Nestor Ntahontuye, former Minister of Finance, becomes Prime Minister of Burundi

SOS Médias Burundi

Bujumbura, August 5, 2025 — President Évariste Ndayishimiye appointed Nestor Ntahontuye as Prime Minister on Tuesday, according to a presidential decree signed on August 5. His appointment was preceded, the same day, by the unanimous approval of the Senate, in accordance with the Constitution.

Nestor Ntahontuye succeeds Gervais Ndirakobuca, elected President of the Senate a few hours earlier. This simultaneous change at the head of the executive and legislative branches marks a major political turning point in the small east African nation.

Until his appointment, Ntahontuye had served as Minister of Finance, Budget, and Economic Planning since December 2024. Recognized as an expert in public finance, strategic planning, and monitoring and evaluation of public policies, he is presented as a technocrat capable of addressing the country’s pressing economic challenges.

A Double reshuffle at the top of the State

Gervais Ndirakobuca’s departure from the Prime Minister’s office, after nearly two years at the helm of the government, opens a new political chapter. By assuming the presidency of the Senate, he nevertheless retains a central role in the institutional framework.

This dual reshuffle is seen as a strategic reshuffling of the cards by President Ndayishimiye, in a context where the executive is demonstrating a commitment to structural reforms and a strengthened fight against corruption.

Expectations are now high for Nestor Ntahontuye, both to revive a crisis-hit economy and to accelerate the implementation of public policies promoting sustainable development. The composition of his future government team and its initial orientations are eagerly awaited.