PRESS RELEASE 20 youth emerge as winners of the first ever Africa Youth in Agribusiness Day Challenge. Accra, Ghana. 23 rd October 2017 An

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1 PRESS RELEASE 20 youth emerge as winners of the first ever Africa Youth in Agribusiness Day Challenge. Accra, Ghana. 23 rd October 2017 An eight-member panel of experts from across the agribusiness sector has today released results of the first ever Africa Youth in Agribusiness Day Challenge, listing 20 youth as the winners for The 20 youth made history this year as the first group to front youth views on participation in agribusiness, job creation and innovation backed by existing opportunities in continent-wide agricultural policies and agribusiness incubation. We have invested with partners to give youth agriprenuers in Africa a platform to showcase their innovations. However to add to the efforts made, we realised that the youth required a competitive platform that could increase their ability to develop key skills of communications and relevant research. In that way, we believe that the sector can have more practical entrepreneurs and youth leaders who can also communicate effectively to spur development in a development-oriented manner. We appreciate and congratulate the participants Dr Alex Ariho, Chief Executive Officer at the African Agribusiness Incubators Network (AAIN). An open door to opportunities The 20 winners are set to acquire support from AAIN to travel to agribusiness incubators, acquire direct linkage to sector mentors and have their essays published jointly in the first ever continental compendium of youth views on agricultural sector participation and innovative job creation through agribusiness incubation, among other prizes. While 2017 comes with the second Africa Youth in Agribusiness Day, the Challenge is the first of its kind hence the social media trend #AfricaYouthinAg2. The youth will also be recognised at the 2017 Africa Agribusiness Incubation Conference and Expo scheduled to take place from the 8 th to the 10 th of November 2017 in Dakar Senegal.

2 The winners for 2017 The youth who have made history, having been selected by the panel are as listed below: Full name Country 1. Mary Lili Mwema Kenya 2. Ankrah Daniel Ghana 3. Chanda Karen Chalwe Zambia 4. Nshalanyofi Mugisho Christian Democratic Republic of Congo 5. Okunogbe Sunday Olawale Nigeria 6. Vienna Okone Kenya 7. Adione Egom Chuks Nigeria 8. Harrison Emu Nigeria 9. Alpha Ntayomba Tanzania 10. Utibe N. UKO Nigeria 11. Kibiwot Geoffry Kenya 12. Adebowale Oparinu Nigeria 13. Tumukunde Gloria Uganda 14. Bright Ebiasuode Kemasuode Nigeria 15. Daniel Kapinga Tanzania 16. Linnet Nyandia Kamau Kenya 17. Ubwiza Chiyungi Zambia 18. Alphonsus Ugochukwu Utazi Nigeria 19. Aliu Oluwafemi Royal Nigeria 20. Byrone Paul Kenya

3 Notes to Editors: About the Africa Youth in Agribusiness Day The Africa Youth in Agribusiness Day was launched in response to a Declaration presented by Agribusiness sector Youth Leaders before a panel that was led by the then African Union Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, Her Excellency Rhoda Peace Tumusiime. The youth called and committed, within the context of the ENABLE youth programme, CAADP, Malabo Declaration, Science Agenda for Agriculture in Africa (S3A), AU Agenda 2063, Africa Youth Charter and the Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA) and in view of the a series of observations, to: 1. Pursuing a renewed and vigorous emphasis to institutionalize youth engagement in agribusiness incubation as a policy in Africa to attract investment, intensify production and value addition; 2. Urging African Governments to recognize the Youth as a de Nuevo public resource, human capital and force for change that will drive agripreneurship and innovations in the agribusiness value chain; 3. Pursuing strategies that encourage and support public investment, private investment, and use of public-private partnerships to finance youth agribusiness and facilitate capacity building through technical and agripreneurial skills training; 4. Positioning the knowledge-based and innovation-led economy, guided by structured fore sighting, to drive agribusiness development in Africa; 5. Developing, adopting and implementing the Africa-wide strategy, action and investment plan for youth agribusiness incubation; 6. Advocating for increased support and engagement of the youth in policy making and programme implementation for agribusiness incubation in Africa; 7. Supporting, under the aegis of strategic collaborators, mentors, local and international alliances, develop win-win mutually beneficial partnerships which address critical capacity needs for sustainable agribusiness development. This includes networking amongst universities-research businesses and engagement with communities and financial institutions to: provide opportunities for youth to establish innovative agriculture and agribusinesses, raise agribusiness skills and economic opportunities, advance youth-led agribusiness networks and provide interactive agricultural information services, raise awareness of gender issues among youth and provide opportunity for agribusiness advancement to women, improve agribusiness skills among graduates from vocational, tertiary and higher education; 8. Creating funds and funding/support mechanisms for youth in agribusiness incubation and commercializing innovative technologies for value addition, productivity and competitiveness.

4 With the first Africa Youth in Agribusiness Day having been celebrated in 2016, the Africa Youth in Agribusiness Day Challenge was introduced prior to the celebration of the second edition in Dakar, Senegal during the annual conference. Objectives of the Challenge The Africa Youth in Agribusiness Day Challenge was introduced to Popularise the annual Africa Youth in Agribusiness Day and its related objectives as a continental platform for the youth Spur youth interest in data, research and economic statistics regarding agribusiness in Africa through a competitive environment Propagate understanding of continental policy and targets for agricultural development including CAADP, the Malabo Declaration and African Union Agenda 2063 among others Nurture a generation of young Agriprenuers who appreciate the role of effective communication as well as use of modern communication platforms and tools to express their views and share knowledge Collate youth views regarding their participation and general progress in the agribusiness subsector of Africa Entry criteria To participate in the 2nd Annual Africa Youth in Agribusiness Day Challenge, youth between the ages of 18 and 35 were required to: Get acquainted with the history of the Africa Youth in Agribusiness Day and the Africa Agribusiness Incubation Conference and Expo Research about global business incubation, opportunities in ICT integration in agribusiness, AAIN core investment areas, the 2017 theme of the African Union, the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) and Agenda Structure and submit essays (maximum 1000 words) with the title Youth in Africa, the time is now. We can take agribusiness development and job creation to the next level and submit them by with subject line 2nd Africa Youth in Agribusiness Day Challenge to info@africaain.org before the 1st of September, 2017.

5 The panel of experts Dr Cris Muyunda Vice President CAADP Non State Actors Coalition (CNC) Muturi Kimani Director AfriBanana Products Limited Dr Nalishebo Meebelo Senior Coordinator New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition African Union Commission (AUC) Prof George Tumwesigye Board Secretary African Agribusiness Incubators Network (AAIN) Cheick A. Diarra Chief Executive Officer Mali Agribusiness Incubation Hub (MAIH-TETELISO) Regional Coordinator for West Africa Apollo Segawa Managing Director Consortium for University Responsiveness to Agribusiness Development (CURAD) Providence Mavubi Associate Director Youth Engagement in Agribusiness Trade and Investment African Agribusiness Incubators Network (AAIN) Solomon Kalema Musisi Communications and Public Relations Manager African Agribusiness Incubators Network (AAIN)

6 About the African Agribusiness Incubators Network (AAIN) The African Agribusiness Incubators Network (AAIN) morphed from the Universities, Business and Research in Agricultural Innovations (UniBRAIN), which was implemented by the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA). It has been established to fill the vital gap in Africa s Agribusiness Incubation ecosystem. AAIN s mandate is to incubate African agribusiness Incubators with the goal of creating urgently needed jobs and wealth, especially for African women, men and youths. AAIN s vision is to be the hub of innovation for African agri-business incubation and its mission is to incubate agri-business incubators through advancing entrepreneurial talent, networking, integrating science and technology for job and wealth creation in Africa. AAIN is registered in Accra, Ghana, as an international private sector entity with regional and liaison offices in Kenya, Rwanda, Mali, Uganda, South Africa, Senegal, Nigeria, Zambia, Malawi, Botswana, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Congo DRC, Tanzania and Benin. The Network is membership based, comprising of incubators, research organizations, government agencies, individuals, SMEs, and associations or firms focused on agribusiness incubation. By implementing its mandate AAIN adds value to the African Union Commission s Business Plan and Agenda 2063 as well AfDB TAAT. Website: Contacts for more information: Dr. Alex Ariho Chief Executive Officer African Agribusiness Incubators Network (AAIN) alexariho@africaain.org Solomon Kalema Musisi Communications and Public Relations Manager African Agribusiness Incubators Network (AAIN) solomonkalema@africaain.org