As Africa grapples with growing challenges in food security, climate resilience, and youth unemployment, the World Food Forum (WFF) Gambia National Chapter Lead, Musa Juwara, has called for a paradigm shift toward data-driven and strategic agricultural policies. He urged African governments and development partners to adopt evidence-based approaches that unlock sustainable growth, create opportunities for youth, and accelerate the transformation of the continent’s agrifood systems.
Speaking at the World Food Forum Africa Side Event during the WFF Flagship Programme in Rome, Mr. Juwara emphasized that meaningful progress in agriculture depends on measurable outcomes, strategic planning, and inclusive implementation frameworks.
“Change must be measurable to be meaningful,” he stated, underscoring the need for youth-led movements to adopt monitoring and evaluation frameworks that track impact and ensure accountability.
Mr. Juwara highlighted the importance of developing data-informed policies, strategic working documents, and impact-focused projects that are inclusive, realistic, and sustainable — all aimed at driving agrifood systems transformation across Africa.
He explained that such an approach would promote innovation and collaboration among young people, empowering them to contribute effectively to addressing food and climate challenges while ensuring long-term agricultural sustainability.
Mr. Juwara also called for capacity-building initiatives, accelerator programmes, and innovation hubs to empower young people and women in agribusiness. These interventions, he noted, would improve access to finance, strengthen market linkages, and make emerging agripreneurs more competitive and export-ready — ultimately attracting both local and international investment.
He further urged African governments to create a business-friendly environment that supports agribusiness enterprises, coupled with investment incentives that inspire greater youth participation in agripreneurship and foster sustainable food systems development.
