The Innovation Week 2024 competition wrapped up on Friday, the 13th, with a grand celebration held at the Presidential Palace in Bujumbura. The event highlighted the innovative spirit of Burundi’s youth, with over 1,000 young people participating in the competition. Ten finalists were selected to showcase their ideas, each presenting projects aimed at solving some of the country’s most pressing challenges.
Top Prize Awarded for Eco-Friendly Innovation
Mugisha Fleury took home the first-place prize of 11 million Burundian francs for his project aimed at reducing pollution. Fleury and his team have developed a method to create tissue paper from banana peels. According to Fleury, their project not only addresses environmental concerns but also seeks to reduce the waste generated by banana peel disposal.
The project was praised for its sustainability and potential impact.
“We aim to fight pollution and create a sustainable solution that can be replicated across the country,” Fleury said during the ceremony.
Second and Third Places Focus on Agriculture
Dobi Jules was awarded second place and 10 million Burundian francs for his innovative plant-watering system, which uses a modern pump technology. “Burundi depends heavily on agriculture, and we wanted to provide small farmers with a simple yet effective tool to help them irrigate their crops,” said Jules, who explained that his project could significantly improve crop yields and support the country’s agricultural sector.
Nibogora Alice claimed third place with her project focused on creating affordable, durable tiles from plastic waste. Nibogora, who hopes to employ young people in the process, was awarded 10 million Burundian francs. “We can turn plastic waste into valuable materials, helping to tackle both unemployment and environmental issues,” she said.
Supporting Local Industry and Reducing Waste
Other notable projects included the work of Niyoyitungiye Emelyne, who received 8.5 million Burundian francs for her innovation in producing onion powder to prevent food spoilage. “Our goal is to help preserve onions, which often go to waste, and ensure they remain usable for longer periods,” Emelyne explained.
Nimbon Salvator, who created a process for producing sugar from maize, also took home 8.5 million Burundian francs. “With sugar becoming scarce in Burundi, we wanted to help ensure that local production can meet demand and reduce reliance on imports,” said Salvator.
Addressing Construction, Healthcare, and Food Security
Dushime Destine earned 8.5 million Burundian francs for her project, which focuses on producing affordable construction materials from plastic waste. “We aim to provide low-cost alternatives to the expensive building materials currently on the market,” she said.
In the field of health, Nivyumuremyi Emmanuella was awarded 8.5 million Burundian francs for her project, a network designed to help people monitor their health and improve access to medical services in Burundi. “My platform allows patients to book appointments with doctors, check the availability of medications, and find local health services,” Nivyumuremyi explained.
Herbal Medicine and Agricultural Innovation
Bukuru Marcel received 8.5 million Burundian francs for his project in herbal medicine, aimed at supporting the agricultural sector and helping farmers address plant diseases. “We are using natural solutions to improve crop health, which will boost agriculture in Burundi,” said Marcel.
Bubuya Elie rounded out the top ten with his project, a social network designed to educate farmers on modern agricultural practices. Bubuya was awarded 8.5 million Burundian francs for his efforts to promote agricultural innovation in rural areas.
Organizers Praise Youth Innovation
Organizers of the Innovation Week 2024, PNUB Burundi, expressed their satisfaction with the level of creativity and potential demonstrated by the participants. “We believe that these young innovators have the ability to create meaningful change in Burundi.
If these projects are fully developed, they could have a transformative impact on our country,” said a spokesperson for the event.
The competition drew attention to the importance of supporting young talent and fostering innovation in Burundi.
With 1,121 participants in total, the event not only showcased groundbreaking ideas but also highlighted the need for greater investment in the country’s future innovators.
The competition’s top 10 winners are now poised to receive the funding and support needed to further develop their projects. Many hope these young entrepreneurs will help drive progress in Burundi’s economy and improve the lives of its citizens.
