Nyanza central market has initiated new fire prevention measures, which include the installation of fire extinguishers throughout the facility. As of 17 October 2026, more than twenty fire extinguishers have been placed at the site. Padon Niyokwizera, commissaire du marché de Nyanza, stated, "Tous les commerçants ont adhéré à cette initiative qui vise la protection de leurs activités. Sur les trente extincteurs nécessaires selon notre évaluation, plus de vingt sont déjà installés."
Regarding site safety, Padon Niyokwizera added, "Deux voies d’accès pour les véhicules de secours sont disponibles. De plus, on ne trouve aucun kiosque en bois dans ce marché ; tous sont en matériaux métalliques. Le travail qui reste est le remplacement des étagères en bois par des étagères métalliques, afin de réduire les risques de propagation du feu."
Merchant Contributions Fund Safety
Merchants at the Nyanza central market contributed 8,000 FBu each to finance the acquisition of fire extinguishers currently installed at the facility. Rose Nsengiyumva et Fidèle Mvuyekure, commerçants, stated: "Chaque commerçant a payé une cotisation de 8 000 Fbu pour l’achat des extincteurs. Nous voyons aujourd’hui le résultat concret de notre contribution."
Market management identified a requirement for thirty total fire extinguishers to ensure the safety of the site. These merchant contributions directly supported the procurement process for the equipment, which serves as a primary defense against potential fire hazards. The initiative reflects a collective effort among the traders to secure their business operations within the market premises. By pooling these funds, the merchants facilitated the installation of the safety devices, addressing the gap between the initial inventory and the total number of extinguishers deemed necessary by the administration.
Emergency Access and Infrastructure
Nyanza central market has designated two specific access routes for emergency vehicles to facilitate rapid response in the event of a fire. These pathways are intended to ensure that fire services can reach interior sections of the facility without obstruction.
Despite these infrastructure improvements, the market currently lacks access to potable water. Jean Claude Mpawenimana, reporting for Le Renouveau du Burundi, noted that the site remains unconnected to the water supply network managed by Regideso. The absence of a reliable water source presents an ongoing challenge for fire mitigation efforts at the Nyanza facility. Management and local authorities have not yet indicated a timeline for connecting the market to the municipal water system in Burundi.
