Burundi Removes Limits on Foreign Currency Transfers via Western Union and MoneyGram

The Bank of the Republic of Burundi (BRB) has announced a significant change to the country's foreign currency regulations. Effective immediately, individuals can now receive unlimited amounts of foreign currency through international money transfer services such as Western Union, MoneyGram, and other similar providers.

The new directive was officially signed by the Governor of the Bank of the Republic of Burundi, Édouard Normand Bigendako, on July 3, 2026.

What Has Changed?

Under the new policy:

• No maximum limit applies to the amount of foreign currency a person can receive through international money transfer services.
• Recipients are free to keep the foreign currency they receive by depositing it into a foreign currency bank account.
• Account holders may withdraw their foreign currency at any time, without restrictions.

This marks a substantial shift toward greater flexibility in the handling of foreign exchange within Burundi.

New Responsibilities for Banks

The directive also places new obligations on commercial banks operating in Burundi.

Banks and their partner institutions must:

• Maintain adequate stocks of physical foreign currency banknotes to meet customer demand.
• Request additional foreign currency from the Bank of the Republic of Burundi whenever their own reserves are insufficient.

The objective is to ensure that customers can access their foreign currency without unnecessary delays.

What This Means for Burundians

For individuals receiving money from family members, employers, or business partners abroad, the new policy offers several important benefits:

• Freedom to receive any amount of foreign currency.
• The ability to save funds in foreign currency without mandatory conversion.
• Easier access to cash in the original currency when needed.
• Greater confidence that banks will be prepared to supply foreign currency upon request.

Why It Matters

This policy could improve the flow of remittances into Burundi while giving citizens greater control over their foreign currency holdings. It also strengthens the country's banking framework by requiring financial institutions to maintain sufficient foreign currency reserves.

Whether this will make foreign currency significantly more available in practice will depend on how effectively banks implement the new directive and manage their inventories.

Looking Ahead

The announcement has generated widespread public interest, with many wondering whether this marks the beginning of easier access to U.S. dollars, euros, and other major foreign currencies in Burundi.

As the policy takes effect, its real impact will become clearer through the experiences of customers and financial institutions across the country.

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