Africa’s Future Hinges on Sustained Youth Investment – IITA DG

The Director-General of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Dr. Simeon Ehui, has issued a clarion call for African nations to prioritize sustained investment in the continent’s youth population. Speaking at the closeout ceremony of Phase I of the Innovative Youth in Agriculture (I-Youth) project, Ehui emphasized that the long-term economic stability and food security of Africa depend entirely on the empowerment of its youngest citizens

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The I-Youth project, which was launched in 2020, was designed to bridge the gap between traditional farming and modern agribusiness. By targeting young people aged 15 to 35, the initiative provided comprehensive training in technical, entrepreneurial, and business skills. Its primary goal was to ensure that participants could either establish their own thriving agribusinesses or secure high-quality, dignified employment within the rapidly evolving global agrifood system.

Reflecting on the program's impact across its implementation sites in Kano, Kaduna, Lagos, Jigawa, and Adamawa states, Dr. Ehui noted that the initiative has fundamentally shifted the mindset of many participants. He stressed that the focus was not merely on creating laborers, but on nurturing visionaries. "When young people are given skills, mentorship, and access to markets, they do not just seek jobs; they create them," he stated, highlighting the transformative power of economic agency.

​The success of the I-Youth project was attributed to a robust collaborative framework. Dr. Ehui, who also serves as the CGIAR Regional Director for Continental Africa, praised the "convergence of vision" between the IITA and its partners, including the Mastercard Foundation, various state governments, and private sector stakeholders. He noted that these partnerships were essential in providing the necessary infrastructure and community support to make the program viable.

As the first phase concludes, the IITA leadership is looking toward the future, urging stakeholders to scale these models across the continent. Dr. Ehui concluded by reminding the audience that the "youth bulge" in Africa should be viewed as a unique demographic dividend rather than a challenge. By continuing to invest in innovation and skill acquisition, he believes Africa can transform its agricultural sector into a global powerhouse driven by its youth.