The Anglican Church of Burundi has elected the Right Rev. Eraste Bigirimana, Bishop of Bujumbura, as its next Archbishop and Primate, according to reports from mission partners. On 21 May 2026 Bishop Bigirimana was elected the province’s sixth archbishop and primate the Relay Trust, a partner organisation working with the church, reports, stating he will succeed the current primate, the Most Rev. Sixbert Macumi.

The Relay Trust article, “Giving Thanks for New Leadership in Burundi,” reports that Bishop Bigirimana’s installation as Archbishop and Primate is scheduled for 23 August 2026 at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Bujumbura. A mission‑partners update from St Mark’s Church, Kennington, London, repeats this date and notes that “on 21st May, Bishop Eraste of Bujumbura was elected as the new Archbishop of the Anglican Church.” 

Bishop Eraste Bigirimana currently serves as Bishop of Bujumbura, one of the dioceses of the Anglican Church of Burundi. A profile on the World Anglican clergy database describes him as 53 years old and notes that he holds degrees in Human Sciences/African Languages and Literature and in Divinity (Theology).

Born in 1964 in Buhumuza Province, Ruyigi Commune, Bishop Bigirimana comes from an Anglican family, the provincial website reports. In 1991 he became a professor at the Catholic Seminary in Mugera, and later at Musinzira High School. The new archbishop was consecrated as became the first Bishop of Muyinga in 2005, and In 2013 he was translated to the Diocese of Bujumbura 

From September 2025 Bishop Bigirimana became the coordinator of the Anglican Francophone Network (Réseau Francophone Anglican). 

Various partner organisations underscore his existing leadership roles. The Relay Trust article situates his election in the context of wider provincial efforts in leadership training and lay formation, praising God “for the election of Bishop Eraste Bigirimana as the new Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Burundi” and linking his new role to ongoing programmes to equip local church leaders. 

A June 11, 2026 “Chairman’s Quarterly Pastoral Letter” on the official GSFA website asks readers to pray for the new archchbishop  “as he prepares to be installed as Primate of Burundi on August 23rd,” and expresses anticipation of “the encouragement of his fellowship as a member” of the GSFA primates’ circle.