The President of the Republic of Burundi, Évariste Ndayishimiye, graced the official ceremony marking the presentation of the major achievements of the Youth Economic Empowerment and Employment Program (PAEEJ) on Friday, April 11,2025, held at the City Hall in Bujumbura. He was accompanied by Prime Minister Gervais Ndirakobuca and several members of the government.
The event also featured an open dialogue between the Head of State and young entrepreneurs who have benefited from the PAEEJ program, symbolizing a significant milestone after four years of implementation.
A Strong Track Record After Four Years
In his remarks, Désiré Manirakiza, National Coordinator of PAEEJ, shared an impressive progress report:
• Nearly 4,000 funded projects, generating over 100,000 direct jobs;
• Over 40,000 young people trained in various trades;
• 135,576 youths sensitized, far surpassing the initial target of 50,000 (reaching 271.25% of the goal);
• 44,928 trained youths against a planned 30,000 (149.7% accomplishment rate);
• 446 interns employed through partner institutions.
The provinces with the highest participation in the program are Ngozi, Gitega, and Kayanza, respectively. In contrast, Bujumbura Mairie, Muramvya, and Mwaro registered the lowest levels of engagement.
Jean Paul Nshimirimana, a poultry farmer and prosecutor from Kirundo Province, expressed his appreciation for the PAEEJ and thanked the President for initiating the program. He also requested support in the form of agricultural insurance, improved poultry breeds, and the establishment of a poultry breeding center.
The Head of State Advocates for Greater Inclusion and Local Industrialization
In his address, President Ndayishimiye applauded the remarkable progress achieved by Burundian youth through the PAEEJ. He noted that before the program’s launch, many young people had ambitions but lacked proper methodological guidance to bring their ideas to life.
He urged the PAEEJ to expand its scope to include targeted interventions for street children, praising existing efforts to train and integrate them, especially since recent data shows their numbers are not overwhelmingly high.
The President also challenged the Ministers of Trade and Finance to stop relying on foreign sources for raw materials that can be produced locally. He highlighted maize as an example, noting that local experts are capable of processing it into flour and oil—products that are already being exported to countries like Canada.
This ceremony marks a new chapter for the PAEEJ, which continues to play a pivotal role in fostering youth entrepreneurship across Burundi.
