* This guest op-ed article was written by Abass Mbathie, AfriFOODlinks youth ambassador from Dakar, Senegal, as part of “Youth Voices,” ICLEI’s guest op-ed and blog series, featuring insights from young changemakers.

As Africa faces a triple emergency (climate, food and social), the transformation of its food systems is becoming a vital necessity. This article highlights the central role of African youth in this transition. Through concrete examples, it demonstrates how young people are combining innovation, local roots and environmental awareness to build fairer and more resilient food systems. The article calls for greater recognition of young people’s potential in food policy development, as well as structural support for their initiatives.

The urgent need for food transformation in Africa

The AfriFOODlinks project, which aims to connect African territories around sustainable food practices, highlights the need for systemic transition. This transformation cannot happen without the structured and ambitious involvement of African youth. 

The African continent is at a crossroads. On the one hand, it is rich in natural resources, has a dynamic young population and still has arable land. On the other, it faces growing food insecurity, dependence on imports and ecosystem degradation. According to FAO, more than 280 million Africans suffer from chronic undernourishment. Added to this are the effects of climate change, conflicts and rural-urban inequalities. It is therefore essential to radically rethink our food systems, not only in terms of production, but also in terms of governance, values and solidarity chains. 

African youth: A driving force for change

Young people represent more than 60% of the African population. Too often seen as a group that needs to be trained or supervised, they are already agents of change. In several regions, young people are developing agroecological projects, digital platforms to promote local products, and innovative cooperatives.

In Senegal, for instance, the Récolte Numérique Solidaire project, led by committed young people, combats food waste by facilitating the redistribution of unsold agricultural products via a mobile app. This type of initiative demonstrates that by combining digital technology, solidarity and local knowledge, young people can build bridges between innovation and justice.

Furthermore, young people are often the first to experiment with alternative forms of governance: Horizontal cooperatives, participatory guarantee systems, and connected local markets. They embody a renewal of agricultural and commercial practices that are more ethical, more ecological, and more inclusive. 

This pioneering role is not insignificant. As Olivier De Schutter, former United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to food, stated, “Young people are the pioneers of a citizen-led, social and ecological agriculture that empowers local communities.”  This ability to transform local food governance is evident in the horizontal cooperatives, participatory guarantee systems and local digital markets that they are experimenting with in the field.

Examples of youth-led transformative actions

Community agroecology: Young people in rural areas, particularly in Burkina Faso, Senegal and Benin, are learning about agroecology and passing on this knowledge to other farmers. They are restoring soils, promoting biodiversity and reducing dependence on chemical inputs.

Digital short supply chains: Start-ups such as Jangolo (Cameroon) and Sikana (Kenya) enable producers to sell directly to consumers, reducing post-harvest losses and promoting local products. 

Education and awareness-raising: In several countries, networks of young ambassadors are running awareness campaigns on sustainable food, the right to food, and the food sovereignty of local communities. One such network is the AfriFOODlinks youth ambassadorship. Through the program, young leaders have created murals, hosted events, and shared stories that spotlight local food challenges and solutions. These activities not only amplify youth voices but also connect communities and inspire collective action for more sustainable urban food systems.

What are the conditions for success for an inclusive transition?

Despite their dynamism, young people face many obstacles: Limited access to land, financing, technical training, and institutional recognition. For their potential to truly transform food systems, it is crucial to:

1. Create funds dedicated to youth food initiatives, with simplified access; 
2. Include young people in local and national food governance bodies; 
3. Support frugal and digital innovations led by young people;
4. Promote intergenerational exchanges between traditional knowledge and modern approaches; 
5. Strengthen pan-African networks of young people committed to sustainable food. 

Towards youth-led food sovereignty 

The future of African food systems depends on a radical transition towards sustainability, equity and resilience. Young people are not actors who need to be trained or waited for; they are already on the move, in farms, markets, start-ups and activist networks. By giving them the confidence, resources and space to act, Africa can build food sovereignty rooted in African territories, cultures and solidarity. The food transition will not succeed without, or against, young people. It will happen with them or not at all. 

By joining initiatives such as AfriFOODlinks, young Africans can strengthen their impact, share their knowledge and actively participate in the co-construction of sustainable, inclusive and resilient African food systems. 

* About the author

Abass Mbathie is a young Senegalese leader committed to issues of sustainable development, food security and the social and solidarity economy. As the AfriFOODlinks ambassador in Dakar, founder of the Abass National Foundation and initiator of the Récolte Numérique Solidaire project, he has represented Senegalese youth and Africa at several international forums and meetings.