Getting your self a local prepaid SIM card when traveling in Burundi will save you a lot of money, mainly because Burundi is Africa's 6th cheapest country to buy 1 GB of data. In most cases, no international roaming plan can beat this deal because local data is so cheap.
Moreover, international roaming has proven to be expensive in many cases. However, it is the most convenient way to stay connected when traveling around the world.
With four Burundian operators, Lumitel, Econet Burundi (formerly Econet Leo), Smart Burundi, and Onamob, the main question is which SIM card in Burundi is the best? What types of packages are offered by these operators, and which package will suit your needs?
In this article, I will go over everything you need to know about buying a SIM card in Burundi. Let’s do this.
Original publication: 22nd of July 2020. Last updated: 17th of February 2023.
Table of Contents
Mobile Operators, Networks, and Frequencies in Burundi
Burundi has four mobile telecom operators offering prepaid services easily accessible to travelers:
- Lumitel
- Econet Burundi (formerly Econet Leo)
- Smart Burundi
- Onamob (by Onatel Burundi)
All four operators have at least a 2G network. Onamob currently focuses solely on voice calls and does not even have a 3G network, so they will not be covered in this article (because they cannot be recommended for travelers who want data). However, Onamob has plans to modernize.
3G is offered by Lumitel, Econet Burundi, and Smart Burundi. 4G/LTE is available with Lumitel and Econet Burundi – Smart Burundi has not announced when, or if, they will launch a 4G/LTE network.
The following frequencies are used by the Burundian operators:
- 2G: 900 MHz & 1800 MHz
- 3G: 2100 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 1800 MHz (Band 3)
Best SIM Card in Burundi
If you want to buy a SIM card in Burundi, then Lumitel is the best option. Not only do they have the best coverage throughout Burundi, especially rural Burundi, Lumitel is also, on average, cheaper than its competitors, particularly when getting their 4G-enabled SIM card.
SIM Card Registration Regulations in Burundi
Just like all countries in East Africa, and Africa in general, you have to register your passport details to buy a SIM card in Burundi.
- Find out which countries have SIM card registration regulations and what is required from you (lookup tool)
The State of the Telecom Market in Burundi
(If you just want to learn what the operators have to offer, jump to the video guide or click here jump to the first operator.)
Burundi is a landlocked country in East Africa. Although the West part of the country is next to Lake Tanganyika, the country is still considered to be landlocked because it is not next to a sea or ocean.
This is important to know because, in general, landlocked African nations have slower (mobile) internet speeds, while also being more expensive compared to countries that have direct access to submarine cables.
Landlocked countries have to rely on neighboring countries for fiber-optic bandwidth. If the fiber infrastructure of the neighboring country, or countries, is terrible, then the internet speeds and quality of service in the landlocked country will be even worse. In the case of Burundi, they have to rely on Tanzania, which has direct access to several submarine cables (SEACOM, DARE, EASSy & 2AFRICA).
Luckily, Burundi Backbone Systems (BBS) signed a deal with Tanzania Telecommunications Corporation (TTCL) in late 2019 to “build a national fiber-optic network in the country – aimed at providing broadband internet connectivity to the east African nation (Burundi). This deal should improve internet bandwidth and speed in Burundi in the future.
[…] TTCL will provide first-class broadband internet services in Burundi through our stations in Kabanga and Manyovu in the border region of Kigoma. As a result of the agreement, landlocked Burundi will now be connected across the world and that access to new internet services will ‘ease and improve business’ between the neighbouring countries
Waziri Kindamba, Chief Executive at TTCL
Typically, I like to look at the Speedtest Global Index to see how a country is doing with their mobile internet speeds. Sadly, not enough users in Burundi have done speed tests with the Speedtest app on their phones for a representative average. However, we can see that the average download speed for fixed broadband was 8 Mbps in June 2020, placing Burundi 164 of the 174 countries indexed. That is not a good start.
However, according to a study done by Cable.co.uk, the mean download speed in Burundi is 3.03 Mbps, which puts Burundi on spot 142 of the 208 countries studied. Cable.co.uk also has a metric to make download speeds a bit more understandable, because looking at just the numbers may not mean a lot to many. With a mean download speed of 3.03 Mbps, it would take 3:45 hours to download a 5 GB movie in Burundi. That is not good news either.
The thing is, mobile internet rates are on the affordable end in Burundi when looking at them from a regional perspective and a continental perspective. According to Alliance 4 Affordable Internet (A4AI), 1 GB of data cost, on average, 6.45 GB in Africa. The average price of 1 GB in Burundi is 3.17 USD, which is half the continental average. This makes Burundi the 6th cheapest African nation to buy 1 GB of data, behind Sudan, Egypt, Rwanda, Mozambique, and Nigeria.
When looking at the Eastern African average, 1 GB of mobile data costs 4.99 USD. Based on these numbers, you can say that mobile data is relatively affordable in Burundi.
Do note that A4AI considers Zimbabwe to be part of Eastern Africa. Zimbabwe, together with Equatorial Guinea, are the most expensive countries to buy mobile data. If we exclude Zimbabwe, then the average cost of 1 GB goes down to 4.27 USD, making Burundi still below the average.
So far, we have looked at averages. How expensive is mobile data for the local population? For the average Burundian? A4AI found that, when taking the Burundian average monthly income into account, a Burundian would spend 13.6% of their monthly income on 1 GB of data, which is high for African standards (African average is 7.12%).
Even then, more Burundians are getting more mobile subscriptions more than ever before. The mobile subscription penetration rate was 58% in 2018, while it was only 29% in 2014. It is, however, unclear how many of these subscribers use mobile data, as most users in Burundi use their phones for calling and texting.
In 2017, the fixed broadband penetration rate was 8.2%, but the mobile internet penetration rates are often significantly higher in Africa due to antennas being more accessible compared to the domestic broadband cable network.
As mentioned in the Best Prepaid SIM Card in Burundi section, Lumitel has the best coverage throughout the country (even though it is limited).
Currency in Burundi
Burundi uses the Burundian Franc with the symbol BIF. In most cases, I like to use the currency symbol throughout the article when mentioning prices. However, prices in Burundi are listed in FBU or F. The symbol BIF is rather unknown, so I will use FBU throughout the article. For reference, below are some exchange rates between FBU and USD (US Dollars – Rounded):
- 100 FBU = 0.05 USD
- 1000 FBU = 0.50 USD
- 10 000 FBU = 4.85 USD
- 100 000 FBU = 48.55 USD
- 1 000 000 FBU = 485.45 USD
For up-to-date BIF:USD exchange rates, search BIF to USD on Google, or replace USD with the currency you use.
If your credit/debit card charges you foreign exchange fees, get yourself a Wise Borderless Account and Debit Card.
Their fees are MUCH lower than banks and credit card companies charge you (and Wise is transparent about their fees, unlike banks).
I have saved literal THOUSANDS of Australian Dollars and Euros, my main currencies, when using Wise abroad when traveling compared to my debit and credit cards.
Burundian Prepaid SIM Cards
Below, I will guide you through Lumitel, Econet Burundi, and Smart Burundi, and go through:
- Background information about the operators
- How to get a SIM card from each operator
- How to recharge your SIM card
- What type of data-featured packages are offered by the operators
What that being said, let's see what the Burundian operators have to offer to us.
Lumitel
Lumitel is the largest operator in Burundi. They have the best 3G network throughout the country and were also the first operator to launch a 4G/LTE network.
While Lumitel started 4G/LTE in the central parts of Bujumbura, Gitega, Makamba, Muyinga, Ngozi, and Rumonge first in 2016, 4G/LTE has been expended nationwide (mainly in populated areas) as of 2018.
SIM Card Price – Limutel
You can get a Lumitel SIM card, called Ikarata SIMU YELLOW, for 500 FBU in Lumitel stores throughout Burundi. The YELLOW SIM card will come with 30 MB and 30 on-net SMS for 30 days. If you recharge at least 500 FBU within 30 days, you will get bonus airtime of 500 FBU for on-net use, also valid for 30 days.
You may have to specifically ask for a 4G SIM card to take advantage of Lumitel's 4G/LTE network. You will still pay 500 FBU for a 4G-enabled SIM card.
- Find out how much SIM cards cost in every country, including data-only SIM cards and tourist SIM cards, offered by each mobile operator + information about starter benefits (lookup tool)
If you have forgotten your Lumitel phone number, dial *100# and select option 1 to see your phone number.
It is also possible to get premium Lumitel SIM cards, which come with more initial perks. These are all the SIM cards Lumitel offers with their prices:
- Ikarata SIMU YELLOW for 500 FBU
- Ikarata SIMU YOUTH for 1000 FBU (only for those between 17 & 23)
- Ikarata SIMU SILVER for 5000 FBU
- Ikarata SIMU GOLD plus for 5000 FBU
- Ikarata SIMU GOLD for 10 000 FBU
- Ikarata SIMU NAVIGA for 20 000 FBU
Below is an overview of all the perks these SIM cards offer:
| SIM Card | Price | Airtime | Initial Data (30 days) | Monthly Bonus Data (After 2nd recharge) | Minimum Recharge for Monthly Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YELLOW | 500 FBU | N/A | 30 MB | N/A | N/A |
| YOUTH* | 1000 FBU | 1000 FBU | 300 MB | 300 MB | 1000 FBU |
| SILVER | 5000 FBU | 5000 FBU | 600 MB | 800 MB | 5000 FBU |
| GOLD plus | 5000 FBU | 5000 FBU | 1.5 GB | 2 GB | 5000 FBU |
| GOLD | 10 000 FBU | 10 000 FBU | 1.5 GB | 2 GB | 10 000 FBU |
| NAVIGA | 20 000 FBU | 20 000 FBU | 4 GB | 5 GB | 20 000 FBU |
* The youth SIM card also comes with 150 on-net SMS. You will also get 150 on-net SMS each month when you recharge at least 1000 FBU, and unlimited Facebook.
As you can see, it only makes sense to get one of the more expensive SIM cards if you can commit to recharging at least 5000 FBU a month to get your bonus data.
The bonuses mentioned above will be applied from the 2nd month of minimum recharge until the 24th month (2 years). After that, the reward will go up (with 200 MB to 1 GB more than listed above, depending on the SIM card) from the 25th month to the 36th month. From the 37th month, the bonuses will sharply decrease, going much lower than the initial bonuses.
If this whole system sounds complicated – I can understand. The premium SIM cards are only beneficial for those who are staying in Burundi for a prolonged period of wish to recharge a lot.
Otherwise, you are better off getting a YELLOW SIM card and purchase regular data packs if you only need data and do not want to call nor SMS a lot.
Topping-Up Your Lumitel Prepaid SIM Card
Lumitel recharge cards are widely available throughout Burundi. You do not have to go to a Lumitel store to get a Lumitel top-up voucher. Grocery stores, kiosks, and gas stations sell them too. Follow the instructions on the back of the scratch cards to top-up your SIM card.
Dial *131# to check your Lumitel balance.
Lumitel Internet Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers
Lumitel offers several types of data-only packages, which are:
- Classique/Classic Data (data-only plans)
- Promotion Package (discounted data-only plans)
- Unlimited Internet (unlimited data-only plans with speed restrictions)
- Night data packages (nighttime data-only plans)
- Social internet package (social plans for WhatsApp and Facebook)
- YouTube package (unlimited data-only plans for YouTube)
Click on the links above to jump to the package you are interested in.
Lumitel Classique/Classic Data
The Classique/Classic Data packs are standard data-only plans. Those with a 4G/LTE enabled SIM card will get more data for the same price compared to those with a 3G SIM card. Below are the Classique/classic data plans, which can be activated dialing *150#:
| Price | Data (3G SIM) | Data (4G SIM) | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 300 FBU | 60 MB | 70 MB | 1 day |
| 500 FBU | 100 MB | 140 MB | 1 day |
| 1000 FBU | 200 MB | 1.5 GB | 1 day |
| 1000 FBU | 180 MB | 300 MB | 7 days |
| 1000 FBU | 100 MB | 150 MB | 30 days |
| 1500 FBU | 200 MB | 300 MB | 30 days |
| 3000 FBU | 450 MB | 675 MB | 30 days |
| 5000 FBU | 1 GB | 1.5 GB | 15 days |
| 5000 FBU | 900 MB | 1.3 GB | 30 days |
| 9000 FBU | 1.8 GB | 2.7 GB | 30 days |
| 14 000 FBU | 2.8 GB | 4.5 GB | 30 days |
| 20 000 FBU | 4 GB | 7 GB | 30 days |
| 38 000 FBU | 9 GB | 13 GB | 30 days |
| 50 000 FBU | 15 GB | 23 GB | 30 days |
Depending on the package you want, you have to choose either option 3, 4, or 5 after dialing *150#.
Lumitel Promotion Package
The Promotion Packages are data packages sold at a discount compared to the Classique/Classic Data plans. Unlike the Classique/Classic Data plans, 4G-enabled SIM cards do not get more data than those with a 3G SIM card.
The following promotion plans are available, which can be activated by dialing *150# and selection option 1:
| Price | Data | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| 135 FBU | 40 MB | 1 day |
| 550 FBU | 140 MB | 1 day |
| 700 FBU | 400 MB | 1 day |
| 770 FBU | 200 MB | 7 days |
| 1000 FBU | 1.5 GB | 1 day |
| 2100 FBU | 500 MB | 15 days |
| 45 000 FBU | 25 GB | 30 days |
Lumitel Unlimited Internet
The Unlimited Internet packs are data packs that come with limited high-speed data, then unlimited data at throttled speeds. These plans are valid for 30 days. Those with a 4G/LTE enabled SIM card will get more data for the same price compared to those with a 3G SIM card. In some cases, no plans are offered for 3G SIM cards.
The following Unlimited Internet packages are available, which can be activated by dialing *150# and selection option 7:
| Price | High-Speed Data (3G SIM) | Unlimited Data Speed (3G SIM) | High-Speed Data (4G SIM) | Unlimited Data Speed (4G SIM) | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5000 FBU | 700 MB | 128 Kbps | 1 GB | 128 Kbps | 30 days |
| 7000 FBU | 2 GB | 256 Kbps | 2 GB | 256 Kbps | 30 days |
| 10 000 FBU | N/A | N/A | 2.5 GB | 256 Kbps | 30 days |
| 20 000 FBU | N/A | N/A | 6 GB | 256 Kbps | 30 days |
| 30 000 FBU | N/A | N/A | 10 GB | 256 Kbps | 30 days |
| 50 000 FBU | N/A | N/A | 20 GB | 256 Kbps | 30 days |
| 90 000 FBU | 20 GB | 512 Kbps | 30 GB | 512 Kbps | 30 days |
| 120 000 FBU | 30 GB | 512 Kbps | 45 GB | 512 Kbps | 30 days |
| 150 000 FBU | 45 GB | 512 Kbps | 70 GB | 512 Kbps | 30 days |
| 200 000 FBU | Unlimited | N/A | Unlimited | N/A | 30 days |
Lumitel Night data package
The Night Data packages are data plans that can be used between 0:00-6:00 (12 AM-6 AM). These plans are valid for one night. Those with a 4G-enabled SIM card will not get more data than those with a 3G SIM card.
The following Night data packages are available, which can be activated by dialing *150# and selecting option 2:
| Price | Data | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| 99 FBU | 200 MB | 0:00-6:00 (1 night) |
| 299 FBU | 1 GB | 0:00-6:00 (1 night) |
| 499 FBU | 1.5 GB | 0:00-6:00 (1 night) |
| 999 FBU | 5 GB | 0:00-6:00 (1 night) |
| 1999 FBU | 12 GB | 0:00-6:00 (1 night) |
| 2999 FBU | 20 GB | 0:00-6:00 (1 night) |
| 3999 FBU | 30 GB | 0:00-6:00 (1 night) |
The Social Internet packages are unlimited data packages for WhatsApp and Facebook. In most cases, the plans apply to both apps. However, there are exceptions to this rule. Those with a 4G-enabled SIM card do not get more data than those with a 3G SIM card.
These Social Internet packages are available:
| Price | Data | App | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 180 FBU | Unlimited | 1 day | |
| 180 FBU | Unlimited | 1 day | |
| 300 FBU | Unlimited | WhatsApp & Facebook | 1 day |
| 1000 FBU | Unlimited | WhatsApp & Facebook | 7 days |
| 2000 FBU | Unlimited | WhatsApp & Facebook | 15 days |
| 3500 FBU | Unlimited | WhatsApp & Facebook | 30 days |
Lumitel YouTube package
The YouTube packages are unlimited data plans for YouTube at designated time periods. The plans are the cheapest when used between 0:00-6:00 (12 AM-6 AM) compared to the evening plans or the plans that are valid all day.
These YouTube packages can be purchased by dialing *150# and selecting option 8:
| Price | Data | App | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 199 FBU | Unlimited | YouTube | 0:00-6:00 (6 hours) |
| 299 FBU | Unlimited | YouTube | 1 hour (any time) |
| 399 FBU | Unlimited | YouTube | 0:00-18:00 (18 hours) |
| 699 FBU | Unlimited | YouTube | 18:00-0:00 (6 hours) |
| 899 FBU | Unlimited | YouTube | 1 day (24 hours) |
Lumitel APN Settings
In most cases, your phone will retrieve the correct APN settings automatically. If you need to enter it manually, then you need the following details (do not add anything not mentioned below):
- Name: Lumitel
- APN: internet
Econet Burundi
Econet Burundi, just Econet, is the second-largest operator in Burundi. They used to be called Econet Leo because of a merger between Econet Burundi and U-Cell Leo. However, the Leo part has been dropped recently.
For a long time, Econet was the largest operator until Lumitel managed to surpass them.
Econet has good coverage throughout Burundi. Although they have a 4G/LTE network, it can mainly be found in the capital area, Bujumbura. Econet has plans to expand 4G/LTE to other parts of Burundi in the future.
SIM Card Price – Econet Burundi
You can get an Econet SIM card for 500 FBU in Econet stores. Ask for their 4G SIM card to take advantage of Econet's 4G/LTE network. The official list price of an Econet SIM card is 5000 FBU, but they have been sold for 500 FBU to match Lumitel's SIM card price for a long time.
- Find out how much SIM cards cost in every country, including data-only SIM cards and tourist SIM cards, offered by each mobile operator + information about starter benefits (lookup tool)
Topping-Up Your Econet Burundi Prepaid SIM Card
Econet top-up cards are sold all over Burundi. Grocery stores, kiosks, and gas stations sell them, in addition to Econet stores.
Econet Burundi Internet Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers
Econet offers several types of data-only packages, which are:
- Internet Bouquets (data-only plans)
- Internet Bouquets 4G (data-only plans for 4G specifically)
- Internet Bouquets Nuitée (nighttime data-only plans)
- Bouquets Réseaux Sociaux (social packs)
Click on the links above to jump to the package you are interested in.
You can check your Econet data balance by dialing *405*0#.
Econet Burundi Internet Bouquets
The Internet Bouquets, meaning internet packages, are standard data-only plans. The following Internet Bouquets can be added by dialing *405#:
| Price | Data | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| 199 FBU | 40 MB | 24 hours |
| 250 FBU | 250 MB | 24 hours |
| 330 FBU | 140 MB | 24 hours |
| 500 FBU | 50 MB | 2 days |
| 550 FBU | 250 MB | 24 hours |
| 1000 FBU | 100 MB | 30 days |
| 1000 FBU | 800 MB | 24 hours |
| 1100 FBU | 200 MB | 7 days |
| 2000 FBU | 250 MB | 30 days |
| 2500 FBU | 1 GB | 2 days |
| 3000 FBU | 500 MB | 15 days |
| 3500 FBU | 500 MB | 30 days |
| 5500 FBU | 1 GB | 15 days |
| 8800 FBU | 1 GB | 30 days |
| 11 000 FBU | 1.8 GB | 30 days |
| 22 000 FBU | 5 GB | 30 days |
| 35 200 FBU | 9 GB | 30 days |
| 55 000 FBU | 19 GB | 30 days |
| 132 000 FBU | 45 GB | 30 days |
Econet Burundi Internet Bouquets 4G
The Internet Bouquets 4G, meaning 4G internet packages, are 4G/LTE data packages, and can only be used with a 4G-enabled SIM card, and where Econet has 4G/LTE coverage. The following Internet Bouquets 4G are available, which can be activated by dialing *405*7#:
| Price | Data | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 FBU | 1.5 GB | 24 hours |
| 1500 FBU | 500 MB | 7 days |
| 10 000 FBU | 2000 MB | 30 days |
| 45 000 FBU | 25 GB | 30 days |
Econet Burundi Bouquets Nuitée
The Bouquets Nuitée, meaning night packages, are data packages that can be used from 0:00 to 5:00 (12 AM-5 AM). These plans are valid for one night.
These night packages are available:
| Price | Data | Validity | Activation |
| 250 FBU | 500 MB | 0:00-5:00 (1 night) | *405*8*1*2# |
| 499 FBU | 1.5 GB | 0:00-5:00 (1 night) | *405*8*2*2# |
| 750 FBU | 3.5 GB | 0:00-5:00 (1 night) | *405*8*3*2# |
Econet Burundi Bouquets Réseaux Sociaux
The Bouquets Réseaux Sociaux, meaning social media packages, are unlimited data packages for Facebook or WhatsApp individually, or MegaTchat (which are Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Twitter combined).
The following Bouquets Réseaux Sociaux can be activated by dialing 405*6#:
| Price | Data | App | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 190 FBU | Unlimited | 24 hours | |
| 190 FBU | Unlimited | 24 hours | |
| 490 FBU | Unlimited | MegaTchat | 24 hours |
| 950 FBU | Unlimited | MegaTchat | 7 days |
| 3500 FBU | Unlimited | MegaTchat | 30 days |
Remember, MegaTchat refers to Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Twitter
Econet Burundi APN Settings
In most cases, your phone will retrieve the correct APN settings automatically. If you need to enter it manually, then you need the following details (do not add anything not mentioned below):
- Name: Econet
- APN: mobile.econet.bi
Smart Burundi
Smart Burundi is, when excluding Onatel/Onamob, the smallest operator in Burundi. They also have the worst coverage throughout the country and have no 4G/LTE network.
SIM Card Price – Smart
You can get a Smart SIM card for 1000 FBU in Smart stores. The SIM card will come with 100 MB, 4 on-net minutes, and 10 SMS. These bonuses can be renewed monthly for six months if you recharge at least 1000 FBU for the first six months you activated your Smart SIM card.
- Find out how much SIM cards cost in every country, including data-only SIM cards and tourist SIM cards, offered by each mobile operator + information about starter benefits (lookup tool)
Smart Burundi Internet Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers
- Nipe Tano (24-hour combo plan)
- Bouquets Impamba (combo plans)
- Ongeya Vers Les Autres Reseaux (combo plans)
- Bouquets Internet (data-only plans)
- Bouquets Nuitee (nighttime data-only plans)
- Bouquets Internet Iyongere (data-only plans with bonus nighttime data)
- Bouquets Facebook/WhatsApp (social packs for Facebook & WhatsApp)
Click on the links above to jump to the package you are interested in.
Smart Burundi Nipe Tano
The Nipe Tano is a short-term combo plan that comes with 50 MB, 5 minutes, and 5 SMS for 24 hours. It can be activated by dialing *888*11#.
Smart Burundi Bouquets Impamba
The Bouquets Impamba are combo plans that come with data and minutes. They can be activated by dialing *888*4#:
| Price | Data | Minutes | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1100 FBU | 200 MB | 10 minutes | 3 days |
| 3500 FBU | 1 GB | 20 minutes | 7 days |
| 10 000 FBU | 3 GB | 30 minutes | 30 days |
Smart Burundi Ongeya Vers Les Autres Reseaux
The Ongeya Vers Les Autres Reseaux plans are combo plans with data, minutes, and SMS for off-net use. The following Ongeya Vers Les Autres Reseaux plans are available:
| Price | Data | Minutes | SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 FBU | 90 MB | 9 minutes | 9 SMS | 1 day |
| 4999 FBU | 900 MB | 25 minutes | 25 SMS | 7 days |
Smart Burundi Bouquets Internet
The Bouquets Internet, meaning internet packages, are standard data-only packages, which can be activated by dialing *888*3#:
| Price | Data | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| 199 FBU | 40 MB | 24 hours |
| 399 FBU | 100 MB | 24 hours |
| 1000 FBU | 200 MB | 7 days |
| 1000 FBU | 200 MB | 30 days |
| 1000 FBU | 500 MB | 24 hours |
| 1999 FBU | 1 GB | 3 days |
| 2000 FBU | 500 MB | 7 days |
| 2500 FBU | 500 MB | 30 days |
| 5500 FBU | 1 GB | 30 days |
| 9000 FBU | 2 GB | 30 days |
| 14 000 FBU | 3.5 GB | 30 days |
| 20 000 FBU | 10 GB | 30 days |
| 90 000 FBU | 25 GB | 30 days |
* There is also a 5 GB variant. However, the price of this package is unknown (the site says 200 000 FBU, which is a mistake because you can get 25 GB for 90 000 FBU). Smart Burundi has been contacted for clarification and a fix.
Smart Burundi Bouquets Nuitee
The Bouquets Nuitee, meaning night packages, are data packages that can be used at night. Depending on the package, it can be used between 0:00-6:00 (12 AM-6 AM) or 22:00-6:00 (10 PM-6 AM.
The following Bouquets Nuitee are available:
| Price | Data | Validity | Activation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 99 FBU | 200 MB | 0:00-6:00 (1 night) | *888*3# |
| 499 FBU | 1.5 GB | 0:00-6:00 (1 night) | *888*3# |
| 999 FBU | 5 GB | 0:00-6:00 (1 night) | *888*3# |
| 1000 FBU | 5 GB | 22:00-6:00 (1 night) | *888*3*4# |
The activation code for the first three plans is indeed the same.
Smart Burundi Bouquets Internet Iyongere
The Bouquets Internet Iyongere are data packs that are valid for 6 days and come with double the data at night compared to your daytime data. Daytime data applies from 6:00-23:59 (6 AM-11:59PM, and nighttime data applies from 0:00-5:59 (12 AM-5:59 AM).
Bouquets Internet Iyongere can be activated by dialing *888*3*5#:
| Price | Daytime Data | Nighttime Data | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 FBU | 100 MB | 200 MB | 6 days |
| 7500 FBU | 500 MB | 1 GB | 6 days |
| 15 000 FBU | 1 GB | 2 GB | 6 days |
Smart Burundi Bouquets Facebook/WhatsApp
The Bouquets Facebook/WhatsApp, meaning Facebook/WhatsApp packages, are unlimited data packages for Facebook and WhatsApp. They can be activated by dialing *888*3# and selecting option 2:
| Price | Data | App | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 199 FBU | Unlimited | Facebook & WhatsApp | 24 hours |
| 999 FBU | Unlimited | Facebook & WhatsApp | 7 days |
| 3499 FBU | Unlimited | Facebook & WhatsApp | 30 days |
Smart Burundi APN Settings
In most cases, your phone will retrieve the correct APN settings automatically. If you need to enter it manually, then you need the following details (do not add anything not mentioned below):
- Name: Smart
- APN: internet
The Preferred Way to Stay Connected When Traveling in Burundi
Getting a SIM card from Lumitel (best coverage and cheapest on average) would do you well considering a Burundian SIM card.
Local Prepaid SIM Card in Other African Countries
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Do you want to learn how I started an online business that allows me to generate income while traveling?
In my starting an online business guide, I tell you which tools, services & products I have for this site and my YouTube channel.
If I can start a business about something I am passionate about (phone travel), then you can do it too!
Learn About Your Phone Travel Options
You can buy local prepaid SIM cards, international SIM cards, mobile hotspots, or roam internationally.
Each of these options has its pros and cons. Learn more about them, and find the best option for you.
Phone Travel Tips, Tricks & Hacks
I have written many articles with tips and hacks to save money on mobile costs while abroad. You surely want to check them out!
Sign Up for the Phone Travel Wiz Newsletter
Get updates related to the newest guides, videos & recommended products and services.
Moreover, I send you many tips and tricks on saving money while traveling every now and then.
Let's Be Social
Did you know that I have a YouTube channel covering everything you need to know about traveling with your phone?
A lot of useful videos are uploaded multiple times a week, and you do not want to miss out on them!
Learn More About Who Adu Actually Is
Who is the guy behind Phone Travel Wiz? Well, find out on the Ernest Adu about page!