African Youth Leaders to Showcase Agrifood Innovations at International Youth Day Africa Webinar

Young leaders from across Africa will unite on August 12, 2025, for a vibrant virtual gathering to mark International Youth Day, spotlighting groundbreaking initiatives reshaping the continent’s agrifood systems.

The Africa Regional Webinar, hosted by the World Food Forum (WFF) Youth Initiative in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) Office of Youth and Women, will feature dynamic presentations from youth representatives in Ghana, Tanzania, and Côte d’Ivoire, alongside interactive discussions guided by the WFF moderation team.

The 100-minute session, running from 10:00 to 11:40 AM Rome Time (UTC+2), aims to celebrate youth-led innovation and collaboration in transforming Africa’s food systems. This year’s focus is on recognising young people as key solution providers in the face of challenges such as climate change, food insecurity, and limited youth engagement in decision-making.

The webinar will be moderated by the WFF team, including Sabin Lamichhane, Head of the Local Action Team at WFF, who will deliver welcome remarks highlighting the Global Youth Action Initiative and its achievements in Africa. Janetta Carlucci,

Social Policy Officer at FAO’s Regional Office for Africa, will follow with opening remarks, setting the tone for the day’s discussions.

Other moderators from WFF will lead interactive chat engagements and facilitate the open regional dialogue, ensuring participants from across the continent can share insights, network, and co-create solutions.

Representing Ghana, Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, Lead of the WFF Ghana Chapter, will outline strategies for active youth engagement, collaborations with civil society, and the chapter’s broader development goals.

From Tanzania, Vivian Joseph, Co-Coordinator of the WFF Tanzania Chapter, will share insights on the chapter’s growth since its 2023 launch, its partnerships with FAO, government agencies, and CSOs, and her advice for new chapters.

From Côte d’Ivoire, Aimé Roger Abbé will present on the planning and launch of the WFF Côte d’Ivoire Chapter, its strategic partnerships, and its vision for youth leadership in agrifood transformation.

A highlight of the session will be the Open Regional Dialogue, where the WFF moderators will guide conversations on youth innovation in climate-smart agriculture, leadership development, and strengthening unity for Africa’s agrifood transformation. This exchange will give participants the opportunity to discuss regional challenges and identify youth-led strategies to address them.

International Youth Day, celebrated globally on August 12, was established by the United Nations General Assembly to honour the vital role of youth in building a better, more inclusive world.

Through initiatives like the WFF regional webinars, African youth voices are amplified, their achievements celebrated, and their networks strengthened for greater impact on the continent’s agrifood future.