Ambassade du Burundi à Dar Es Salaam Diplomatie
The Embassy of the Republic of Burundi in the United Republic of Tanzania successfully organized a large meeting of the Burundian Diaspora on Saturday, 18 October 2025, in Dodoma. The event brought together 167 members of the Burundian community, mainly from four regions, namely Dodoma, Dar es Salaam, Iringa, and Manyara.
The meeting, held under the auspices of Her Excellency Hon. Léontine Nzeyimana, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Burundi to the United Republic of Tanzania, aimed to strengthen coordination, unity, and engagement among Burundians living in Tanzania. The agenda included three main components:
- Sharing Experiences, Structuring, and Coordinating the Burundian Diaspora
- Election of New Leadership Structures
- Solemn Address by the Ambassador
- Sharing Experiences, Structuring, and Coordinating the Burundian Diaspora
Participants engaged in in-depth discussions on the current state of the Burundian Diaspora, reflecting on lived experiences and challenges. Comparative insights were shared from Burundian Diaspora communities in Tanzania, China, and Turkey, highlighting the advantages of active participation, responsibilities of members abroad, and the expectations of the Government of Burundi toward its citizens overseas.
It was emphasized that the strength of the diaspora lies in each member’s patriotism and commitment to contributing to the nation’s progress. Participants also discussed the creation of a Diaspora Fund, its financing mechanisms, and the establishment of regional focal points as key strategies for reinforcing organizational capacity and community cohesion.
- Election of New Leadership Structures
A significant highlight of the event was the election of new leadership for the Burundian Diaspora in Tanzania. The process included candidate presentations, voting, and a speech of appreciation from the newly elected President.
At the end of the process, Dr. Sylvestre Ndayiragije was elected President of the Burundian Diaspora in Tanzania, and Mr. Ibrahim Ramadhani Ibrahim was elected Vice President, residing respectively in Dodoma and Dar es Salaam.
In his acceptance remarks, Dr. Ndayiragije pledged to foster unity and cohesion among Burundians living in Tanzania, and to strengthen the Diaspora so that it becomes one of the most vibrant Burundian communities abroad. He called upon members to work together selflessly for the sake of Burundi’s development, stressing that the true reward of diaspora engagement lies not in personal gain but in collective national progress.
- Remarks by Her Excellency the Ambassador of the Republic of Burundi to the United Republic of Tanzania
In her keynote address, Her Excellency Hon. Léontine Nzeyimana expressed her deep gratitude to all participants for their strong turnout and active involvement. She noted that this was the first major Diaspora meeting ever held outside Dar es Salaam, and the first to gather such a significant number of Burundians in Tanzania.
The Ambassador underscored the importance of patriotism and attachment to the motherland, reminding participants that, while Burundians may live and work abroad, their ultimate home remains Burundi. She illustrated this message through the Burundian proverb “Amaherezo y’inzira ni munzu” – meaning “The end of every journey is home” – emphasizing that every Burundian should contribute to the nation’s development, wherever they may reside.
Her Excellency explained that the Embassy organized this historic event in line with the Government’s recommendation to engage the diaspora in achieving Burundi’s Vision 2040–2060, which aims to transform the country into an emerging nation by 2040 and a developed nation by 2060.
She urged the diaspora to contribute through monthly contributions, joint investment initiatives, direct individual investments, and by mobilizing potential investors to explore Burundi’s numerous untapped opportunities. She also encouraged the newly elected leadership to prioritize unity and inclusiveness as key pillars of success.
The Ambassador concluded by commending participants for their commitment and encouraged them to leverage the experiences of Burundians from other diaspora communities to strengthen the Burundian Diaspora in Tanzania.
This meeting marked a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to organize, empower, and unify the Burundian Diaspora in Tanzania. It reaffirmed the shared commitment of Burundians abroad and their Embassy to work hand in hand toward a stronger, more cohesive diaspora contributing meaningfully to the development and prosperity of the Republic of Burundi.