Since taking office in 2020, Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye has charted a course of modernization anchored in a long-term vision: to make Burundi an emerging country by 2040 and a developed nation by 2060. His leadership blends economic reform, structural investment, and renewed diplomatic engagement, positioning the country on a new trajectory.
From the outset of his mandate, the Head of State set the tone for his presidency: “We must build a prosperous Burundi where every citizen finds his place and contributes to the greatness of our nation.” This guiding principle has been translated into concrete policy. For the 2024–2025 fiscal year, the national budget was increased by 16 percent, reaching 4.4 trillion Burundian francs (approximately 1.5 billion USD). The additional resources are directed toward infrastructure, education, healthcare, and civil service salaries. Growth is keeping pace, with GDP rising by 3.5 percent in 2024, and a projection of 3.6 percent for 2025.
Energy stands at the heart of this transformation. The commissioning of the Rusumo hydroelectric plant, which added 27 megawatts to the national grid, marked a turning point. Upcoming projects are expected to contribute more than 70 megawatts, helping to alleviate shortages and power Burundi’s cities, industries, and households. As President Ndayishimiye has often emphasized: “Electricity is not a luxury; it is a necessity for our schools, our hospitals, and our enterprises.”
Diplomatically, Burundi has returned to the forefront of regional and continental affairs. In just a few years, President Ndayishimiye has served as Chair of the East African Community (2022), Vice-Chair of the African Union Bureau (2023), and, since 2024, Chair of COMESA. These roles underscore his determination to reposition Burundi as a key regional actor, while multiplying partnerships with the United Nations, China, and various African and Asian nations.
The country’s youth—who make up more than 60 percent of the population—are central to this national project. Scholarships, support for startups, and entrepreneurship programs reflect the government’s determination to invest in its future generations. “The President reminds us that we are tomorrow’s pillars. He inspires us to build our future here,” says a student from Bujumbura, capturing the renewed optimism felt among the younger generation.
Culture has also emerged as a pillar of the President’s vision. Through support for festivals, cinema, traditional dance, and contemporary creation, Ndayishimiye seeks to project Burundi’s identity onto the international stage. In a speech in Gitega, he declared: “Our culture is a wealth. It must be protected, celebrated, and shared with the world.” This cultural diplomacy reinforces the broader narrative of a Burundi that is dynamic, creative, and forward-looking.
With a strengthened budget, steady growth, a revitalized diplomatic profile, and an empowered youth, Évariste Ndayishimiye is leading Burundi on a path of transformation. His ambition is unequivocal: to propel the nation into the ranks of Africa’s emerging economies and ensure that the promise of development is shared by all Burundians.