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At African Development Bank Group 2025 Annual Meetings, young agripreneurs transforming Africa’s Agriculture in spotlight

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African Development Bank

The side event drew policymakers, private sector leaders, development partners, young agripreneurs and other participants to share insights on scaling up youth-led agribusinesses across Africa

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, May 28, 2025/APO Group/ –An Ivorian entrepreneur who started up a snack food business with about $100, then transformed it into a multinational supplier of a popular potato chip, is crediting the African Development Bank’s Enable Youth program for his success.

Thirty-year-old “Mon chips” brand founder Koffi Amani François Xavier told an audience Tuesday on the sidelines of the African Development Bank Group 2025 Annual Meetings, that his participation in the Enable Youth AgriPitch competition – which empowers young people in the agribusiness sector -helped him develop the skills he needed to scale up his business.

Xavier was a featured speaker at the Annual Meetings side event focused on supporting African youth and innovation in Africa’s agriculture sector, held on Monday 26 May.  The“Mobilizing Africa’s Agripreneurs: Unleashing the Next Generation of Agricultural Innovators session showcased the transformational impact of the ENABLE Youth Program, which has supported more than 100,000 young people in agriculture across 18 African countries and has facilitated the estimated creation of 240,000 jobs.

“Agriculture offers the largest scale and quickest wins for youth employment. That’s why the African Development Bank launched the ENABLE Youth Program in 2016. We knew that if we could support young people to become “agri-preneurs,” they would build businesses that not only feed Africa but employ millions of people,” Dr. Beth Dunford, African Development Bank Vice President for Agriculture, Human and Social Development said in her remarks.

We knew that if we could support young people to become “agri-preneurs,” they would build businesses that not only feed Africa but employ millions of people

The side event drew policymakers, private sector leaders, development partners, young agripreneurs and other participants to share insights on scaling up youth-led agribusinesses across Africa.  Xavier not only participated in the AgriPitch competition that offers business development training, mentorship and exposure to potential investors – he was an AgriPitch winner of $25,000 two years ago.

“Thanks to the Bank’s AgriPitch competition, we were able to modernize our production, reach 150 points of sale [stores] in Côte d’Ivoire, and establish a presence in four countries,” Xavier said. He told side event attendees that since the competition, he expanded his work force to 26 employees, 80 percent of his employees are women, and that his operations now process 50 tons of potato chips per year.

Bank Enable Youth Coordinator Edson Mpyisi moderated a  panel on creating opportunities for youth-led agribusinesses through policy reform, financing mechanisms, private sector mentorship, and access to markets. Panelists included: Dr. Martin Fregene, Bank Director for Agriculture and Agro-Industry; Diana Gichaga, Managing Partner of Private Equity Support; Dr. Ismahane Elouafi, Executive Managing Director of CGIAR; Frank Nyabundege, Managing Director at Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank; and AgriPitch winner Xavier, whose company is registered as Etoduma SARL.

Africa is home to the youngest population in the world – with more than 60 percent of the continent’s population under the age of 25. By 2030, one out of every two new entrants in the global labour force will come from Africa.

The gathering also delved into the prospects of a proposed “Enable Youth 2.0” – a scaling up of Enable Youth’s success that will focus on innovative and inclusive financing, capacity building, market linkages and climate resilience. The Enable Youth Program aligns with Bank commitments under its Ten-Year Strategy (2024 – 2033) – to place youth at the center of Africa’s agricultural and economic transformation.

Organizing or sponsoring initiatives such as the African Youth Agripreneur Forum, AgriPitch Competition, and Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Banks, the African Development Bank continues to mobilize investment, innovation, and partnerships to help realize Africa’s agrifood potential.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB)

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As global power structures shift, Invest Africa convenes The Africa Debate 2026 to redefine partnership in a changing world

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The Africa Debate 2026 will provide a platform for this essential, era-defining discussion, convening leaders to explore how Africa and its partners can build more balanced, resilient and sustainable models of cooperation

LONDON, United Kingdom, February 5, 2026/APO Group/ –As African economies assert greater agency in a rapidly evolving global order, Invest Africa (www.InvestAfrica.com) is delighted to announce The Africa Debate 2026, its flagship investment forum, taking place at the historic Guildhall in London on 3 June 2026.

Now in its 12th year, The Africa Debate has established itself as London’s premier platform for African investment dialogue since launching in 2014, convening over 800 global decision-makers annually to shape the future of trade, finance, investment, and development across the continent.

Under the theme “Redefining Partnership: Navigating a World in Transition”, this year’s forum will focus on Africa’s response to global economic realignment with greater agency, ambition and economic sovereignty.

The Africa Debate puts Africa’s priorities at the centre of the conversation, moving beyond traditional narratives to focus on ownership, resilience and long-term value creation.

“Volatility is not new to Africa. What is changing is the opportunity to respond with greater agency and ambition,” says Invest Africa CEO Chantelé Carrington.

“This year’s edition of The Africa Debate asks how we strengthen economic sovereignty — from access to capital and investment to financial and industrial policy — so African economies can take greater ownership of their growth. Success will be defined by how effectively we turn disruption into leverage and partnership into shared value.”

The Africa Debate 2026 will provide a platform for this essential, era-defining discussion, convening leaders to explore how Africa and its partners can build more balanced, resilient and sustainable models of cooperation.

Key challenges driving the debate

Core focus areas for this year’s edition of The Africa Debate include:

This year’s edition of The Africa Debate asks how we strengthen economic sovereignty — from access to capital and investment to financial and industrial policy

Global Realignment & New Partnerships

How shifting geopolitical and economic power structures are reshaping Africa’s global partnerships, trade dynamics and investment landscape.

Financing Africa’s Future

The growing need to reform the global financial architecture, new approaches to development finance, as well as the strengthening of market access and financial resilience of African economies in a changing global system.

Strategic Value Chains

Moving beyond primary exports to build local value chains in critical minerals for the green economy. Also addressing Africa’s energy access gap and mobilising investment in renewable and transitional energy systems.

Digital Transformation & Technology

Unlocking growth in fintech, AI and digital infrastructure to drive productivity, inclusion, and the next phase of Africa’s economic transformation.

The Africa Debate 2026 offers a unique platform for high-level dialogue, deal-making, and strategic engagement. Attendees will gain actionable insights from leading policymakers, investors and business leaders shaping Africa’s economic future, while building strategic partnerships that define the continent’s next growth phase.

Registration is now open (http://apo-opa.co/46b19gj).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Invest Africa.

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Zion Adeoye terminated as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CLG due to serious personal and professional conduct violations

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CLG

After a thorough internal and external investigation, along with a disciplinary hearing chaired by Sbongiseni Dube, CLG (https://CLGglobal.com) has made the decision to terminate Zion Adeoye due to serious personal and professional conduct violations. This process adhered to the Code of Good Practice of the Labour Relations Act, ensuring fairness, transparency, and compliance with South African law.

Mr. Adeoye has been held accountable for several serious offenses, including:

  • Making malicious and defamatory statements against colleagues
  • Extortion
  • Intimidation
  • Fraud
  • Misuse of company funds
  • Theft and misappropriation of funds
  • Breach of fiduciary duty
  • Mismanagement

His actions are in direct contradiction to our firm’s core values. We do not approve of attorneys spending time in a Gentleman’s Club. CLG deeply regrets the impact this situation has had on our colleagues and continues to provide full support to those affected.

We want to express our gratitude to those who spoke up and to reassure everyone at the firm of our unwavering commitment to maintaining a respectful workplace. Misconduct of any kind is unacceptable and will be addressed decisively.

We recognize the seriousness of this matter and have referred it to the appropriate law enforcement, regulatory, and legal authorities in Nigeria, Mauritius, and South Africa. We kindly ask that the privacy of the third party involved be respected.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of CLG.

 

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The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) Strengthens Partnership with the Republic of Djibouti through US$35 Million Financing Facility

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ITFC

This facility forms part of the US$600 million, three-year Framework Agreement signed in May 2023 between ITFC and the Republic of Djibouti, reflecting the strong and growing partnership between both parties

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, February 5, 2026/APO Group/ –The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) (https://www.ITFC-IDB.org), a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, has signed a US$35 million sovereign financing facility with the Republic of Djibouti to support the development of the country’s bunkering services sector and strengthen its position as a strategic regional maritime and trade hub.

The facility was signed at the ITFC Headquarters in Jeddah by Eng. Adeeb Yousuf Al-Aama, Chief Executive Officer of ITFC, and H.E. Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh, Minister of Economy and Finance in charge of Industry of the Republic of Djibouti.

The financing facility is expected to contribute to Djibouti’s economic growth and revenue diversification by reinforcing the competitiveness and attractiveness of the Djibouti Port as a “one-stop port” offering comprehensive vessel-related services. With Red Sea Bunkering (RSB) as the Executing Agency, the facility will support the procurement of refined petroleum products, thus boosting RSB’s bunkering operations, enhancing revenue diversification, and consolidating Djibouti’s role as a key logistics and trading hub in the Horn of Africa and the wider region.

We look forward to deepening this partnership, creating new opportunities, and leveraging collaborative programs to advance key sectors and drive sustainable economic growth

Commenting on the signing, Eng. Adeeb Yousuf Al-Aama, CEO of ITFC, stated:

“This financing reflects ITFC’s continued commitment to supporting Djibouti’s strategic development priorities, particularly in strengthening energy security, port competitiveness, and trade facilitation. We are proud to deepen our partnership with the Republic of Djibouti and contribute to sustainable economic growth and regional integration.”

H.E. Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh, Minister of Economy and Finance in charge of Industry of the Republic of Djibouti, commented: “Today’s signing marks an important milestone in the development of Djibouti’s bunkering services and reflects our strong and valued partnership with ITFC, particularly in the oil and gas sector. This collaboration supports our ambition to position Djibouti as a regional hub for integrated maritime and logistics services. We look forward to deepening this partnership, creating new opportunities, and leveraging collaborative programs to advance key sectors and drive sustainable economic growth.”

This facility forms part of the US$600 million, three-year Framework Agreement signed in May 2023 between ITFC and the Republic of Djibouti, reflecting the strong and growing partnership between both parties.

Since its inception in 2008, ITFC and the Republic of Djibouti have maintained a strong partnership, with a total of US$1.8 billion approved primarily supporting the country’s energy sector and trade development objectives.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC).

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