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Burundi Youth and Diaspora Tackle Unemployment with IOM Support
Burundi, Bujumbura – Finding a job after graduating or studying can be daunting for many young people in Burundi. There are very few job opportunities. The youth, those under age 25, make up a staggering 66% of the population, and unemployment among them is as high as 15% according to the 2019 Burundi Human Development Report. The rate of unemployment is a significant obstacle to economic and social progress in the country.
IOM, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is trying to help tackle youth unemployment by connecting young people with Burundians in the diaspora and the private sector.
In 2023, IOM conducted a study identifying skills gaps and work opportunities in key sectors across the capital, Bujumbura, and Gitega province in the central region of the country, within the framework of an African Development Bank Group (AfDB) funded project aiming to enhance youth employability, and in line with IOM Burundi’s vision of youth as key actors for promoting sustainable development. Gaps and opportunities were identified in mechanics, information and communication technology, the agro-industry, and sewing.
IOM enrolled over 450 Burundian youth into two programs. The first program placed over 200 graduates in internship programs with private sector companies. The second supported 250 young people with technical and vocational training, also receiving mentorship support from the Burundian diaspora. In the second program, over 50% of the enrolled participants were women and girls. This joint AfDB-IOM initiative was implemented in partnership with Burundi’s Ministry of East African Community Affairs, Youth, Sport and Culture and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
By enhancing the skills and employability of Burundian youth, IOM aims to create sustainable livelihoods and reduce the drivers of irregular migration. This effort also aligns with IOM’s goals of fostering regular migration pathways and leveraging the potential of the diaspora to contribute to the development of their home country.
The IOM programs were partly inspired by International Finance Corporation research, highlighting the positive impact of private sector engagement in reducing Burundi's unemployment rate.
Over the course of six months, those who participated in the first program gained valuable work experience working with private sector firms. The initiative’s success is evident through the lives of Ghyslaine and Ernest, young people in Burundi who now have the opportunity to contribute their skills and talents to the workforce.
Ghyslaine Irangabiye, a 26-year-old recent graduate from Gitega province in the central part of the country, struggled with unemployment until she found out about IOM's internship program.
“Thanks to my internship experience, I secured a position as a storekeeper at a construction company, effectively managing and organizing inventory within the company's warehouse.” she said.
This experience not only provided Ghyslaine with valuable skills but also opened doors to a promising career path.
"Being a nursing graduate and facing unemployment for two years was disheartening. But when I was selected for the IOM's internship program, everything changed. It was through this opportunity that I found my true calling as a nurse. Today, I am showcasing my skills, helping people in my community” – adds Ernest.
Emile Irankunda, a 26-year-old mechanical engineering undergraduate was one of the those who took part in the second program on vocational education. He voices his frustration about the challenges of finding work. "For us, finding a job is like searching for gold. It's disheartening to complete our education without being able to apply the skills we've acquired. Getting a job is considered a stroke of luck."
Diaspora engagement has been identified as a vital component of boosting economic development in Burundi, and is part of the National Diaspora Engagement Policy. In the vocational education and mentorship program, IOM connected young participants with members of the diaspora through an online platform, via which diaspora mentors offered valuable advice, feedback, guidance, and opportunities to the over 200 young people who were part of the programme. Some diaspora mentors also physically traveled to Burundi to support their mentees.
A system was set up to monitor how the youth who participated in the program were integrated into the workforce. The objective was to identify how many of those who took part in the program were retained for employment.
Recognizing that young women are among those most affected by the lack of access to employment, three recently graduated women who were part of the internship program were also employed by IOM. This targeted support addresses gender disparities in the job market and offers women valuable opportunities for skills development and career advancement.
Adidja Kipampi, a determined 26-year-old, frequently encountered the belief that mechanics is a domain solely reserved for men. Undeterred by such stereotypes, she was a participant of vocational training program alongside 124 other women and girls.
“Mechanics is not only for men. Women and girls, like me can do it too”.
“I chose mechanics because I firmly believe in my abilities. These training sessions are not only equipping me with the skills I need to thrive but also empowering me to achieve financial independence”.
Through both programs, IOM is building a foundation for a more inclusive and prosperous society, where the talents and aspirations of young Burundians are harnessed for the collective benefit of all.
Story written by Kenny Brian IRAKOZE, Communications Assistant at IOM Burundi
