GITEGA, March 29 (ABP) – The Youth Economic Empowerment and Employment Program (PAEEJ) held, on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, the closing of the competition called “Ladies Impulse.” A total of five best projects were selected from ten presented by women and young girls representing all the provinces of Burundi, as learned by ABP on site.
First place went to Miss Tuyisenge Louise, representing the Tuburunani Rwaruka association, from the province of Butanyerera, with a score of 78%. Her project focuses on shoe manufacturing. She received a prize of six million Burundian francs, in addition to the amount already obtained at the provincial level.
Second place was awarded to Mrs. Irankunda Evelyne, head of Buseruko Company, based in the province of Buhumuza, with a score of 74.33%. Her project concerns a tailoring workshop. She received a reward of five million Burundian francs.
Third place went to Mrs. Niyongaburo Annick, head of the Inamahoro company, from the province of Bujumbura, with a clothing production project (tailoring workshop). She received a prize of four million Burundian francs with a score of 68.66%.
Fourth place was awarded to Mrs. Harerimana Amandine, head of Clean Shop, in the province of Buhumuza, for her dry-cleaning project. She received a reward of three million Burundian francs with a score of 65%.
Fifth place was won by Mrs. Niyoyitungiye Emelyne, from the province of Butanyerera, with a project to process red onions into powder for culinary use. She received a prize of two million Burundian francs with a score of 56.66%. The remaining five projects did not receive any awards.
Speaking on the occasion, René Michel Bizoza, head of the entrepreneurship department within PAEEJ, specified that these amounts are in addition to the funding already received at the provincial level. He emphasized that these were not grants or donations, but funds to be repaid. He therefore urged the beneficiaries to make good use of them, in line with the objectives of their projects, in order to ensure their profitability.
Mr. Bizoza also indicated that all the projects presented were of high quality, although only five could be selected. He encouraged the non-awarded participants to persevere and improve their initiatives for future competitions.