Across Sub-Saharan Africa, nearly 70% of working young people are employed in agri-food systems, meaning their livelihoods depend on everything from farming and food processing to transporting, marketing, and selling food. Yet, despite their central role, millions of young people remain stuck in low-paid, insecure jobs with little chance of building a better future.
The report, compiled by a leading international research division, lays bare the huge barriers facing young people, particularly young women, in accessing land, capital, and decent employment in the agri-food sector. “Young people are vital to food systems, but they’re constantly locked out of the resources and opportunities they need to thrive,” said the lead researcher.
One of the report’s most striking findings is the rapid growth of Africa’s youth population. By 2050, the number of young people in Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to increase by 60%, rising to 400 million. “This is a game-changing demographic shift,” the researcher warned. “If agri-food systems don’t work for young people, they will fail to deliver for entire nations.”
The report calls for a complete overhaul in how governments and international agencies involve young people in agricultural policymaking. Too often, it says, youth are invited to international conferences as a form of tokenism but are excluded from meaningful involvement in national policies. “It’s common to see young people flown to New York to speak at the United Nations, but back in their own countries they’re completely shut out of policymaking,” said the researcher.
The situation is made worse by shrinking access to land. Young people in rural Africa increasingly inherit smaller plots as land is divided among siblings, and ageing populations cling to land as their only form of retirement security. “Without land or capital, young people can’t start farms, can’t invest in businesses, and can’t plan for the future,” the researcher explained.
Yet, the report also highlights young people’s resilience and innovation. Across Africa, many are harnessing digital technology to build online communities, mobilise around common issues, and find new markets for their products. “Young people are creating fresh forms of collective action, often outside traditional structures, and finding new ways to get their voices heard,” the researcher said.
The findings also reveal stark gender inequalities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, 7% of young women working in agri-food systems lost their jobs, while employment among young men increased. “If we fail to address both age and gender, we will continue to overlook the real challenges young women face in this sector,” warned the researcher.
The report also challenges the over-reliance on promoting entrepreneurship. “There’s too much focus on turning every young person into a business owner,” the researcher said. “While entrepreneurship is important, millions of young people will work for established businesses and they deserve rights, protections, and decent working conditions.”
The report’s findings have sparked discussions across Africa, especially among youth networks who were actively involved in its development. “Young people were part of this process from start to finish,” the researcher noted. “They read the drafts, made recommendations, and even helped launch the report. Their voices shaped the findings.”
At its heart, the report issues a clear message: policymakers must stop sidelining young people in food systems. They must expand access to resources, ensure fair policies, and guarantee young people a proper seat at the table.
“Young people hold the future of food systems in their hands,” the researcher concluded. “They have the energy, the innovation, and the determination to drive sustainable change. But they need more than speeches, they need power, resources, and real influence.”
--ChannelAfrica--
