Harnessing Africa’s Youthquake: The Future of Climate, Agriculture, and Innovation
Africa’s population growth over the past 50 years has been unprecedented. By 2050, the continent is expected to account for a quarter of the global population, with 60% of its people younger than 25. This phenomenon, often referred to as the Youth Quake, represents both a tremendous opportunity and a significant challenge.
As part of Haller’s 20th birthday celebration last year, we hosted a panel discussion tackling one of the most pressing issues of our time: Africa’s Youth Quake and its global implications. This thought-provoking session, chaired by journalist David Eades, brought together leading experts in development, conservation, and migration to explore how Africa’s growing youth population will shape the future of agriculture, climate action, and global policy.
Our panel discussion, chaired by David Eades (former BBC newsreader), delved into these critical:
Ed Paice, author of Youth Quake: Why African Demography Matters to the Rest of the World, Director of the Africa Research Institute and the author of several books on diverse African topics. Expert on the relationship between demographic shifts and their economic, environmental, and social realities both in Africa and globally.
Noni Muchiri of BBC World Service and occasional presenter on the acclaimed podcast ‘Africa Daily’, diving into stories spanning politics, culture, business and more across the continent.
Jessica Hagen-Zanker is a Senior Research Fellow at The Overseas Development Institute where she leads the Migration and Displacement Hub. Jessica’s focus is on the effectiveness of migration policies and the drivers of migration. Jessica is also a Global Fellow at the Peace Research Institute Oslo.
David Ngome, Haller Foundation trustee and Development Communications Consultant at the International Fertiliser Development Centre (IFDC). He has expertise in the scaling of farming innovations in more than 17 countries across Africa for the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF).
For Africa, the youth quake presents an opportunity to harness the energy, creativity, and innovation of a young, vibrant population. However, it also underscores the need for investment in education, employment, and sustainable development to prevent economic instability and environmental degradation.
The Climate-Agriculture Link
Africa is at the forefront of the climate crisis. Extreme weather events, including prolonged droughts and erratic rainfall, are threatening food security and livelihoods for millions. Smallholder farmers, who produce up to 80% of the continent’s food supply, are particularly vulnerable. Without action, the environmental challenges facing Africa’s agricultural sector will have ripple effects across the globe, impacting everything from food prices to migration patterns.
Haller’s Role in Empowering Youth
At Haller, we’ve always recognised the transformative potential of young people. Over the years, we’ve worked with schoolchildren across Kenya to plant trees, develop vegetable gardens, and collect litter, fostering a culture of environmental stewardship.
In 2008, we opened Kenya’s first free children’s library at the Nguuni Education Centre. Housing over 10,000 books, the library serves as an essential educational resource for children in more than 60 schools. Our education centre has welcomed over 100,000 students since its opening, and we continue to build new relationships with schools and upgrade our facilities, ensuring the right to environmental education is as sustainable as possible.
Through our updated Haller Farmers App, we’re expanding this impact by providing a dedicated education section tailored to young people aged 12-17 focused on their role is biodiversity and how they can preserve their communities.
This year, our strategy places youth engagement at the heart of our mission. Our first project partnership activity of this year is with The Samburu Girls Foundation, an organisation working to eradicate FGM, and child marriage, and provide safe spaces for young women in Kenya. This partnership will deliver improved sanitation facilities and security for over 100 young women and girls at the Loosuk Way safe house.
From supporting school open days to introducing digital skills training and partnering with organisations to deliver workshops. We’re committed to equipping the next generation with the tools they need to build a sustainable future.
Why This Matters Globally
The implications of Africa’s youthquake extend far beyond the continent. As climate change accelerates and global food systems face increasing strain, Africa’s young farmers will play a pivotal role in ensuring food security and sustainability. By investing in their education and empowerment, we can create a ripple effect that benefits communities worldwide.
Our work at Haller is a testament to the power of partnership and collaboration in tackling these challenges. The Haller Farmers App bridges the gap between indigenous knowledge and modern technology, offering practical, solutions for farmers across Africa and all generations.