Burundi’s Ministry of Finance has introduced stricter eligibility criteria governing the operation of bars, restaurants and hotels, tightening standards for alcohol sales and hospitality services in a move authorities say is aimed at improving public health, security and service quality nationwide.

The new rules set out minimum requirements for establishments seeking authorization to operate, including infrastructure standards, hygiene facilities, staffing conditions and compliance with licensing procedures. They also establish clearer classification categories for hospitality businesses, defining what operators must meet before being granted or renewing operating permits.

In the official regulation, the Ministry of Finance states that the revised framework is intended to “ensure that establishments operate in conditions that respect public health, security and morality,” while promoting order and professionalism within the hospitality sector. The ministry adds that the eligibility criteria are designed to prevent operations that “do not meet the minimum standards required for the protection of consumers and the surrounding community.”

Under the new system, bars, restaurants and hotels are assessed based on physical space, safety measures, availability of clean water, sanitation facilities and the organization of alcohol service areas. The regulation specifies that operating authorization may be refused or withdrawn, noting that licenses are issued “only after verification that all required conditions are met,” according to the Ministry of Finance.

The ministry says the measures are also intended to strengthen oversight by local authorities. In the regulation, it notes that the criteria are meant to “provide clear benchmarks for inspection and control,” enabling communal administrations and sector-level officials to apply uniform standards when issuing licenses and conducting inspections.

In Burundi, the licensing and monitoring of bars, restaurants and hotels fall primarily under communal administrations, operating under the supervision of central government services, including the Ministry of Finance. Local authorities are responsible for issuing permits, collecting associated taxes and fees, and enforcing compliance, particularly in urban centers such as Bujumbura, Gitega and provincial capitals.

The regulation further mandates enforcement, stating that competent authorities are required to “carry out regular inspections to verify continued compliance with eligibility criteria,” and to take administrative measures against establishments operating outside the law. These measures may include warnings, suspension or closure, depending on the nature and severity of violations.

Hospitality operators are expected to align their businesses with the new standards, though the regulation does not specify a public grace period. The hospitality sector remains a significant contributor to employment and local revenue in Burundi, making implementation of the new rules closely watched by business owners and local administrations.

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