The young people at the Africa food Systems summit held recently have committed to remain accountable for the Africa food systems, a commitment set to be presented at COP29.

In their Kigali youth Declaration adopted soon after the Africa Food Summit here, African young people call for various stakeholders to amplify their voice, address the pressing issues of climate change and youth employment in Africa and explore strategies to accelerate youth access to work opportunities in the agricultural and food system sector.

“This year we had over 1000 youths who presented new ideas every day. 40 percent of the young people being women, there was also a good representation of indigenous and differently abled individuals. These young people have today submitted a declaration on climate that they want presented to COP29. These young people are committed to make the food systems work. When the food system works, the world works and for that reason we need 80 percent of this forum to be youths” remarked Dr. Agnes Kalibata President AGRA.

COP is a series of global climate summits where world leaders, scientists, environmentalists, and other stakeholders gather to discuss climate change policies, review progress on existing commitments, and negotiate future steps to mitigate climate change.

The statement issued by AGRA on Monday says African youth face significant challenges in accessing resources such as land, capital, and agricultural inputs, navigating regulations policy constraints, and adapting to the impacts of climate change. 

These challenges coupled with gender inequality and inadequate education and training, hinder their participation in the agricultural sector. 

“Despite these obstacles, African youth possess an innovative spirit and entrepreneurial mindset, which can drive positive change in the food systems sector,” AGRA says in a statement. 

However, the growing demand for sustainable food, technological advancements, and potential government support offering opportunities for youth to contribute to agricultural development.

Official data and statistics show that 30 percent of African youths are currently unemployed, and another 30 percent are vulnerably employed.

According to statistics, by 2030, African youth will constitute 42 percent of the global youth population, with over 100 million will be seeking employment opportunities.

Official data also show that agriculture currently employs 50 percent of Africa’s workforce, offering significant potential for youth employment, while more than 25 percent of youths entering the job market lack basic literacy, hindering their ability to take advantage of opportunities.

However, only 3 million new jobs are being created annually in Africa, while 10 million young people are entering the labor market.

The Kigali declaration provides a roadmap for achieving this goal by addressing the challenges faced by youth and leveraging their potential to transform food systems and build a more resilient future for Africa.