Opinion by Dr Ibrahim Mayaki, AUDA-NEPAD CEO

In the month of August - Youth Month - we acknowledge that the youth are a major force in bringing change and tackling global issues, and serve as  the engine room for driving Africa’s development agendas. That means without youth inclusiveness in the development process, our plans to bring about change and transformation will be in vain.

This year, we marked the celebration of International Youth Day at a time when the world is working together day and night to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes fostering a socio-economic recovery process to build back better, with the AUDA-NEPAD playing a critical role in contributing to the preparedness and response to mitigate the aftermath of the pandemic.

Africa’s youth, forming the largest of Africa’s demographic make-up, were not spared  the adverse effect brought on by the pandemic. This is evident in the significant increase in the youth unemployment rate observed within our Member States. Among the many sectors affected, the agricultural sector and its value chains which employ the majority of African youths living in rural areas, has been devasted due to the stringent measures taken by governments to contain the virus.

In line with this year’s International Youth Day theme “Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health”  the AUDA-NEPAD strongly believes in the capacity and innovative qualities of our youth in transforming  food systems in Africa. Moreover, the youthful workforce within the food systems value chain can undoubtely contribute to addressing Africa’s food insecurity if transformative strategies are implemented following the Malabo Declaration. Even if we are observing a rapid urbanisation process, most of the jobs to be created will come out of a diversified rural economy and a transformed food economy.

Our overall success will depend on our ability to collectively harness the opportunities offered within food systems, while simultaneously creating the linkages between youth skills development and the push towards expanded industrialisation as envisioned in Agenda 2063 - where Africa’s youth remain at the centre of the development agenda.