The Mastercard Foundation aims to redevelop Nigeria's agro-economy

The International Institute of Topical Agriculture (IITA), has partnered with the Mastercard Foundation in Nigeria to create an agroeconomic project, called the Young Africa Works strategy.

The partnership aims to help 242,724 young Nigerian women and men to secure job opportunities in the agro-economy and food processing chain over the next 5 years.

According to the Mastercard Foundation, the Young Africa Works scheme has promised to give 30 million people in Africa access to “dignified and fulfilling work over the next 10 years”. In Nigeria, Young Africa Works aims to see 10 million young Nigerians, the majority young women, in work opportunities by 2030.

"Agriculture is at the heart of Africa's economic transformation.

“We're focusing on agriculture in Nigeria because we see these opportunities and we will work with partners like IITA to make them visible to young people," said Chidinma Lawanson, Nigeria Country Head at Mastercard Foundation.

The IITA project focuses on building innovative agricultural systems for young people between the ages of 15 and 35 and will support them through entrepreneurship across three Nigerian states, Kaduna, Kano, and Lagos, over the next five years.

According to the Mastercard Foundation, “Youth-sensitive loan and agribusiness support programs will be developed with financial institutions that recognize the specialized needs of young people, especially young women, as agricultural borrowers.

“The program will aim to reduce the risks associated with young people obtaining credit for agricultural investment purposes.”

Photo: IITA