RYAF at YouthConnekt 2024: Empowering Youth for a Sustainable Future in Agribusiness

RYAF members participated in the YouthConnekt Africa Summit, held in Kigali, Rwanda, from November 8-11, 2024, under the theme "Jobs for Youth Through Innovative Skilling." The summit aimed to explore opportunities for continued investment in preparing young people for success in the marketplace by defining future-ready skills and addressing how skilling can be scaled across the continent.

During the summit, RYAF's Chairperson, Sakina Usengimana, shed light on the organization’s mission to empower young people in the agrifood system. She emphasized RYAF's pivotal role in equipping youth with essential skills, fostering a shift from traditional subsistence farming to modern, profitable agribusiness. RYAF is dedicated to addressing the challenges faced by young agripreneurs.

Through collaboration with partners, we provide the technical skills necessary to overcome these obstacles and thrive in the agricultural sector. We also recognize the significant impact of agri-influencers who share inspiring stories and promote agribusiness. Their efforts play a crucial role in motivating and educating young people.

As we move forward, we encourage youth to build their competence and confidence, and we urge other nations to establish platforms like RYAF to amplify the voices of young people in agriculture. Together, we can build a sustainable future for Africa's youth and the agricultural sector.

In her post on X (formerly Twitter), she shared: "It was a great honor to participate in the 'Youth Perspectives for Inclusive Agrifood Systems in Africa' panel session #YouthConnekt2024. Reflecting on some pressing data that we simply cannot overlook: Africa’s agri-food sector, already contributing 23% of sub-Saharan GDP, is projected to reach an impressive US$1 trillion by 2030. Yet, paradoxically, hunger is rising, and over 10 million young people enter the labor market each year with limited opportunities.

"The potential for growth and impact is immense, but realizing it requires agri-food systems that are efficient, inclusive, and resilient. We know the challenges, and we have some proven solutions. Now is the time to connect the dots and turn plans into action! My mind was truly blown by the scale of these insights—action is essential," said Sakina Usengimana.

The 2024 YouthConnekt Africa Summit, hosted by the Government of Rwanda, highlighted the innovative and entrepreneurial leadership of Africa’s youth, who were developing context-relevant solutions. The event also challenged the ecosystem to invest more in skilling young people and building marketplaces for youth-led startups.

RYAF Communication Team

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