Congo Basin youth workshop focuses on green agroentrepreneurship

A regional workshop focused on green agroentrepreneurship for youth in the Congo Basin began in Libreville on October 5, 2026. The five-day event aims to strengthen capacities and provide mentorship in fields such as agroecology, agroforestry, sustainable irrigation, and integrated agriculture.

Opened by Pacôme Kossy, the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development, the workshop includes approximately thirty project leaders from Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, the Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The initiative seeks to reframe farming as a professional business venture to increase its attractiveness to young people.

While the International Organization of La Francophonie views rural territories and cooperatives as significant areas of opportunity, observers note that the scale of the workshop is modest, averaging five participants per country. Challenges remain regarding access to credit, land, equipment, and distribution networks, which are critical for transforming agricultural projects into viable businesses.