At the Ibrahim Governance Weekend in Abidjan, the discussion on migration, youth, and employment placed agriculture and technology at the heart of Africa’s future. The author highlights that while Africa holds 60% of the world’s uncultivated arable land, it still imports much of its food — a paradox rooted in decades of neglecting agriculture in favor of resource extraction.
With Africa’s population expected to reach 2 billion by 2030, and over 10 million young people entering the job market each year, creating employment is an urgent challenge. Many youths, facing limited opportunities, seek migration as a solution.
Reviving agriculture through technology and innovation could be the key. Tools like mobile connectivity, data access, and blockchain offer new ways to improve farming efficiency, traceability, and financing. These innovations can help young Africans transform the agricultural sector into a modern, profitable, and sustainable industry.
The author calls for a return to Africa’s roots — to land, collaboration, and shared prosperity — echoing the philosophy of Ubuntu: “I am because we are.” By combining tradition with digital progress, Africa can unlock a new era of inclusive growth and opportunity for its youth.
