BURUDIGI partners strengthen collaboration during study visit to Luxembourg
Partners of the BURUDIGI – Burundi Digital Skills and Entrepreneurship Development Project gathered in Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg, from 15 to 18 June 2026 for a study visit hosted by the Digital Learning Hub (DLH). The visit resulted in undersigned the Luxembourg Agreement (‘Convention de partenariat Luxembourg’), stipulating the joint establishment of an Innovation Hub in Burundi
Funded by the European Union, BURUDIGI is a 36-month collaborative initiative bringing together Maastricht School of Management (project coordinator), CFTECH Solutions, BBIN, OPDE, CTJEBU, and the Digital Learning Hub. The project focuses on strengthening digital skills, fostering entrepreneurship, and supporting the development of a sustainable digital innovation ecosystem in Burundi.
The study visit combined strategic project meetings with knowledge exchange on digital skills development, entrepreneurship support, and innovation hub management. Participants explored the role of Digital Innovation Hubs in promoting innovation, supporting entrepreneurs, and building collaborative ecosystems that respond to local economic needs.
The programme began with a welcome session and a tour of the Digital Learning Hub's facilities, allowing participants to discover its modern learning environment and training infrastructure. Discussions then focused on progress within the BURUDIGI project, including the development of training materials and the results achieved through stakeholder engagement activities. Partners also reviewed project budgeting, deliverables, and implementation planning.
Participants also took part in a co-creation workshop dedicated to the future establishment of an innovation hub in Burundi, discussing potential services, support programmes, and governance models, resulting in the undersigning of the Luxembourg Agreement.
Innovation and entrepreneurship were the focus of the third day. Through presentations and case studies, participants examined different models of entrepreneurship and innovation hubs, incubation approaches that support entrepreneurs from idea to business creation, and examples of successful hubs operating in comparable contexts. Interactive discussions explored how these experiences could be adapted to meet the needs of the Burundian innovation ecosystem.
The partners also visited CFTECH Solutions in Brussels, that is offering IT training and consultancy. The study visit achieved several important outcomes, including strengthened institutional capacity among project partners, enhanced collaboration across the consortium, and significant progress towards developing a sustainable innovation hub roadmap for Burundi.
About the project
The EU-funded BURUDIGI project is a 36-month initiative that aims to strengthen youth employment and entrepreneurship in Burundi by equipping young people with digital and entrepreneurial skills. Through the development of a digital innovation hub, targeted training programmes, and support for digital start-ups, the project contributes to a more inclusive and future-ready digital economy. As a project partner, MSM leads the overall project coordination and contributes its expertise in capacity building, entrepreneurship, and private sector development to support the successful implementation and long-term sustainability of the initiative.
This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
MSM's Expert Centre on Emerging Economies
This institutional collaboration project is part of MSM's Expert Centre on Emerging Economies. The department is an expert centre on sustainable private sector development in emerging and developing markets. We capacitate managers and professionals from government, private sector, NGOs, and post-secondary education in Africa, Asia, Middle East, and Latin America. We offer consultancy and customized training programs, and we manage complex projects in key sectors, e.g. water, agriculture and health. For more information, click here
Related news
Enhancing skills in training design, facilitation, and effective delivery
Building Burundi's Entrepreneurship Ecosystem: MSM Expert Delivers Back-to-Back Training Interventions in Bujumbura
BURUDIGI project launched to empower Burundian youth with digital and entrepreneurial skills
