IUCN Celebrates African Youth at the Food Systems Forum in Dakar

Major Challenges for Sustainability and Equity

From the opening of the Forum, speakers emphasized the importance of moving from commitments to concrete acceleration of action. African food systems are under increasing pressure due to ecological degradation, high costs, inequalities, and the impacts of climate change. However, they also offer exceptional opportunities for transformation, especially when countries invest in inclusive governance, fair markets, sustainable production, and social protection.

In response to these challenges, the Forum highlighted the role of youth—innovators, entrepreneurs, and key players in the transition. The transformation of African food systems depends on societies’ ability to integrate biodiversity, climate, and social inclusion into the design of multifunctional and “nature-positive” agricultural landscapes. 

The Central Role of African Youth 

At the heart of the Forum, IUCN participated in several sessions and side events focused on youth mobilization. Emphasis was placed on nature-based solutions (NbS), agroecology, and biodiversity finance. Through training, mentorships, innovation competitions, deal rooms, and model farms, IUCN facilitates youth access to green jobs, entrepreneurship, and financing, with a particular focus on women and rural communities.

During this major gathering, Germain Goungounga took part in in the “Rooted in Action” session, organized around the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and African youth, highlighting the central role of young people in transforming food systems. Through rich contributions and exchanges with partners such as GAFSP (World Bank), FAO, IFAD, and YPARD, Germain emphasized the need to accelerate the adoption of innovative, inclusive, and sustainable practices in the African agri-food sector. 

African Best Practices Promoted by IUCN 

Germain showcased the successes of the GEF-IUCN partnership through flagship projects such as the AAA Nespresso program in the DRC and Uganda, where thousands of young coffee producers were trained in regenerative agriculture, nutrition, and access to premium markets, while strengthening household resilience and restoring agricultural landscapes. These examples show the real impact of nature-positive solutions supported by IUCN. 

Challenges and Prospects for Sustainable African Agriculture 

In his speech, Germain GOUNGOUNGA also highlighted the major challenges faced by producers and rural youth: lack of economic incentives, low adoption of sustainable practices, insufficient policy frameworks, and absence of large-scale partnerships. He called for more tailored financing, the structuring of inclusive partnerships, and the development of model farms to accelerate agroecological transition in Africa. 

Conclusion: Youth, the Engine of Africa’s Food Future 

The message conveyed by IUCN and all speakers is clear: to sustainably transform African food systems, we must start with youth, as engines of innovation and change. The nature-positive and agroecological strategies promoted by IUCN reconcile food, climate, biodiversity, and equity, while giving voice and a central place to the continent’s youth.

As Germain GOUNGOUNGA commented: 

When we invest in committed youth, we sow resilience, hope, and we sustainably prepare the future of our food, our biodiversity, and our resilience—for Africa and for the world.