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In Burundi, where over 60% of the population is under 25, entrepreneurship is not just a career choice—it is a necessity. With limited job opportunities in the public sector and a growing population of graduates, young people are increasingly turning to business creation as a pathway to income and independence. Yet, despite their creativity and determination, many are held back by one powerful obstacle: fear.
THE FEAR CHAINS HOLDING BACK BURUNDIAN YOUTH
Young entrepreneurs in Burundi face multiple challenges. Access to capital remains limited, with financial institutions often requiring guarantees that most youth cannot provide. The absence of strong incubation hubs and mentorship networks leaves many to navigate the journey alone. On top of these external barriers are the internal fears that keep dreams from taking off:
*Fear of failure: “What if my business collapses, and I am left with debts?”
* Fear of judgment: “People will laugh at me if I don’t succeed.”
*Fear of losing everything: “I can’t risk the little resources my family depends on.”
*Fear of the unknown: “I have no experience running a business.”
These fears are amplified by a history of broken promises, failed cooperatives, and the memory of scams that have made young people skeptical of new opportunities.
SHIFTING THE MINDSET
Breaking these chains begins with a cultural and mental shift. Failure should not be seen as shameful but as part of the entrepreneurial journey. Every great business in Burundi—from local markets to emerging startups—started small and often stumbled before succeeding.
*Normalize Failure: Youth must see it as a step toward resilience.
*Celebrate small wins: Each step forward builds courage.
* Mentorship matters: Linking with experienced entrepreneurs provides guidance and inspiration.
*Learning is power: Training in financial literacy, digital skills, and management reduces fear.
BUILDING LOCAL SUPPORT SYSTEMS
Communities, civil society, and government must work together to create enabling environments where youth can dare to innovate. This means:
*Supporting microfinance and youth-friendly lending schemes.
*Strengthening cooperatives as platforms where young people pool resources and reduce individual risk.
*Promoting vocational training and entrepreneurship programs that provide both knowledge and practical tools.
*Highlighting success stories of Burundian youth who have overcome fear to build thriving agribusinesses, crafts, tech startups, and service companies.
INSPIRING TESTIMONIES
When a young entrepreneur in Ngozi dares to launch a poultry farm, or when a cooperative in Gitega invests in agro-processing, their stories ripple across communities. They prove that youth can create jobs, transform agriculture, and build sustainable businesses—if they break free from fear.
A CALL TO COURAGE
For young Burundians, breaking the fear chains is not optional—it is the only way forward. It requires courage, resilience, and innovation. For society, it requires offering structures that support risk-taking and ensure that failure does not mean the end but the beginning of learning.
Fear may whisper “don’t try,” but courage says “start now.” When young Burundians break free from fear, they not only change their own lives but ignite transformation across the nation.
