FAO EYPA Mentorship Journey Launches Phase II to Empower Young Women Farmers Across Africa

The Empowerment of Young Women Farmers in Africa through Inclusive Mentorship Programme (EYPA) is officially launching Phase II, marking a major step forward in supporting young women in agriculture across Africa.

Building on the success of its pilot phase, the programme is being implemented through a renewed partnership between the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Pan-African Farmers’ Organization (PAFO). This new phase places a strong focus on young women farmers, aiming to strengthen leadership, entrepreneurship, and economic opportunities within Africa’s agrifood systems.

What is EYPA Phase II?

The  first phase of the EYPA Programme‘s Mentorship Programme is designed to provide inclusive mentorship, capacity building, and professional networking opportunities for young women working in agriculture.

Phase II will scale up the successful mentorship model developed during the pilot stage by addressing gender-specific challenges that often limit women’s participation and leadership in agrifood systems.

Through this initiative, participants will gain:

• Tailored mentorship from experienced professionals

• Capacity-building activities and training sessions

• Networking opportunities across regions

• Skills development for agribusiness growth

• Increased confidence and leadership capacity

The programme also supports the goals of   the International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF 2026) by promoting women’s economic empowerment and closing gender gaps in agriculture.

Call for Expression of Interest Now Open

A Call for Expression of Interest has been launched to recruit both mentors and mentees for the programme.

Application Deadline: Friday, 6 March 2026

Find the call for mentees here

Find the call for mentors here 

Up to 50 young women farmers from different regions across Africa will be selected to participate in this phase.

What Participants Will Gain

EYPA Phase II aims to unlock the potential of young women leaders and innovators by equipping them with practical and business-focused skills, including:

• Financial literacy and business planning

• Organizational and leadership skills

• Market access and value chain understanding

• Agribusiness development strategies

• Professional mentorship and peer learning

By strengthening these competencies, the programme contributes to the broader transformation of Africa’s agrifood systems and supports sustainable economic growth.

Regional Pitching Sessions and Final Competition

Following the structure of the pilot phase, the mentorship journey will culminate in regional pitching sessions where mentees will present their agribusiness ideas and business models.

Participants will showcase:

• Business and financial models

• Innovation and sustainability approaches

• Social and economic impact of their ventures

Finalists demonstrating strong pitching skills will advance to a final pitching competition hosted at the PAFO Headquarters in Kigali, Rwanda.

During the final event, selected mentees will:

• Present their agribusiness progress

• Showcase outcomes from the mentorship journey

• Compete for two cash prizes

Strengthening Youth and Women Leadership in Agriculture

The EYPA Mentorship Programme reflects the shared commitment of FAO and PAFO to building youth leadership and empowering women in agriculture.

Implemented under a broader Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) collaboration, Phase II represents a strategic effort to equip young women farmers with the tools, knowledge, and opportunities needed to thrive in modern agrifood systems.

By investing in mentorship and capacity development, EYPA aims to nurture the next generation of agricultural leaders driving innovation and sustainability across Africa.

The launch of EYPA Phase II signals a powerful opportunity for young women farmers to strengthen their skills, grow their agribusinesses, and expand their professional networks.

For aspiring women leaders in agriculture, this programme offers a unique platform to learn, connect, and showcase innovation on a continental stage.