Youth at the Heart of Agri-Policy

When young people gather to talk about agriculture, the energy in the room is different—lively, hopeful, and often, impatient for change. That was the atmosphere at the recent SADC Youth Dialogue, where policymakers, youth leaders, and agricultural experts converged under the theme “Advancing Youth Inclusion in Africa’s Agricultural Policy and Investment Frameworks.”

At the heart of the conversation was a simple but urgent message: Africa’s agricultural future cannot be built without its youth.

“I Wish I Were Still a Youth” — A CEO’s Honest Reflection

Dr. Tshilidzi Madzivhandila, CEO of the Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN), opened the dialogue with a moment of candid humor—and truth.

“We value your contribution as youth and young people,” he said, smiling. “I wish I was still a youth.”

But his message quickly deepened.

“Across the continent, we are seeing increased recognition of the role youth and young people must play in shaping the future of agriculture and food systems. This conversation is not only timely—it is necessary.”

For Dr. Madzivhandila, inclusion is not a feel-good gesture; it is a structural need.

“Inclusion must go beyond participation; it must translate into voice, leadership, and ownership,” he emphasized.
“If we are serious about sustainable transformation, youth cannot be on the margins of policy—they must be part of the agenda.”

The Weight Young People Carry

Despite the potential of agribusiness, Dr. Madzivhandila lamented the realities many young people face:

• unemployment
• limited access to land, finance, and inputs
• exclusion from policymaking spaces

“Young people remain vulnerable to socio-economic injustice,” he said.
“They have ideas, but they lack the tools to turn those ideas into action.”

To bridge these gaps, FANRPAN and AGRA are working under the Youth Employment From Food and Agriculture (YEFFA) initiative. A key component is strengthening and harmonizing the African Agribusiness Youth Strategy (AAYS) across the region.

“Our goal is clear,” Dr. Madzivhandila said.
“To institutionalize youth inclusion in policy processes—from national plans to regional and continental strategies.”

A Region Facing Hard Realities

The conversation shifted from possibility to stark reality when Domingos Zefanias Gove, SADC’s Director of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources, took the stage. His message was sobering.

“We are not doing well as a continent,” he began.
“We are not doing well as a region.”

His assessment was blunt:

• Manufacturing has been stagnant for over 20 years.
• Industrial employment remains stuck at around 11%, far from the 2030 target of 40%.
• Food and nutrition insecurity affects 18% of the population, worsened by climate shocks and economic failures.
• The continent has faltered on its Malabo Declaration commitments.

“This is the context in which the youth must try their best to thrive,” Gove said. “But we cannot expect them to thrive without giving them the right environment.”

He noted that SADC’s Regional Agriculture Investment Plan—aligned with the new Kampala Declaration—explicitly prioritizes youth inclusion.

“Inclusivity is not optional,” he said. “Youth must be empowered so that they are included in the development of the policies.”

Agriculture as a Pathway Out of Unemployment

For Prof. Jean Jacques M. Muhinda, AGRA’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, youth represent more than a demographic—they are Africa’s strongest resource.

“Youth remains the most dynamic asset the continent has,” he said.
“The food sector offers massive opportunities to address youth unemployment.”

He stressed the importance of equipping young people—not merely encouraging them.

“When we provide youth, especially young women, with training, mentorship, and access to resources such as land and finance, we empower them to be change agents in the agri-food system.”

A Young Continent Ready to Lead

Dr. Rachel Mkandawire of FANRPAN brought data—and urgency—to the discussion.

“Africa has more than 450 million young people. In the SADC region alone, over 60% of the population is under 35,” she said.
“Most of them are in rural areas, yet they face significant barriers. They are marginalized from owning land and lack capital assets needed for decent employment.”

But she also sees something powerful in African youth:

“Young people have creativity, adaptability, and lived experience. They understand digitalization, food trends, and the changing consumption patterns. Their insights are not theoretical—they are real.”

This, she argued, is why youth must be embedded in every step of the agricultural value chain.

“The strategy seeks to promote youth not only as beneficiaries but as decision-makers and implementers,”Dr. Mkandawire said.
“From co-creation to production, from distribution to marketing—youth must be present.”

SADC’s Leadership Recognized

For Dr. Mwaka Namukonda, coordinator of the Consortium of African Youth in Agriculture and Climate Change (CAYACC), SADC deserves recognition.

“SADC is the first regional economic community pushing the agenda of a regional agriculture investment plan while ensuring that youth are included through the African Agribusiness Youth Strategy,” she said.
“This is a milestone for the region—and for Africa.”

 

A Future Built With, Not Just For, Youth

The youth dialogue revealed a consensus: Africa’s agricultural transformation cannot be realized without young people—and not simply as workers or beneficiaries, but as architects of new food systems.

The narrative is shifting. Youth are no longer being asked to wait their turn. They are being invited to lead.

“If you marginalize young people, who make up most of the population, what will the future look like?” Dr. Mkandawire asked.

It is a question Africa cannot ignore. The future of food, agriculture, and rural development is already in the hands of the continent’s youth—now the policies, investments, and opportunities must catch up.