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EAC Launches YASE: A Game-Changer for Youth in Agrifood Systems
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Jul 03, 2026
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The East African Community (EAC) has taken a landmark step towards institutionalizing youth participation in agriculture by establishing the Youth in Agri-Food Systems in EAC (YASE) Platform. For the first time, young people across East Africa will have a formal, regionally recognized mechanism to shape policies, investment, innovation, and the future of agri-food systems.
During the 19th Session of the EAC Sectoral Council on Agriculture and Food Security (SCAFS), held in Dar es Salaam on 3 July 2026, Ministers adopted the Terms of Reference for YASE and directed the establishment of the Platform. This marks a significant shift—from youth being viewed primarily as beneficiaries of agricultural programmes to becoming structured contributors to regional policy dialogue, investment, innovation, and agricultural transformation.
What is YASE and Why Does It Matter?
YASE is the first formal regional platform bringing together young people across the agri-food systems value chain—from farmers, processors and agribusiness entrepreneurs to researchers, innovators and agri-tech leaders.
With its Terms of Reference formally adopted, YASE now has a clear governance structure, defined mandate and institutional recognition within the EAC framework. Members will serve a single two-year non-renewable term, ensuring both continuity in implementation and regular renewal of leadership and ideas.
Importantly, YASE will not operate only at the regional level. Partner States have committed to establishing and strengthening national YASE affiliates, creating a coordinated structure that connects grassroots youth organizations with national and regional decision-making processes. This provides a clear pathway for young people's voices to influence agricultural development from the community level through national structures to the East African Community.
From Commitment to Action
The decisions of the Sectoral Council demonstrate that youth inclusion is now a regional policy priority.
Partner States have been urged to:
- Review, harmonize and implement youth-responsive policies and programmes aligned with the CAADP Kampala Declaration (2026–2035), Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals.
- Collaborate with financial institutions and development partners to design youth-friendly agribusiness financing that is accessible, affordable and responsive to the needs of young entrepreneurs.
- Create enabling environments for climate-smart and precision agriculture, including the adoption of digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, drones, smart farming solutions and digital agribusiness platforms.
- Introduce incentives—including tax measures, youth-friendly financing schemes and investments in enabling infrastructure—to strengthen youth participation and competitiveness across agricultural value chains.
At the regional level, the EAC Secretariat has also been directed to mobilize dedicated financial and technical resources for a flagship programme on youth in agribusiness, creating a catalytic platform for innovation, investment and inclusive economic growth across the region.
Building a Connected Ecosystem: YASE, the Portal and EAYASE
YASE forms part of a broader regional ecosystem designed to empower young people in agriculture.
A key component of this ecosystem is the EAC Youth in Agribusiness Portal, which is scheduled for official launch by 30 August 2026. The Portal will serve as a regional gateway to opportunities, information, financing, knowledge resources and networks for young people engaged in agriculture and agribusiness.
Its implementation will be guided by a comprehensive roadmap covering governance, communication, resource mobilization, monitoring and evaluation, and coordination with Partner States. National focal points will also play a key role in ensuring young people can easily access and benefit from the Portal.
To strengthen implementation across the region, the EAC Secretariat will undertake targeted capacity-building missions in Partner States focusing on the CAADP Kampala Declaration (2026–2035), the Regional Agri-Food Systems Investment Plan (RASIP), the EAC Youth in Agribusiness Portal and the YASE Platform. These initiatives will ensure that national focal points and youth representatives share a common understanding of regional priorities and implementation approaches.
The Council further committed to institutionalizing the East African Youth in Agri-Food Systems Expo (EAYASE) as a recurring regional platform for showcasing innovation, promoting partnerships, sharing knowledge, tracking progress and addressing barriers to meaningful youth participation in agriculture.
In advancing YASE, the Youth in Agribusiness Portal and EAYASE, the EAC acknowledges the invaluable financial and technical support provided by AGRA, whose partnership has been instrumental in designing and operationalizing these youth-focused regional initiatives.
Together, these initiatives represent the emergence of a more coordinated, visible and impactful ecosystem for youth engagement in East Africa's agri-food systems.
What This Means for Young People
For young people engaged in agriculture and agribusiness, this represents a historic opportunity.
For the first time:
- Young people have a formal regional platform through which they can influence agricultural policies and programmes.
- There is growing regional commitment to developing financing tailored to youth-led enterprises.
- Climate-smart agriculture, digital innovation and modern technologies are being actively promoted.
- Regional systems are being established to connect young people with markets, information, partnerships and investment opportunities.
The establishment of YASE demonstrates that youth are no longer viewed simply as beneficiaries of agricultural development, but as strategic partners in transforming East Africa's agri-food systems.
Co-Creating the Future of YASE
As YASE moves into implementation, the EAC is committed to ensuring that young people actively shape the Platform's future.
The Secretariat, working alongside Partner States, will engage youth in defining:
- How the regional YASE Platform should operate in practice, including its priorities, governance and engagement mechanisms.
- How national YASE affiliates should be established, recognized and linked with existing youth organizations and grassroots structures.
Young people across East Africa are therefore encouraged to:
- Share ideas on how YASE can best represent and support youth within their countries and across the region.
- Participate in national and regional dialogues on establishing YASE affiliates and strengthening connections between grassroots organizations and regional processes.
- Prepare to engage through the EAC Youth in Agribusiness Portal and participate in upcoming consultations, capacity-building activities and regional youth events.
The establishment of YASE marks the beginning of a new chapter for youth participation in East Africa's agri-food systems. Its success will depend not only on the commitments made by Ministers and Partner States, but also on the leadership, innovation and collaboration of young people across the region. Together, YASE, the EAC Youth in Agribusiness Portal and the East African Youth in Agri-Food Systems Expo provide a strong foundation for building a more inclusive, innovative and resilient agricultural future for East Africa.
During the 19th Session of the EAC Sectoral Council on Agriculture and Food Security (SCAFS), held in Dar es Salaam on 3 July 2026, Ministers adopted the Terms of Reference for YASE and directed the establishment of the Platform. This marks a significant shift—from youth being viewed primarily as beneficiaries of agricultural programmes to becoming structured contributors to regional policy dialogue, investment, innovation, and agricultural transformation.
What is YASE and Why Does It Matter?
YASE is the first formal regional platform bringing together young people across the agri-food systems value chain—from farmers, processors and agribusiness entrepreneurs to researchers, innovators and agri-tech leaders.
With its Terms of Reference formally adopted, YASE now has a clear governance structure, defined mandate and institutional recognition within the EAC framework. Members will serve a single two-year non-renewable term, ensuring both continuity in implementation and regular renewal of leadership and ideas.
Importantly, YASE will not operate only at the regional level. Partner States have committed to establishing and strengthening national YASE affiliates, creating a coordinated structure that connects grassroots youth organizations with national and regional decision-making processes. This provides a clear pathway for young people's voices to influence agricultural development from the community level through national structures to the East African Community.
From Commitment to Action
The decisions of the Sectoral Council demonstrate that youth inclusion is now a regional policy priority.
Partner States have been urged to:
- Review, harmonize and implement youth-responsive policies and programmes aligned with the CAADP Kampala Declaration (2026–2035), Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals.
- Collaborate with financial institutions and development partners to design youth-friendly agribusiness financing that is accessible, affordable and responsive to the needs of young entrepreneurs.
- Create enabling environments for climate-smart and precision agriculture, including the adoption of digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, drones, smart farming solutions and digital agribusiness platforms.
- Introduce incentives—including tax measures, youth-friendly financing schemes and investments in enabling infrastructure—to strengthen youth participation and competitiveness across agricultural value chains.
At the regional level, the EAC Secretariat has also been directed to mobilize dedicated financial and technical resources for a flagship programme on youth in agribusiness, creating a catalytic platform for innovation, investment and inclusive economic growth across the region.
Building a Connected Ecosystem: YASE, the Portal and EAYASE
YASE forms part of a broader regional ecosystem designed to empower young people in agriculture.
A key component of this ecosystem is the EAC Youth in Agribusiness Portal, which is scheduled for official launch by 30 August 2026. The Portal will serve as a regional gateway to opportunities, information, financing, knowledge resources and networks for young people engaged in agriculture and agribusiness.
Its implementation will be guided by a comprehensive roadmap covering governance, communication, resource mobilization, monitoring and evaluation, and coordination with Partner States. National focal points will also play a key role in ensuring young people can easily access and benefit from the Portal.
To strengthen implementation across the region, the EAC Secretariat will undertake targeted capacity-building missions in Partner States focusing on the CAADP Kampala Declaration (2026–2035), the Regional Agri-Food Systems Investment Plan (RASIP), the EAC Youth in Agribusiness Portal and the YASE Platform. These initiatives will ensure that national focal points and youth representatives share a common understanding of regional priorities and implementation approaches.
The Council further committed to institutionalizing the East African Youth in Agri-Food Systems Expo (EAYASE) as a recurring regional platform for showcasing innovation, promoting partnerships, sharing knowledge, tracking progress and addressing barriers to meaningful youth participation in agriculture.
In advancing YASE, the Youth in Agribusiness Portal and EAYASE, the EAC acknowledges the invaluable financial and technical support provided by AGRA, whose partnership has been instrumental in designing and operationalizing these youth-focused regional initiatives.
Together, these initiatives represent the emergence of a more coordinated, visible and impactful ecosystem for youth engagement in East Africa's agri-food systems.
What This Means for Young People
For young people engaged in agriculture and agribusiness, this represents a historic opportunity.
For the first time:
- Young people have a formal regional platform through which they can influence agricultural policies and programmes.
- There is growing regional commitment to developing financing tailored to youth-led enterprises.
- Climate-smart agriculture, digital innovation and modern technologies are being actively promoted.
- Regional systems are being established to connect young people with markets, information, partnerships and investment opportunities.
The establishment of YASE demonstrates that youth are no longer viewed simply as beneficiaries of agricultural development, but as strategic partners in transforming East Africa's agri-food systems.
Co-Creating the Future of YASE
As YASE moves into implementation, the EAC is committed to ensuring that young people actively shape the Platform's future.
The Secretariat, working alongside Partner States, will engage youth in defining:
- How the regional YASE Platform should operate in practice, including its priorities, governance and engagement mechanisms.
- How national YASE affiliates should be established, recognized and linked with existing youth organizations and grassroots structures.
Young people across East Africa are therefore encouraged to:
- Share ideas on how YASE can best represent and support youth within their countries and across the region.
- Participate in national and regional dialogues on establishing YASE affiliates and strengthening connections between grassroots organizations and regional processes.
- Prepare to engage through the EAC Youth in Agribusiness Portal and participate in upcoming consultations, capacity-building activities and regional youth events.
The establishment of YASE marks the beginning of a new chapter for youth participation in East Africa's agri-food systems. Its success will depend not only on the commitments made by Ministers and Partner States, but also on the leadership, innovation and collaboration of young people across the region. Together, YASE, the EAC Youth in Agribusiness Portal and the East African Youth in Agri-Food Systems Expo provide a strong foundation for building a more inclusive, innovative and resilient agricultural future for East Africa.
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