WFF Gambia Youth Chapter: Launching a new era for youth-led local agrifood systems transformation

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Country Office in The Gambia, in partnership with Gambia Tech, the Alliance Française de Banjul and Ministry of Agriculture of The Gambia, convened a two-day multi-stakeholder event to celebrate the national launch of the World Food Forum (WFF) Gambia Youth Chapter. Held from 10 to 11 December 2025, the launch marked an important milestone for strengthening youth engagement in agrifood systems in The Gambia. The Chapter was also officially launched on the global stage during the WFF 2025 flagship event at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

The event brought together policymakers, young agripreneurs, investors, donors, development partners and civil society actors to jointly explore pathways for inclusive, resilient and youth-responsive agrifood systems in The Gambia. Discussions focused on unlocking youth investment opportunities, strengthening value-chain resilience, and fostering dialogue between young entrepreneurs and financial and institutional stakeholders. Participants examined priority agrifood value chains, innovative financing mechanisms and policy frameworks required to support youth-led agribusiness development and sustainable growth within the national agrifood sector.

The WFF National Youth Chapters act as structured youth mechanisms for advancing inclusive, innovative and sustainable agrifood systems through youth leadership. Building on this global context, the Chapter presented its strategic focus areas: culture, youth action, education, policy and innovation, as key pillars guiding its work and ensuring alignment with national priorities.

The first panel discussion focused on translating global and regional youth commitments into concrete national action. Participants emphasized the need for inclusive agrifood systems governance, youth-responsive policies, improved market access and opportunities linked to the African Continental Free Trade Area. David Gomez, from the Ministry of Agriculture of The Gambia outlined ongoing youth-focused initiatives, including capacity development programmes, grant schemes and policy support mechanisms, reaffirming the government’s commitment to youth empowerment and inclusive agrifood systems transformation.

A second panel explored climate action and youth engagement, drawing lessons from the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil. Discussions focused on translating global climate commitments into locally relevant, youth-led actions that address The Gambia’s climate vulnerabilities. Panelists, including Joe Bongay, Civil Society Observer Focal Point to the Climate Investment Funds under World Bank Group, emphasized the strong links between climate justice, food security and agrifood systems transformation. They called for increased access to climate finance, stronger accountability mechanisms and community-led adaptation approaches that position young people as key actors in climate resilience and innovation.

The final session highlighted the role of youth in preserving and promoting Gambian food culture as a pillar of sustainable agrifood systems. Chefs shared perspectives on how traditional gastronomy can safeguard cultural heritage, create economic opportunities and promote sustainable consumption patterns, particularly for young entrepreneurs.

The event concluded with a collective commitment to develop a National Youth Position Paper on agrifood systems transformation, ensuring that the outcomes of the launch translate into concrete policy and programme actions.

The establishment of the Chapter marks a significant step towards institutionalizing youth and women engagement in agrifood systems transformation in The Gambia. Grounded in partnership and youth leadership, the Chapter will contribute to shaping policies, investments and innovations that advance sustainable, inclusive and resilient agrifood systems, ensuring that young people remain at the centre of change and that no one is left behind.