By Ipeleng Kwadi Seboni
Dumelang Bagolo. It’s an honour for me to serve as a panelist at this prestigious event, Market Access Africa. Let me thank the organisers, African Agri Council, for the invitation and recognition.
My name is Ipeleng Kwadi Seboni — a proud cattle farmer, born, bred, and ‘buttered’ in the North West Province. I am standing here not just as a voice of the youth, but as a representative of Africa’s untapped agricultural potential that rests in the hands of its youngest citizens. My remarks are rooted in lived experience, not theory — in the real struggles, real triumphs, and real hopes of young farmers across our continent.
- AfCFTA Protocols: A Gateway for Youth in Agriculture
Africa’s future lies in agriculture, and its economic unification under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) offers an unprecedented opportunity for youth involvement. Yet, there is a missing link — one of the three critical AfCFTA protocols must explicitly prioritise agriculture and youth. We must intentionally create space for young people in policy frameworks to enhance their participation and ensure meaningful access to markets across African borders. Without such alignment, the AfCFTA risks leaving behind the very demographic that holds the key to its success.
- Youth Empowerment Starts with Inclusion
It’s time for our leaders to go back to the drawing board. We need policies that aren’t just written for the youth but are co-authored with the youth. These policies must reflect the aspirations and business models of young entrepreneurs, particularly those in agriculture. If we fail to do this, we risk a disillusioned generation — one that may turn to crime, substance abuse, or even emigration in search of dignity and purpose.
- Land Access: The Invisible Barrier
Let me speak from personal experience. I am an active cattle farmer, yet I have struggled — as many of us have — to access land. It is not just a matter of availability, but of accessibility. If young farmers continue to be denied land, they will continue to look beyond Africa’s borders for opportunities. We must implement realistic, accessible, and youth-centred land reform strategies. Africa’s arable land must benefit Africa’s youth — not foreign corporations, not absentee landlords.
- Digital Platforms: The New Tractors of Our Time
We are digital natives, and we must use that to our advantage. Digital platforms and e-commerce can revolutionize how young farmers operate — from accessing markets to improving transparency and efficiency in the value chain. With the right infrastructure and investment, technology can become a powerful equalizer, allowing even rural youth to reach global markets.
- Protecting Innovation: Competition and Intellectual Property
Many of us hesitate to share our ideas across borders for fear of exploitation. Unfair competition and intellectual property theft are real concerns. As we promote intra-African trade, we must also put in place continental mechanisms that protect youth entrepreneurs’ innovations. Young agripreneurs must be able to pitch their dreams boldly — with the confidence that their ideas will not be stolen but celebrated.
- Industrialisation: Beyond Raw Products
To truly benefit from the AfCFTA, youth must be encouraged and equipped to move beyond primary production. We must industrialise — process, package, and brand our own agricultural products. Quality and compliance with market standards are not optional; they are essential. We must create value in Africa, for Africa.
- Sustainability: For the Children Yet to Plough
Sustainable farming is not just a trend — it’s a responsibility. We must be custodians of our natural resources, not just consumers. Let us farm in a way that allows our children and grandchildren to inherit not frustration, but fertile soil and flourishing enterprises. Our generation must be the bridge to a better agricultural future — one rooted in sustainability, resilience, and pride.
- Pan-African Youth Solidarity
Lastly, we must connect. From Dakar to Durban, Cairo to Cape Town, Africa’s young agricultural entrepreneurs must build a network of support, innovation, and knowledge-sharing. These are not just professional relationships — they are the seeds of Pan-African unity. Together, we can build an agricultural economy that is competitive, collaborative, and unapologetically African.
In closing, I leave you with this call to action:
“We must be bold in pitching our ideas, fearless in protecting our dreams, and united in building an African agricultural economy that truly belongs to us and future generations.”
Let the youth rise. Let Africa grow. Let our land feed not only our people, but our dreams.