Burundi has announced the application period for the second cohort of its Concours des plans d’affaires (Copa) business plan competition under the PRETE Nyunganira project. The application period for this significant initiative is meticulously organized, running from July 20, 2026, to August 14, 2026. During this timeframe, aspiring entrepreneurs and existing businesses will be able to submit their proposals. The initiative aims to provide strong financial and technical support to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MPME) and cooperatives across the country, fostering a dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem. Officials described the second cohort as more ambitious, better equipped, and closer to its beneficiaries, signaling an enhanced and more targeted effort to foster entrepreneurial growth and development throughout Burundi. This expanded scope reflects a commitment to empowering a broader range of businesses and individuals.
Eligibility and Support Details
Financial support for selected businesses will range from ten thousand to twenty thousand US dollars, providing key capital for growth and development. Eligible candidates for the competition include any Burundian entrepreneur or refugee residing in Burundi, ensuring broad inclusivity. The program is open to both formal (registered) and informal micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MPMEs) and cooperatives, acknowledging the diverse landscape of Burundian business. However, to ensure strategic alignment with national development goals, projects must operate within one of the targeted sectors identified by the competition organizers. This focus helps channel resources to areas with the greatest potential for impact and job creation.
Businesses applying for the competition must demonstrate at least one year of existence as of the application date, ensuring a baseline of operational experience. Additionally, participating businesses can employ a maximum of one hundred individuals, catering to small and medium-sized enterprises. Applicants are required to provide proof of legal status, such as a commercial register, Anacoop registration, or a NIF (Numéro d'Identification Fiscale) for MPMEs and formal cooperatives. For informal businesses, a communal or zonal recognition certificate valid for at least one year is an acceptable form of documentation, recognizing the operational realities of many grassroots ventures. The competition accepts applications from businesses located anywhere within Burundian territory, promoting equitable access to opportunities across all regions.
Targeted Beneficiaries and Selection
The competition places a specific focus on several groups, ensuring that the benefits of entrepreneurial support reach those who need it most. These include women entrepreneurs, refugee entrepreneurs, and other vulnerable populations such as youth, widows, Batwa, and people with disabilities. This targeted approach is designed to address historical disparities and promote inclusive economic development. Refugee entrepreneurs are specifically allocated 20% of the pre-selection slots, ensuring their representation in the initial stages, and 6.6% among the final laureates, reflecting a commitment to their long-term integration and success.
A total of 1015 micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MPMEs), encompassing both formal and informal businesses, will undergo an initial pre-selection process. This full preliminary stage is designed to identify promising ventures from a wide pool of applicants. Among these pre-selected MPMEs, fifty percent are designated to be led by women, reinforcing the program's dedication to gender equity and women's economic empowerment. Additionally, twenty percent of the pre-selected businesses will be led by refugees, further showing the initiative's commitment to supporting this vulnerable group.
Businesses that are successfully pre-selected will receive complimentary training in developing strong business plans and managing micro-enterprises. This key capacity-building step equips entrepreneurs with the skills necessary to refine their ideas and operate effectively. From this group, 430 laureates will ultimately be chosen, representing the most viable and impactful business proposals. Consistent with the focus on gender equity, half of the final selected laureates will be enterprises led by women, ensuring that women-led businesses receive substantial support.
Project Background and Goals
The PRETE Nyunganira project is a significant undertaking implemented by the government of Burundi with key support from the World Bank. The initiative aims to provide full financial and technical support to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MPME) and cooperatives across the country. Laureates of the competition will receive not only subsidies but also dedicated support for implementing their business plans. This support includes vital provisions for climate adaptation and resilience, integrating key environmental considerations into the entrepreneurial development process. This forward-thinking approach ensures that businesses are not only economically viable but also environmentally sustainable. The project's overarching goal is to foster sustainable economic growth and create much-needed job opportunities by empowering local businesses through structured financial aid and skill development, contributing to Burundi's overall prosperity.
