MUKAZA, July 15 (ABP) – The Center for Development and Enterprises in the Great Lakes region (CDE), in partnership with the Burundi Development Agency (ADB) and the Capital Market Regulatory Authority (ARMC), organized a press conference on Friday, July 11, 2025, in Bujumbura, aimed at political decision-makers, entrepreneurs, and local experts, under the theme: “The formalization of micro-, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs): a prerequisite for their access to the capital market.”
The Director General of the ADB, Dr. Révérien Nizigiyimana, stated that the purpose of this conference was to collectively reflect on the challenges and issues of MSME formalization, and to propose solutions and means to overcome these challenges by taking advantage of the opportunities offered by the capital market to achieve the vision of making Burundi an emerging country by 2040 and a developed country by 2060.
Dr. Nizigiyimana pointed out that today; nearly half of Burundian businesses operate informally due to fear of taxes and administrative burdens. This choice, often made by default, has direct consequences, such as difficulties in accessing structured financing, vulnerability to economic shocks, and a reduced contribution to the mobilization of state fiscal resources. Access to the capital market, he clarified, is actually a powerful tool to support the sustainable growth of MSMEs.
He also announced that these informal businesses are often the most dynamic, creative, and closest to the social realities of the country. Their exclusion from the informal economic circuit constitutes a lost opportunity for the socio-economic development of the country. Currently, formalization should no longer be viewed as a luxury or a complex process, but rather as an economic transformation tool, a factor of inclusion, and a growth lever, added the Director General of the ADB.
Dr. Nizigiyimana mentioned that the ADB is committed to supporting all initiatives aimed at better structuring the Burundian private sector, particularly for MSMEs, as they form the foundation for sustainable and inclusive development. He emphasized that there cannot be any emergence without a profound transformation of the economy, without leveraging entrepreneurial potentials, and without broader access to financial resources for economic operators.
“Formalizing well-structured small and medium enterprises allows them to access the capital market through both regional and international partnerships, ensures better tax justice, resilience to shocks, and a lasting impact on growth,” he remarked.
To achieve this, Dr. Nizigiyimana proposed that an entrepreneurial ecosystem be built together, one that truly supports entrepreneurs. He urged everyone to contribute their part, identify concrete actions, and build a more resilient, competitive, and inclusive economy.
For his part, the Director General of the CDE, Aimable Manirakiza, stated that the formalization of MSMEs is not an administrative constraint but rather a gateway to new opportunities. He hopes to foster a new generation of Burundian entrepreneurs who are capable of innovating, exporting, and integrating into regional value chains by leveraging diversified financing, including capital markets.
According to him, the Center for Development and Enterprises in the Great Lakes region intends to identify concrete levers to accelerate the formalization of MSMEs, remove the barriers that prevent them from accessing structured financing, and contribute to a favorable environment for business opportunities.
Based on the presentations and various interventions, participants took the opportunity to encourage entrepreneurs to be administratively cooperative, think long-term by improving financial transparency, diversify financing sources, develop relationships with investors, engage in training, and learn about opportunities related to capital markets, as well as to secure professional financial contracts.
Regarding the strategy to take advantage of the capital market, they mentioned that the government needs to adopt a liberal policy and review its monetary policy. It is also essential for the government to establish a stable legal framework and fair competition, while simplifying administrative procedures.