Knowledge sharing and vision setting

The first day highlighted the connection between climate action and economic transformation and featured expert-led panels on leadership, agro-enterprises, and financing, equipping participants with strategies to address challenges in Southern Africa‘s agricultural systems.

“We hope the conference provides a platform for young people to engage with policies governing green enterprises and advocate for impactful change,” said Urban Futures Regional Coordinator Runyararo Chibota. She highlighted the importance of brand growth, value addition, and market access in driving productivity and conservation.

Marry Wazara, founder of the Recycling Lady Foundation, stressed the need for context-specific solutions: “Young people must develop environmentally friendly innovations to mitigate poor waste management practices.” This was backed by a representative of one of the financial institutions at the symposium, Phillip Sangendu, who is the Head of Digital and E-commerce at Stanbic Bank in Zimbabwe. He said: “Adopting sustainable farming methods and leveraging technology is essential. We have hubs that provide resources such as internet access, mentoring, and coaching to help youth build their capacities and integrate into value chains.”

Unlocking economic opportunities for youth

A key theme was helping youth access financial opportunities for agricultural businesses. Financing experts, including ZimTrade and Zimbabwe Agricultural Trust (ZADT), urged a shift toward value addition and alternative markets. “Youth enterprises face challenges in securing tailored funding, as institutions often group them into generic categories,” said Pedzisai Nemadziva of ZADT. “To compete globally, youth must innovate to address issues like climate change.”

Tatenda Machinzi from ZimTrade encouraged proactive engagement with available programs: “Initiatives like Eagles Nest offer training in financial management, branding, and social media marketing, but many youths miss out due to a lack of outreach.”

Showcasing collaboration and creativity

The second day highlighted creativity, with attendees exhibiting agricultural innovations and sustainable designs. A runway show featuring clothing made from recycled materials engaged participants on climate solutions in a fun and memorable way. Exhibits included art, water management models, and preserved food products.

This proved a fun way to engage youth on issues around climate justice and ensuring top-of-mind awareness on solutions for our environment. Some of the innovations on display included art pieces, bags, water management and drought models, and preserved food products among many other pieces.

Walinda Gondwe an exhibitor from Global Network Solutions in Zambia, said the conference had been eye-opening, full of skill and knowledge on display. “We’ve picked on how we can contribute towards climate-resilient agriculture. This symposium also proved that there is no scarcity when it comes to business partners for young people,” he said. “We need to take the steps and invest our time in developing these agricultural support networks as they are a foundation for resource sharing and mentorship.”

Building for the future

The conference concluded with optimism about implementing new ideas. Clariss Masiya, of Green Governance Zimbabwe expressed hope: “There are brilliant innovations from young people that can transform agriculture into a force for climate resilience and economic growth in Zimbabwe and Zambia.” The event underscored the power of youth-driven agricultural innovation, offering a path toward sustainable development and climate action.

Watch highlights of the two-day event here.