The agri-food systems value chain remains the backbone of the East African Community (EAC) partner states’ economies providing livelihoods and driving regional growth.
However, to unlock its full potential and achieve sustainable food security, the sector must engage and empower its most dynamic asset: the youth.
Available data supports the urgency. Surveys show that youth make up a large portion of the EAC population (74 percent). For instance, the UN estimates the median age in the region to be about 18, highlighting a predominantly young demographic. However, youth unemployment remains high at between 51 percent and 57 percent.
Unlocking the energy, innovation, and digital savvy of this demographic within agri-food value chains could be transformative.
These young people are not just farmers, they are agripreneurs, pioneering new business models, technologies, and services. But their efforts often face an unsupportive policy environment.
The youth in Agribusiness report shows many young people are already engaging in diverse areas such as seed production, input supply, processing, mechanisation, marketing, urban farming, and circular economy initiatives.
EAC's Joint Agricultural Sector Review identifies broader issues, including inadequate funding for policy implementation and delays in enacting the necessary regulations to support youth in the food systems value chain.
These barriers, such as limited access to land and skills, disproportionately affect the youth, particularly those lacking capital or facing complex bureaucratic processes. Furthermore, the limited policy focus on youth empowerment hinders sector growth and job creation both on and off the farm.
To fully harness the demographic dividend and build a vibrant agricultural future, the EAC must adopt a targeted and impactful policy shift.
This mean strengthening implementation of regional agricultural policies and strategies by prioritising youth inclusion and explicitly integrating youth perspectives and addressing their unique needs.
The EAC Youth Policy should clearly align to agricultural development and the African Union’s Africa Agribusiness Youth Strategy.
Additionally, there is need to enhance regional flagship programmes for youth in agribusiness by going beyond general support to offer tailored solutions such as access to finance, land, skills training, mentorship, and market linkages.
Similarly, the bloc should improve data collection and management by building a regional database to track youth engagement in agriculture, identify gaps, and better target support.
Streamlining regulatory processes and supporting timely policy domestication is also key to ensure effective youth participation in policy platforms at both regional and national levels.
As the Joint Agricultural Sector Review results highlight, delays in enacting regulations create uncertainty and limit youth engagement.
States should also continue promoting Public-Private Partnerships which will guarantee sustainable financing and management of agro-industrial parks and value chains, with youth-specific provisions to drive business development and job creation.
Lastly, bold steps should be taken to strengthen youth engagement platforms. Young agripreneurs must have a seat at the table in shaping the future of agriculture.
The CAADP Strategy and Action Plan and the CAADP Kampala Declaration, adopted by AU Heads of State and Government in Kampala, Uganda, offers a powerful opportunity to act on the above recommendations. If implemented effectively and actions brought closer to communities not left on paper, this declaration can drive real change.
It commits to empowering at least 30 percent of youth to participate meaningfully in agri-food value chains by 2035, through better access to finance, innovation, technology, and land especially for women, youth, and vulnerable groups.
In conclusion, the JSR Policy Review offers a vital baseline for action. By addressing gaps in youth inclusion and resolving broader implementation challenges, the EAC can create a thriving policy environment that empowers youth to lead agri-food transformation.
The energy and innovation are already there, it is now up to policymakers to cultivate the right conditions for youth to flourish and secure the region’s agricultural future.
Boaz is the Director of Policy & State Capability at AGRA and Jean is the Director of Productive Sectors at EAC Secretariat.
