AGRA

Bamako, Mali –March 10, 2025 – AGRA, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, has successfully concluded the Mali YEFFA (Youth Entrepreneurship for the Future of Food and Agriculture) Convening in Bamako on March 10, 2025. The transformative event brought together youth entrepreneurs, policymakers, investors, and key stakeholders to drive innovation and create opportunities in Mali’s vital agricultural sector.

Addressing the critical need to engage Mali’s youth in agriculture, the Mali YEFFA Convening served as a pivotal platform for fostering collaboration and unlocking the potential of young people in the country’s agricultural sector, which employs nearly 80% of Malians and contributes about 33% of the GDP.

Earlier in the month, over 400 young agripreneurs from across Mali gathered in Ségou, Sikasso, Koulikoro, and Bamako to participate in a series of dynamic convenings focused on transforming agriculture into a profitable and sustainable livelihood. These events provided a vital platform for Malian youth to shape the future of their country’s agri-food sector. Therefore, this major event featured a dynamic program that amplified the voices of Malian youth, fostered knowledge sharing, and strengthened partnerships. Key highlights included:

• Youth Communiqué Presented: Representatives from Ségou, Sikasso, and Koulikoro presented a unified message outlining the needs and aspirations of young agricultural entrepreneurs, which was well-received by policymakers and stakeholders. Participants did not just receive information—they actively shaped the agenda, ensuring that their priorities, experiences, and aspirations are embedded in the country’s national priorities. Through the development of communiqués, they reflected their vision for a more inclusive, resilient, and youth-friendly agri-food system in Mali.
• Ministry of Agriculture Officially acknowledged Mali YEFFA: The Ministry of Agriculture delivered keynote remarks and officially acknowledged the Mali YEFFA initiative, signaling the government’s strong commitment to supporting youth in agriculture.
• AGRA’s Contribution:  A young lady entrepreneur, CEO of Agrowomen, who has received funding and support from AGRA Gogettez and Value4Her delivered her reflections and experiences as an example of AGRA’s contribution to the youth in agriculture landscape in Mali.
• Expert Insights Shared: Mr. Birama Sidibe shared valuable insights on how to improve the landscape for supporting youth access to opportunities in agriculture, sparking productive discussions among participants.

“The energy and passion of the young entrepreneurs at the Mali YEFFA Convening were truly inspiring,” said Catherine Rusagara, Head of YEFFA Program Delivery at AGRA. “We are confident that this event has laid the foundation for a more inclusive and prosperous agricultural sector, where youth are empowered to drive economic growth and food security.”

Prof. Ahamadou Bocar, AGRA Country Director, added, “The convening fostered a valuable ecosystem for knowledge sharing and networking, connecting young entrepreneurs with the resources and support they need to succeed. We are committed to continuing to strengthen partnerships between youth, government, the private sector, and investors to create lasting impact.”

Regina Richardson, AGRA Country Programs Lead, noted that the Mali YEFFA program worth $30million will avail dignified and fulfilling work opportunities in the agricultural sector for young women and financially disadvantaged youth. She noted that AGRA is excited to introduce a competition where youth who develop innovative ideas in alignment with the program objectives can win a grant award of $100,000 to implement a 36-months project.

The Mali YEFFA Convening successfully:

• Amplified the voice of Malian youth in the agriculture sector.
• Fostered a digital and offline ecosystem for knowledge sharing and networking.
• Drove youth-led storytelling and advocacy for agribusiness transformation.
• Strengthened partnerships with key stakeholders (government, private sector, NGOs, and academia).
• Utilized digital platforms to enhance visibility, interaction, and impact.

The event also addressed key challenges facing young entrepreneurs, including access to finance and the need for climate-smart agricultural practices. AGRA and its partners reaffirmed their commitment to expanding financial support for youth-led agribusiness ventures and strengthening youth participation in policy-making and agribusiness governance. Several new initiatives and partnerships were announced to address these challenges.

The success of these youth entrepreneurs is closely tied to the resilience of Mali’s food systems. By equipping them with the tools to thrive – whether through improved seed systems – climate-smart technologies, or better access to finance and markets, they are not only creating economic opportunities for themselves, but also contributing to stronger, more food-secure communities.

As the YEFFA program moves forward, the voices, solutions, and commitments captured during these convenings will serve as the foundation for collaborative action between youth, government, development partners, and private sector actors. Through inclusivity, practical skills, peer learning, and shared experiences, the program is working to build a generation of agripreneurs who see themselves not just as farmers, but as changemakers shaping Mali’s food systems for the future.