Empowering Uganda’s Youth by transforming agribusiness

The Young Africa Works - Market for Youth Program is a transformative initiative funded by the Mastercard Foundation and implemented by GOAL Uganda in partnership with Hive Colab. This program is designed to empower youth-led agribusinesses across Uganda by providing them with the skills, resources, and support needed to thrive in the agricultural sector. Through tailored business development services, mentorship, and access to markets, the program aims to unlock opportunities for young entrepreneurs, enabling them to create sustainable livelihoods and drive economic growth in their communities. By leveraging the expertise and networks of GOAL Uganda and Hive Colab, this initiative aspires to reshape the future of youth-led agribusinesses in Uganda, ensuring long-term impact and prosperity.

The program focuses on nurturing young agripreneurs by delivering comprehensive Business Development Support Services (BDS). Participants gain essential skills in business registration and formalization, financial access, and sustainable growth strategies. By guiding youth through the formalization of their ventures and connecting them to vital financial institutions, the initiative is empowering the next generation of agricultural leaders in Western and Northern Uganda, fostering a more resilient and prosperous agribusiness ecosystem.

The program’s impact spans both rural and refugee communities, including the Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement in Kamwenge District. With over 1,800 youth trained across key districts such as Kiryandongo, Kamwenge, Kasese, Lira, and Dokolo, participants gained essential knowledge in business management, financial literacy, budgeting, and growth strategies. Recognizing the diverse languages within these regions, the program integrated interpreters to ensure that the content was accessible and inclusive for all.

Local leaders and councilors were actively involved in these sessions, reflecting the program’s strong commitment to fostering community development and building a foundation for sustainable economic growth. The collaborative effort with financial institutions such as Centenary Bank, Microfinance Support Centre, and Equity Bank further enriched the training by providing young agripreneurs with insights on securing agricultural loans and other financial services.

A key highlight of the program was the Youth Agro Expo 2024, an event designed to empower and showcase the innovations of young farmers and agripreneurs. The expo, held from July 27-30 in Lira and August 1-3 in Hoima, brought together over 1,500 participants, including youth, industry experts, and stakeholders from across the agricultural value chain. Organized by GOAL Uganda in partnership with the MasterCard Foundation, the expo featured workshops, panel discussions, and demonstrations, spotlighting the latest trends in agricultural technology, sustainable farming practices, and value addition.

Participants were not only inspired but also equipped with practical knowledge that will drive growth, sustainability, and resilience within their enterprises. The expo emphasized bridging the gap between traditional farming methods and modern agricultural practices, ensuring that young agripreneurs are at the forefront of innovation in Uganda’s agricultural landscape.

The Young Africa Works - Market for Youth Program is much more than a training initiative; it is a catalyst for creating a food-secure and prosperous Uganda. Through continued support, strategic collaborations, and a focus on innovation, the program is helping young agripreneurs transition from subsistence farming to scalable business enterprises. Hive Colab’s involvement reflects a deep commitment to nurturing Uganda’s future agricultural leaders, fostering an ecosystem where creativity, entrepreneurship, and resilience can thrive.

By equipping youth with the right tools and knowledge, the program is paving the way for sustainable development, resilient communities, and a brighter future for the agricultural sector in Uganda. Through initiatives like these, the vision of a food-secure and economically empowered Uganda is steadily becoming a reality.