BUJUMBURA, April 21st (ABP) – Young Burundian entrepreneurs who have succeeded thanks to the funding from the youth economic empowerment and employment program (PAEEJ) shared their positive experiences during a workshop held on April 14, 2025. The event featured a dialogue between the President of the Republic and successful young entrepreneurs. The ceremony took place in Bujumbura in the presence of President Evariste Ndayishimiye, Prime Minister Gervais Ndirakobuca, and other high-ranking officials of the country.
Among the successful entrepreneurs was Eliezer Iradukunda, founder of FICA, a company that produces fruit juices and syrups from maracuja, mango, pineapple, and sugarcane. Before benefiting from the PAEEJ funding, Iradukunda worked alone, producing between 200 and 300 bottles per month. With the support of the program, his production now reaches 5,000 bottles per month, generating a monthly profit of 1,500,000 BIF and creating ten jobs.
Another entrepreneur, Landry Gatore, founder of the Daudi Company, a woodworking shop based in Gitega, shared his story of how he could not previously meet the demand of his customers due to a lack of funds and labor. With PAEEJ funding, Gatore was able to hire 20 employees, and his business now generates 12,000,000 BIF in revenue.
Ndayihanzamaso, president of a cooperative of 12 young people based in Ruziba, also spoke about his success. His cooperative processes honey into therapeutic products such as solid skin creams and propolis-based medicines. He mentioned that, initially, his capital was one million BIF, and he only sold within Bujumbura. Today, thanks to PAEEJ, his production has quadrupled, and his turnover exceeds 60 million BIF.
All those young entrepreneurs expressed their gratitude to the President for the implementation of PAEEJ, which they view as a timely response to the youth’s needs in terms of employment and economic development.