In a recent meeting held in Accra, Ghana, leading up to the 33rd FAO Regional Conference for Africa (ARC33), young agripreneurs took center stage. The 3rd African Agribusiness Leaders’ Dialogue (AALD3) provided a platform for these young innovators to share their experiences and discuss the future of African agriculture.
Rising stars like Affiong Williams (ReelFruit, Nigeria), Sakina Usengimana (Afri-Foods, Rwanda), and Dzifa Amegashie (CalBank, Ghana) all participated in the discussion. They highlighted the challenges and opportunities facing the sector, emphasizing the crucial need for support for young people entering the agricultural industry.
Abebe Haile-Gabriel, FAO’s Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Africa, pointed to several key trends shaping the future of African agriculture, including a younger population, rapid urbanization, and the increasing use of technology. He expressed his belief in the power of young agripreneurs, stating, “The future of African agri-food systems is in the hands of young entrepreneurs.”
The importance of collaboration between public and private sectors was also a key theme. Emmanuel Tra Bi, Director General of Industry for Côte d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Trade and Industry, emphasized this point in his opening remarks. He stressed that “The agri-food industry is a source of wealth and sustainable employment for Africa. African countries must work together to build on the progress already made.”
Tom Gambrah, founder of Ghana’s Premium Foods, echoed this sentiment, calling for “sustainable and inclusive growth” driven by a strong private sector. He went on to say, “By sharing experiences and ideas, we can shape policies that promote sustainable growth and inclusion in the African agri-food sector.”
Participants in the AALD3 meeting are developing a private sector declaration to be presented at the upcoming ARC33 conference. This declaration underscores the importance of public-private dialogue in fostering a sustainable and inclusive future for Africa’s agri-food sector.
This revised news article focuses on the role of young entrepreneurs, highlights key quotes, and presents the information in a more engaging way.
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