East Africa: Tough Love-Burundi Reforms Education, Health and Business Sectors in Search of EAC Approval

analysis

It's 12:30 pm on a Thursday and Floride, a worker at a local clothing shop on Rue de la Mission in Burundi's capital, Bujumbura, is growing increasingly impatient. Normally by this time Floride at home eating lunch and taking a short siesta--one of the legacies of the Belgian colonial rule--only to reopen at 3pm for a few more hours.

Two years ago, when this routine was the norm in Burundi, Floride's frustration would have been shared by many. Back then it was common for customers to be refused entry to a store if it was too close to lunch hour. But things are changing rapidly in the country, even if some Burundians like Floride have yet to catch up to the rhythm. Some shops and supermarkets are even staying open during lunch time these days only to close at 9pm.

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