Originally published on Forbes.com
As efforts are made across the globe to solve some of the world’s biggest problems—such as poverty, climate change, and food security—we must tap into all available resources. On International World Youth Skills Day, which takes place on July 15 this year, it is critical to shine a light on an important resource with great potential: Africa’s large youth population.
Africa has the youngest and fastest-growing population in the world, set to double in thirty years to nearly a quarter of the world’s population — half of whom will be under 25 by 2050. Strong employment opportunities are vital to achieving food security and reducing poverty. In West Africa specifically, youth constitute the most significant demographic: 60% of the population is under 25 years of age, and of that group, 10% are unemployed. In Senegal and Mali, where myAgro works, youth are the majority, with rural underemployment standing at 31% in Senegal and 17% in Mali.
Most young people are engaged in the informal sector, which is characterized by precarious job security and low income, and which can result in a lack of skill development and migration. And while many young people are eager to find meaningful work, limited access to proper training, skill development, and resources makes it challenging to engage in entrepreneurial ventures and explore their options while also being able to still earn enough to support their families.
There’s an urgent need to prepare young people to engage meaningfully in the workforce. Combating youth underemployment and unemployment by imparting critical skills for a tech-forward workforce will also allow young people to become leaders and change agents who can keep communities healthy and combat the globe’s greatest issues. This need is why it is important to recognize World Youth Skills Day, which is a day marked to celebrate the strategic importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work, and entrepreneurship.
At myAgro, youth are core to our model, not merely because they establish a direct line of communication with the farmers we serve, but because we see the enormous potential of their skills. When youth are given opportunities to generate income and expand their professional skills, they, along with entire communities, benefit.
We hire Village Entrepreneurs (VEs) from within the villages where we work to connect with farmers and share the benefits of farming with myAgro. In this role, VEs earn income, develop new skills, and become further connected to their communities. We first launched our VE program in 2018 with 856 VEs and less than 4 years later, myAgro now works with over 2,700 VEs across Mali and Senegal–and we are growing that number each season.
We invest in our VEs through our Village Entrepreneur Academy which focuses on skills development. During the academy, VEs continuously develop core skills in problem-solving financial planning, project development and planning, digital literacy, one-on-one direct sales skills, and more. These skills empower participants to be autonomous, develop an entrepreneurial mindset, and help to build confidence in their skills and work. While the program does also hire older individuals, we make a concerted effort to focus on youth–especially women–so that their involvement can create a ripple effect within their own homes, villages, and social networks.
Fadima, a VE from Mali, was studying in Bamako before joining myAgro. Unfortunately, she had to put her education on hold when her parents could no longer afford to pay for her studies. Even though her future was uncertain, she was committed to finding a way to return to school. She joined myAgro after hearing about the organization and saw it as an amazing opportunity to earn her own money and support the farmers in her town.
“Now, I am very happy to be here and work for the happiness of my village. I feel that I am respected more, which makes me very proud. This job has allowed me to develop my relationship with the people of the village and get to know them better.”
The income earned has given Fadima the funds she needs to return to school, as she is confident that she can cover the expenses required to study and become a nurse. “At the end of the school year, I will apply as an Open Candidate to take the exams to enter university.”
Fadima has gained financial independence, the opportunity for education, and new professional skills, which is our goal for every young person.
MyAgro intentionally helps young people build entrepreneurial and professional skills, which they use to ensure farmers have a positive experience. VEs grow their skills at myAgro and have opportunities to advance within the organization and expand professionally depending on their career goals.
We invite fellow NGOs, social enterprises, government agencies, and the private sector to implement strategies to support youth through targeted programs that set them up for success.
When young people can access economic well-being, they can become the future leaders that will build stronger communities, increase economic growth, and create powerful solutions.
