Empowering Futures Through Inclusive Agribusiness: Why the I-Youth Initiative Matters

The I-Youth Initiative stands as a powerful example of how strategic investment in people can drive sustainable development. By creating over 90,000 jobs and entrepreneurship opportunities for youths, women, and persons with disabilities, the programme directly addresses Nigeria’s pressing challenges of unemployment, inequality, and food system resilience. From a CSR and sustainability perspective, I-Youth shows that agribusiness can be more than profit driven, it can be a vehicle for social impact and shared prosperity.At its core, the initiative promotes inclusive economic growth. By targeting young people aged 15–35 across multiple states and deliberately including women and PWDs, I-Youth aligns with key sustainability principles such as social equity and decent work. The focus on skills development, mentorship, and access to markets ensures beneficiaries are not just trained but empowered to participate meaningfully in the agrifood value chain.

The programme also strengthens long term food security and local economies. Through the establishment of over 36,000 youth-led Agribusiness, agribusiness parks, and innovation hubs, I-Youth supports local production, reduces dependency on imports, and builds resilient rural and urban food systems. These outcomes contribute directly to sustainable supply chains an increasingly important goal for responsible corporate and development partners.

Partnership is another strong CSR lesson from I-Youth. The collaboration between IITA, the Mastercard Foundation, state governments, private sector players, and community leaders demonstrates how multi-stakeholder approaches can scale impact. Initiatives like the Start Them Early Programme (STEP) further highlight sustainability by nurturing entrepreneurial mindsets early and extending benefits to families and communities, not just individual participants.Ultimately, the I-Youth Initiative represents a shared value model one where social investment generates measurable economic and community returns. As Phase I concludes and lessons are scaled to other African countries, I-Youth reinforces a compelling cause for CSR driven organisations: investing in youth, inclusion, and sustainable agribusiness is not just good for society, it is essential for Africa’s long-term growth and stability.