Gitega is the political capital of Burundi, situated in the center of the country on the Burundian central plateau. It is located approximately 62 kilometres (39 mi) east of Bujumbura, which remains the nation's largest city and economic capital.
The city serves as the fourth largest urban center in Burundi and was formerly the royal capital of the Kingdom of Burundi until the monarchy was abolished in 1966. In January 2019, the Burundian Parliament officially designated Gitega as the political capital, with all branches of government scheduled to relocate there over a three-year period.