A renowned banker and entrepreneurship motivator in the African continent, Tony Elumelu, at the global leaders International Fund for Agricultural Development, IFAD, 49th Governing Council in Rome, Italy, asserted that Youth migration is often a symptom of economic exclusion.

This clearly explained the Japa phenomenon in Nigeria, and the high traffic of emigrants across the Mediterranean Sea through North Africa.

At the global leaders International Fund for Agricultural Development, IFAD, 49th Governing Council in Rome, Elumelu was on the panel alongside President Alvaro Lario, moderator Melissa Bell and inspiring young agripreneurs.

Elumelu stated that Africa is the youngest continent in the world. According to him, "60% of our population is under the age of 25.
"By 2030, 440 million young Africans will enter the labour market."

He said that at the same time, 55 per cent of Africans live in rural areas.

Elumelu was of the view that "this means agriculture is not just a livelihood — it is a strategic resource that feeds our towns and cities, powers rural economies, and sustains communities."
He declared: "We cannot grow Africa without power, and we cannot grow Africa without food."

Elemelu maintained: "When we invest in young entrepreneurs, we do not just support individuals — we strengthen communities, reduce poverty, create jobs, and enable rural economies to grow from within.
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"Youth migration is often a symptom of economic exclusion.

"That is why, at the Tony Elumelu Foundation, 21 per cent of the 24,000 entrepreneurs we have empowered operate in agriculture and agribusiness.

"Together, these entrepreneurs have created over 400,000 direct and indirect jobs, strengthening food systems, value chains and rural livelihoods — clear proof of the potential of agriculture to uplift communities across Africa.

"Young African are not waiting for handouts. They are building Africa’s future."