The OTB is a public company created in 1971 by presidential decree no. 1/79 of 30/07/1971. It is currently governed by Decree No. 100/157 of 5 September 1997. It is divided into 6 units, namely the headquarters located in Bujumbura and the tea complexes in Teza, Rwegura, Tora, Ijenda and Buhoro and is placed under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.

The role of the OTB is to promote tea farming in Burundi and therefore to contribute to the supply of foreign currency and to provide income to tea farmers. Through its agronomic, industrial, commercial and financial departments, the head office supports tea complexes with regard to technical, commercial, administrative and financial issues. At the research level, it is the Institute of Agricultural Sciences of Burundi (ISABU) which is involved in the sector.