The Young Africa Works project is set to incorporate 40,000 Nigerian youth in agribusiness skill development and entrepreneurial opportunities over the next five years. Backed by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, the project was designed to enable youths access to dignified work opportunities all over Africa.

The focus of the project in Nigeria is to get 10 million young Nigerians, majorly women, to access the opportunities, particularly in the agricultural sector by 2030. The youths will be exposed to agribusiness development, value addition techniques as well as mentoring for the participants to grow their businesses. The participants will also be refined agriculture product marketing skills, market linkages, and career orientation through job placements and internship opportunities.

Speaking on the development, Executive Manager, Young Africa Works-IITA project, Aline Musigho, while lauding the impact of the youths in Nigeria, said the project was critical in creating opportunities for many. “There will be no development in Nigeria without the youth. The best way to end poverty is to create opportunities, and this is what this project is all about. By creating career opportunities and youth-led enterprises, we are planting a seed of change for the next generation.

“It is in this line that the Young Africa Works-IITA project was developed by the youth, for the youth, and with the youth,” he said. On her part, Country Head at MasterCard Foundation, Chidinma Lawanson said, “Agriculture is among the most viable potential source of employment for young people in Africa.

“We are excited to see how our Young Africa Works partnership with IITA will make the agricultural sector more attractive to young people, particularly women by providing skills training in the agriculture value chain for employment and entrepreneurship opportunities”.

To kick-start the project’s activities, IITA launched a call for application to young women and men between the age of 18 and 35 years living in Lagos, Kano, and Kaduna.

Applicants are advised to visit www.youthagripreneurs.org/young-africa-works-iita or contact: 09062081803, 09062081804, 09020957065 or youngafricaworks-iita@cgiar.org.

The applications will remain open up until the 12th day of December 2020.

Source: AgroNigeria