Imagine a future where young people are at the forefront of feeding a continent! That vision came to life at the inaugural Youth in Agrifood Systems Trade Fair Expo, hosted by the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Held in Gaborone, Botswana, from October 6th to 7th, 2025, this event was a vibrant showcase of youthful innovation and regional collaboration.
The Expo brought together 24 youth delegates from across the SADC region, alongside 64 local participants. These young agripreneurs, representing 11 SADC Member States – Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe – converged with a shared passion: to revolutionize agriculture.
Over two action-packed days, attendees witnessed firsthand the ingenuity of these young entrepreneurs. They showcased their expertise in diverse areas, from the practicalities of groundnut and chili processing to the cutting edge of feed production and digital technologies. These ventures are not just businesses; they are a direct response to SADC's strategic goal of creating sustainable employment opportunities for youth, who make up the majority of the region's population.
The event's official opening by the Deputy Permanent Secretary of Botswana's Ministry of Lands and Agriculture underscored the government's dedication to youth-led initiatives. Furthermore, the presence of H.E. Sabdiyo Dido Bashuna, the Kenyan High Commissioner to Botswana, added a layer of continental diplomatic support, demonstrating the widespread interest in youth-driven agricultural transformation.
Private sector involvement was also notable. Companies from Botswana, including those in insurance and the Botswana Vaccine Institute (BVI), as well as the Botswana University, actively participated. Key representatives from SADC’s Directorate of Industrial Development and Trade and the Directorate of Social and Human Capital Development were also present, highlighting the Expo's importance in fostering youth empowerment and inclusive economic growth.
But here's where it gets interesting: The youth participants themselves advocated for the Expo to become an annual event, rotating between SADC Member States. This would not only enhance regional visibility but also facilitate greater knowledge exchange and market access for young agripreneurs.
During discussions, Dr. Maxwell Parakokwa, a Senior Programme Officer at the SADC Secretariat, revealed ongoing efforts to strengthen collaboration with National Youth Councils. The plan is to move beyond council-based engagement to establish national youth associations focused specifically on agrifood systems. The aim? To improve coordination, amplify youth voices, and deepen their involvement in agricultural development.
The Trade Fair Expo was perfectly aligned with the African Agribusiness Youth Strategy (AAYS), a continent-wide framework. This strategy supports regional and national efforts to develop youth agribusiness strategies, integrate them into National Agricultural Investment Plans (NAIPs), and align with Youth Employment Strategies. The Expo served as a dynamic platform for youth to network, share experiences, and identify the obstacles hindering their effective participation in agrifood systems. This is all about laying the groundwork for greater innovation, enterprise development, and regional cooperation.
What do you think? Do you believe that empowering young people in agriculture is key to a sustainable future? Share your thoughts in the comments below – do you agree with the focus on national youth associations, or do you see other avenues for maximizing youth impact? Let's discuss!
