Empowering Africa’s youth for thriving agri-food sector: FAO’s engagement at YouthConnekt 2024

Africa’s agri-food sector is on the verge of a monumental transformation, with projections estimating its value will reach an astonishing US$1 trillion by 2030. This immense growth potential requires empowering Africa’s youth with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to both drive and benefit from the transformation. At this year’s YouthConnekt Africa Summit, which took place at the Kigali Convention Centre from 8 to 10 November, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) demonstrated its commitment to providing youth in agrifood systems with the space to make their voices and perspectives heard. Fostering dialogue: High-level plenary on youth and agri-food systems A cornerstone of FAO’s engagement at the summit was a plenary session on Youth Perspectives for Inclusive Agri-food Systems in Africa designed to facilitate meaningful dialogue among academia, youth organisations, development partners, and youth. Organised in collaboration with UN Women, this session explored key strategies for preparing young people for the agrifood labour market, in alignment with the theme of the Summit Jobs for Youth Through Innovative Skilling. It highlighted practical pathways for skill development, addressing wage employment, self-employment, and entrepreneurship. By applying a gender lens, the discussion also addressed the unique challenges faced by young women, proposing solutions to promote gender equity in agri-food systems. The session was divided into two engaging segments: a panel discussion and an interactive audience dialogue. The panel shared insights on proven youth training and development models. The second half allowed participants to voice their perspectives and contribute to shaping key policy recommendations to enhance youth engagement and skills development in the agri-food sector. Robin Ndung’u, the Chief Executive Officer of Kisumeo Organics in Kenya, brought to light the importance of transferable skills. Faced with unemployment after his undergraduate studies, Ndung’u coupled his academic background in computer science and mathematics with his family farming background to establish the first crayfish farming franchise in Kenya. Dr Ron Rosati, Vice Chancellor of the Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture, highlighted that close collaboration with industry is critical in the development of curricula that respond to the skills needs of the labour market. Hands-on experiential learning, mandatory internships, and work on smallholder and commercial farms based on campus are some of the tried and tested approaches employed by RICA to ease the transition of its students into the world of work. RICA also teaches advanced technology and soft skills to complement students’ technical training. Sakina Usengimana, Chairperson of the Rwanda Youth in Agribusiness Forum (RYAF), stressed the importance of organisations such as RYAF in strengthening the collective voice of youth in the agri-food sector while equipping youth with the skills needed close the world’s food security gaps. Aside from the importance of technical skills, soft skills, including self-confidence, were also emphasised. Usengimana stated that “confidence comes with competence. Ndung’u concluded with a personal note: “Believe that you are enough; you are enough.” The session concluded with a round of policy recommendations that touched on improving access to information, creating a more enabling environment through investments in technology and infrastructure, and revising the standards of success by which educational institutions are measured to ensure a focus on industry-relevant skills development. During her closing remarks, the FAO Rwanda Representative (a.i), Nomathemba Mhlanga, emphasised the need to strengthen collective resolve to ensure that Africa’s young people are at the centre of agri-food systems transformation. FAO is already implementing innovative, youth-led projects that address local challenges, such as promoting vertical gardens in areas with limited land access. These projects offer practical solutions and empower young people to take the lead in building resilient, adaptable agrifood systems. This vision of a thriving sector, driven by youth energy and ingenuity, underscores FAO’s unwavering dedication to sustainable development in Africa. Speed peer-mentoring: A platform for young agripreneurs Another highlight was the FAO Speed Peer-Mentoring for Young Agripreneurs, which provided an informal yet impactful setting for young agripreneurs to exchange ideas, experiences, and advice. This interactive session inspired new and experienced agripreneurs by offering a space to share lessons learned from successes and failures. Featuring eleven peer mentors from Senegal, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Ghana, participants gained insights on sustainable agricultural practices, value addition, and access to finance and production. They forged new connections, fostering a sense of community and mutual support. Despite its brief duration, the session effectively nurtured the spirit of innovation and collaboration among young agri-food entrepreneurs. Candid views of agripreneurship on the Youth Unmoderated podcast Still in line to create spaces for young agripreneurs to share their stories and inspire others, FAO hosted the “Youth Unmoderated” podcast. On this platform, youth shared their stories of resilience, innovation, and resourcefulness on the journey to success. The stories will be curated and disseminated widely to benefit youth across the region and globe. Through events like YouthConnekt and initiatives that champion youth leadership and innovation, FAO continues to pave the way for a prosperous and inclusive agri-food sector that benefits communities across the continent. FAO’s engagement at YouthConnekt is part of a broader commitment to empower youth across Africa’s agri-food sector. The organisation collaborates with governments, private sector stakeholders, and local communities to develop practical, market-driven skills that prepare young people for the realities of the labour market. By promoting sustainable and inclusive approaches, FAO ensures that youth are not just beneficiaries but active drivers of agri-food systems transformation.

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Empowering Africa’s youth for thriving agri-food sector: FAO’s engagement at YouthConnekt 2024