Jacob’s Ladder Africa (JLA) recently joined forces with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) to conduct a series of impactful country convenings across West Africa. This initiative, which took place in September in Burkina Faso, Togo, Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, and Senegal, had a clear mission: to amplify the voices and roles of youth and women in climate action and inclusive agricultural transformation.
Fostering Youth Entrepreneurship in Agriculture
The convenings focused on strengthening youth entrepreneurship ecosystems within the agricultural sector in the face of climate change. Discussions were framed within the context of current and projected African labor markets, emphasizing major continental levers for youth employment in Sub-Saharan Africa. The key focus areas included:
- Enhancing youth access to resources, skills, and information
- Addressing political, social, and environmental challenges in agri-food systems
- Identifying barriers and opportunities for youth in agriculture
- Designing gender-inclusive policies to support young female farmers
- Exploring knowledge-sharing platforms for youth
- Mapping institutional support from governments and NGOs for climate-resilient agriculture
Collaborative Approach
Building on previous scoping studies and recommendations, the convenings employed various engagement tools, including presentations, breakout sessions, and working groups. This approach ensured comprehensive discussions and actionable outcomes.
Aligning with Organizational Missions
AGRA’s focus on scaling agricultural innovations aligns perfectly with JLA’s mission to activate 30 million jobs in the green economy by 2033. This partnership exemplifies JLA’s commitment to creating, co-creating, and implementing advocacy campaigns that increase awareness, engagement, and stakeholder integration in the green economy.
Through such collaborations, JLA continues to drive youth empowerment and catalyze the transition to a sustainable, climate-resilient agricultural sector across Africa.
