In a bold move to further contribute to Burundi’s urban development, Ubaka Nation Group officially broke ground on April 25, 2025, on its fifth real estate development project: FABHOMES 2 Airport Estate. The groundbreaking ceremony was held in Quartier Miroir, a prime location just three minutes from Melchior Ndadaye International Airport and ten minutes from downtown Bujumbura.
The project is led by Fablice Manirakiza, founder and CEO of Ubaka Nation Group. Addressing journalists at the site, Manirakiza described the new estate as a “game-changer” for the housing sector in Burundi. “Our company’s slogan is: We are building Burundi,” he said. “At Ubaka Nation Group, we are determined to be the first company to receive an official honor from the State of Burundi for our contribution toward the national vision: Emerging Burundi by 2040, Developed Burundi by 2060. We are young people who have chosen to write our own story.”
The project, valued at 50 billion BIF, will span two hectares and feature over 87 residential units. These include four Premium homes, 20 VVIP villas, 30 VIP houses, 10 Townhouses, and 50 modern apartments. According to Manirakiza, about 30% of the units have already been reserved.
“This is more than just a housing estate,” he explained. “We’re offering a lifestyle — paved roads, clubhouses, meeting spaces, swimming pool, gym, bar, grocery stores, and round-the-clock surveillance. We even employ hygiene staff to maintain cleanliness.”
Currently 15% complete, the project is slated for delivery within 18 months and is providing employment for between 500 to 700 daily laborers.
In terms of financing, the company offers three flexible options to accommodate different income levels: full cash payment, a 12-month installment plan, or a bank loan. Manirakiza noted that Ubaka Nation Group assists buyers in securing competitive interest rates from local banks, citing CRDB Bank Burundi’s 12% rate as an example.
Ephraïm Nshimirimana, Managing Director of Ubaka Nation Group, highlighted the company’s transparency and commitment to client satisfaction.“The trust we enjoy from our clients is no coincidence,” Nshimirimana said. “It stems from consistent communication, including weekly construction updates and a clear commitment to avoiding any land disputes.”
He added that the company already holds the required environmental compliance certificate and a special exemption from OBUHA (Office Burundais de l’Urbanisme, de l’Habitat et de la Construction), which serves as the construction permit.“Once a house is reserved, we initiate the process of transferring ownership documents without delay,” he affirmed.
Engineers Vincent Kakunze and Eliezer Ndayisaba also spoke at the event, underlining the quality standards and technical expertise that characterize Ubaka Nation Group’s projects. They clarified a common misconception, stating that the company does not sell pre-built houses. Instead, clients invest in projects based on detailed architectural and financial plans, with construction proceeding once agreements are finalized.
To conclude the event, Manirakiza provided an update on another major initiative: the Bujumbura Central Market, also referred to as Buja City Plaza. “Let me be clear: anyone claiming that the Buja City Plaza project is fake is misleading the public,” he said. “We received the construction authorization on February 26, 2025, after a Council of Ministers’ session that recommended we pursue a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with the Ministry of Infrastructure.”
Manirakiza confirmed that negotiations have taken place over the past month with experts from the Regulatory Authority for Public Contracts (ARCP), the Burundi Revenue Authority (OBR), and the African Development Bank (AfDB). A draft summary of the agreement has been submitted for a second review by the Council of Ministers, after which construction is expected to begin.
With an ambitious vision and projects already underway, Ubaka Nation Group continues to position itself as a key player in Burundi’s real estate development landscape.
