The RYAF General Assembly, held under the theme #BuildingRYAFWeWant, brought together youth agribusiness leaders and representatives from across Rwanda for an impactful gathering at M Hotel in Kigali, October 30-31, 2024. With participation from all 30 districts, this assembly aimed to validate RYAF’s ambitious 2024-2029 Strategic Plan and Annual Action Plan.
The assembly marked a significant step forward in RYAF’s mission to empower youth in agribusiness by unlocking local, regional, and global opportunities. This forward-looking vision, shaped with the support of strategic partners such as Kungahara Wagura Amasoko and the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), emphasizes an impactful role for youth in the agri-food sector.
On Day 2, AGRA Rwanda Country Director, Mr. Jean Paul Ndagijimana, commended RYAF’s youth for their dedication to advancing agribusiness in Rwanda. He emphasized AGRA’s commitment to fostering youth-driven change in Rwanda's food systems through a five-year strategic partnership. This collaboration will create extensive opportunities in primary production, agricultural services, and value addition, with AGRA targeting the creation of 132,000 jobs in the agriculture sector over the next five years.
The closing day, October 31, 2024, saw the approval of RYAF's five-year Strategic Plan and the 2024-2025 Annual Action Plan. The assembly also featured participation from several key institutions, including Rwanda Youth Arts, Business Development Fund (BDF), Rwanda Development Board (RDB), Rwanda Standards Board (RSB), and the Single Project Implementation Unit of the Rwanda Agriculture Board (SPIU/RAB). Representatives discussed opportunities available for youth in the agriculture sector, encouraging questions and idea-sharing to drive progress in agriculture and agribusiness.
In his closing remarks, RYAF Chairperson Sakina Usengimana expressed gratitude to partners, particularly AGRA and USAID Kungahara Wagura Amasoko, for their invaluable support in organizing the General Assembly. She also extended appreciation to all other partners whose contributions ensured the success of this event, further cementing RYAF’s commitment to building a future of opportunity and innovation for Rwanda’s youth in agribusiness.
RYAF Communication Team