On July 11, 2024, the Africa Projects Development Centre (APDC) in Abuja marked a significant milestone with the graduation of 89 youth interns from two pivotal programs: the European Union Healthy Diets4Africa Projects (PY2 Cohort 2) and the Creating Sustainable Youths through Urban Farming (SYMUF) Project (PY2 Cohorts 3 & 4). These initiatives aim to equip young Africans in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Nigeria & 21 other leading institutions, with critical sustainable income generation skills.

The event, attended by representatives from key organizations such as the African Development Bank (AfDB), Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), and the African Agribusiness Incubators Network (AAIN), amongst others, highlighted the collaborative effort to combat pressing continent-wide problems through sustainable agriculture to address unemployment challenges, insecurity, and combatting malnutrition by empowering youths with agribusiness skills, diversifying food systems.

Dr. Lamin Barrow, the incoming Director General for the West Africa Region of the AfDB, commended the SYMUF project consortium for exceeding its targets in record time. He encouraged graduates to take advantage of other AfDB programs supporting startups and to focus on building sustainable businesses.

Dr. Chiji Ojukwu, Managing Director of APDC, highlighted the importance of peer-to-peer training in these programs and expressed gratitude to the implementing consortium and sponsors, particularly the African Development Bank Group’s Fund for Africa Private Sector Assistance and the European Union. Dr. Ojukwu emphasized APDC's commitment to youth empowerment through agriculture and discussed plans to replicate the project's success in other African countries.

Mr. Edson Mpyisi, Chief Financial Economist and Enable Youth Coordinator from AfDB, further elaborated on the bank's "Feed Africa" objective. He explained how the Enable Youth program, focused on empowering youth within the agricultural sector, aligns with the broader goal of developing the continent through agriculture. Mpyisi's insights provided context for the impressive results achieved by the SYMUF project, which has empowered 449 beneficiaries in urban farming, far exceeding the initial target of 360.

The success of these initiatives was evident in the numbers shared: 313 beneficiaries have established agribusinesses, with 192 led by women, demonstrating strong gender inclusivity. Moreover, over 55% of beneficiaries have adopted climate-smart agricultural practices, contributing to a more sustainable future for African agriculture.

Dr. Phorbee Olapeju, speaking to the graduating interns of the EU Healthy Diets project, encouraged them to continue innovating and using their newly acquired skills to diversify food systems across the continent, combating malnutrition for a healthier Africa.

The event featured an exciting Agripitch competition, showcasing the entrepreneurial spirit of the graduates and a food fair! On culmination, the graduation stands as a testament to the impact of targeted skills development in driving sustainable agribusiness growth and youth empowerment across the continent. With continued support from development partners and the dedication of young entrepreneurs, the future of African agriculture looks brighter than ever.

Africa's young people are the key to unlocking its agricultural potential, as championed by African Development Bank President Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina at the World Food Prize-Borlaug Dialogue Symposium. The Bank remains dedicated to empowering them as the future generation of agripreneurs – agricultural millionaires and billionaires – who will drive Africa's economic rise.