Youth-Led Dialogue in Kigali Highlights Africa’s Food Systems as Driver of Jobs and Innovation
Young agripreneurs engage with policymakers and development partners during the youth-led dialogue on Africa’s food systems in Kigali.
Kigali, Rwanda, March 19, 2026 — Young agripreneurs, policymakers and development partners gathered in Kigali for a youth-led dialogue on Africa’s food systems. The forum emphasized how stronger agri-food systems can create jobs, entrepreneurship opportunities, and innovation for the continent’s growing youth population. Rwanda’s Minister of Agriculture urged youth to actively shape the sector.
The dialogue, themed “Who Gets to Shape Africa’s Food Future?”, was organised by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) in partnership with Global Citizen on the sidelines of Move Afrika. The forum brought together young entrepreneurs, ecosystem actors, and policymakers at Select Boutique Hotel and Restaurant for discussions on challenges and opportunities within the agri-food sector.
Speaking at the event, Rwanda’s Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources Dr. Telesphore Ndabamenye urged young people to view agriculture not merely as farming but as a pathway to economic growth, employment, and food security.
“You cannot market what you do not have. In the food systems journey, we must first secure food. From food comes cash, and from cash come jobs,” he said.
Dr. Ndabamenye emphasized that while development partners support youth-focused programmes, meaningful transformation requires active youth leadership. He encouraged young people to play a stronger role in shaping agricultural systems and innovations across Africa.
“Partners such as AGRA and the Mastercard Foundation are already supporting youth initiatives, but young people must also step forward and play a bigger role,” he said, noting that robust food systems are critical for broader economic growth.
Participants highlighted that although agriculture employs a large share of Africa’s population, many young people still view it as a last-resort career due to limited access to finance, land, markets, and enterprise support services. Stakeholders said addressing these challenges is essential for increasing youth participation in agribusiness.
Also speaking at the dialogue, Global Citizen Managing Director for Africa Ifeoma Chuks-Adizue said the event offered an important platform for understanding the hurdles young entrepreneurs face. She called on organisations working in the sector to design programmes that reflect the realities of youth-led agribusiness.
“We need to understand what challenges they face as Global Citizen and as AGRA so that we can help them achieve their goals,” she said, adding that Global Citizen is collaborating with AGRA through initiatives focused on improving food and nutrition outcomes while advancing youth employment.
AGRA Director for Gender, Youth and Inclusiveness Nana Yaa Boakyewaa Amoah said empowering youth is central to transforming Africa’s food systems. She highlighted that young people should be recognised as innovators and active contributors rather than passive beneficiaries.
“Young people are not just beneficiaries they are innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders in the food system,” Amoah said.
Through the Youth Entrepreneurship for the Future of Food and Agriculture (YEFFA) initiative, AGRA supports youth-led enterprises by strengthening skills training, market linkages, business development services, and access to financing. Policymakers are also engaged to create enabling environments for agribusiness growth.
In Rwanda, YEFFA-supported ventures have generated more than 12,000 work opportunities across agrifood value chains, including over 600 positions for youth with disabilities, demonstrating the programme’s reach in creating inclusive employment.
Young entrepreneurs attending the dialogue said such platforms help build confidence and connect them with policymakers and investors. Lydia Murekatete of All Greens described the session as motivating and action-oriented.
“Don’t just talk about it, be about it,” she said, emphasizing the need for practical engagement in agribusiness initiatives.
Evariste Sibobugingo, co-founder of Igisubizo Ltd, said the discussions strengthened collaboration among youth and encouraged sharing of ideas.
“This dialogue builds our confidence, opens our minds, and allows us to share experiences with other young people,” he said.
The dialogue coincides with AGRA’s 20th anniversary, reflecting two decades of support for agricultural transformation across Africa. It also aligns with continental priorities under the African Union’s Kampala CAADP Declaration and the CAADP Strategy 2026–2035, which place agri-food systems transformation at the center of economic development efforts.
Additionally, 2026 has been designated the UN International Year of the Woman Farmer, highlighting the critical role of women as producers, entrepreneurs, and leaders in agricultural value chains.
The event reinforced the view that youth-led innovation, entrepreneurship, and participation are vital to building resilient, inclusive, and productive food systems capable of supporting Africa’s growing workforce.
