Inhabitants of Bwiza and Nyakabiga, which used to be lively neighbourhoods (the first one a commercial and the second a residential one) saw how their environment deteriorated due to the socio-political crisis that hit Burundi (1993-2005). Their neighbourhoods received many destitute people (who were repatriated or displaced or former combatants). The population growth put pressure on infrastructure, which again led to concerns about sanitation and the environment. Without proper waste collection services and wastewater disposal, diseases such as malaria, diarrhoea or cholera hit inhabitants hard. During the rainy season, people fear for their houses, which have foundations that are weakened by rises in water levels and floods. 

Paving and sanitation in Bujumbura from BTC - Belgian Development Agency on Vimeo.

Employment-Intensive Investment Programmes

With this uncertainty in mind, the BTC project chose for the potential offered by “Employment-Intensive Investment Programmes”. This approach uses light equipment and massive employment of local workers to execute works. This is to provide as many short-term employment opportunities as possible to improve the quality of life of the populations and facilitate access to basic services as well as improving and strengthening the capacities of the private local sector.

With the support of the project, the inhabitants have paved 10 km of streets. Between 300 and 500 persons were employed in Nyakabiga and between 145 and 200 people worked on each avenue in Bwiza. At the end of the works, 5200 households are linked to the sewers and made aware of the importance of hygiene. This way, the rate of connection to the wastewater network went from 30% to 90%. Cleanliness and better access to the neighbourhood as well as the reduction of water-borne diseases are concrete signs of a profound change.

However, one of the lessons learned from this first experience is that the economic and social effects of the works remain limited. Indeed, it could not be guaranteed that the workers employed effectively came from the neighbourhood: 75% of workers employed on the sites came from other neighbourhoods. Moreover, the project created temporary jobs and could only to a limited degree guarantee the emergence of local development dynamics.

Also, the paving of roads brought about gentrification. Due to an increase in real estate prices, an important part of the target population of the project left the neighbourhood and was replaced by a more prosperous group.

These last findings led the project managers to work hard on a consolidated strategy, which takes into account the socio-economic context:

• Make the resident population responsible by demanding a contribution to the works of 2% and ensure the perpetuation of the works through awareness about maintenance;
• Strengthen support for the project through social interaction activities;
• Strengthen social and professional integration of workers through training;
• Guarantee the empowerment of all project actors by good coaching from the onset of the works onward.

This consolidated strategy has led to a new broader paving programme in other neighbourhoods (Kinama and Kamenge), which is definitely Employment-Intensive.

The residents expect stability and economic safety first and foremost from the project. The chance to make savings or to invest provides real economic perspectives. In the end, it is the whole livelihood and the well-being of these two neighbourhoods that will benefit.

Emmanuella Ndimurirwo: “I have a family and 4 children and I have been carrying stones from the beginning. For every 100 stones that I transport, I get 800 francs . Every day I transport between 200 and 250 stones and that way I can earn money for everyday needs. There is work right now, which is really helpful.”

• Burundi
• Health care
• Water & sanitation