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

• Sandra Cristina Kothe Milach, Chief Scientist, CGIAR
• Alice Ruhweza, President, Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA)
• Steven Were Omamo, Director for Africa, and Director for Development Strategies and Governance, IFPRI
• Hamadi Boga, Vice President Program Delivery, Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA)

Jobs in Agrifood System in Africa

• Luc Christiaensen, Lead Agricultural Economist, Eastern and Southern Africa, World Bank (Presentation)

Landscape of youth engagement in agrifood system in selected African countries

• Kibrom Abay, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI (Presentation)

Youth aspirations and constraints in Nigeria/Rwanda

• Jessica Heckert, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI (Presentation)

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)

• Innocent Ogirinye Adoga, Youth Initiative for Sustainable Agriculture (YISA), Nigeria
• Mashoko Chakanyuka, Head of Youth Employment in Agriculture, Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA)
• Kisanet Haile Molla, Spatial Engineer, Civil Engineer, Youth Representative for Infrastructure, World Bank
• Elizabeth Mwende, Agricultural Engineer, and Youth Representative, the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub
• Esther Kimani, CEO and founder, Farmer Lifeline Technologies
• Janette C. Toroitich, Agripreneur, Kenya

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

• Christine Mwangi, Research Officer, IFPRI