In a significant step toward enhancing youth employability, the Commercial Bank of Burundi (BANCOBU) and the Economic Empowerment and Youth Employment Program (PAEEJ) have officially launched a professional internship partnership. The agreement, signed on Monday, March 3, 2025, aims to facilitate the integration of young graduates into the workforce by providing them with practical experience in the banking sector.
The partnership was formalized through a signing ceremony attended by BANCOBU’s Managing Director, Trinitas Girukwishaka, along with senior executives of the bank, and Professor Désiré Manirakiza, National Coordinator of PAEEJ, accompanied by his team. Also present were twenty selected interns who will benefit from this initiative.
In her address, Mrs. Girukwishaka expressed BANCOBU’s commitment to supporting youth employment, emphasizing the program’s potential to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and professional practice. “This partnership is a testament to our dedication to empowering young professionals by offering them meaningful opportunities to develop their skills,” she stated. She further announced that each intern would receive a monthly stipend of 300,000 BIF to cover transportation expenses throughout their one-year internship.
Professor Manirakiza welcomed the collaboration, describing it as a long-awaited milestone for PAEEJ, which has been striving to establish such partnerships for the past four years. He acknowledged past collaborations between BANCOBU and PAEEJ but noted that this agreement represents a significant advancement in their shared mission. Urging the interns to uphold professionalism and confidentiality, he underscored the importance of discipline and ethical conduct. “These interns were selected based on their academic achievements, and we expect them to make the most of this opportunity,” he emphasized.
Speaking on behalf of the interns, a representative conveyed their gratitude to PAEEJ and BANCOBU, pledging full dedication to their professional development and contributions to the bank.
This initiative comes at a critical time when youth unemployment remains a pressing challenge, largely due to a lack of practical experience among graduates. By equipping young professionals with hands-on training, the partnership seeks to enhance employability, foster economic growth, and bridge the skills gap in Burundi’s job market.
