Employment and Economic Transformation Project (PRETE)

The PRETE project aims to stimulate Burundi’s economic transformation by fostering the growth of a core of dynamic MSMEs capable of accessing formal markets, technology, and finance. The project focuses on three main areas: (i) improving access to finance (through partial guarantees, strengthening the financial sector, and digital interoperability), (ii) supporting capacity building and integration into value chains (through matching/competitive/performance grants and supplier support), and (iii) strengthening the business environment (through institutional reforms and the strengthening of public agencies). The ultimate goal is to increase formal employment and the economic resilience of MSMEs, with a particular focus on women and refugee entrepreneurs.

• Access to Finance Expand and secure MSME access to credit through PPCG3, partial guarantees, and strengthened credit infrastructure.

• Job Creation Increase the number of direct and indirect jobs created by supported MSMEs (ex-ante target: ~4,228 direct jobs and ~113,000 indirect jobs).

• Market Integration & Upscaling Support the productive transformation of MSMEs through subsidies, technical assistance, and partnerships with major buyers.

• Institutional Strengthening Reform and strengthen public institutions and mechanisms (FIGA 4, securities registers, Bi-Switch interoperability) for an inclusive financial ecosystem.