Nowadays, coins have become unpopular in Burundi business

In general, coins especially ten-coin Burundian francs are not welcomed in many trading services. They are not liked by both customers and sellers. One may wonder why this situation – By Yves Didier Irakoze

Coins of ten and fifty Burundian francs ©Iwacu

“One day, I went to the shop in the area where I live to buy some goods. When I gave money to the seller, he refused to take it because they were coins”, states Anna K. a babysitter.
Jean Kamenyero, a common passenger met in the bus points out that when he pays bus fares and gets change in coins, above all those of 10 francs, he always refuses to accept them because they’re not easy to carry and can be lost very easily at any time.
In general, many people confirm that they lose when they don’t want to take the coins once they are paid back; there is a big loss if someone may count the number of times he/she has refused to have his/her money in coins. However, people may regret about their refusal: this may be noticed if they try to accept the coins and collect them as progressively they will be aware that they have lost a big amount of money.
According to businessmen and all other money users, it is not worthy making or reproducing ten-coin Burundian francs because they have become valueless considering the cost of goods or products on the local market; they can almost buy nothing nowadays.
“Why are those coins still in movement whereas today they are somehow useless? I wonder why the National Bank can’t abandon the use of coins in general, and ten- franc coins in particular,” states Jean Kamana a shopkeeper at Nyakabiga vendor.

The National Bank reaction

According to Audace Niyonzima in Charge of Statistic Studies in the National Bank (BRB), those coins are in legal tender and making new notes of 10 and 50 Burundian francs is so expensive. He mentions that the process of making new banknotes implies spending much money to replace the existing coins.
He warns that those who do not accept those coins are mistaken and that they can be pursued by Justice.
“Refusing money because they are coins for various reasons which are not pertinent is an offence and that attitude is punished by the Court,” points out Niyonzima.