From April 23 to 24, 2025 at Kiriri Garden Hotel, Bujumbura hosts strategic workshops to launch the activities of the Independent Competition Commission of Burundi with support from the COMESA Competition Commission. The event brought together national and regional experts for a capacity-building session focused on competition policy, mergers, and investigative tools to enforce fair market practices.
In his opening remarks, Onesime Niyukuri, President of the Burundi Independent Competition Commission, reaffirmed Burundi’s commitment to regional integration. “Burundi is part of several regional communities and has obligations to align with regional and continental competition frameworks,” he said, referencing the country’s membership in COMESA, EAC, CEEAC, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Despite the existence of the 2010 competition law, Niyukuri noted that enforcement had been hindered by “a lack of awareness among key public and private actors and the absence of an actionable implementation plan.”
The Commission was officially established through Decree No. 100/212 of October 30, 2023. It is an autonomous regulatory body operating under the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism. Niyukuri acknowledged the ministry’s role, adding, “I take this opportunity to thank the Burundian authorities, particularly the Minister of Commerce, for her remarkable dedication in operationalizing this institution.”
Mary Gurure, Director of Legal Services & Compliance at the COMESA Competition Commission, stressed the importance of context-specific application of competition laws. “Best practices must be adapted to national legislation. Capacity-building must be continuous because competition laws operate in dynamic markets,” she said. Gurure reiterated COMESA’s readiness to support Burundi, “subject to resource availability.”
One of the most technical interventions came from Isaac Tausha, Chief Economist at COMESA’s Competition Commission. He detailed the foundations of effective investigations, asserting, “Rigorous evidence collection—from emails to market data—is the first step to identifying anti-competitive behavior.” He highlighted tools such as econometric analysis and structural remedies, concluding, “By applying these tools effectively, Burundi’s Commission can deter unfair practices and protect consumers.”
Kondwani Kaonga, Head of Research and Policy at COMESA, discussed institutional design. She noted, “Three main models exist: judicial bifurcation, bifurcated agencies, and integrated agencies. Each has unique advantages, such as the independence provided by separating investigative and decision-making functions.” Kaonga emphasized that success depends on “strong institutional values such as independence, transparency, and procedural rigor.” She urged the Burundi Independent Competition Commission to start with available resources and engage stakeholders in building a competition-aware culture.
The workshop concluded with a call for joint action to improve consumer protection and fair market competition in Burundi and across the COMESA region. The event marked a significant step forward in aligning Burundi’s national efforts with regional goals for economic integration and market fairness.
