Building on the success of the first phase of the EYPA Programme, which piloted a mentorship initiative for African youth in agriculture, FAO and the Pan-African Farmers’ Organization (PAFO) are partnering again to launch Phase II of the programme. This new phase of the Empowerment of Young Women Farmers in Africa through Inclusive Mentorship Programme (EYPA) will focus specifically on young women farmers across the continent.
Phase II aims to scale up the mentorship model developed during the pilot, offering tailored mentorship, capacity‑building activities, and networking opportunities designed to address gender‑specific challenges in agrifood systems. By strengthening skills, confidence, and professional connections, the programme will help close gender gaps, promote women’s economic empowerment, and support the objectives of the International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF 2026).
A Call for Expression of Interest was launched in February to invite applications from prospective mentors and mentees, with deadline Friday 6th March.
Find the call for mentees here
Find the call for mentors here
Up to 50 young women farmers from various regions in Africa will benefit from this phase. EYPA Phase II will unlock the potential of the selected young women mentees, leaders and innovators in their communities and sectors, and will provide them with essential competencies such as financial literacy, organizational skills, and improved market access, contributing to the transformation of Africa’s agrifood systems.
Following the model of the pilot phase, the mentorship journey will culminate in regional pitching sessions, where mentees will promote their own agribusinesses, including presenting their business and financial models, and demonstrating the impact and sustainability of their ventures. Finalist mentees, those who proved advanced pitching skills, will then be invited to a final pitching competition at the PAFO Headquarters, in Kigali, Rwanda. There, mentees will have the opportunity to showcase their agribusinesses, the progress achieved throughout the Mentorship Programme, and compete for two cash prizes.
This pilot programme is an additional key step in FAO and PAFO’s efforts to equip youth and women in agriculture with the tools and opportunities they need to thrive. With its roots in a strong collaboration, in the framework of a Memorandum of Understanding in its implementation phase, EYPA Phase II reflects FAO and PAFO’s shared commitment to building skills and nurturing young leaders in agrifood systems.
