Investigation into Influence Networks and Risks of Institutional Capture within the Ministry of Public Finance
In this third part of the investigation, our organization examines the alleged mechanisms through which certain actors associated with MEDIABOX may have gradually expanded their influence within the Ministry of Public Finance in connection with the procurement process for the SIGEFP/SIGFP-BI project, financed by the World Bank.
In the previous section, we explained how the initial procurement procedure was reportedly suspended after the provisional award of the contract to a foreign company based in Tunisia. According to information gathered during the investigation, several actions were subsequently undertaken to relaunch the procurement process under conditions considered more favorable to MEDIABOX.
Administrative Changes and Strategic Repositioning Within the Ministry
According to information collected by our organization, Mr. Donatien NDAYISHIMIYE allegedly sought to strengthen his influence within the decision-making structures of the Ministry of Finance in order to facilitate his company’s access to the SIGEFP contract.
The initial procurement process was launched during the tenure of Mr. Nestor NTAHONTUYE, then Minister of Public Finance and currently Prime Minister. Following his departure, the Ministry came under the leadership of Dr. Alain NDIKUMANA, who officially assumed office on 6 August 2025.
Under his administration, several administrative changes reportedly took place within the Ministry’s technical departments.
Among these changes was the replacement of the Director General for the Digital Economy.
According to the findings of the investigation, this position was assigned to Ms. Ir. Odelie NDIHO on 11 November 2025. Prior to her appointment, she reportedly held a managerial position linked to MEDIABOX’s activities, particularly in the Starlink sector.
For several observers interviewed during the investigation, this appointment intensified concerns regarding potential conflicts of interest surrounding the SIGEFP procurement process.
Document Appointment of Ms. Ir. Odelie NDIHO
Relaunch of the Procurement Process and Restructuring of Technical Committees
Shortly after her appointment as Director General for the Digital Economy, Ms. Odelie NDIHO reportedly initiated steps aimed at fully relaunching the SIGEFP procurement process.
According to several internal sources, a new technical committee was established to oversee the project, including the appointment of certain individuals who reportedly lacked recognized expertise in the management of public financial information systems.
This restructuring effectively removed the Tunisian company that had initially been declared the successful bidder.
The investigation further indicates that several individuals previously associated with MEDIABOX were subsequently recruited or rapidly promoted within the Ministry of Finance, particularly to strategic positions related to:
The development and monitoring of information technology projects;
Digital transformation and digitalization policy.
According to several sources, these appointments may have contributed to strengthening MEDIABOX’s influence over decision-making processes related to the Ministry’s digital projects.
A New Relaunch of the Procurement Process in March 2026
According to information gathered during the investigation, the procurement procedure was officially relaunched on 23 March 2026, while the opening of new bids was scheduled for early May 2026.
Several sources believe that this relaunch could ultimately result in the contract being awarded to MEDIABOX.
Our organization has also collected information suggesting that Ms. Odelie NDIHO was brought into the Ministry to facilitate the relaunch of the project in a manner favorable to MEDIABOX, a company with which she previously had professional ties.
According to certain internal sources interviewed during the investigation, there are even indications that she could eventually return to the company after completion of the procurement process.
These developments raise serious questions regarding potential conflicts of interest and the guarantees of impartiality surrounding the contract award procedure.
Document Procurement Relaunch Notice – 23 March 2026
Concerns Regarding MEDIABOX’s Technical Capacity
The investigation also raises questions about MEDIABOX’s actual technical capacity to develop a strategic system as complex as SIGEFP.
According to several sources, some of the company’s technicians were recently sent to Morocco to receive training related to the development of the software.
For many observers, this situation may indicate that the company does not yet possess all of the technical expertise required to independently implement a project of such magnitude.
According to our organization’s analysis, this situation could lead to two major risks:
A risk of mismanagement or ineffective use of project funding, if the resources committed do not result in the successful and compliant development of the expected software system;
A risk of overall project failure, particularly if accumulated delays lead the World Bank to suspend or withdraw its funding before the program’s scheduled completion date of 27 June 2028.
Potential Consequences for Public Finance Reform
Any failure of the SIGEFP project could have significant consequences for Burundi’s ongoing public financial management reforms.
The project is intended to support decentralized and digitized budget management throughout the country’s provinces, reducing dependence on the central administration in Bujumbura.
According to several observers, the absence of a fully operational integrated system could undermine the objectives of administrative modernization, efficiency, and budgetary transparency pursued under the program.
Our organization will continue publishing the next parts of this investigation in order to present the alleged mechanisms that enabled these influence networks, the potential responsibilities of the actors involved, and the measures that could be considered to prevent any risk of misuse of public funds and international development financing.