Published: 17.10.2026
The .bi extension is the country-code domain of Burundi, a small landlocked country in East Africa that lies close to Lake Tanganyika. Kirundi and French are the main official languages, and the largest city is Bujumbura. Local firms, schools, cultural groups and development projects use the ending to show their link to Burundi. Use the availability form that follows this text to see whether your name in .bi is still free.
Check if a .bi domain is available .bi Check
A short history
Burundi is one of the smaller countries in Africa's Great Lakes region. Like the rest of the region, it has seen online services spread over time, and its national zone has grown as businesses, media and public services have moved onto the internet. Today it serves a range of local firms and community projects, along with organisations that work with partners across the region.
Who runs it
The zone is managed by a national registry, which sets the registration rules and keeps the central database. Accredited registrars sell names to customers and send the orders on. Because the conditions can differ from those of generic zones, read the current published terms before you order, especially the rules on holders and documents.
Rules in practice
- Holder conditions: the registry may set rules on who can hold a .bi name, so check them before you order.
- Contact details: the holder information must be accurate and kept up to date.
- Characters: names use letters, digits and hyphens, within the length limits of the registry.
- Renewal: keep the expiry date in view and enable automatic renewal, because a lapsed name can be picked up by someone else.
Who uses .bi
- Companies and shops that serve customers in Burundi.
- Schools, universities and training centres with a local audience.
- Community groups, churches and cultural organisations that publish in Kirundi or French.
- Development projects that work in the country and want a clear local address.
Strengths
- The ending shows a direct link to Burundi, which helps local visitors recognise a site at once.
- The name is short and easy to say, and it works well on signs and printed materials.
- French is one of the two main official languages, so a French-language site suits many readers.
Things to keep in mind
- The zone points to one country, so an organisation working across the region may also need a generic address.
- Internet access and speed vary, so test pages on mobile connections before launch.
- Visitors from abroad may not recognise the ending, so print the full address on every card and sign.
- Good short names are often taken, so prepare alternatives.
Tips before you register
- Check the name in .com and decide whether both addresses are worth owning.
- Enter the holder details exactly as they appear in your official records or personal documents.
- Publish the site in Kirundi, French or both, with clear contact details.
- Set up SPF, DKIM and DMARC records before the domain sends any e-mail.
- Enable two-factor login and keep the renewal reminder in a shared calendar.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to live in Burundi to register a .bi name? Holder conditions may apply and can depend on your situation. Check the current terms at the time of the order.
Does .bi help a site rank in local search results? It is one useful location signal. Clear local content, fast pages and genuine links usually matter more.
Can a French-language site use .bi? Yes. The ending does not fix the language, and French content will suit many readers in the country.
