At the Africa Food Systems Forum in Kigali, youth in agribusiness called for a fund to support startups in agriculture across Africa. About 200 young entrepreneurs were given a platform to share business ideas, with many expressing the need for financing and support to scale up their projects. Gilbert Niyonkuru, a poultry farmer, emphasized the challenges of land and finance, while others, like Latifah Imanishimwe and Cynthia Umutoniwase, called for better connections to financial institutions and capacity building. The forum also highlighted the inclusion of youth with disabilities, as participants advocated for special attention to marginalized groups in the agricultural sector.
During the event, innovative ideas were recognized, including a project from Mozambique to integrate people with disabilities in agriculture. Rwanda also presented its Food Systems Legacy Programme to potential partners, aiming to create jobs and foster economic growth through investment in agri-food systems.
