Online Reporter
Richard Muponde
Zimpapers Politics
THE Southern African Development Community (SADC) has successfully held its inaugural Youth in Agrifood Systems Trade Fair Expo, a landmark event aimed at empowering young entrepreneurs and driving innovation in the region’s agricultural sector.
The high-profile expo, held from October 6 to 7 in Gaborone, Botswana, brought together 24 youth delegates from 11 SADC Member States, including Zimbabwe, South Africa, Malawi, and Tanzania, alongside 64 local participants.
The fair showcased a diverse range of agrifood innovations, from groundnut processing and livestock feed production to cutting-edge digital farming solutions.
It attracted key representatives from the private sector, academia, and regional bodies, including the Botswana Vaccine Institute, local insurance firms, and the Botswana University.
Their enthusiastic participation was noted by organisers, who described it as a “growing convergence between youth innovation and industrial development.”
His Excellency Sabdiyo Dido Bashuna, Kenya’s High Commissioner to Botswana, was among those who commended the initiative, calling it “a model for youth inclusion that should inspire similar efforts across Africa.”
SADC Secretariat officials said the expo is a crucial part of broader regional efforts to promote youth employment and regional integration in the agricultural sector.
Dr Maxwell Parakokwa, Senior Programme Officer for Employment, Labour and Youth, said the Secretariat is actively working to strengthen collaboration with National Youth Councils across the SADC bloc.
“We are transitioning from fragmented youth engagement to national associations focused on agrifood systems,” Dr Parakokwa explained.
“This will amplify youth voices and ensure that young agripreneurs play a central role in shaping regional food systems.”
Those who attended the expo called for it to become an annual event rotating among SADC Member States.
They believe this rotation will significantly enhance market access, visibility, and knowledge sharing for young entrepreneurs across the region.
The initiative aligns strategically with the overarching African Agribusiness Youth Strategy, which promotes the integration of youth-led agribusiness into national development and employment policies.
This will be key to building resilient and inclusive economies across the African continent.
