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What is the capital of Burundi?

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The capital of Burundi is Gitega

Gitega sits on the central plateau in the middle of Burundi, about 1,504 metres above sea level and roughly 62 kilometres east of Bujumbura.

Gitega is the capital and seat of government of Burundi, a role it has held since 2019. Burundi itself has an estimated population of 14,390,003 (2025).

Gitega is not the largest city in Burundi. That is Bujumbura, which makes Burundi one of the countries whose capital is not their biggest city.

Gitega at a glance

City population135,467 (2020)
Country🇧🇮 Burundi
Capital since2019
Largest city in BurundiBujumbura
Time zoneUTC+02:00 (CAT)
CurrencyBurundian franc (BIF)

About Gitega

Gitega has been the capital of Burundi since 2019, when the Burundian parliament voted on 16 January 2019 to move the political capital back to Gitega, following through on a promise made by President Pierre Nkurunziza.

Bujumbura was Burundi's political capital until January 2019. It remains the country's largest city and keeps the role of economic capital and centre of commerce.

Gitega was the royal capital of the Kingdom of Burundi until the monarchy was abolished in 1966.

Gitega is Burundi's fourth-largest city, so the country is one of the few whose seat of government is not among its biggest urban centres.

The city was known as Kitega under Belgian administration.

City facts sourced from Wikipedia: Gitega.

Frequently asked questions

What is the capital of Burundi?
The capital of Burundi is Gitega.
Is Gitega the largest city in Burundi?
No. The capital of Burundi is Gitega, but the largest city is Bujumbura. Bujumbura was the capital until 2018, when Burundi moved the political capital inland to Gitega. Bujumbura remains the economic capital and the largest city.
What is the population of Gitega?
Gitega has a population of about 135,467 (2020).
Where is Gitega located?
Gitega sits on the central plateau in the middle of Burundi, about 1,504 metres above sea level and roughly 62 kilometres east of Bujumbura.
When did Gitega become the capital of Burundi?
Gitega has been the capital of Burundi since 2019, when the Burundian parliament voted on 16 January 2019 to move the political capital back to Gitega, following through on a promise made by President Pierre Nkurunziza.
What was the capital of Burundi before Gitega?
Bujumbura was Burundi's political capital until January 2019. It remains the country's largest city and keeps the role of economic capital and centre of commerce.
What time zone is Gitega in?
Gitega uses UTC+02:00 (CAT).
What currency is used in Gitega?
Gitega, like the rest of Burundi, uses the Burundian franc (BIF, symbol Fr).

Capitals of neighbouring countries

Capital of DR CongoCapital of RwandaCapital of Tanzania

See the full profile of Burundi on its country page, or browse every capital city.

Capital and country data from open datasets; city and metropolitan populations are hand-curated per city and cited where they are shown. Populations of countries come from the World Bank (SP.POP.TOTL). Full sources and vintage on the data page. Last updated . Report a correction.