The African Union’s agribusiness youth strategy for island states is getting a major boost this week as the African Union Commission, through its Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, kicks off a pivotal three-day dialogue in Port Louis, Mauritius.
The African Union Agribusiness Youth Strategy for Island States event begins today, April 14, 2025, and will run through April 16.
This crucial gathering brings together a diverse pool of stakeholders, including government officials from African Union member states, youth leaders from agribusiness networks, representatives from AGRA (Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa), non-governmental and civil society organizations, and academics from across the region.
The event, organized in partnership with the government of Mauritius, aims to strengthen youth participation in Africa’s agrifood systems, especially in small island contexts.
The primary objective of this initiative is to “identify priority areas in each island state for youth engagement in agrifood systems,” while also increasing awareness about the African Agribusiness Youth Strategy (AAYS) and aligning national programs with it. Organizers hope to address the unique challenges faced by island states and provide concrete solutions for youth inclusion.
Strategy Aims To Build Roadmaps
By the end of the dialogue, stakeholders expect to develop a clear and coordinated roadmap for national agribusiness youth strategies tailored to each island state’s context. Organizers also hope to produce “a structured program to support meaningful youth engagement in agrifood systems at the national level,” customized to each region’s unique geographical and economic realities.
The event is happening against the backdrop of the newly adopted Kampala CAADP Declaration (2026–2035), which underscores Africa’s commitment to “empowering at least 30% of youth in agrifood value chains by 2035.” To meet this target, AU officials say island nations need tailored policies that take into account their distinct vulnerabilities and opportunities.
The dialogue emphasizes collaboration among all players — governments, development partners, and private sector actors — to remove structural barriers and build systems that support youth-led agribusinesses.
Speakers will also explore ways to strengthen capacity-building initiatives, provide access to finance and land, and improve market linkages for young entrepreneurs. Technological innovation and digital tools will be key components of the conversation, with the AU encouraging member states to establish incubators and integrate agribusiness into national development plans.
In particular, the African Union hopes to drive home the need for structured and well-implemented agribusiness youth strategies. These strategies will play a central role in enabling young people to “drive agricultural transformation, reduce food import dependency, and contribute to resilient and inclusive economic growth,” officials noted.
Young Farmers Seen As Key Drivers
The AU sees youth as the most vital actors in building sustainable food systems and revitalizing rural economies. The agrifood sector, long overlooked by urban-focused employment initiatives, is now being repositioned as a space of innovation, opportunity, and long-term growth — especially in Africa’s island states.
Participants in Mauritius are expected to use this week’s platform to share best practices, confront existing policy gaps, and shape the future of agricultural entrepreneurship across the islands. The outcomes of the dialogue will feed into broader AU frameworks, ensuring island states are not left behind in the continental agenda for food security and youth empowerment.
As the conversation around the African Union Agribusiness Youth Strategy for Island States gains momentum, this meeting marks a decisive moment in aligning Africa’s agricultural vision with the aspirations of its next generation.
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