Burundi is set to join the East African Payment System (EAPS) by December 2026, making it easier for businesses and banks to make cross-border payments within the region.
The system currently connects Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda, allowing participating countries to settle payments more efficiently across borders.
Burundi's central bank says it has upgraded its real-time gross settlement system to the ISO 20022 standard and launched its national instant-payment platform, Burundi Pay.
The move is part of wider efforts to reduce reliance on foreign currencies in regional trade and encourage the use of East African currencies.
Burundi's integration is expected to strengthen financial links within the East African Community and make cross-border transactions faster and less fragmented.