Established in 2017 under the auspices of ISABU (Institut des Sciences Agronomiques du Burundi), the Burundi Bamboo Research Centre emerged from a joint initiative between local agroforestry experts and regional partners concerned with soil erosion, deforestation, and rural livelihoods. Located near the lush hills of Bujumbura Province, the centre’s experimental bamboo research plot was founded with the aim of researching introduced bamboo species suitable for highland and mid-altitude zones. Over time, it evolved into a regional hub for innovation in bamboo-based agroforestry, sustainable construction materials, and smallholder income generation.

 

The centre’s early breakthroughs included the successful propagation of drought-resistant bamboo varieties and the training of several rural cooperatives in bamboo cultivation, harvesting, processing, and product development. Although initially modest in scope, by 2024 the centre had positioned Burundi as a quiet leader in East Africa’s emerging bamboo economy, with ISABU integrating its findings into broader national reforestation and climate resilience strategies.