuring the forum leads to concrete business outcomes. The Africa Speaker Series has a history of translating discussions into trade missions, signed deals, and job creation across Africa.
The event will convene a diverse range of stakeholders, including diplomats, city officials, legal experts, entrepreneurs, and scholars, to foster a multidimensional dialogue on investment, governance, and sustainable development. The partnership with Northeastern Illinois University’s Center for Genocide and Human Rights Research in Africa and the Diaspora adds a layer of intellectual depth to the discussions.
The objective is clear: to convert dialogue into actionable commitments. For decades, Burundi has been on the fringes of major investment flows. But under President Ndayishimiye, the nation is aiming to leverage its stability, reform signals, and resource potential to become a prime investment destination. The Chicago forum represents a significant step towards this goal, aiming to shift the nation’s profile from overlooked to opportunity-rich.
Source: Panafricanvisions
