Communal Programming-Budgeting: The Pathway to the Country’s Development

Poor management and misallocation of public finances have been major challenges to the development of Burundi. Historically, the country relied on traditional budgeting focused on inputs rather than program outcomes, which fostered corruption and inefficiency. Recent reforms introducing program-based budgeting aim to accelerate development but face resistance from local and national decision-makers. Practices such as overpricing activities, excessive meetings, and misaligned planning undermine these reforms. The study argues that without genuine commitment to reform, communal development planning cannot effectively contribute to achieving Burundi’s national development objectives such as Vision 2040 and Vision 2060.