The First Thousand Youth Agroecology Summit, held from October 14 to 16, brought together young leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders from across Africa to discuss the potential of agroecology in addressing critical challenges like food insecurity, unemployment, and climate change.
The summit featured speeches from key figures, including Fitsum Assefa, Ethiopia’s Minister of Planning and Development, who emphasized the importance of unlocking sustainable economic opportunities for Africa’s youth and fostering entrepreneurship.
Minister Assefa underscored the need for innovative thinking in agriculture, drawing from her personal experience of working with local communities to promote food security through sustainable farming.
She highlighted the barriers young Africans face in accessing land and markets and called for a shift in mindset to recognize the profitability of modern agricultural practices. “We may lack funding or extensive infrastructure, but we have creativity, energy, and determination. And that is where the transformation begins,” she said.
Simon Bukenya, AFSA Program Officer, launched a new book on agroecology, marking a milestone in promoting sustainable agriculture across Africa.
He stressed agroecology’s role in combating climate change, biodiversity loss, and rural poverty, noting that it aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Malabo Declaration.
“Agroecology offers a beacon of hope for our continent,” Bukenya stated, urging policymakers and communities to use the book to scale up agroecological practices.
Kondwani Kamanga, a representative from the African Union, reiterated the AU’s commitment to addressing climate change, mobility, and sustainable agriculture.
He outlined key initiatives like the African Agroecology Platform and called on member states to support climate-resilient agriculture and youth engagement in agroecology. “Together, we can build a sustainable, prosperous, and united Africa,” Kamanga declared.
Youth activism took center stage, with Joyce Brown, AFSA Youth Platform Coordinator, emphasizing the critical role of young people in driving Africa’s agroecological transformation.
She highlighted the platform’s efforts since 2021 in promoting youth-led solutions to unemployment and climate resilience through agroecology.
“We have no doubt that agroecology is the future of farming in Africa, and we, the youth, have the responsibility to drive that future,” Brown stated, urging governments to support youth with access to land, funding, and training.
Kenyan youth agroecology activist Lena Girma echoed these sentiments, describing the summit as a movement, not just an event.
She urged participants to seize the opportunity to innovate and collaborate, stating, “We are here to challenge conventional thinking and push the boundaries of what is possible.”
As the summit concluded, the message was clear: Africa’s youth have the power to transform the continent’s food systems through agroecology, ensuring sustainability, economic growth, and climate resilience for future generations.
With strong support from governments and stakeholders, the summit’s participants are poised to lead a new wave of agricultural and environmental reform across Africa.
