Digital: An essential catalyst for the transformation of our country
Digital technology is profoundly and irreversibly transforming our way of life. According to the “SDG Digital Acceleration Agenda 2023” published by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), digital technologies contribute to at least 70% of the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), potentially reducing the cost of achieving these goals by up to $55 trillion. However, in many developing countries, such as Burundi, where the internet penetration rate is too low, connectivity remains a significant barrier, underscoring the urgent need to prioritize and support digital initiatives as catalysts for change. Global Context: International Youth Day On August 12, 2024, the world celebrated International Youth Day under the theme: “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development.” This theme perfectly illustrates the crucial role of digital technology in achieving sustainable development goals. However, we cannot overlook that digital technology also presents challenges alongside its benefits. Advantages and Challenges of Digital Technology Digital technology offers numerous advantages, including automation of processes, promotion of financial inclusion, and amplification of the voices of the unheard, among many others. Yet, despite these benefits, a significant portion of the global population remains disconnected: in 2022, 2.6 billion people worldwide were still offline. In Burundi, this translates to a significant digital divide, with only 11.3% of the population connected at the beginning of 2024. This situation complicates the achievement of the SDGs, which, established in 2015, serve as a global call to action to ensure a sustainable future for our communities. In light of these challenges, an urgent call to action is necessary. It is crucial to train individuals and communities in digital skills, invest in digital infrastructure, and establish subsidy policies in the digital realm. The goal is to make digital access available to everyone, not just a privileged minority. FreeTI’s Commitment to the 2023 Agenda In alignment with the realization of the UN’s 2030 Agenda, which includes 17 SDGs aimed at promoting prosperity, universal peace, and the preservation of our planet, FreeTI plays an active role at our level. We focus on training and educating populations and communities by providing them with the digital skills necessary to thrive. We are also committed to digital inclusion, ensuring that everyone has equal opportunities without discrimination through various projects we undertake. An Invitation to Contribute We call upon everyone: the government, which must play a key role; individuals; and the private sector. Together, we can harness the potential of digital technology to ensure a better future for all. ksquadremake.freeti.org
Gitega Study Space : A space to acquire digital skills
In an increasingly digital world, developing skills in this area is essential. By 2030, in Sub-Saharan Africa, 230 million jobs will require digital skills, according to the International Finance Corporation (IFC). To address this reality, it is crucial to prepare by combating the factors that fuel the digital divide, such as lack of skills, poor internet access, discriminatory stereotypes, and more. Here is an analysis and proposed solutions. The digital divide is a well-known phenomenon that divides Burundian society into two categories: those who have access to and master new technologies, and those who are excluded. To tackle this digital divide, digital inclusion appears as an effective solution to ensure that everyone can access and master digital tools. Digital inclusion means guaranteeing access to information and communication technologies for all, as well as training individuals to use them optimally. By acquiring digital skills, individuals can fully participate in society, whether in professional, educational, or social contexts. What will be our contribution through the Gitega Study Space? At Freeti, we believe that successfully transitioning from analog to digital requires a concerted effort among key stakeholders. This includes the government, the private sector, civil society, international organizations, and other relevant actors. It is in this context that the Gitega Study Space has been designed. This space will host the project “Digital Inclusion for Final-Year Secondary School Students through Excellence Clubs in Burundi,” supported by the King Baudouin Foundation. This project will involve various actors, including the public sector (government through secondary schools and the Provincial Directorate of Education) and the private sector (with the involvement of SkyNet-Burundi for training components). What is the Contribution of This Project? Through this project, we aim for increased digital inclusion. Awareness sessions and training programs will help final-year students better adapt to their university paths, with a particular focus on including young girls. Indeed, young girls are underrepresented in employment, entrepreneurship, and policy-making in the ICT sector. Furthermore, trained youth will be able to launch initiatives in the digital field and digital entrepreneurship projects, while others will be connected to job opportunities. Conclusion This project will enhance the capabilities of final-year secondary school students, thereby reducing the digital divide and facilitating access to digital technologies. This aligns with Article 15 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), which recognizes everyone’s right to participate in cultural life and benefit from scientific progress. The Gitega Study Space is, therefore, an essential initiative to prepare young Burundians for a digital future, equipping them with the necessary skills to succeed and positively contribute to society. ksquadremake.freeti.org
Le développement du E-commerce au Burundi : opportunités et défis
Depuis quelques années, le Burundi voit émerger des plateformes locales de commerce électronique (e-commerce) et des plateformes de paiement en ligne, telles que Ihera Ryanje, la plus connue, ainsi que d’autres comme Esoko. Ces initiatives visent à dynamiser le e-commerce burundais. Cependant, cette nouvelle forme de commerce rencontre de nombreux obstacles au niveau local, bien que son importance soit indéniable face aux tendances mondiales et aux initiatives régionales comme la Zone de Libre-Échange Continentale Africaine (ZLECAF) pour le commerce transfrontalier. Un moment propice pour le E-commerce La question se pose : n’est-ce pas le moment idéal pour tirer davantage parti de cette nouvelle forme de commerce, au lieu de se concentrer uniquement sur le commerce transfrontalier physique ? En 2024, le taux de pénétration du e-commerce mondial est prévu à 29,9 %, tandis que, selon Statista, ce taux est attendu à seulement 4,1 % au Burundi. Ce chiffre relativement bas s’explique par l’absence quasi-totale de grands opérateurs locaux ou internationaux dans ce secteur. Analyse microéconomique et macroéconomique Sur le plan microéconomique, pour un petit commerçant, posséder une boutique en ligne peut sembler être une stratégie commerciale avantageuse. En effet, les produits ou services de ce commerçant sont ainsi exposés à une audience beaucoup plus large, augmentant les possibilités d’expansion sans nécessiter de ressources importantes. Sur le plan macroéconomique, si le e-commerce était adopté à grande échelle, il pourrait potentiellement dynamiser l’économie nationale. L’élargissement du marché intérieur grâce au e-commerce permettrait une meilleure circulation des biens et services, stimulant ainsi la croissance économique. Obstacles à l’adoption générale du E-commerce Plusieurs obstacles freinent l’adoption généralisée du e-commerce au Burundi. Parmi les plus significatifs, on note : – Faible connexion internet : La qualité et la disponibilité de la connexion internet restent limitées.– Taux de pénétration internet très faible : Peu de Burundais ont accès à Internet, ce qui réduit le nombre potentiel de clients en ligne.– Infrastructures inadéquates : Les infrastructures nécessaires au développement du e-commerce, telles que les réseaux de distribution et de logistique, sont insuffisantes.– Faible pouvoir d’achat : Le niveau de vie et le pouvoir d’achat des Burundais restent bas, limitant ainsi leur capacité à participer activement au commerce en ligne.– Accès limité aux devises internationales : Les investisseurs, producteurs et consommateurs ont souvent du mal à accéder aux devises nécessaires pour les transactions internationales. Suggestions pour booster le E-commerce au Burundi Pour surmonter ces obstacles, plusieurs actions peuvent être envisagées : 1. Amélioration des infrastructures numériques : Investir dans l’extension et l’amélioration de la couverture et de la qualité de l’internet.2. Renforcement du pouvoir d’achat : Mettre en œuvre des politiques économiques visant à augmenter le pouvoir d’achat des citoyens.3. Facilitation de l’accès aux devises : Simplifier les processus d’accès aux devises pour les transactions internationales.4. Incitations pour les opérateurs : Offrir des incitations fiscales et autres aux entreprises locales et internationales pour les encourager à investir dans le e-commerce au Burundi. Conclusion Le e-commerce représente une opportunité majeure pour l’économie burundaise. En surmontant les obstacles actuels, le Burundi pourrait non seulement stimuler son économie locale, mais aussi s’intégrer plus efficacement dans l’économie mondiale. Il est crucial que les décideurs politiques, les entrepreneurs et les acteurs du secteur collaborent pour créer un environnement propice au développement du e-commerce. Advaxe NDAYISENGAAdvaxe Ndayisenga is a Burundian senior Web and Software Developer with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from East African Leadership Institute. With over five years of experience in web and software development, he specializes in WordPress, Prestashop, social media marketing, and SEO audits. He is the Director and Business Development Manager at LA TECH BURUNDI COMPANY, where he also works as a Fullstack Developer. Additionally, he served as a Fullstack Developer at Media Box Burundi S.A, where he focused on developing software for government and NGO clients. A seasoned Networking Manager and social media marketing specialist, he contributes to the field as a trainer, speaker, and event organizer at Students for Liberty as a Local Coordinator, and as a representative for Great Lakes Marketing and Communication (MARCOM). As a UPG Sustainability Legacy Ambassador, he graduated as a UPG Leader in 2022 and a UPG Biashara Entrepreneur in 2023, actively promoting liberty, love, and sustainability within the community. He continues his education at Atlas Network Academy, Lurn, and FutureLearn, where he has developed strong skills in managing emotions, fear, and leading projects effectively. He has enhanced his expertise through various platforms including Developpez.com, SoloLearn, OpenClassrooms, Microverse, and British Council, gaining valuable experience in group work, time management, online course facilitation, and creating creative and responsive web content. Fluent in Kirundi (mother tongue), English, French, and Kiswahili, he brings a multilingual perspective to his work. www.latechburundi.org