Session Overview

This session, convened by the African Union Commission (AUC) and AUDA-NEPAD, will bring together African leaders, the UN Deputy Secretary-General, and a bold new generation of youth agri-entrepreneurs from across the continent. Under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, Africa’s agriculture sector is projected to generate US$1 trillion in agribusiness by 2030. Across the continent, tech-savvy, business-minded youth are rising to lead—demanding better financing, tailored support, and a fair opportunity to claim their share of this growing market. They are creating jobs, strengthening communities, and reshaping the narrative of African food systems. The CAADP Kampala Declaration 2026–2035, signed by African Heads of State in January 2025, sets a bold ambition to empower youth across agrifood value chains through a comprehensive set of youth-focused interventions. This high-energy session will spotlight Africa’s next-generation agri-entrepreneurs—giving them a platform to engage directly with African leaders, share their successes and challenges, and call for bold financial and policy solutions to scale their business and lead Africa’s food systems transformation.