On February 17, 2026, the Burundi Revenue Authority (OBR) officially launched the full operational rollout of its web-based ABREMA module in Bujumbura. The module operates through Burundi’s Electronic Single Window portal at gue.obr.gov.bi, and it now handles the entire import permit process for pharmaceutical and medical products online. Starting February 18, 2026, all pharmaceutical importers must use the digital system. There is no longer an option to process applications through the old paper-based route.
What the New Platform Actually Does
The ABREMA module gives importers a single online location to submit applications, track their permit status in real time, and pay all required fees without visiting any government office. Users no longer need to travel, queue, or follow up manually. The platform’s dashboard shows the exact stage of each application at any time, and the system calculates fees automatically. Importers can also pay in foreign currencies, which removes an additional barrier for businesses operating across borders.
Beyond convenience, the system also strengthens regulatory oversight. The platform integrates three key institutions directly into one workflow. It connects the Burundian Medicines and Food Regulatory Authority, which handles pharmaceutical quality and compliance checks, the Ministry of Environment, Agriculture, and Livestock, which manages sanitary and phytosanitary certifications, and the OBR itself, which issues the final authorization clearance. All three agencies now operate within the same digital process instead of handling requests separately.
The Partners Who Built It
This system did not arrive by accident. TradeMark Africa (TMA) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) both supported the development and deployment of the platform. TMA has partnered with Burundi’s public institutions since 2011, investing over $54 million between 2011 and 2017 to strengthen the country’s trade foundations. UNCTAD provided the technical backbone through its ASYCUDA World platform, which now operates in more than 100 economies worldwide.
Commercial banks also joined the collaboration, connecting their payment systems to the portal so importers can complete transactions without switching between platforms. OBR Deputy Commissioner General Georges Bigirimana publicly acknowledged all partners involved when the platform went live. The launch reflects years of coordinated effort across government, multilateral organizations, and the private sector.
What Pharmaceutical Importers Need to Do Now
All businesses that import pharmaceutical and medical products into Burundi now need to register on the OBR’s electronic single window at gue.obr.gov.bi. The system has been fully mandatory since February 18, 2026. No physical application route currently exists for the designated product categories. Users who register gain access to the full dashboard, fee calculator, multi-currency payment options, and real-time application tracking. The OBR, with support from ABREMA and commercial bank partners, manages access and security within the platform.
