Guillaume Muhoza
From the excitement of pitching to a vibrant cocktail of networking, the dSkills@EA National Pitching Day was a thrilling opportunity for young burundian innovators to assess their readiness in presenting ideas, forge connections, and explore the challenges inherent in their ventures.
On Saturday, October 12, the Martha Hotel hosted the National Pitching Day for aspiring entrepreneurs brimming with digital solutions to community issues. The event marked the first step of the Regional East Africa Community Pitch Competition as part of the dSkills@EA, a collaborative project between the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA).
The dSkills@EA project under the Innovators Sprint Up program has already empowered over 300 young innovators and entrepreneurs across the seven EAC partner states.
Ten dynamic entrepreneurs presented their projects, each featuring a digital solution designed to address local challenges. Following the pitches, a panel discussion addressed the hurdles faced by young innovators and strategies to overcome these obstacles.
This event was supported by the Association of Startups and SMEs Enablers of Kenya (ASSEK) which works with a network of regional innovation support organizations including ACLIS in Burundi.
Mercy Kimalat from ASSEK, speaking as a panelist, urged young innovators to broaden their horizons: “Don’t think of Burundi as your only market. Consider scaling to the EAC, which offers a larger audience.” She emphasized the importance of involving the government in providing the infrastructure needed for better connectivity and electricity, and highlighted the event’s potential to attract investment in digital innovation.
Kimalat encouraged the young innovators to leverage the little means they have to capture attention and attract investments. “Use WhatsApp to showcase your offerings, you can upload the catalogue of your products and services there. TikTok and Instagram are also excellent platforms for promoting your business in this digital era, and apart from internet bundles, it’s free of charge,” she advised.
Gatare Libère, CEO of ACLIS, pointed out four key sectors for economic growth in Burundi: agriculture, health, education, and industry. His colleague Wilfrid Canirinka added that young innovators should focus on finding innovative solutions to automate production processes across all sectors.
Jury member Daisy Gladys highlighted challenges such as internet access and digital literacy as barriers to the youth-led digital transition. Wilfried Canirinka, another jury member, echoed these concerns, noting that with 61% of the country covered by fiber optic cables, the high cost of internet access remains baffling. Gatare acknowledged the arrival of Starlink, suggesting that while it may still be expensive for many Burundians, it could eventually drive down prices across the market.
After the pitches and discussions, awards were presented, with Ikabu— a platform connecting students, professionals, and potential employers—taking the top prize. Parlak Design, which allows designers to sell their artworks online, and Ikimashini, crafting electromechanical devices featuring digital solutions, also received accolades.
Freeman Binagana, lead judge, reminded participants that the event was about showcasing potential rather than just competition. “For those who didn’t win prizes, remember: you didn’t lose. The only true loss is not trying or refusing to adapt based on feedback.”
