(AGRA) - As part of the implementation of the African Agribusiness Youth Strategy of the African Union Dept. of Agriculture, Rural Development , Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (DARBE), The Central African Republic convened the National Youth Agribusiness Dialogue on 27–28 February 2026 at Ledger Plaza Bangui under the theme: “Youth-Led Agrifood Transformation as a Catalyst for Sustainable Development in the Central African Republic.”

Supported by the AUC and AGRA and organized in collaboration with other development partners, the two-day Dialogue brought together government officials, young agripreneurs, innovators, cooperatives, financial institutions, development partners, private sector actors, and members of the diaspora to identify practical solutions to strengthen youth participation in agrifood systems transformation.

Opening the Dialogue, the Minister of Agriculture, H.E. Guismala Hamza, emphasized the strategic importance of the forum.

“I would like to congratulate the young people of the Central African Republic for working tirelessly with AGRA and other development partners to organize this national forum. The participation of youth from across our prefectures and the sub-region demonstrates that agriculture remains the driving force of our country’s economic development,” he stated.

The Dialogue aligns with the AU CAADP Kampala Declaration (2026–2035) and Africa’s collective commitment to ensure that at least 30 percent of youth are meaningfully engaged in agrifood systems. The Dialogue is also contributing to the domestication of the African Agribusiness Youth Strategy (AAYS) of the AU and strengthens evidence-based implementation through the AU led Youth in Agrifood Systems Performance Index (YAPI), reinforcing the country’s commitment to youth inclusion in governance, investment, and climate resilience.

Dr. Janet Edeme, Head of the Rural Development Division and Acting Head of the Agriculture and Food Security Division at the African Union Commission, welcomed the initiative.

“Following the African Agribusiness Youth Strategy Regional Dialogue for Central Africa held in Douala, Cameroon, last year, it is encouraging to see the Central African Republic translating continental commitments into national action. This demonstrates leadership and a clear recognition that youth must be at the center of agrifood systems transformation.”

Throughout the sessions, participants examined governance and accountability mechanisms, access to finance, cooperative structuring, market integration, and communication as strategic tools for influence. A strong consensus emerged: youth must move beyond being perceived as beneficiaries of Policy reforms to becoming active contributors to policy design and implementation.

Josue Cédric Yassarandji, CEO of the Central African Youth Agribusiness, Innovators, and Entrepreneurs Forum, highlighted this shift.

“This Dialogue is not about promises. It is about positioning young people as serious actors in the transformation of our agrifood systems. We are building a generation that understands policy, organizes collectively, and demands accountability.”

Youth participants echoed this sentiment.

“For the first time, we discussed not only our challenges, but how to influence decisions. We now better understand the national frameworks and how to engage institutions strategically,” said one young agripreneur.

Climate resilience and agroecology were central to the discussions. Experts underlined the country’s significant untapped agricultural and livestock potential and emphasized that sustainable, climate-smart production systems are essential for long-term growth in the Central African Republic and the wider region.

Presenting the Youth in Agrifood Systems Performance Index, David Adama, Senior Specialist – Continental and Regional Engagement at AGRA, stressed the importance of evidence in driving reform. Noting that by embedding YAPI within the domestic policy cycles, National Agrifood Systems Investment Plans (NASIP) and sector budget, countries can shift from aspirational youth commitments to accountable youth agrifood systems transformation outcomes.

“YAPI is not just an index; it is a tracking system for accountability. By assessing performance across five key domains, it helps governments and partners identify structural gaps and prioritize reforms. If we want sustainable impact in agrifood systems, we must measure what matters and use that evidence to guide policy and investment decisions.”

Henry Lagat, Lead, Generation Africa Youth Voice & Empowerment, added:

“Empowering young entrepreneurs in agriculture requires breaking barriers and creating frameworks that reduce risk, foster innovation, and improve access to resources. With the right skills and business support, we can turn challenges into tangible opportunities for Central African youth.”

The Dialogue concluded with a shared commitment to strengthen youth representation in governance mechanisms, improve transparency in agricultural institutions, promote structured advocacy, and enhance coordination between government, financial institutions, and development partners.

The National Youth Agribusiness Dialogue reaffirms that investing in young agripreneurs is not only an economic imperative, but a pathway to food security, resilience, and sustainable development in the Central African Republic and the broader Central Africa region.