/
Burundi

Burundi

Overview

Country/Region

Burundi

Solution

CORE-MIS powered by openIMIS (Cash Transfer); envisioned: Social Registry

Program Operator

governments Institute of Innovation and Knowledge

Program type

Cash for jobs program

Implemented since

October 2024

Implementing Partner(s)

 

Supporting Partner(s)

Coordination and funding: World Bank

Version

2024-10 (tbc)

Functionalities used

  • base Core MIS installation - data migration of individuals

  • Custom payment workflow integration - with third-party providers

  • Kobo toolbox integration - used for grievance and indicator data collection

  • M&E dashboards

Coverage

national

Number of beneficiaries

Number of users

 

Number of cash transfer facilities

 

Status

Last update

January 2026

Scheme Features

Cash tranfer scheme implemented since

2024-10

 

Name of openIMIS focal point

@Andrea , Anthony Benoit Wendpeghdnoma Belem

 

Total number of cash transfer scheme employees

 

 

Total number of employees using openIMIS

 

 

Total number of employees not trained on openIMIS

 

 

Number of products / services managed by the social protection scheme and using openIMIS

 services envisioned beyond cash transfer: “CORE-MIS is being considered for expansion beyond the Cash for Jobs Project to support Burundi’s broader social protection agenda, including the Unified Social Registry, which is a platform that will consolidate demographic, socioeconomic and vulnerability data of individuals and households to facilitate targeting, enrollment, and coordination of social programs (health, education, social protection and labor).

 

Product Features

Number of households covered

315.000 (Jan 2026)

Number of households covered

315.000 (Jan 2026)

Average size of a household

 

Household contribution amount

 

Individual contribution

 

Average amount paid for a claim

 

Specifications of the openIMIS used

Version

2024-10 (tbc)

Version

2024-10 (tbc)

Has anything been modified (customization)

 

What standards are used to code services, items, diagnosis and products

 

Main lessons learned

One

Source: WB blog (Jan 2026), Burundi cash for jobs project is embracing smart IT for social impact

If your program is considering a similar transition, here are some lessons we learned from Burundi's experience:

  • Start with needs, not features: It's easy to get excited by flashy features in a new system, but Burundi's experience underscores the importance of starting with fundamentals. Before evaluating any technology, take the time to deeply understand: What are the daily workflows? What is the process flow? What challenges does your team face?

Two

  • Prioritize data ownership: Losing access or control of historical data would be catastrophic, so negotiate clear data access and exit strategies with vendors. Ensure robust practices for data storage, security, and regular backups, especially when data is managed by third parties. Protective measures like frequent backups must be non-negotiable requirements.

Three

  • Build local capacity early: A sophisticated system is only as effective as the people operating it. Don't wait until implementation is complete; actively engage and train your staff while the platform is being set up for configuration, leading to a more user-friendly and effective tool.

Four

  • Choose open over closed: Proprietary solution owned by a single company can put your program in a delicate situation. Even with well-structured contracts, this often leads to 'vendor lock-in,'. This is a key area where open-source solutions offer a significant advantage. Reputable open-source software can be customized and evolved as your program's needs change, drawing on expertise from a vast pool of developers rather than being dependent on a single vendor.

Recommendations for Developers Committee

What to improve

 

What to improve

 

What to add

 

What to remove

 

Implementation Details