Agrifood youth employment and engagement study
This report (PDF) by the Michigan State University examines the potential of Sub-Saharan Africa’s agrifood systems to provide new jobs for unemployed, underemployed and disadvantaged youth. It identifies constraints affecting the capacity of youth to take up economic opportunities. According to the report, Sub-Saharan Africa’s agricultural sector is rapidly changing and can be a key driver of youth employment and economic transformation. Two analytical tracks generate insights and guidance on cost-effective strategies and programmatic entry points most likely to improve employment options and livelihoods for disadvantaged African men and women. Chapters 2 and 3 analyze economic mega-trends for Rwanda, Tanzania and Nigeria and projects how economic changes, specifically farm structure and dietary transformations, will affect future job prospects for rural and urban African youth. Chapters 4 and 5 examine the economic and policy environment affecting youth engagement with the agrifood system, assesses the supply and demand for related workforce training and perceived gaps, and distills best practices and lessons learned related to youth economic programming. Based on the results of this study, the authors offer recommendations for youth-related programming in Rwanda, Tanzania and Nigeria, such the development of youth employment programming that focuses on the food manufacturing and horticulture sectors, which are expected to generate high quality jobs for youth and women. A policy brief can be found here.
This article by ECDPM summarizes some of the insights of this report.