On February 28, 2017, following the official launch by Heads of State and Government during the Summit in Addis Ababa, the Republic of Burundi launched the African Union’s theme for 2017: Harnessing the Demographic Dividend through Investments in Youth at the Hotel Club du Lac Tanganyika in Bujumbura.

On behalf of His Excellency the President of the Republic, H.E.M. Joseph Butore the Second Vice-President of the Republic of Burundi presided over this event. The ceremony was coupled with the launching of activities related to Demographic Dividend planned at the national level.  In his speech, he recognized the challenges faced by the country and presented the response of the Government emphasizing the fact that “one of the strategies adopted is to invest in youth, especially in the promotion of family planning and the improvement of adolescent and youth-friendly reproductive health services.”

This ceremony also launched a report on the contraceptive revolution in Burundi entitled:  “Contraceptive Revolution in Burundi: Prospects for the Demographic Dividend”. This study is the result of a strong collaborated effort between UNFPA and the Government of the Republic of Burundi, in which they have proposed the implementation of a Demographic Dividend Roadmap.

The report was then ceremoniously handover to Dr. Julitta Onabanjo, UNFPA regional director for East and South Africa region who then  recognized a multiplex of development and emergency challenges that has exponentially impacted women and young people and also highlighted where to find solutions: “the African Union Roadmap elaborates on this and gives some possibilities for what nations states need to consider recognizing that no one size is going to fit the various demographic transitions and age structures we see  throughout the regions  –  Burundi’s demographic transition and its road map needs to be its own”.