In Kinshasa, a group of ten alumni from ITAV SALONGO has transformed their school club into a fully structured agricultural business, with ongoing technical support from the AALI Youth Brigade. Since July 2024, these young innovators have been gaining practical experience in agricultural entrepreneurship, laying the foundation for sustainable agribusiness ventures.
Through targeted training, participants acquired key skills to build and manage their enterprise. Their learning covered:
- Business organization—structuring operations for efficiency and growth;
- Fundraising and partnerships—identifying resources and collaborators to support expansion;
- Legal business creation in the DRC—navigating regulatory requirements for formal enterprise;
- Market analysis and risk management—understanding customer needs, competition, and operational risks.
The impact has been tangible. Equipped with these skills, the alumni are now ready to launch their venture, create employment opportunities, strengthen local food security, and contribute to sustainable development in their communities. This initiative illustrates how practical entrepreneurship training can empower youth to become proactive drivers of change in the agricultural sector.
AALI’s approach emphasizes early exposure to agribusiness. By engaging students and young school leavers, we aim to shape a mindset where agriculture is seen not only as a subsistence activity but also as a viable source of income and professional opportunity. Cultivating this perspective early fosters a generation of leaders prepared to innovate, scale businesses, and contribute to the continent’s agricultural transformation.
The Kinshasa alumni project is a clear example of how youth-led initiatives, when combined with structured support and technical guidance, can unlock talent, encourage innovation, and promote sustainable agribusiness growth across the Democratic Republic of the Congo.