Editor’s Note: In East Africa, agriculture presents a powerful pathway for the youth to drive solutions for some of the critical challenges the region faces. The youth’s success, however, demands more than enthusiasm; it requires intentional policies, inclusive investment and coordinated action to turn agriculture into a viable industry. Could these strategies be the key to fully harness the youth’s potential to transform the region’s agri-food system to be more productive, equitable and sustainable?
In East Africa, youth make up 45 per cent of the population, and unemployment among the youth is up to 57 per cent. Young women especially face specific difficulties in accessing productive employment. For instance, in Uganda, youth unemployment is higher among women (50.5 per cent) than among men (29 per cent).
Agriculture offers a significant opportunity to address youth unemployment in East Africa. Youth engagement in agriculture across Africa is on the rise, with young people increasingly playing a critical role in transforming agricultural practices. Many youths, including university graduates, are turning to agriculture as a viable means of livelihood. However, this shift comes with significant challenges. Access to land, capital and markets remains limited, hindering their success in the sector.
Despite these barriers, young people are driving innovation in agriculture, embracing digital agriculture, agri-logistics, processing and agribusiness incubation. To fully harness this youth potential, there is an urgent need for tailored investment schemes, youth-specific policy inclusion and better access to resources that can empower young farmers.
Youth potential in the agri-food system
Youth involvement in the agri-food system took centre stage during the recent Joint Sector Review (JSR) Validation Workshop, hosted by the East African Community (EAC) in partnership with AGRA in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. National and regional stakeholders gathered to assess the performance and outcomes of the agricultural sector across the region. The workshop provided a platform for both state and non-state actors to review their progress in implementing commitments outlined in the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) compacts, National Agriculture Investment Plans (NAIPs), Regional Agriculture Investment Plans (RAIPs), and other related cooperation agreements.
A recurring theme throughout the workshop was the need for stronger mutual accountability frameworks and increased funding to agri-food systems by the African governments. Despite existing strategies, mutual accountability frameworks in agriculture continue to underperform due to weak coordination, vague responsibilities and underfunded monitoring and evaluation systems.
Workshop participants also discussed the need to address the gap between strategic planning, policy design and implementation, as this remains a persistent issue. Furthermore, the meeting discussed the inadequacy of coordination between public institutions and non-state actors working to support youth-in-agriculture and agribusiness promotion.
Due to this challenge, many well-conceived programmes operate in isolation with no complementarity, which results in duplication of efforts and missed opportunities for upscaling. There is an urgent need to address these weaknesses, not just with annual reports but by embedding accountability into agricultural planning and budgeting cycles. Clearer reporting timelines, stronger regional-national alignment and institutionalising mutual accountability are essential for ensuring that agricultural policies are not only developed but also executed effectively.
Youth as the present and future of agriculture
Young people are not merely the future of agriculture—they are already reshaping the industry. In East Africa, youth are driving innovation as entrepreneurs, innovators and leaders in digital agriculture, agri-logistics, processing, marketing and agribusiness incubation. The potential for youth-led initiatives to expand market participation and drive innovation is immense. However, to fully harness this potential, targeted support systems must be in place. This includes youth-specific investment schemes, better access to agri-finance and ensuring that young people’s voices are meaningfully integrated into policy design and review processes.
Key initiatives unlocking youth potential
Several initiatives are addressing the constraints faced by young people in agriculture. The Youth Employment for Food and Agriculture (YEFFA) project, led by AGRA, is one such initiative. YEFFA aims to provide financially disadvantaged youth, especially young women, internally displaced persons and people living with disabilities (PWDs), with access to dignified and fulfilling work opportunities and entrepreneurial success in the agri-food sector as a route out of poverty.
In Rwanda, the Youth in Agribusiness Forum (RYAF) brings together youth organisations, farmers and entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector. This platform aims to change the outdated mindset regarding agriculture and encourage youth to engage with other farming groups to promote business-oriented agricultural practices.
Similarly, Uganda’s Youth Empowerment Through Agriculture (YETA) initiative focuses on training, mentoring and providing employment opportunities for at-risk, out-of-school youth in four districts in Northern Uganda. YETA combines agricultural training with life skills, sexual reproductive health, numeracy and entrepreneurship, equipping young people with the tools they need to succeed.
Youth in leadership and decision-making
There is growing recognition that youth should not be token participants but should be given leadership roles that allow them to shape the future of agriculture. This involves ensuring that young people are included in decision-making processes and that policies reflect their needs and aspirations. Initiatives like YEFFA, RYAF and YETA are paving the way for youth-led change, but a broader push for youth empowerment in policy dialogues is needed.
AGRA is working with the Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN) to leverage the existing knowledge base within the EAC and SADC to promote best practices and improve youth integration in regional agriculture value chains. FANRPAN and AGRA have launched a Food Systems Agenda Youth Policy Competition to showcase best practices in youth engagement in policy processes in the ESA region.
The conversation, however, must extend beyond participation; it must address the structural challenges that youth face, such as limited access to finance, land, mentorship and markets. Overcoming these barriers requires better incubation models, targeted funding mechanisms and regional youth cooperatives. Youth engagement in agriculture should be seen as an economic opportunity, not just a demographic challenge. By prioritising vulnerable groups, including young women and rural youth, we can create a more inclusive and sustainable agricultural sector.
Looking forward
As the East African Community (EAC) advances its agricultural transformation agenda in alignment with the newly launched 10-year Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Strategy and Action Plan (2026–2035), it is key for the region to integrate mutual accountability and foster stronger youth empowerment and involvement. The insights from recent discussions should directly inform regional planning processes and reinforce the commitment to building a sector that is not only productive but also inclusive, accountable and driven by young people. It’s time for the region to recognise the urgency of these imperatives and act decisively to achieve a sustainable agricultural future. The region must have in place a coordination mechanism that brings together all stakeholders involved in supporting youth in the agri-food systems.
