Employment (ENABLE), the youth component of the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) program, is a flagship of IYA, dedicated to supporting youth-led agribusiness start-ups. The project is structured to design, manage and implement youth empowerment initiatives while showcasing innovative financing models through various agribusiness frameworks. Initially implemented in seven countries – Nigeria, Republic of Benin, DR Congo, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Zambia – ENABLE TAAT has been instrumental in introducing young people to modern agricultural techniques, enabling economic prosperity, expanding employment prospects, promoting agribusiness enterprises and reducing food imports by increasing agricultural production. The project is developing the skills of participants to increase value addition to select commodities, and the adoption and integration of key agricultural technologies pioneered by TAAT, thereby strengthening food and nutrition security across Africa and has now expanded to other locations such as Sierra Leone, Somalia et al through new innovations and interventions such as the SYMURF and TSF programs.

SYMUF Overview

Farming (SYMUF) initiative, was launched by the African Development Bank (AFDB) in 2022. The initiative aims to address unemployment and improve the livelihoods of youth and young farmers, particularly those attracted to urban farming in Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda. In the DRC, the AFDB partnered with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA-Bukavu) to implement the project. Leveraging another initiative funded by AFDB- Empowering Novel Agri-Business Led Employment (ENABLE) Youth Program, SYMUF has engaged young people in agribusiness and provided them with essential technical skills required for operating a profitable agribusiness enterprise. This includes training in climate-smart agricultural practices, technological advances, market and financial linkages, and professional mentorship. In addition, each participant has received training in developing a viable business plan and the skills required to establish and manage sustainable micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in agriculture.

Through these concerted efforts, SYMUF aims not only to create employment opportunities but also to empower young entrepreneurs to build resilient and thriving agribusinesses, thereby promoting economic growth and sustainability in the participating countries.