Africa must invest in youth for a climate resilient food system

Kiptisia Kiptui tends vegetables on his farm in Kipkabus, Uasin Gishu County. [File, Standard]

With a massive youth population, Africa’s young people are already facing the harsh effects of climate change, like unpredictable weather and declining farm yields.

As the climate conference (COP29), ends this week in Baku, Azerbaijan, African leaders must support the youth in building a strong and sustainable future.

At the conference, Africa’s youth had a resounding message: now is the time for urgent, meaningful investment in youth-led food systems transformation and climate action.

From the Kigali Declaration on Youth, food systems and climate to the Generation Africa Youth Survey, the message is clear: African youth are not only ready but are actively driving the shift toward sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, and green job creation.

However, to unlock their full potential, we need to act on the eleven key resolutions of the Kigali Declaration, particularly prioritising increased climate finance for youth-led initiatives.

According to the African Youth Climate Hub, Africa’s youth are among the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change due to the continent's high dependence on climate-sensitive sectors like agriculture.

With over 60 per cent of Africa’s population under the age of 25, the risks posed by climate change will disproportionately impact young people, affecting food security, economic opportunities, and health outcomes across the continent.

Similarly, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has highlighted that Africa will face more frequent and severe climate impacts, including droughts, floods, and extreme heat, which are likely to disrupt livelihoods and particularly affect young Africans who are predominantly employed in agriculture and natural resource sectors.

The Generation Africa Youth Survey provides a view into the challenges and aspirations of over 500 young Africans from 32 countries. While 43 per cent of these respondents identify as entrepreneurs, nearly half report facing systemic obstacles, from lack of access to funding to limited policy support.

This survey posits that Africa’s youth possess the drive and vision, yet what they need most is access; access to resources, policy reform, and climate finance that will empower them to enact real change.

The Kigali Declaration’s call for increased climate finance aligns directly with the Generation Africa 2024 survey findings. Among the survey respondents, financial support was cited in nearly 300 instances as essential for green job growth. This call is echoed in the Declaration’s eleventh item, which calls for increased flow of climate action finance to mobilise public and private investments in carbon financing and climate-smart innovations. For African youth, climate finance is not an abstract concept; it is the difference between resilient, thriving agricultural systems and a future crippled by food insecurity.

As the famous swahili proverb goes Samaki mkunje angali mbichi (Bend the fish while it is still fresh.) The proverb reminds us that the best time to shape or address a situation is at its early stages. This means that investing in youth-led initiatives now can prevent future crises and ensure resilience in Africa’s food systems.

African youth are ready and willing to lead, but without timely support and resources, their potential remains untapped. Now is the critical moment to invest in the transformative ideas of Africa’s young leaders to ensure a sustainable, resilient food system for all.

Each of the 11 resolutions and recommendations in the Kigali Declaration on youth food systems and climate is a roadmap toward a climate resilient food system, with climate finance for youth at the forefront. The call for youth-centric food systems policies, enhanced access to resources for young farmers, and strengthened capacity-building programmes are critical steps.

Over 500 youth surveyed expressed a strong belief that green jobs are key to solving environmental challenges. Yet, 209 said they struggled to secure green jobs, and the majority believe that government support for youth is inadequate.

In contrast, learning institutions are viewed as more supportive, yet they too need increased resources and funding to sustain this role.

Global leaders and stakeholders now have an opportunity to support these young people by committing to the Kigali Declaration’s resolution and prioritising climate finance for youth-led initiatives. Africa’s youth are not asking for charity; they are asking for a partnership in building driving food systems transformation. They are prepared to lead, innovate, and create solutions for a resilient food system if provided the right tools and financial backing.

This year’s COP must serve as a turning point, where we move from statements to actions, from promises to tangible investments in Africa’s youth. The Kigali Declaration on Youth food systems and climate and Generation Africa Youth Survey reveal that Africa’s youth are united, resilient, and ready to lead. It is now up to stakeholders; policymakers, financial institutions, and international bodies to rise to the occasion and back these young leaders with the resources they need.

Let us commit to fulfilling the eleven resolutions, increasing climate finance for youth led initiatives, and empowering Africa’s youth to shape a future where food systems are resilient, economies are sustainable, and communities are protected against climate impacts. The solutions are here. It’s time to invest in them.