Across Africa, agriculture accounts for over 15% of the total GDP, with countries like Chad having more than 50%. Agriculture also employs more than 65% of the continent’s workforce. Hence, the role of youth in shaping Africa’s food system has never been more critical. Yet, with rising youth unemployment and emigration, climate shocks, and structural gaps between academic training and agribusiness realities, the question remains: Who is preparing young people to lead this transformation? As it stands, Africa’s agricultural potential remains largely untapped.
On 10 July 2025, Sahel Consulting hosted the 2025 edition of the Sahel Scholars Conference (SSC 2025), an annual virtual convening of students, researchers, and young agripreneurs from across Africa. Right from the planning and preparatory stage, the energy was palpable. With the theme “The Future of Agriculture: Unlocking Finance, Skills & Entrepreneurial Excellence,” this year’s event inspired determination and readiness to build real change.
At SSC 2025, every session, from the keynote to the breakout sessions, aimed to help young people understand agribusiness in Africa and provide a practical guide to finding their role within it. Over 300 participants from more than ten African countries attended the two-hour session to gain new insights and practical tools.
“We must stop waiting for perfect conditions to lead. Start with what you have, where you are,” said Dr. Emmanuel Abuhson, Executive Director of the Pan African Institute of Agribusiness Management (PIAM), as he spoke to participants during a breakout session.
The event also featured Flora Coffi Sika, Vice President of Olam Food Ingredients, Côte d’Ivoire, as the keynote speaker. She has a professional journey spanning Nestlé, Promasidor, and now Olam. She shared a compelling message on the power of skill, tenacity, and opportunity, emphasising that students must actively position themselves for relevance in the sector.
One key feature of the conference was the Sahel Scholars Pitch Competition, a student-focused innovation challenge launched in 2022 to empower undergraduates with bold ideas in agriculture, nutrition, and climate resilience. “We created this platform to fill a glaring gap,” said Fisayo Kayode, Sahel Consulting’s Senior Manager and one of the SSC organisers. “Students are full of ideas but sometimes lack a springboard to test, validate, or fund them. The pitch is our way of changing that.”
Over 30 entries were submitted for the competition this year, each as sterling and innovative as the other. The judges had their work cut out for them, sorting through these brilliant ideas. But after much deliberation, the top three winning concepts were selected. They tackled the pressing challenges of student hunger, environmental pollution, and fruit waste.
- Safiyanu Al’amin Gadagau (Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria) took first place with Nutri-Sac ABU, a project that transforms recycled materials into vertical farms for fresh, on-campus vegetable production.
- Kenry Ayobami Adaolowo (University of Ibadan, Nigeria) came second with GreenCycle, which converts farm waste into organic fertiliser.
- Kabaramiira Yampa Syson (Rwentanga Farm Institute, Uganda) secured third place with a juice-processing venture that repurposes surplus fruit into healthy, affordable drinks.
All three projects are student-led, budget-friendly, and scalable. This is proof that innovation does not always require millions in capital.
Breakout sessions provided participants with the opportunity to engage with industry experts on major challenges, including funding, capacity building, gender barriers, and the initial steps to take. According to Gender Consultant, Ashley Mutiso, addressing gender and cultural barriers in agriculture starts with stepping into decision-making spaces. When young people, especially women, get involved in shaping policy, they help level the playing field in male-dominated value chains.
One breakout session speaker, Dadie Tayoraud, Chief Operating Officer at Injaro Investments, encouraged the students to develop clear business models and gather traction through informal networks, savings, and pilot projects before chasing grants or loans. “Money follows structure,” said breakout speaker Diena Mayaki. She highlighted that discipline, growth, and a straightforward problem-solution narrative are essential when establishing an agribusiness. Femi Adekoya pointed out the need for both technical and soft skills. “Degrees alone are no longer enough. Build capacity, seek mentorship, and embrace technology.”
According to a report by UNESCO, the unemployment rate in Africa is around 7.9%, which is higher than the global average of 5.6%. This figure worsens in rural areas where agriculture remains the mainstay. With such urgency, forums like SSC don’t just inspire, they empower.
As Africa’s agricultural sector expands with increasing investment in value chains like rice, cassava, dairy, and tomatoes, the need for fresh, skilled leadership becomes more urgent. SSC positions young Africans not just as job seekers, but as problem-solvers. Judging by how often the message resurfaced among the speakers, one would think it was the day’s unofficial anthem: meaningful change begins with small steps, a clear vision, and steady traction. There was no shortage of motivation and starting-point ideas offered throughout the conference. “Volunteering is value in action and growth in motion,” said Laila Mahmoud, another breakout session speaker whose emphasis was on empowering youth with essential skills in agriculture.
After an electrifying two hours, SSC 2025 wrapped with a commitment to keep the momentum alive. With continued support from partners and the renewed interest of students across the continent, Sahel Consulting aims to scale the pitch competition, enhance learning opportunities, and support youth-led innovation in food systems.
To borrow the words of African thought leader and economist Tony Elumelu, “The future of Africa lies in the hands of its young entrepreneurs.” Through initiatives like SSC, that future is already unfolding, one pitch, one idea, and one student at a time.
References: Atlas | Tony Elumelu | AfDB | Open Knowledge
