The opening ceremony of the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) 2025 brought together heads of state, policymakers, and representatives of global development organizations. Among the keynote speakers was Dr. Paulin Basinga, Africa Director at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, who delivered a strong endorsement of youth-focused agricultural initiatives across the continent.
Dr. Basinga underscored a striking demographic reality: Africa’s youth population is projected to grow by 55% by 2050. Far from viewing this as a challenge, he described it as a monumental opportunity to create well-paying jobs and lift millions out of poverty. He stressed that investing in agri-food systems is key to harnessing this demographic dividend.
He highlighted the work of organizations such as AGRA, which, in partnership with others, equips young entrepreneurs with the tools, skills, and opportunities needed to thrive in modern agriculture. According to him, some program participants are now earning up to seven times the national minimum wage.
“This is what true transformation looks like,” Dr. Basinga said, noting that success is not only about boosting yields but also about equity, sustainable livelihoods, and stronger communities.
Technology, he added, is accelerating this change. From digital platforms providing real-time weather forecasts to smart tools for fertilizer use, innovations are making farming more efficient and profitable for smallholder farmers.
Dr. Basinga reaffirmed the Gates Foundation’s commitment to supporting African-led solutions. He urged governments, philanthropies, and the private sector to collaborate, remove barriers, and scale up effective approaches. Every investment, he emphasized, must go further by driving innovation and maximizing impact.
Closing the ceremony, he called on leaders to place youth at the center of development strategies, insisting that empowering Africa’s next generation is the surest path to securing the continent’s future. He praised AGRA’s deep roots and relentless efforts, describing its partnership with the Gates Foundation as a model of global-local collaboration capable of delivering large-scale agricultural transformation.
“With partnerships like these,” Dr. Basinga concluded, “a prosperous and food-secure Africa is not just a vision—it is a possible reality.”
