The province has a population of 430,899 (2008 census) and covers an area of 1,960 km2.

Makamba has six communes, many refugees have returned from Tanzania to this province, especially to the communes of Kayogoro, Nyanza lac, Mabanda and Vugizo.

It borders Lake Tanganyika to the west, and Tanzania to the south and east.

The central part of Makamba Province is in the Buragane natural region.

The east of the province is in the Kumoso natural region.