# Burundian franc

> currency of Burundi

**Wikidata**: [Q238007](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q238007)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burundian_franc)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/burundian-franc

## Summary
The Burundian franc is the official currency of the sovereign state of Burundi, serving as the generally accepted medium of exchange for goods and services within the nation. It was introduced in 1964 and is issued under the authority of the Bank of the Republic of Burundi. As a specific type of franc, it is distinct from other currency units sharing the same name used in different regions.

## Key Facts
- **Classification**: It is a currency and a specific type of franc, functioning as a generally accepted medium of exchange.
- **Country of Origin**: The currency is located in and serves the sovereign state of Burundi in Africa.
- **Inception Date**: The Burundian franc officially began circulation in 1964 (specifically recorded as +1964-00-00T00:00:00Z).
- **Issuing Authority**: It is managed by the Bank of the Republic of Burundi, the nation's central bank.
- **Central Bank Inception**: The Bank of the Republic of Burundi was established on May 19, 1964.
- **Central Bank Location**: The headquarters of the issuing bank is located in Bujumbura, Burundi.
- **Geographic Coordinates**: The bank's headquarters are situated at latitude -3.382669 and longitude 29.361563.
- **ISO Code**: The currency is commonly identified by the alias "BIF".
- **Historical Context**: The currency operates within the modern state of Burundi, which gained inception on July 1, 1962, succeeding the former Kingdom of Burundi (which existed until 1966).
- **Digital Presence**: The entity has 51 sitelinks across various language versions of Wikipedia and is described as the "currency of Burundi."

## FAQs
**What is the official status and scope of the Burundian franc?**
The Burundian franc serves as the primary legal tender and medium of exchange for all goods and services within the borders of Burundi. It is the designated currency unit for the sovereign state, replacing previous monetary systems following the nation's independence.

**Who manages the issuance and regulation of this currency?**
The Bank of the Republic of Burundi acts as the central bank responsible for issuing and regulating the franc. This institution was founded in May 1964, shortly after the country's inception in 1962, and operates out of its headquarters in Bujumbura.

**How does the Burundian franc relate to the historical Kingdom of Burundi?**
The currency is used in the modern sovereign state that succeeded the Kingdom of Burundi, which existed as a political entity from approximately 1680 until 1966. While the kingdom predates the currency, the franc was established in the modern era to support the economy of the independent republic.

**What are the technical identifiers and digital footprint of the currency?**
The currency is technically identified by the alias "BIF" and is the subject of a Wikipedia article titled "Burundian franc." It maintains a significant digital presence with 51 sitelinks, indicating its recognition across multiple language editions of the encyclopedia.

## Why It Matters
The Burundian franc is the fundamental economic instrument that facilitates trade, commerce, and financial stability within Burundi. Without a standardized medium of exchange like the franc, the modern economy of the sovereign state would struggle to function, as it provides the necessary unit of account for pricing goods and services. Its establishment in 1964 marked a critical step in the economic sovereignty of the nation, separating its financial system from colonial predecessors and aligning it with the newly independent state. The currency's management by the Bank of the Republic of Burundi ensures that monetary policy can be tailored to the specific needs of the African nation, influencing inflation, employment, and economic growth. Furthermore, the franc connects Burundi to the global financial system through its standardized ISO code (BIF), allowing for international trade and remittances.

## Notable For
- **Specific Franc Variant**: It is one of 41 distinct currency units that share the "franc" name, distinguished by its exclusive use in Burundi.
- **Post-Independence Implementation**: It was introduced just two years after the sovereign state of Burundi gained inception in 1962, reflecting early nation-building efforts.
- **Centralized Management**: It is uniquely tied to the Bank of the Republic of Burundi, an institution with a specific inception date of May 19, 1964.
- **Geographic Precision**: The currency's administration is anchored to a specific geographic location in Bujumbura with precise coordinates (-3.382669, 29.361563).
- **Historical Continuity**: It operates in a region that was formerly the Kingdom of Burundi, bridging the gap between the pre-1966 monarchy and the modern republic.
- **High Digital Visibility**: With 51 sitelinks, it is a well-documented entity in the global knowledge ecosystem compared to many other regional currencies.

## Body

### Definition and Classification
The Burundian franc is defined as the currency of Burundi. It falls under the broader class of "currency," which is generally accepted as a medium of exchange for goods and services. Specifically, it belongs to the "franc" category, a name shared by several different currency units globally. The entity is identified by the alias "BIF" and is the subject of a Wikipedia article titled "Burundian franc." Its description in knowledge bases is succinctly stated as the "currency of Burundi."

### Historical Context and Inception
The currency's timeline is closely linked to the political history of the region. The sovereign state of Burundi, where the currency is used, has an inception date of July 1, 1962. This modern state succeeded the Kingdom of Burundi, a former kingdom in Central/Eastern Africa that existed from approximately 1680 until 1966. The Burundian franc itself was introduced later, with a start time recorded as 1964. This timing coincides with the establishment of the nation's central banking infrastructure.

### Issuing Authority and Infrastructure
The Bank of the Republic of Burundi serves as the central bank responsible for the currency. This institution was founded on May 19, 1964, just months before the currency's official start time. The bank is headquartered in Bujumbura, the capital city of Burundi. The location of the headquarters is geographically precise, with coordinates at latitude -3.382669 and longitude 29.361563. The bank's operations are tied to the country code  (Burundi) and the headquarters location  (Bujumbura).

### Geographic and Political Scope
The currency is exclusively located in and serves the sovereign state of Burundi, a country in Africa. The state's inception is documented with a reference date of November 7, 2018, citing source . The currency's utility is confined to this specific national territory, distinguishing it from other francs used in neighboring or distant regions. The relationship between the currency and the state is direct, with the currency serving as the primary economic tool for the nation's 295 documented sitelinks and broader digital presence.

### Digital Presence and Metadata
In the context of knowledge bases and digital encyclopedias, the Burundian franc is a well-connected entity. It possesses 51 sitelinks, indicating its presence across various language versions of Wikipedia. The entity is categorized with a sitelink count of 51, reflecting its importance in global information structures. The data includes specific references for the country's inception and the bank's location, ensuring verifiability. The entity is linked to 166 general currency sitelinks and 41 franc-specific sitelinks, placing it within a larger network of monetary units.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. [Source](https://www.xe.com/currencycharts/?from=BIF&to=EUR)