Executive Summary

Executive Summary – AYLIF 2026 The Africa Young Leaders Investment Forum (AYLIF) 2026, convened by the GENDA Foundation, is a landmark platform designed to unlock Africa’s agro-industrial potential by connecting youth enterprises and diaspora entrepreneurs with global investors, development finance institutions, and industry leaders. With the theme “Rethinking Possibilities,” AYLIF 2026 will be hosted at the United Nations Headquarters, New York, positioning African youth at the center of global investment conversations. The Forum responds to Africa’s defining demographic and economic moment: a predominantly young population, vast agricultural capacity, growing diaspora capital, and urgent climate-food security challenges. Core objectives include: 1. Mobilizing blended finance for agro-industrial ventures; 2. Empowering youth & diaspora innovators with investment readiness and market linkages; 3. Strengthening value chains in processing, logistics, and exports; 4. Advancing UNIDO’s ISID mandate and SDGs 1, 2, 8, 9, and 17. AYLIF 2026 will catalyze inclusive partnerships, policy action, and transformative investments, positioning Africa’s youth as drivers of agribusiness growth and sustainable industrialization. AYLIF 2026 will mobilize blended finance, equity, credit facilities, diaspora capital, PPPs, and grants to power youth-led agribusinesses, strengthen value chains, and attract global investors—unlocking sustainable jobs and agro-industrial innovation across Africa. Here’s a concise summary you can use to present the AYLIF 2026 Committee/Team: ⸻ AYLIF 2026 Committee Members • David Nwokorie – Convener of AYLIF and Founder of GENDA Foundation, providing overall vision and strategic leadership. • Godspower Oshodin – CEO of Solution Media, bringing expertise in media strategy, communications, and global outreach. • Nancy Olisakwe – Former Vice President, Afex Solutions, contributing extensive experience in corporate partnerships and operations. • Rahmah Zakareeyah – Youth development advocate with strong networks in policy, governance, and grassroots mobilization. • Della Ilenhre – UK-based professional offering international perspective, diaspora engagement, and cross-border linkages. • Dike David Ohanwe – CEO of Smart Levant 9ja, serving as Financial Advisor with a focus on investment strategy and fiscal governance. ⸻ AYLIF Financial Outlook The Africa Young Leaders Investment Forum (AYLIF) builds on the strong financial stewardship and partnership record of the GENDA Foundation, whose convenings have consistently attracted institutional and development partner support. Over the years, GENDA has partnered with organizations such as UNESCO, ECOWAS, the Commonwealth Students Association, and the African University Incubator Ecosystem to deliver flagship youth leadership platforms. Most notably, at the 4th Edition of the Africa Youth Conference (AYC 2025), hosted at the United Nations House in Abuja, funding support and technical backing from multilateral institutions, development agencies, and corporate sponsors ensured a financially sustainable event that convened youth leaders from across Africa. AYLIF 2026 therefore enters the global stage not as a new experiment, but as a continuation of a well-tested model of financing through blended partnerships: • Development Partners (UNESCO, ECOWAS, UNIDO, AfDB) – providing grants, policy support, and technical assistance. • Private Sector (UBA, Afex, Nexim Bank, Smart Levant 9ja) – supporting sponsorships, investment readiness platforms, and enterprise showcases. • Diaspora & Philanthropic Networks – offering catalytic funding for youth innovators. With this proven foundation, AYLIF 2026 is projected to achieve sustainable financing through a hybrid model of grants, sponsorships, and investment-linked funding, while remaining aligned with SDGs and UNIDO’s Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development (ISID) mandate. • Demographics: over 60% of Sub-Saharan Africa’s population under 25, the continent holds the world’s youngest workforce — yet unemployment and underemployment remain among the highest globally. • Agriculture & Value Chains: Agriculture employs more than 60% of Africa’s workforce, but productivity is mostly subsistence-based. Closing this gap could unlock a $1 trillion agribusiness market by 2030. • Diaspora Capital: In 2023, Nigeria alone received $19.5 billion in remittances. Structuring even a fraction of this into agro-investment could transform value chains, generate millions of jobs, and strengthen Africa’s global competitiveness. • Global Demand: Rising demand for sustainable, climate-smart agro-products positions Africa as a future hub of green industrialization and export growth. • Enabling Partners: Development partners (UNIDO, AfDB, ECOWAS, UNESCO) and DFIs are prioritizing youth enterprise, agro-industrialization, and diaspora engagement in their funding portfolios.