The first extraordinary and historic meeting of the inhabitants of the new Butanyerera province was held on Saturday August 12, 2023 in Ngozi, in the presence of several of the country’s authorities, including the Speaker of the Lower Chamber of the Burundi Parliament. The meeting was an opportunity for participants to familiarize themselves with each other, share experiences, discuss local issues and lay the foundations for future collaboration, with a view to promoting the province’s economic and social development.

For all intents and purposes, the Burundian government has decided to reduce the number of provinces from 18 to 5 as part of the decentralization policy in accordance with law n⁰1/05 of March 16, 2023, relating to the determination and delimitation of provinces, communes, zones, hills and/or districts in the Republic of Burundi. This measure aims to strengthen the efficiency of public administration and improve the delivery of public services in the country’s various regions. Implementing this reform will require a complete reorganization of administrative structures and a redistribution of financial and human resources. The government is therefore committed to supporting the provinces in this transition, to ensure the successful implementation of this new territorial organization.

The reduction in the number of communes from 119 to 42 marks a significant step in the implementation of decentralization in Burundi. The Minister of the Interior, Community Development and Public Security, Honorable Niteretse Martin, emphasized that this move will strengthen the effectiveness and efficiency of local administration, while offering a better quality of service to citizens. Decentralization will thus become a tangible reality for the Burundian people, who will benefit from governance that is closer to their concerns and needs. This reform is part of a drive to modernize the State and strengthen local democracy, with the aim of fostering the country’s economic and social development.

The establishment of Butanyerera, a new province combining the provinces of Ngozi, Kayanza and Kirundo, is scheduled for 2025. This initiative marks an historic first, as the constituent provinces will come together for the very first time.

The Right Honorable Gelase Daniel Ndabirabe, Speaker of the National Assembly of Burundi, took part in the commemorative ceremonies of this first meeting of the residents of the constituent provinces. During the meeting, they discussed the possibility of planning projects for their future province of Butanyerera. This initiative attests the commitment of the Right Honorable Ndabirabe to provincial development and the promotion of cooperation between the different strata of Burundian society. This move is part of a drive to strengthen social cohesion and consolidate peace in the country.

Burundi’s number two, Gelase Daniel Ndabirabe, Speaker of the National Assembly, advised the executives gathered in Ngozi to fight against all forms of embezzlement and to collaborate fully with the local community for the development of the new province. The Right Honorable Gelase Daniel Ndabirabe also invited all residents of the new Butanyerera province to participate actively in the planning and implementation of development projects, in order to take the first place in development at national level.