Last week, our team proudly joined forces with the Leventis Foundation (Nigeria), in partnership with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), to host the Agricultural Youth Summit. Held on 6th November 2025 at the Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja, the summit brought together government agencies, development partners and young agripreneurs around a theme that aligns with our vision: "Building Youth and Agripreneurs' Resilience for Agribusiness through Targeted Upskilling and Innovative Agri-Finance Franchises."

The discussions centred on creating essential collaboration, ensuring long-term sustainability, and exploring innovative strategies to empower young people and strengthen their resilience within the agribusiness sector.

Our Director of Programmes, Partnerships and Policy, Mr Maaruf Yakub, delivered a keynote presentation that spoke directly to what we've learnt through years of working with young farmers: training alone isn't enough. Young agripreneurs need an entire support system, access to financing that works for them, connections to viable markets, and mentorship from people who understand their challenges.

‘’Over the past seven years, we've trained more than 9,000 young people in agriculture. Today, over 70% are running their own businesses or working on commercial farms. That success stems from providing wraparound support, not just classroom sessions.''

We're deeply grateful to the Leventis Foundation Nigeria for hosting such a purposeful event and to everyone who shared their insights and experiences. As we continue our work through partnerships with IFAD, the European Union and the African Development Bank, events like these strengthen our resolve.

Together, we're not just training farmers, we're building a generation of resilient, innovative agripreneurs who will secure Africa's food future whilst creating opportunities in their communities.

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