Day Two of #YAW2015

“Progress does not look the same everywhere. In Africa, challenges are challenges, but there are also opportunities to innovate.”

Nigerian-American author and journalist, Dayo Olopade opened day two of the Young Africa Works Summit with a reminder – the solutions to problems like unemployment are not always linear, and a strong preference for formality – or ‘formality bias’ – may lead us to overlook the resilience of the informal sector.

An impressive panel followed Dayo’s keynote. Karen Brooks, from the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research, moderated a discussion between Louise Fox, Sulley Gariba, Thomas Jayne and Irene Annor-Frempong. The discussion focused on the systemic issues that affect the agricultural sector – such as research, extension services and limitations of public policy.

More lively conversation in day two’s breakout discussions focused on Mixed Livelihoods, Demand-Driven Skills Development and Youth Financial Services. These discussions continued in the afternoon sessions on Innovations in Youth Access to Finance and Agri-Finance, and on the Harambee and McKinsey model for demand-driven youth employment programs.

President of Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), Agnes Kilibata delivered the final keynote of the Summit, calling on organizations to collaborate, “If we all work together, we can support each other in building a stronger Africa for youth, for farmers, and for the world”, she said.

Director of Programs, Financial Inclusion and Youth Livelihoods, Ann Miles, closed the Summit with three Youth Delegates, Maureen Gitata, Nickson Mituri and Clarah Zinyama.

The three youth delegates shared their views on the issues that came up over the two-day Summit. Maureen Gitata said, “A message that young people should be hearing is that agriculture is not just production, it is across the value chain.”

Follow the conversation at #YAW2015 and on Storify