NAIROBI, Kenya — Technology and youth-led innovation took centre stage during the official launch of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Regional Youth Coalition, a transformative platform aimed at shaping climate policy and driving climate-resilient agriculture across Eastern Africa.
The high-level event, held in Nairobi, convened more than 300 young climate actors from across IGAD Member States, underscoring the growing role of youth in addressing the region’s climate challenges.
The event was officially inaugurated by Principal Secretary for Youth Affairs and Creative Economy, Fikirini Jacobs, who emphasised the urgency of leveraging Africa’s youthful population to address climate challenges.
PS Fikirini emphasised the urgency of leveraging Africa’s youthful population to address climate challenges.
He noted that Kenya, like many African countries, has a predominantly youthful population, positioning the continent as uniquely capable of driving climate solutions if youth are prioritised.
“This is our opportunity to bring forth the energy, hope and determination of young people to push systems and drive meaningful change,” Jacobs said.
The regional youth-driven coalition aims to strengthen food systems while tackling the escalating impacts of climate change, marking a significant step toward placing young people at the core of policy and implementation.
Participants showcased innovative, solution-based approaches leveraging technology, agribusiness, and artificial intelligence to mitigate climate effects and enhance food security.
Among the standout innovators was Mwende Mugambi, founder of Mizizi Africa in Meru, Kenya, who presented an AI-powered chatbot designed to bridge language barriers and mobilize climate champions across the region.
“”I believe that as time goes things are changing and this includes technology, there are so much that has been invested on interms of technology in matters climate change but Artificial Intelligence would be more effective in monitoring among other activites as time goes by,” She told Prime Africa.
Helina Teklu from Ethiopia also impressively presented her efforts in Modern agriculture where she advocates for seedball technology in smart agriculture . Helina emphasize for adoption of seedball especially in geographically challenged areas like hills and mountains where farmers find difficulties in planting. According to her seedball farming is easy,fast and effective as compared to conventional farming.
” This is a complete Smart agriculture, there is no need to dig the earth you just put the seedball on the ground and water them which protects the soil from erosion, Infact it is more easy,fast and effective. With its fast growth rate farmers can have production in less than three months,” she explained.
IGAD Youth Envoy Sam Ogwal described the coalition as a milestone initiative for the region, which remains one of the most climate-vulnerable globally.
“Nearly 70 per cent of our landmass is arid or semi-arid, and agriculture—largely rain-fed—remains the backbone of our economies,” Ogwal noted.
He added that climate shocks have displaced over 40 million people in recent years, exacerbating food insecurity and threatening livelihoods.
The President of the Ethiopian Youth Council, Fuad Gena, framed the initiative as a commitment to action and long-term regional transformation.
“Our communities are already facing droughts, erratic rainfall and food insecurity. Yet within this challenge lies immense potential in the creativity and resilience of young people,” he said.
“We are not just beneficiaries—we are innovators and frontline responders.”
Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Council, Gloria Wawira, welcomed the coalition, noting its alignment with ongoing efforts to strengthen youth engagement in policy and development.
“This platform is not symbolic—it is strategic. It creates space for young people to shape policy, build enterprises and influence the future of our region,” she said.
She further highlighted that many youth-led climate initiatives remain fragmented and under-supported, making the coalition both timely and necessary.
“We must move from participation to leadership, from ideas to implementation, and from local impact to regional transformation,” she added.
With over 60 per cent of the region’s population under the age of 25, the IGAD Youth Coalition represents a pivotal shift—positioning young people not just as stakeholders, but as key drivers of climate resilience, innovation, and sustainable development in Eastern Africa.
The initiative signals a new era where technology, policy, and youth leadership converge to tackle one of the region’s most urgent challenges.
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