IITA DG Emphasizes Youth Investment for Africa's Future, Creates 90,000 Jobs

Dr. Simeon Ehui, Director General of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), stressed the significance of investing in youth to secure Africa's future during the closeout ceremony of an innovative youth agriculture project.

The project, launched in 2020, aimed to equip young people aged 15-35 with technical, entrepreneurial, and business skills to establish agribusinesses and secure dignified employment within the agrifood system. Through strong partnerships with the Mastercard Foundation, state governments, and private sector actors, the initiative led to the establishment of 36,053 youth-led agribusinesses and the creation of 90,000 employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for Nigerian youth, including women and persons with disabilities.

Rosi Fynn, Country Director of the Mastercard Foundation in Nigeria, highlighted the transformative impact of empowering youth in agriculture.