Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), underscored the critical importance of investing in youth within Nigeria's agricultural sector during his keynote address at the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa Primates and Wives’ Retreat. Speaking on "Food Security and Financial Sustainability in Africa: The Role of the Church," Adesina highlighted the transformative potential of youth in agriculture and shared success stories of young entrepreneurs revitalizing the sector.
Adesina, a former Minister of Agriculture, recalled his decision to wear a bowtie during his ministerial tenure to make agriculture more appealing to young Nigerians. This effort was part of a broader strategy to rebrand agriculture as a viable career path for the youth. He urged religious and governmental leaders to support AfDB's Enable Youth in Agriculture programme, a $490 million initiative fostering youth-led agri-businesses across Africa. The programme has already supported 41,000 businesses and created 63,000 jobs, demonstrating significant economic growth potential.
Addressing the issue of youth migration, Adesina shared his emotional visit to Goree Island in Senegal, a historic site of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. He drew parallels between past forced migrations and current dangerous journeys taken by young Africans seeking better opportunities abroad. Adesina stressed that Africa's future depends on creating equitable growth and quality jobs within the continent.
He also called for the establishment of new financial institutions, like entrepreneurship investment banks, to support young entrepreneurs. He criticized current financial systems for their unrealistic demands on young people, hindering their ability to secure funding. Adesina condemned superficial political empowerment programmes and advocated for substantial investments in youth businesses and ideas to drive sustainable development.
Adesina noted AfDB's recent commitments, including $16 million for Liberia's Entrepreneurship Investment Bank and $32 million for Ethiopia, reflecting the bank's dedication to empowering Africa's youth.
Most Rev. Jackson Ole Sapit, Vice Chairman of the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa (CAPA) and Archbishop of Kenya, echoed Adesina's sentiments. He called for a unified African Church and resource mobilisation, emphasizing that African solutions should address African problems rather than relying on Western prescriptions. Sapit highlighted the potential synergy between AfDB and the church in mobilising resources and communities for holistic transformation. He advocated for leveraging local Church gatherings as platforms for learning and knowledge sharing to drive meaningful change.
