Youth voices help shape Africa’s agrifood systems transformation ahead of ARC34

Young people from across Africa have stepped forward with clear priorities and practical recommendations for the continent’s agrifood systems transformation during the Youth Consultation for the 34th Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Africa (ARC34). The online forum engaged over 200 participants and drew on nearly 900 pre-event survey responses to integrate youth perspectives into the agenda of ARC34, which will be held 13-17 April 2026 in Nouakchott, Mauritania. The regional conference is FAO’s highest governing body in Africa and convenes every two years to set priorities for food security, resilience and sustainable agriculture.  

“Youth inclusion must not be an afterthought, but a structured part of how agrifood systems are financed, governed and transformed,” said FAO Deputy Regional Representative for Africa, Meshack Malo, underscoring FAO’s commitment to empowering young women and men as agents of change in building more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems. 

“Data shows that youth are already deeply involved in agrifood systems. This consultation creates space for their voices to directly inform policy discussions as we shape the future of agriculture and food security in Africa,” said Ayman Omer, FAO Deputy Regional Representative for Africa and Secretary of ARC34. 

Youth perspectives in focus 

Participants in the consultation shared firsthand experiences of the challenges they face, including access to land, financing, climate shocks and gender inequality, while also offering concrete solutions rooted in their day-to-day realities. 

Abel Collins from Liberia highlighted the importance of wide youth representation from all African counties at ARC34. Rachael Katushabe from Uganda said youth are under-represented among policy-makers. Bruce Matui from Kenya noted that innovation and investment will be important themes at ARC34 which will be of particular interest to youth-led agribusiness start-ups.   

FAO Statistical Data Specialist Baba Ali Mwango presented the results of the survey of 917 youth which found that young people identified climate and extreme weather as the greatest risks to local agrifood systems, followed by market and price shocks. The data also showed that youth-led agrifood businesses need grants and access to credit, but that practical guidance such as mentorships and training are also needed. Capacity building programs must be practical, applied and market-oriented, Mwango said.     

The active online chat included these messages: “Youth should be involved from grassroots to the national level”; “Let's have harmonized cross-border policies on tax, compliance etc.”; “There is a pressing need to train youth in livestock production, agroecology, and sustainable practices”; “Drought, livestock loss, and water scarcity are affecting pastoral and farming communities in the same way. Regional, cross-border solutions that respect local knowledge and strengthen community-led resilience are urgently needed”. 

In four parallel break-out sessions, groups discussed rolling out the CAADP Kampala Declaration and 10-Year Strategy and Action Plan at country-level; resilience of agrifood systems and transboundary pests and disease management; financing of agrifood systems; and sustainable resource management, blue transformation and the bioeconomy. 

Young people are central to Africa’s agrifood systems transformation 

Today, Africa is home to around 532 million young people aged between 15 and 35 years old, a number that is expected to rise significantly over the coming decades. Each year, more than 10 million young Africans enter the labour market, outpacing formal job creation and highlighting urgent needs for meaningful economic opportunities.  

Nearly half of working youth are engaged in agrifood systems, but formal employment remains limited and agrifood roles are often low paying. With the right policies, support and access, agrifood systems can become a catalyst for decent work and economic growth for young people. 

The FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31 recognizes these realities by emphasizing youth as a cross-cutting issue for agrifood systems transformation and highlights the importance of engaging with young women and men as key partners rather than simply recipients.  

World Food Forum – Africa Chapter 

The consultation builds on efforts by FAO’s annual World Food Forum (WFF) to engage young people on agrifood systems solutions. There are 22 WFF national chapters, and several African WFF national chapter members took part in the consultation.  

Closing the session, Edward Bogart, representing FAO’s Office of Youth and Women, reinforced that the event was part of a broader policy process: “This consultation is not a standalone event, but part of a larger process bringing youth voices closer to decision-making.” 

The insights gathered from the English and French youth consultations will feed directly into a youth-led regional statement to be presented at ARC34, and WFF national chapter representatives will participate in a WFF – Africa Chapter special session to be held during ARC34 in Mauritania.