BUJUMBURA July 2nd (ABP) – Some 6 young coders, including 2 girls, were awarded on Tuesday, June 28, for their projects in the digital sector, which they presented in a competition organized on the occasion of the week dedicated to the young coder, which was prepared by the Ministry of Communication, Information Technologies and Media, through the Executive Secretariat of Information and Communication Technology.
A sum of 3 million BIF for the first, a laptop for the next 3, and an envelope of 2 million BIF for the last 2, were prizes awarded to the 6 candidates who participated in the competition, and who presented projects deemed better by the jury that was put in place for that competition.
The Executive Secretary of Information and Communication Technologies, Mr. Bienvenue Irakoze, revealed in his speech that the objective of the contest was to identify the talents of young people in the ICT sector, which favors digital progress in Burundi. He added that the 6 candidates were the best of the 20 shortlisted before the launch of that week which took place on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, in Ngozi. Mr. Irakoze also reported that during that week, the 20 benefited from a series of coaching in that sector.
In his speech for the occasion, the Minister responsible for ICTs, Mrs. Léocadie Ndacayisaba, indicated that the week dedicated to the young coder aims to promote youth entrepreneurship, job creation, and the empowerment of Burundian women. She said that it is an opportunity for young Burundians, especially young girls, to demonstrate their digital skills which are essential in the development of the country.
Based on the commitment of the government of Burundi to the digitalization of its public services, Mrs. Ndacayisaba said that Burundi needs talented young people in that sector, who can intervene in the implementation of digital solutions, capable of promoting socio-economic development of the country.
On that occasion, the Executive Director of the Burundi Business Incubator (BBIN), Mr. Pierre Claver Nduwumwami, pointed out that the digital sector in Burundi is still in an embryonic stage. Based on this reality, the head of the department of reforms and development of human capital at the Burundi Development Authority, Mr. Serges Nsabimana, indicated that the digital sector does not know much competition on the Burundian market. According to him, it should be a great opportunity for young people to invest and work there.
Minister Ndacayisaba congratulated the 6 candidates who emerged winners in that competition and encouraged the non-winners to seek other more innovative projects.