Daphrose Ndacayisaba, 46, has served as the head of the Busiga zone in Ngozi commune since August 30, 2025, representing a notable presence of women in the communal administration. Ms. Ndacayisaba expressed her satisfaction with the appointment, stating, "Truly, I was very happy when I was chosen to lead this zone. It is an unforgettable day in my life." She emphasized the importance of balancing responsibilities, noting, "It is only necessary to know how to reconcile family and administrative matters. Let everything have its time."
She also credited her husband for his support, stating, "Truly, my husband deserves applause. Unlike other men who prevent their wives from participating in politics, he has always been by my side. He is my main coach." In parallel, 20-year-old Daniel Irishura, a self-taught electronics repair technician who only completed primary school, notes paths to self-reliance. Mr. Irishura indicated, "I didn't pursue extensive studies, but I do what I master. Thanks to that, I can cover my daily needs."
Local Leadership and Community Vision
The commune of Ngozi was formed through the fusion of three former communes: Ngozi, Mwumba, and Busiga. This administrative unit is now composed of 12 zones and 92 census hills. Daphrose Ndacayisaba, a former director of Ecofo Busiga I and president of the ruling party in the Busiga zone, leads one of these areas. Ms. Ndacayisaba emphasizes the importance of balancing family and administrative duties. She stated, "It is only necessary to know how to reconcile family and administrative matters. Let everything have its time."
A zone chief operates with various advisors, including legal, development, and technical counselors to support their work. Activities within the zone are evaluated quarterly to identify successes, failures, and to implement corrective strategies. Ms. Ndacayisaba prioritizes basic and family education, advocating for the revaluation of parental education. "If we want to be developed, we must first educate our children in the family," she explained, adding, "Parental education must be revalued."
The local leadership has also addressed social issues. "We first recommended to illegal couples to regularize their situations," Ms. Ndacayisaba reported, noting, "We are already at more than 97% of these cases." Conflicts related to land, illegal marriages, and alcohol consumption are observed challenges within the commune. Ms. Ndacayisaba calls on her constituents to work to increase agropastoral production, aiming to improve local self-reliance and economic stability.
Entrepreneurial Journeys and Challenges
Denise Numvirimana, a single mother of three children, manages multiple income streams including small commerce, sewing, agriculture, and livestock to support her family. Ms. Numvirimana stated, "I don't know where my husband went. He left me alone with the children, and I have to assume both the role of father and mother." She added, "I don't even know if he's still alive. I ended up giving up the search because I don't know where to start anymore." Similarly, 29-year-old Joyce Shurweryimana, a student at the University of Ngozi, works as an electronic money transfer agent for Lumicash. Ms. Shurweryimana explained her approach to financial independence, stating, "Many girls of my generation prefer to make themselves beautiful and wait for what rich men can offer them." She further elaborated, "A rich man never gives for free, and the consequences can be serious. I too could wait for a man to take care of me. It's not beauty that I lack. But it's better to rely on myself."
Béatrice Ntakarutimana, another local entrepreneur, began multiplying seeds in 2022, having joined various associations since 2012. Ms. Ntakarutimana stated, "I started multiplying seeds in 2022. I have been a member of associations since 2012. I have undergone several agricultural training courses." She currently manages the cooperative 'Jijuka Mwumba', which maintains model corn fields. However, the official price of corn is considered "derisory" by Ms. Ntakarutimana when compared to the significant efforts required for production. She elaborated on the difficulties, noting, "The procedure for buying and selling corn is long and exhausting. The fixed price is derisory compared to the expenses incurred and the efforts made to produce." In an effort to increase the cooperative's output, Ms. Ntakarutimana has formally requested communal domain lands. The process of buying and selling corn through the company Anagessa is widely described as both long and exhausting.
Daniel Irishura, an electronics repair technician, has been practicing his trade for three years. Mr. Irishura previously noted, "I didn't pursue extensive studies, but I do what I master. Thanks to that, I can cover my daily needs." Technicians in Ngozi commune frequently encounter significant challenges, including a notable lack of capital required to establish proper workshops. They also face excessive payments imposed by workspace managers. A further impediment to their growth is that many young technicians remain unaware of available financing programs, such as the PAEEJ.
Economic Activities and Support Systems
Fidel Iranzi, 32, has worked as a motorcycle taxi driver since 2018 and has since built a house. Mr. Iranzi has sold two motorcycles he previously owned and currently operates a patron's motorcycle. Sarez Nemerimana, another motorcycle taxi driver, has been in the profession for eight years and has acquired a plot of land in Ngozi. Mr. Nemerimana stated, "Motorcycle work has greatly contributed to the foundation of my home." Motorcycle taxi drivers pay 12,000 BIF daily or 100,000 BIF weekly to their patrons. Fuel shortages in the area cause motorcycle taxi fares to increase by up to 1,000 BIF per trip. Sarez Nemerimana noted the impact of these increases, stating, "Woe to those who borrow our motorcycles to get around. They are forced to pay dearly."
Daily income for assistant masons is 15,000 Burundian francs, while masons earn 30,000 Burundian francs. However, becoming a recognized mason requires a costly initiation process, which includes offering beer and sometimes a goat to the sponsor. Domitien Bukuru built his own house despite not yet being officially initiated as a mason. Mr. Bukuru explained the informal requirements, saying, "You have to give beer and sometimes even slaughter a goat to the sponsor and his team of masons to be recognized in their group."
Female-led cooperatives are numerous and prosperous in Ngozi commune, with at least one operating on each of the 92 hills. The cooperative 'Umukenyezi arashoboye' in Mugomera zone engages in agropastoral activities. Joyce Shurweryimana, an electronic money transfer agent for Lumicash, called for telecom companies to increase commissions for agents. She emphasized the importance of self-reliance, stating, "Many girls of my generation prefer to make themselves beautiful and wait for what rich men can offer them." Ms. Shurweryimana added, "A rich man never gives for free, and the consequences can be serious. I too could wait for a man to take care of me. It's not beauty that I lack. But it's better to rely on myself." There is a recognized need for decentralization of the activities of the Banque d'Investissement et de Développement pour les femmes (BIDF) to facilitate access to credit for women.
Broader Development and Societal Issues
Young people in Ngozi are engaged in cooperatives, business planning, agriculture, sewing, and livestock, with some receiving support from the PAEEJ program. Agriculture, particularly avocado cultivation, is a priority development project within Ngozi commune. However, some Sangwe cooperatives in the area are experiencing financial difficulties.
Educational infrastructure faces challenges, including a shortage of desks in Ngozi commune's classrooms. School dropouts are attributed to the unemployment of elders, unwanted pregnancies, family poverty, and children leaving school to work. Ngozi commune also faces difficulties managing street children, many of whom are not originally from Ngozi. To boost local production, corn cultivation and livestock farming, for fertilizer production, are actively promoted.