The event served as a platform for knowledge sharing, innovation showcases, policy engagement, capacity building and investment matchmaking, all aimed at strengthening youth employment and competitiveness in agribusiness
NAIROBI. EAST African Community Partner States have been urged to collaborate with financial institutions to develop affordable and flexible loan products tailored to young agripreneurs, in a renewed push to break the financing barriers limiting youth participation in agriculture.
The appeal was made in Nairobi, Kenya, during the East African Youth in Agri Food Systems Expo 2025 (EAYASE 2025), organised by the East African Community in partnership with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa.
The Expo brought together youth led agribusinesses from across the region including young women and vulnerable groups alongside policymakers, private sector actors and development partners.
The event served as a platform for knowledge sharing, innovation showcases, policy engagement, capacity building and investment matchmaking, all aimed at strengthening youth employment and competitiveness in agribusiness.
Call For Policy Reforms And Climate Smart Innovation
Partner States were encouraged to reinforce policy and regulatory frameworks that advance climate smart agriculture and the adoption of emerging technologies such as drones, precision tools and digital information systems. Delegates also emphasized the need for targeted incentives including tax exemptions, affordable credit and improved rural infrastructure to spur youth driven innovations across agricultural value chains.
The meeting further recommended that the EAC Secretariat and Partner States allocate financial and technical resources toward establishing a regional flagship programme on youth in agribusiness. The initiative is expected to accelerate innovation, investment and inclusive sector growth.
In addition, the EAC Secretariat and AGRA were requested to establish the EAYASE 2025 Network of Youth Champions, a regional platform designed to support structured mentorship and long term engagement for young agricultural innovators.
Delegates affirmed the need to institutionalise the Expo as a permanent regional mechanism for tracking progress and expanding youth inclusion in agri food systems.
Leaders Highlight Youth Potential in Transforming Agriculture
During the official opening, EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Infrastructure, Productive, Social and Political Sectors, Hon. Andrea Ariik, underscored the sector’s importance, noting that agriculture continues to sustain millions of East Africans.
“Limited access to finance, markets and technical skills remains a major obstacle for our young people. This is why youth empowerment is at the centre of the EAC Youth Strategy and fully aligned with the African Union’s Agenda 2063,” he said.
Representing the Government of Kenya, Dr. Peter Orangi, Assistant Director at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, observed that youth are redefining the sector through innovation and modern technology, shifting from passive contributors to active entrepreneurs.
Mr. Joel Imitira, Senior Agricultural Economist at the FAO Kenya Country Office, described youth as strategic partners in reshaping Africa’s food systems, stressing the importance of digital tools in bridging market information gaps.
AGRA Director of Policy and State Capability, Mr. Boaz Keizire, announced the rollout of a new Youth Performance Index to measure progress on youth empowerment in agriculture, praising the EAC for its leadership in regional integration.
Meanwhile, Ms. Betty Kibaara, Director at the Rockefeller Foundation, urged young agripreneurs to pursue agribusiness with patience, resilience and long term strategy, describing the sector as a key pathway to Africa’s economic future.
The meeting closed with calls to formalise the East African Youth in Agri Food Systems Expo as a permanent regional platform for youth inclusion, innovation, partnerships and accountability across the agri food ecosystem.
About The Author
