Akazi Keza End-term evaluation
Akazi Keza, decent job in English, is an EKN funded programme implemented in 6 provinces of Burundi by SPARK to support youth economic inclusion through skills training and internships, start up support, SME scale up and strengthening three agribusiness centres. The programme has a clear positive impact on youth economic inclusion and their communities. It is highly relevant, largely effective (over 90% of KPI targets expected), and implemented efficiently despite a difficult context. It is coherent with other EKN's programmes and Burundi government's priorities, and has strengthened local partners, supporting sustainability of services.
The evaluation found that:
- Skills & jobs: internships and training effectively close skills gaps and often lead to employment, with high employer satisfaction.
- Start ups: young entrepreneurs, mainly in crafts, benefit from business training, matching grants, coaching and formalization, gaining a stronger entrepreneurial mindset.
- Scale ups: when supported by coaching and exposure through regional business fairs, established youth-led SMEs grow in turnover, profit and employment.
- Agribusiness centres: management has improved and a "break even" approach has stimulated local investment, but long term financial sustainability remains uncertain.