Only during the period when Burundi used the Belgian Congo franc were centime coins issued.

The franc became the currency of Burundi in 1916, when Belgium occupied the former German colony and replaced the German East African rupie with the Belgian Congo franc.

In 1965, the Bank of the Kingdom of Burundi issued brass 1 franc coins.

Second types of the 1 and 5 franc coins were introduced in 1976, featuring the coat of arms.

Photographer Kelly Fajack's image of school kids in Burundi was used on the back of the Burundian 10,000 franc note.