Innovations Session N°27

Empowering Youth and Women in Agrifood: Bridging Entrepreneurship and Job Creation for Sustainable Impact

Africa’s agrifood systems are at the centre of two major challenges: transforming food systems and creating more inclusive economic opportunities. As millions of young people enter the labour market each year, the agrifood sector remains one of the most important spaces for employment, entrepreneurship and income generation, particularly in rural areas and across local value chains. Globally, 44% of working youth were employed in agrifood systems in 2021, confirming the sector’s central role in youth livelihoods and economic participation. (FAO, The Status of Youth in Agrifood Systems, 2025)

Within this context, youth and women are not only beneficiaries of agrifood transformation; they are already active contributors. Across the continent, they work as farmers, processors, traders, service providers, innovators, entrepreneurs and community leaders. Their engagement supports food security, local value addition, rural development and the resilience of agrifood value chains. Yet, this contribution does not always translate into stable income, business growth, leadership opportunities or decent jobs.

This gap is particularly visible for women and young women. Although they play a critical role in production, processing and trade, their work is often concentrated in informal, low-paid or less visible activities. They also face additional constraints linked to access to land, finance, skills, technology, markets, networks and decision-making spaces. These barriers limit their ability to move from participation in agrifood systems to real economic empowerment and leadership. (FAO, The Status of Women in Agrifood Systems, 2023; ILO, Global Employment Trends for Youth, 2024)

Entrepreneurship can therefore be a powerful pathway to unlock the potential of youth and women in agrifood systems. However, entrepreneurship alone is not enough. For youth- and women-led initiatives to generate sustainable impact, they need to become viable businesses connected to markets, finance, skills, mentorship, farmer organisations, cooperatives and broader support ecosystems. The challenge is not only to encourage young people and women to start businesses, but to help them grow, create decent jobs and contribute to more inclusive and resilient agrifood value chains.

This 27th PAFO–COLEAD Innovations Session will explore how youth and women can be better empowered as entrepreneurs, job creators and leaders in agrifood systems. It will highlight practical experiences from entrepreneurs, SMEs, farmer organisations, cooperatives and support actors working to bridge entrepreneurship and job creation for sustainable impact.