Africa’s food systems face multifaceted challenges, such as limited access to modern agricultural practices, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of inclusive policies. However, within these challenges lie tremendous opportunities that can be achieved through investments in education, vocational training, and tailored entrepreneurship programs for the agricultural sector.

The survey on Youth engagement in Policy and Access to Productive Resources conducted by Generation Africa earlier this year, revealed that nearly 75 percent of aspiring African youth are deterred by inadequate financing options and the difficulty of accessing agricultural land despite the abundance in natural resources. Additionally, the survey highlighted “insufficient training or skills” as a prominent resource constraint among the youth in Africa.

Empowering young people with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in agribusiness, positions them as catalysts for change and innovation. We must enhance the provision of comprehensive, accessible education as well as training programmes that align with the needs of local labour markets.

Through the Generation Africa Fellowship program, we provide tailored coaching and mentoring to support the emerging generation of youth agripreneurs. The program’s primary objective is to nurture personal growth through leadership development, coaching, funding opportunities, and access to networks. This, in turn, enables them to further advance their ventures and contribute to sustainable development of agriculture in Africa.

By connecting young agripreneurs with resources and support, Generation Africa, is empowering the next generation of agricultural leaders.