Empowering youth for sustainable agribusiness growth

Across Eastern Africa, a new generation of young agripreneurs is emerging through the power of digital learning. The Agribusiness e-Academy is equipping students with practical skills, innovation thinking and entrepreneurial knowledge to shape the future of agriculture. By bridging education and real-world experience, the initiative is nurturing confident, skilled and future-ready agribusiness leaders.

The East Africa Edition of the Agribusiness e-Academy Road Tour successfully brought together students, educators and agribusiness stakeholders across Tanzania and Kenya under the theme: “Empowering Tomorrow’s Agribusiness Leaders Through e-Learning.” The tour engaged more than 800 students and faculty members from higher learning institutions, creating a dynamic platform for young people to explore opportunities in modern agribusiness through digital learning, practical knowledge and entrepreneurship.

Through interactive discussions, live demonstrations, and hands-on learning sessions, students gained deeper insights into agribusiness as a sector driven not only by farming, but also by innovation, technology, sustainability and business development.

Building Skills for the Future
Agribusiness is increasingly becoming one of the most important sectors for employment, innovation, and income generation across Africa. However, unlocking this potential requires more than access to land or interest in farming. With the right competencies, youth are better able to understand markets, build enterprises, manage risks, and grow sustainable businesses.

Through the Agribusiness e-Academy, GIZ’s Agri-Business Facility for Africa (ABF) project is equipping youth with the right skills, modern knowledge and digital learning tools needed to succeed in the sector.

The learning platform strengthens capacity in:

• Entrepreneurial and business management skills
• Climate-smart and sustainable agribusiness practices
• Digital learning and self-development opportunities
• Professional competencies for agricultural value chains

By introducing students to practical agribusiness knowledge and tools, the initiative demonstrated how structured knowledge can build confidence, improve decision-making, and support long-term employability and entrepreneurship.

At Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), the Head of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, Dr. Fulgence Mishili, emphasized the critical role of digital learning systems in expanding access to practical skills and strengthening students’ employment opportunities in agribusiness and related sectors.

“The University is strengthening digital systems to enable flexible learning for both students and staff anytime and anywhere. Through this platform, students can access a wide range of courses at their own convenience and earn certifications that strengthen their employability and improve prospects for engaging in professional opportunities,” he added.

Antony Kigaru, Head of Research, Innovation and Partnerships and Lecturer in Crop Science at Bukura Agricultural College, also shared: “As a lecturer, the Agribusiness e-Academy provides me with an opportunity to strengthen my capacity and become a more effective trainer. The courses cover key areas such as production practices, agribusiness planning, entrepreneurial skills, market access, and climate-smart agriculture. Several of my colleagues have also enrolled in various courses, reflecting the value and relevance of the platform for both educators and professionals in the sector.”

Students who participated in the road tour described the experience as both practical and inspiring, noting how the Agribusiness e-Academy complemented classroom learning with real-world knowledge, entrepreneurial skills, and valuable insights into agribusiness opportunities and challenges. Their testimonials reflect the growing demand for accessible, skills-based learning that prepares young people for success in the agricultural sector.

“The Agribusiness e-Academy courses are highly resourceful and complement what we study at university by providing practical knowledge, real-world skills, and exposure beyond the classroom environment. For those of us who had the opportunity to take some of the courses, they have been very helpful in improving our understanding and professional development. Overall, the experience was impactful and motivating for many students.” – Joseph Emmanuel Ngasa,

“The training helped me better understand the key steps involved in developing and managing an agribusiness venture. It also provided valuable insights into addressing market-related challenges, which are often a major obstacle for young people entering crop or livestock production. The knowledge gained has strengthened my confidence and ability to identify opportunities within the agricultural sector.” – Fatuma Mmari

Strengthening Institutional Collaboration for Agribusiness Learning
The road tour was implemented in strong collaboration with leading academic and training institutions across Tanzania, creating a shared platform for advancing agribusiness education and youth empowerment. Key partners included the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), Sokoine University Graduate Entrepreneurs Cooperative (SUGECO), Mbeya University of Science and Technology (MUST), and the Ministry of Agriculture Training Institute (MATI), Ukiriguru.In Kenya, we partnered with CAPYEI Nyandarua, College of Sustainable Agriculture East Africa, Bungoma National Polytechnic, Bukura Agricultural College, Kaimosi Friends College  and Sigalagala National Polytechnic.

The strong engagement, curiosity and active participation of students reflected a growing generation ready to explore agribusiness as a pathway for innovation, income generation, and long-term impact.

Sustaining Impact Beyond the Road Tour
The Agribusiness e-Academy is part of a broader effort to strengthen skills, expand access to knowledge and build a a new generation of skilled, climate-conscious and entrepreneurial agribusiness leaders across Africa.

By embedding e-learning within institutions and making knowledge accessible beyond project cycles, ABF contributes to long-term system, strengthening agribusiness skills and practice.

The Agribusiness e-Academy is an initiative Agri-Business Facility for Africa (ABF) as part of the Joint Action "Business Support Facility for Resilient Agricultural Value Chains", co-financed by the European Union under the Samoa agreement with OACPS and by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ.