Africa’s youth are looking for jobs: The food system may hold the answer
Every year on August 12, the world pauses to recognise the energy, creativity and potential of young people through International Youth Day.
On August 12 each year, International Youth Day shines a spotlight on the energy, creativity and potential of young people, while also highlighting the barriers they face. This year’s theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” is particularly relevant to Africa, where young people face vastly different economic and social circumstances but share common hopes such as decent work, quality education, meaningful participation in decision-making, and the opportunity to build secure and sustainable futures.
Africa is uniquely positioned to benefit from its young population, yet it also grapples with an urgent economic challenge: finding sufficient jobs for millions of young people entering the labour market. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimates that Africa will need to create more than 10 million decent jobs annually by 2035 to accommodate its growing young workforce.
Amidst this context, Africa’s food systems offer a promising avenue for job creation and economic growth. While the term “agriculture” often brings to mind traditional farming, the modern food system encompasses a much broader range of activities that could provide young Africans with diverse entry points into the economy. These include logistics, storage, processing, packaging, marketing, finance, technology, retail, restaurants, waste management and export, as well as the development of digital platforms, climate-smart technologies, waste-to-product ventures, and data-driven innovations.
This broader perspective underscores the transformative potential of the food system for Africa’s youth. The Africa Food Systems Forum 2026 in Kigali, Rwanda, is poised to be a pivotal event in this regard. Organized by AGRA, the Forum will convene over 5,000 stakeholders from more than 50 countries under the theme “Investing in Africa’s Agri-Food Systems: Nourishing Nations, Growing Jobs, Building Resilience.”
By focusing on youth innovation, digital entrepreneurship, investment and financing, food security and nutrition, climate resilience, and trade and markets, the Forum presents a unique opportunity to translate youth aspirations into concrete economic opportunities. The Forum’s comprehensive agenda, including the Deal Room and youth-focused programming, aims to connect young entrepreneurs with the resources, mentorship, networks, and markets required to turn their ideas into viable businesses.
In doing so, the Africa Food Systems Forum can serve as a catalyst for job creation and sustainable development, embodying the spirit of International Youth Day and offering a tangible pathway for young Africans to build secure and prosperous futures.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
