IITA Youth in Agribusiness expands to Burundi, moves to empower youth and farmers through PADCAE-B Project

7 October 2025

Official launch of the PADCAE-B project at IITA Burundi Station, with the ENABLE-TAAT team, Burundi station staff, and government officials from the Ministry of Environment, Agriculture, and Livestock.
Official launch of the PADCAE-B project at IITA Burundi Station, with the ENABLE-TAAT team, Burundi station staff, and government officials from the Ministry of Environment, Agriculture, and Livestock.

In a move to empower youth in Burundi,  IITA–CGIAR, through its Youth in Agribusiness Unit (IYA) and ENABLE-TAAT program, has partnered with Burundi’s Ministry of Environment, Agriculture, and Livestock (MINIAGRIE) to provide the technical assistance needed by the African Development Bank (AfDB) funded PADCAE-B project to transform the country’s agricultural sector.

PADCAE-B, also known as the Project to Support the Sustainable Development of Agricultural and Livestock Value Chains, aims to transform Burundi’s food systems by addressing long-standing challenges, including low soil fertility, climate-related production fluctuations, and limited youth engagement in the agribusiness sector. The project will focus on strengthening value chains for rice, maize, goats, pigs, and fish in the provinces of Ngozi, Kirundo, and Muyinga.

ENABLE-TAAT coordinator, Mr Noel Mulinganya, explaining the approach to PADCAE-B project implementation.
ENABLE-TAAT coordinator, Mr Noel Mulinganya, explaining the approach to PADCAE-B project implementation.

Under the partnership, ENABLE-TAAT will equip 300 youths and women with practical skills in entrepreneurship and agribusiness, connect farmer cooperatives to credit opportunities, and support the creation of microenterprises and youth-led agribusiness ventures. These efforts are designed to generate jobs, increase incomes, and contribute to greater food and nutrition security, turning agriculture into a driver of inclusive economic growth.

Government officials listening to a presentation on the IITA Youth in Agribusiness Office (IYA) approach to youth engagement in agribusiness.
Government officials listening to a presentation on the IITA Youth in Agribusiness Office (IYA) approach to youth engagement in agribusiness.

At the project launch on 10 August 2025, at IITA Burundi Station, Noel Mulinganya, ENABLE-TAAT Coordinator and Project Lead, highlighted IYA’s role in delivering impact, saying, “We are excited to see how this collaboration will inspire young people and farmers to transform challenges into opportunities. Through training, market linkages, and innovative solutions, we will support beneficiaries to boost productivity and build sustainable livelihoods.”

The program adopts an approach centered on promoting integrated, innovative agricultural practices while deploying climate-resilient technologies and systems. This strategy, which aligns with the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) agenda, seeks to accelerate agricultural transformation across the continent through proven, scalable innovations and technologies.

IITA Burundi staff member highlighting previous IITA activities in the proposed project locations (Kirundo, Muyinga, and Ngozi Provinces).
IITA Burundi staff member highlighting previous IITA activities in the proposed project locations (Kirundo, Muyinga, and Ngozi Provinces).

With PADCAE-B running through June 2026, its success is expected to pave the way for scalable models of youth-focused agricultural transformation in the country, directly contributing to Burundi’s vision of improving food security and rural livelihoods.

Contributed by Jesutofunmi Robinson