OVERVIEW: The president, Pierre Nkurunziza, and his party, Conseil national pour la defense de la democratie-Forces pour la defense de la democratie (CNDD-FDD), face a major challenge, as internal divisions are weakening the party. Growth in construction, trade and manufacturing will help to drive real GDP growth of 6% in 2008 and 6.5% in 2009. Inflation is forecast to remain high, at 6.5% in 2008 and 6% in 2009, owing to high fuel prices and a depreciating currency. The current-account deficit is expected to remain large, at 13.5% of GDP in 2008 and 13.2% of GDP in 2009.

Source: Burundi: Country outlook