BUJUMBURA, September 18th (ABP) – On Thursday, September 12, 2024, the Vice President of the Republic of Burundi, Prosper Bazombanza, opened the official launch of the Project to Support the Foundations of the Digital Economy (PAPEN) in Burundi, organized by the Ministry of Communication, Information Technologies and Media.
In his speech, the Vice-President of the Republic pointed out that Burundi’s goal of emergence by 2040 takes into account digital as a lever for development, a key to access to financial services, a major challenge for the development of the public and private sectors, and financial inclusion.
According to him, “No one is supposed to be unaware of the importance that the Burundian government attaches to that project, which comes at just the right time, when we have embarked on a digitization drive to support the structural transformation of our economy, as well as the transparent, effective and efficient management of public affairs”.
To that end, the Vice-President of the Republic of Burundi stressed that the launch of that project is an opportunity to make the most of the digital potential that already exists, but which is so little exploited, and to strengthen it further for the well-being of the people. He also spoke of the challenges that digital projects often face in meeting them.
What’s more, he added, successful implementation of the PAFEN will depend on the involvement of all stakeholders at every level, because “if everyone contributes their stone to that edifice, we will undoubtedly succeed, as the Head of State says, ‘Together all is possible’”.
Mr. Bazombanza declared that the Government of Burundi is fully committed and will spare no effort to ensure that PAFEN is a model of success in its implementation, with a view to fully supporting the foundations of the digital economy in Burundi. He took the opportunity to thank the World Bank, which is financing the project and providing them with expert support.
Taking the floor, PAFEN project coordinator Bienvenue Irakoze explained that the objectives of the project are to increase broadband Internet access, improve the government’s efficiency in managing its resources, and facilitate the use of digital technology in public administration.
Among the four components of PAFEN, he specified, three are priorities. Those are access to digital connectivity inclusion, which targets rural connectivity, access to terminals, development of digital skills for the population and development of the legal framework.
He also cited the component on improving the government’s efficiency in using digital services in public administration, which includes a priority sub-component on the digitization of public services.
The 3rd priority component is project coordination, said the PAFEN coordinator.
According to him, since the existence of that project in 2022, they have carried out various activities, including capacity-building training for the project’s stakeholders, with a view to achieving the project’s results.
The project is financed by the World Bank to the tune of 92 million dollars, and will run for 6 years, until 2028.