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With research staff from more than 60 countries, and offices across the globe, IFPRI provides research-based policy solutions to sustainably reduce poverty and end hunger and malnutrition in developing countries.

Erick Boy

Erick Boy

Erick Boy is the Chief Nutritionist in the HarvestPlus section of the Innovation Policy and Scaling Unit. As head of nutrition for the HarvestPlus Program since 2008, he has led research that has generated scientific evidence on biofortified staple crops as efficacious and effective interventions to help address iron, vitamin A, and zinc deficiency in sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and South Asia.

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What we do

Since 1975, IFPRI’s research has been informing policies and development programs to improve food security, nutrition, and livelihoods around the world.

Where we work

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Where we work

IFPRI currently has more than 600 employees working in over 80 countries with a wide range of local, national, and international partners.

The Future of Youth Jobs in Agrifood Systems in Africa

Hosted by IFPRI, the CGIAR Policy Innovations Program, the CGIAR Gender Equality and Inclusion Accelerator, and the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA)

July 15, 2025

  • 8:00 – 10:00 am (America/New_York)
  • 2:00 – 4:00 pm (Europe/Amsterdam)
  • 5:30 – 7:30 pm (Asia/Kolkata)

Africa’s population is the youngest of any region, affording the continent an adequate workforce to drive economic and social transformation. However, African economies are finding it difficult to create employment opportunities for this “youth bulge”—opportunities that are needed to advance on SDG target 8.6 to substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training (NEET). As of 2020, more than 20 percent of young men and women in Africa fell into this category. African youth wield growing political and social power as they vent their frustrations about the lack of opportunities. Although youth-led protests and their underlying causes are not new in Africa, the recent movements represent an important moment for the region’s youth.

The agrifood system in Africa remains the backbone of national economies and provides more than half of jobs in most African countries. Thus, it still holds substantial potential to absorb or catalyze youth engagement in productive activities in Africa. But this change will not happen by itself. It will require sustained efforts in policy research and development. While much of the literature and debate on the employment crisis have focused on the role of agriculture in absorbing Africa’s youth, the scope of debate and research should be expanded to include the role of youth across the entire food system.

This event will feature the voices of African youth leaders, provide a landscape analysis of youth engagement in agrifood systems, examine success stories and lessons learned, and identify potential solutions for greater momentum.

Introduction and Opening Remarks

Jobs in Agrifood System in Africa

Landscape of youth engagement in agrifood system in selected African countries

Youth aspirations and constraints in Nigeria/Rwanda

Initiatives to support young women: learnings from AGRA

  • Catherine Rusagara, Head, Youth Entrepreneurship for the Future of Food and Agriculture, Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) (Presentation)

Q&A Session moderated by Christine Mwangi, Research Officer, IFPRI

Panel Discussion: How can Africa create more jobs for the youth: Cases and success stories from youth-led initiatives and experiences?

Moderated by Nana Amoah, Director – Gender, Youth and Inclusiveness, Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA)

Closing Remarks

  • Clemens Breisinger, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI; Interim Director, Policy Innovations, CGIAR
  • Els Lecoutere, Senior Scientist, CGIAR Gender Equality and Inclusion Accelerator; Co-leading AOW Solutions for Impact and Science Officer for AOW Change
  • Boaz Blackie Keizire, Director for Policy and State Capability, Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA)

Moderator