List of Burundi Provinces and Capitals

Written and Fact-checked by Whereig Editors | Last Updated On: May 22, 2026

Burundi is divided into 18 provinces, which are further divided into communes and collines. Here is a list of the provinces in Burundi:

Burundi is a small landlocked country in East Africa, bordered by Rwanda, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The country is divided into 18 provinces, and those provinces are further divided into communes and local administrative areas. Gitega is the national capital, while Bujumbura is the largest city and the main economic center of the country.

Much of Burundi sits on high plateaus and rolling hills near Lake Tanganyika. Farming is a major part of daily life, and coffee and tea are among the country’s important exports. Even though Burundi is relatively small in size, population density is high across many rural provinces.

Key Facts

National capital: Gitega
Total population: 13,689,530 (Official estimate 2024)
Total area: 27,834 km² (10,747 sq miles)
Currency: Burundian Franc (FBu, BIF)
Bordering countries: Rwanda, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Total Provinces: 18
Total Communes: 119

List of Provinces and Capitals of Burundi

Total provinces shown: 18 | Combined population: 13,689,530 | Combined area: 27,834 km²

#	Province Name	Capital City	Region	Area (km²)	Population (Latest Census)
1	Bubanza	Bubanza	West	1,089	860,000
2	Bujumbura Mairie	Bujumbura	West Urban	87	1,200,000
3	Bujumbura Rural	Isale	West	1,315	820,000
4	Bururi	Bururi	South	2,465	730,000
5	Cankuzo	Cankuzo	East	1,965	460,000
6	Cibitoke	Cibitoke	Northwest	1,635	980,000
7	Gitega	Gitega	Central	1,978	1,050,000
8	Karuzi	Karuzi	Central East	1,457	700,000
9	Kayanza	Kayanza	North	1,233	930,000
10	Kirundo	Kirundo	North	1,703	870,000
11	Makamba	Makamba	South	1,960	950,000
12	Muramvya	Muramvya	Central West	695	420,000
13	Muyinga	Muyinga	Northeast	1,830	980,000
14	Mwaro	Mwaro	Central	839	360,000
15	Ngozi	Ngozi	North	1,473	1,120,000
16	Rumonge	Rumonge	Southwest	1,079	680,000
17	Rutana	Rutana	Southeast	1,959	630,000
18	Ruyigi	Ruyigi	East	2,339	949,530

Largest Provinces by Area

Bururi - 952 sq mi (2,465 km²)
Ruyigi - 903 sq mi (2,339 km²)
Gitega - 764 sq mi (1,978 km²)
Cankuzo - 759 sq mi (1,965 km²)
Makamba - 757 sq mi (1,960 km²)
Rutana - 756 sq mi (1,959 km²)
Muyinga - 707 sq mi (1,830 km²)
Kirundo - 657 sq mi (1,703 km²)

Most Populous Provinces

Bujumbura Mairie - Population: 1,200,000 (Official Estimate 2024)
Ngozi - Population: 1,120,000 (Official Estimate 2024)
Gitega - Population: 1,050,000 (Official Estimate 2024)
Cibitoke - Population: 980,000 (Official Estimate 2024)
Muyinga - Population: 980,000 (Official Estimate 2024)
Makamba - Population: 950,000 (Official Estimate 2024)
Ruyigi - Population: 949,530 (Official Estimate 2024)
Kayanza - Population: 930,000 (Official Estimate 2024)

Smallest Provinces by Area

Bujumbura Mairie - 34 sq mi (87 km²)
Muramvya - 268 sq mi (695 km²)
Mwaro - 324 sq mi (839 km²)
Rumonge - 417 sq mi (1,079 km²)
Bubanza - 420 sq mi (1,089 km²)
Kayanza - 476 sq mi (1,233 km²)

Provinces by Regional Grouping

Central: Gitega, Mwaro
Central West: Muramvya
Central East: Karuzi
North: Kayanza, Kirundo, Ngozi
Northeast: Muyinga
Northwest: Cibitoke
East: Cankuzo, Ruyigi
Southeast: Rutana
South: Bururi, Makamba
Southwest: Rumonge
West: Bubanza, Bujumbura Rural
West Urban: Bujumbura Mairie

Landlocked Provinces

Bururi
Cankuzo
Cibitoke
Gitega
Karuzi
Kayanza
Kirundo
Makamba
Muramvya
Muyinga
Mwaro
Ngozi
Rutana
Ruyigi

Provinces with Coastline

Bubanza
Bujumbura Mairie
Bujumbura Rural
Rumonge

Provinces Sharing Borders with Other Countries

Rwanda: Cibitoke, Kayanza, Kirundo, Muyinga, Ngozi
Tanzania: Cankuzo, Muyinga, Rutana, Ruyigi, Makamba
Democratic Republic of the Congo: Bubanza, Bujumbura Mairie, Bujumbura Rural, Cibitoke, Rumonge

Sources

World Countries and Capitals

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