Africa is home to the world’s youngest population, with over 70% under the age of 30. The youth labour force is projected to expand by 72.6 million by 2050. This growing youth population presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Without urgent interventions, millions risk being locked into cycles of poverty and vulnerability to climate shocks. With the right investments in skills, innovation and decent work, Africa’s young people can become the driving force of sustainable growth and resilience.
Recognizing this, the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and partners convened regional youth dialogues under the Youth Entrepreneurship for the Future of Food and Agriculture (YEFFA) program. These convenings brought together youth leaders from East, West, and Southern Africa to co-create solutions and shape the continental youth agenda for food systems and climate action. At the heart of these convenings, AGNES played a vital role in providing training on tips for effective climate advocacy.
Regional Youth Convenings: Advocacy, Inclusion, and Policy Influence
Across East, West, and Southern Africa, the YEFFA convenings (Kigali, Rwanda – July 17-18; Banjul, The Gambia – July 23-24; and Gaborone, Botswana – August 25-26, 2025) provided platforms for youth to shape climate-resilient food systems and strengthen their role in policy processes. Discussions centred on effective advocacy, structured youth participation, and translating scientific evidence into actionable policy, while also stressing the importance of inclusive governance and accountability mechanisms. The convenings led to the development of a Youth Statement on ADVANCING CLIMATE RESILIENT FOOD SYSTEMSIN AFRICA – a unified call to action that reflects the voices of Africa’s young people and positions them as partners in climate and agricultural transformation. This statement informed continental and global dialogues on youth inclusion in agrifood systems at the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF), the Africa Climate Summit (ACS) and UNFSS+4. It will also inform dialogues at the COP30.
Consolidated Impact: From Regional Statements to Continental Action
Across the three convenings, AGNES:
- Shared knowledge on effective advocacy strategies to catalyse meaningful youth engagement
- Supported the development of the Youth Statement ensuring its alignment with continental and global forums including AFSF, ACS, UNFSS+4, and COP30.
Conclusion
The YEFFA convenings reaffirmed the determination of youths in driving climate-resilient and inclusive food systems. The commitments highlighted within the statement calls upon African governments, regional bodies, international organizations, the private sector, civil society and academia/research community to commit to an inclusive and youth driven transformation of Africa’s food system.