AU backs agroecology to create jobs for Africa’s youth
The summit brought together policymakers, young people and development partners from 11 African countries to explore how agroecology can become a source of employment, enterprise and sustainable food production.
Participants pose for a group photo during the three-day Africa Regional Youth Summit on Agroecology and the Future of Africa’s Food Systems, held at Onomo Hotel in Kampala from August 25 to 27, 2026. (Courtesy)
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The African Union Commission is calling for increased investment in agroecology as a way of creating jobs for Africa’s growing youth population, reducing food imports and transforming the continent’s food systems.
The call was made during the three-day Africa Regional Youth Summit on Agroecology and the Future of Africa’s Food Systems, held at Onomo Hotel in Kampala from August 25 to 27, 2026.
The summit brought together policymakers, young people and development partners from 11 African countries to explore how agroecology can become a source of employment, enterprise and sustainable food production.
Haile Abebe of the African Union’s Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) said agriculture should no longer be presented to young people as a sector of subsistence and hardship.
“Agriculture is no longer simply about producing food. It is about science, technology, entrepreneurship, finance, digital innovation, logistics, processing, manufacturing, trade, climate resilience and value addition,” Abebe said.
He said more than 60% of Africa’s population is below the age of 35, with millions of young people entering the labour market every year while formal job creation remains inadequate.
This, he explained, makes agriculture and the wider agrifood sector a major avenue for employment if young people are equipped with skills, finance, technology and access to markets.
From farmers to entrepreneurs
According to the AU, nearly 300 million people on the continent are food insecure, while Africa spends about $100 billion annually importing food despite holding about 60% of the world’s remaining uncultivated arable land.
The AU argues that increasing local food production could reduce import dependence while creating businesses and jobs along the agrifood value chain.
The Kampala Declaration, adopted by African Heads of State and Government, seeks to transform agrifood systems, increase agricultural productivity and reduce hunger and dependence on food imports.
Its Strategic Objective Four commits to empowering at least 30% of young people in agrifood systems, alongside women and vulnerable groups.
Abebe said agroecology could create opportunities beyond primary production.
“Agroecology can be part of this solution. It opens opportunities for young people across the agrifood system - from soil health, seeds and bio-inputs to irrigation, digital agriculture, processing, packaging, logistics, green energy and market development,” he said.
This creates room for young entrepreneurs to establish businesses supplying farm inputs and services, processing food, providing digital agricultural solutions, developing irrigation systems and producing renewable-energy technologies.
Other opportunities include organic and bio-fertiliser production, ecological seed systems, agroforestry, water conservation, food processing, packaging and marketing.
Turning policy into business
However, the AU says achieving these targets will require governments to move from policy commitments to implementation and create an environment in which farmers and agrifood businesses can invest and grow.
The AU Commission’s Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment has developed a 100-Day Rolling Plan aimed at increasing agricultural production and productivity.
The plan prioritises soil health, access to quality seed, efficient fertiliser use, irrigation and development of Africa’s blue economy.
Abebe said agroecological approaches such as organic and bio-fertilisers, water conservation, agroforestry, ecological seed systems and renewable-energy-powered irrigation could support these priorities while creating opportunities for young entrepreneurs.
The commission also pledged to work with member states and development partners to expand youth-focused programmes in skills development, finance, entrepreneurship, innovation, technology and market access.
Exhibited were harvested products like honey, cereals and spices that were processed and given a longer shelf life besides more value.
For young Africans, the shift could change the perception of agriculture from a low-income livelihood into a diverse business sector offering opportunities in production, technology, processing, transport, finance and marketing.
The summit called for practical measures to turn agroecology from a policy concept into viable enterprises, decent jobs and sustainable livelihoods.
For the AU, the challenge is now to ensure that commitments translate into finance, skills, markets and technologies that allow young people to build businesses across Africa’s agrifood value chains.