NTAHANGWA, July 28 (ABP) – The ministry of East African Community affairs, Youth, Sports and Culture presented its performance review for the 2024–2025 year on Thursday, July 24, 2025. The report was delivered by the minister in charge of east African community affairs, Gervais Abayeho.
In the area of Burundi’s regional integration within the EAC, Minister Gervais Abayeho stated that more than one hundred fifty (150) statutory and non-statutory EAC meetings, along with other types of meetings, were facilitated, coordinated, and held to defend the country’s interests and position, as well as to contribute to the implementation of the Community Agenda.
In line with this, several awareness workshops on Burundi’s integration were organized. Burundi also stood out during the 7th edition of the EAC Cycling Tour, whose opening and grand finale took place on Burundian territory. Capacity-building workshops in various areas for ministry staff were also organized.
Abayeho highlighted that Burundi celebrated the 25th anniversary of the EAC on November 28, 2024, in Arusha, Tanzania, during which the iconic Burundian drum dance “Umurisho w’Ingoma” enriched the silver jubilee festivities, captivating the audience and increasing Burundi’s visibility at the event. Furthermore, the Burundian drum was sounded on November 30, 2024, to warmly welcome EAC Heads of State attending the 24th ordinary summit of EAC heads of state. National award ceremonies honoring the five best Burundian essay winners in the EAC Essay Competition 2022 were also held in Bujumbura on February 28, 2025.
In the youth sector, Abayeho noted that several activities were carried out, stating that under the high patronage of the Head of State, International Youth Day was celebrated with grandeur. In partnership with UNDP, the fourth edition of the Youth Innovation Week showcased the creative potential of Burundian youth. Targeted training sessions were also conducted, during which 62 youth educators and 64 members of youth center management committees were trained in life skills and entrepreneurship.
In the sports sector, Abayeho reported that more than 20 regional and international sports competitions were hosted. He noted that some Burundian athletes received awards, notably Sada Nahimana, who won the women’s tournament named “World Tennis Tour W50” in Bujumbura.
Additionally, the 2024-2025 edition of the intercommunal men’s football championship was launched in Cibitoke on November 30, 2024, under the theme: “Youth committed to implementing the national vision: Burundi, an emerging country by 2040, developed by 2060.” As part of promoting social cohesion in the workplace, an inter-ministerial championship was also organized to strengthen unity within the public administration.
In the cultural field, the Ministry built a large monument to the Burundian drum at the roundabout of Melchior Ndadaye International Airport, symbolizing national pride, according to Abayeho.
The Burundian Agency for Youth Employment (ABEJ) oversaw the recruitment of 500 young people for first-time job internships and carried out field follow-ups. An impact study published in February 2025 revealed that around 30% of these youths obtained permanent employment or started their own businesses.
To support young people in designing and implementing village-based projects and micro-projects, 73 trivalent pig vaccination and African Swine Fever (ASF) treatment kits were distributed to PAEEJ beneficiaries, and 2,970 animals were vaccinated. Additionally, 300 youth cooperatives and enterprises in key sectors such as agribusiness, ICT, ecotourism, crafts, mining, food processing, trades, transport, energy, and waste management received support.
Abayeho added that over 10,000 young people were also trained in various fields: marketing, financial management, irrigation, crop protection and food storage, as well as employment techniques in trade centers and incubators.
Note that the Youth Investment Bank granted 2,214,000,000 BIF in loans to 111 cooperatives, comprising 711 young beneficiaries, including 426 men and 285 women.