Within the framework of cooperation between the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) and non-Arab African countries, H.E. Mr. Pierre Nkurunziza President of the Republic of Burundi, visited Saturday 09/12/2006, the Bank's Headquarters in Khartoum.

The aim of the visit is to reinforce BADEA's cooperation with Burundi and develop it in the future.

During the meeting the President of Burundi briefed the Bank on the situation of his country which came out recently from the war and had successfully returned to peace and stability. The President commended the prominent role of the Bank in developing the African continent and particularly his country since 1976.

Discussions between the two parties also revolved around reactivating the cooperation in the field of infrastructure sectors, mainly roads and airport projects, in addition to agriculture, health and education projects. The two parties agreed upon strengthening this cooperation especially after Burundi's joins the East African Economic Community.

By the end of October 2006, BADEA’s assistance to the Republic of Burundi reached US $ 42.5 million. BADEA participated in financing 10 development projects and technical assistance operations, in addition to one operation in the context of Emergency Aid Programme..