Burundi Market Access with Type Approval

Burundi Type Approval Summary

Burundi is one of the developing telecommunications markets. Located in the African Great Lakes region, the country is undergoing a period of digital transformation and offers long-term growth potential for the telecommunications sector.

With a population of approximately 14 million, Burundi remains one of the world's least-developed economies. While the market faces challenges related to infrastructure development and economic constraints, it also presents opportunities for future growth as access to communications services continues to expand.

This is certainly appealing to manufacturers and importers looking to market their telecommunications devices in Burundi. However, as is the case in several other developing African nations, the country also faces challenges related to uneven infrastructure.

The first thing to understand before marketing telecommunications devices in Burundi is the applicable compliance requirements. These compliance requirements are known as “ARCT Type Approval.”

ARCT stands for Agence de Régulation et de Contrôle des Télécommunications, Burundi’s telecommunications regulatory authority. This agency is established under Decree No. 100/112, which aims to ensure the control and regulation of the telecommunications sector and to enforce relevant regulations.

Regarding the distribution and use of telecommunications devices in Burundi, ARCT requires every device to have a homologation certificate. This is done to verify that the device is safe to use and does not interfere with other electronic devices when in use.

Understanding the process and requirements for obtaining ARCT type approval/homologation will make it easier for manufacturers and importers to enter this small but growing market in East Africa.

Certification Authority

Authority: Agence de Régulation et de Contrôle des Télécommunications (ARCT)
Certificate: ARCT Type Approval/Homologation
Certification: Mandatory
Official website: https://arct.gov.biLast accessed 2 November 2026

Who Can Be an Applicant?

Local representative: Required

The certificate is issued in the manufacturer's name. However, a foreign manufacturer cannot apply directly; a local representative is mandatory. They can be a local importer, distributor, or agent in Burundi.

Application Method

In-country testing: No
Paperwork only: Yes

The application process for type approval certification in Burundi is paperwork or document evaluation. There is no mandatory local testing for this process.

The homologation process in Burundi follows an international approach. Under current regulations, equipment intended for distribution in Burundi must comply with internationally recognized standards such as ITU, ETSI, IEEE, IEC, ISO, and FCC standards. Product testing must be conducted by a testing laboratory accredited to ISO/IEC 17025.

The test report and all required documents must be submitted by the applicant directly to the ARCT office in Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi. The Authority will then review the submitted documents; if the application meets the applicable requirements, the certificate will be issued immediately. However, if the application is rejected, the applicant can complete the documents and resubmit to the ARCT.

Sample Requirements

Although local testing is not required in Burundi, applicants are still required to submit a sample. Generally, applicants will be asked to submit a single standard sample solely for product comparison purposes if the product is to be marketed in the Burundian market.

Document Requirements

The following documents must be submitted together with an application letter addressed to the Director General of ARCT:

Descriptive sheet of material subject to the type approval; filled, signed and sealed
Copy of identity document (Passport, National Identity Card or Residence card) of the person handling the matter/of the file bearer
Authorization letter(s) established by the applicant company on behalf of its representative(s)
Legalized copy of the applicant company status (required only in case of first introduction of the file)
Legalized copy(ies) of declaration(s) of compliance to international standards (ITU, ETSI, IEEE, etc.)
Test report(s) of the equipment issued by a certified testing laboratory
Technical documentation (technical specifications and descriptions) written in French or in English and including the pictures of the equipment or terminal to be type approved
Manual instruction of the equipment or terminal to be type approved (if any)
A sample of the equipment or terminal to be type approved

Submission process

Submission: Offline

Currently, ARCT does not provide an online submission system. All documents must be submitted to the Director General of the ARCT Office. Agence de Régulation et de Contrôle des Télécommunications. Avenue de France, No 14. P.O. Box: 6702 Bujumbura, Burundi. Tél. : +257 22210276/ +257 22 24 95 30. Fax: +257 22242832.

Lead Time of Certification

Lead time: 22 working days

The lead time for type approval certification in Burundi is quite long. This is because all applications are submitted directly to the Authority. The entire process takes approximately 22 working days from the date all documents are received by the Authority. This timeline applies provided that all submitted documents are complete and accurate.

Validity Period

Validity: 5 years

The ARCT certificate is issued with a validity period of five years and is renewable. The renewal application must be submitted six months before the certificate's expiry date.

For renewal, the applicant must submit the following documents to ARCT:

An application letter addressed to the Director General of ARCT
A descriptive sheet of the equipment or terminal to be renewed

Label Requirements for Burundi Type Approval

Product label: Required
Approval mark: Required

Once a type approval certificate is issued, the certificate holder is typically required to affix a label as proof that the telecommunications product complies with the applicable requirements. Burundi has established regulatory provisions relating to equipment labeling. However, the applicable labeling requirements have not yet entered into force.

Alternative Country Names

Republic of Burundi, Burundia, Бурунди, Бурунді, ブルンジ, 부룬디, 布隆迪, 蒲隆地, BI, BDI

Talk to our project handler

Send your product details and we reply with the ARCT requirements, lead time and cost.

Request a quote

Burundi