East African Community (EAC) Partner States have been urged to work with financial institutions to design affordable and flexible loan products for young agripreneurs. The appeal aims to resolve access to finance, one of the biggest barriers preventing youth from joining the agriculture sector.
The call was made in Nairobi, Kenya, during the East African Youth in Agri-Food Systems Expo 2025 (EAYASE 2025), organised by the East African Community (EAC) in partnership with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).
The Expo brought together youth agribusiness exhibitors from across the region, including young women and vulnerable groups, as well as policymakers, private sector actors and development partners. The platform supported knowledge exchange, innovation displays, capacity building, policy dialogue and investment matchmaking to advance youth employment and agribusiness.
EAC Partner States were encouraged to strengthen policy and regulatory frameworks that support climate-smart agriculture and the use of technologies such as drones, digital systems and precision tools. They were also urged to introduce incentives such as tax exemptions, affordable credit and investment in essential infrastructure to enhance youth competitiveness across agricultural value chains.
The meeting asked the EAC Secretariat and Partner States to mobilise financial and technical resources to create a regional flagship programme on youth in agribusiness. The programme is expected to support innovation, attract investment and promote inclusive growth. Delegates also requested the EAC Secretariat and AGRA to establish the EAYASE 2025 Network of Youth Champions to support long-term mentorship for young innovators.
Delegates called for the Expo to become a permanent regional platform for monitoring progress and strengthening youth inclusion in agri-food systems.
During the opening ceremony, the EAC Deputy Secretary General for Infrastructure, Productive, Social and Political Sectors, Andrea Ariik, said agriculture remains central to the region’s economy as it sustains millions of East Africans and anchors food security and economic development.
“Limited access to finance, markets and technical skills remains a major challenge for our young people. This is why youth empowerment is at the centre of the EAC Youth Strategy and aligned with the African Union’s Agenda 2063,” he said.
Representing the Government of Kenya, Dr Peter Orangi said youth have transformed agriculture through technology and innovation and now play an active role as entrepreneurs.
Joel Imitira of the Food and Agriculture Organization described youth as key partners in reshaping Africa’s food systems and stressed the role of digital tools in closing market information gaps.
Boaz Keizire of AGRA announced a new Youth Performance Index to track progress in youth empowerment and praised the EAC for its commitment to integration. Ms Betty Kibaara of the Rockefeller Foundation encouraged young agripreneurs to pursue agribusiness as a path to Africa’s economic future.
The meeting ended with a renewed call to institutionalise the East African Youth in Agri-Food Systems Expo as a permanent platform for promoting youth inclusion, innovation, partnerships and accountability.
