AGRA

Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. 28 March 2025 – The Youth Entrepreneurship for the Future of Food and Agriculture (YEFFA) Burkina Faso Youth Convening, themed “Empowering Youth for Decent Jobs and Climate-Resilient Food Systems,” successfully concluded on 28 March 2025 in Ouagadougou. The pivotal event amplified youth voices, showcased agribusiness opportunities, and fostered dialogue between young people, policymakers, and key stakeholders to address the urgent challenges facing Burkina Faso’s agricultural sector and its young people.

This marks a significant step towards transforming food systems and creating dignified employment for youth in Burkina Faso.

Agriculture is the cornerstone of Burkina Faso’s economy, employing 73% of the workforce. With approximately 65% of the population under 25, the convening underscored the critical importance of investing in youth-led agribusiness to drive job creation, economic growth, and a resilient food system, empowering youth as drivers of climate-resilient agriculture and economic opportunity.

The YEFFA Convening addressed challenges faced by young people, particularly rural youth and women through a dynamic forum where participants shared their experiences and innovative solutions, emphasizing the need for access to land, finance, and training in climate-smart agricultural practices. Discussions with policymakers on creating an enabling environment and youth-friendly policies for youth-led agribusinesses marked a significant part of the gathering.

At the end of the day, the YEFFA Convening also provided an avenue for exhibitions of youth-led ventures, demonstrating cutting-edge solutions for sustainable agriculture, as well as networking opportunities, where the youth, particularly women and marginalized groups, were able make connections and interact with potential partners, investors, and mentors. This was with the aim of strengthening and deepening new and existing partnerships with key stakeholders.

The Burkina Faso Convening built upon pre-convening regional discussions in Central Plateau, Haut Bassin, Cascade, Boucle du Mouhoun, Sud Ouest, and Centre Ouest, ensuring a broad representation of youth perspectives including a set of policy recommendations presented to the Ministry of Agriculture, calling for increased investment in youth-led climate-smart agriculture and the creation of a dedicated fund for young agripreneurs.

A representative of the Ministry of Agriculture commended AGRA and the Mastercard Foundation for the initiative, reiterating the Ministry’s mandate of empowering the youth in transforming the country’s Agric sector. “The YEFFA Convening is a crucial step in transforming Burkina Faso’s food systems. The Ministry of Agriculture will take concrete action based on the insights and recommendations shared by our youth. We will continue to prioritize creating decent jobs, promoting climate-resilient agriculture, and ensuring that young people, especially women and marginalized groups, are at the forefront of this transformation.”

Amath Pathe Sene – AGRA Acting Regional Manager, West Africa, re-emphasized AGRA’s commitment. “Burkina Faso’s youth are not just the future of agriculture; they are the key to building a climate-resilient and prosperous nation. This convening has provided a powerful platform for young people to shape the policies and programs that will determine their future, and we are committed to supporting them every step of the way.”

A participant at the event, expressed optimism at the outcomes, saying, “We, the youth of Burkina Faso, felt empowered and heard at the convening. We are ready to lead the way in creating a sustainable and thriving agricultural sector, and we are grateful for the opportunity to have our voices heard.”

The convening, according to Jules SOME, AGRA Country Director, “was a resounding success, demonstrating the incredible potential of Burkina Faso’s youth to drive agricultural transformation and build a more resilient and prosperous future for all.”

The YEFFA program, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, is a 5-year initiative aimed at increasing youth and young women’s involvement in agricultural transformation. In Burkina Faso, the program seeks to catalyze food systems transformation, creating dignified job opportunities for youth, with a strong emphasis on female participation.