GCA showcases results of YouthADAPT at COP28

D ubai, United Arab Emirates, 4 December 2023 – In a new report released at COP28, The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) and its partners, the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Climate Investment Funds (CIF), show how investing in youth-led climate adaptation businesses in Africa unlock the potential of these enterprises to scale up, creating thousands of jobs particularly for women and youth, and ccontributing to a more resilient future.

The report, Youth Adaptation Solutions Challenge Impact Report 2023:Scaling Up Youth Entrepreneurship in Adaptation, highlights the positive impacts of the Youth Adaptation Solutions Challenge (YouthADAPT Challenge).

The Challenge is an annual competition jointly organized by the GCA, AfDB, and the CIF for youth-led micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) working on innovative adaptation solutions. The Challenge supports young entrepreneurs in Africa to scale-up climate adaptation solutions through funding, mentorship, and a 12-month accelerator Program.

Since its inception in 2021, the Program has invested close to $4 million in 33 youth-led enterprises across 19 African countries. Half of the supported enterprises are owned by women. The Impact report highlights the significant achievements of ten enterprises from the inaugural cohort supported in 2021

Key facts and figures from the 10 winners of the Inaugural YouthADAPT Challenge

Jobs Created
The 10 enterprises have created more than 8,500 jobs in total, primarily for youth. These include 529 direct jobs and 7,983 indirect jobs. 

• Of the 529 direct jobs created, 97% went to youth. Women filled 63% of these direct jobs.  
• Of the 7,983 indirect jobs created, 81% went to youth. Women filled 82% of these indirect jobs. 

Revenue, profit, and funding
By taking part in the YouthADAPT accelerator program, enterprises: 

• Increased their revenues by 123% on average. 
• Increased their profitability by 198% on average. 
• Secured additional funding of US$316,874 from banks, accelerators, and competitions. 
• 20% of these businesses have expanded into new markets. 

Training smallholder farmers on adaptation best practices
Participating enterprises trained 12,609 small-holder farmers on adaptation best practices including climate-smart farming, regenerative agriculture, hydroponics irrigation, and post-harvest handling. Increasing the capacity of smallholder farmers to adapt to climate change by taking up new technologies and improving their farming practices.  
 
The business case for investing in youth-led adaptation enterprises
Results from the YouthADAPT program show the business case for investing in youth-led adaptation MSMEs:

• The 10 enterprises recorded an average 17% increase in Return on Investment (ROI), up from 7% at the start of the program to 24% by the close.  
• They increased their profitability by 198% on average. 

Quotes from 2021 YouthADAPT Solutions Challenge Winners
“The YouthADAPT grant is a great catalyst that has revolutionized agriculture for our farmers in semi-arid regions. The funding has accelerated growth and scaled our business with new product ranges and new markets, directly and indirectly creating jobs.” – Caroline Mukuhi Mwangi, CEO and Founder of Kimplanter Seedlings and Nurseries Limited, a company in Kenya that propagates and sells drought-resistant seedlings.

“The experience has transformed my business with the funds to increase capacity and our social impact. The YouthADAPT opportunity has also given us media attention that has opened more doors for our future growth.” – Ifeoluwa Olatayo, Founder of Soupah Farm-en-Market, a company in Nigeria that uses hydroponics to grow and sell fresh produce to consumers in Ibadan.

“The mentorship was the highlight…It helped our business, especially with putting everything in one place and making sure we run as a sustainable enterprise going forward.” – Weluzani Joseph Thole, CEO of Sustainable Builders, a Zambian company focused on improving the functionality of the agricultural supply chain.  

“Young entrepreneurs who wish to apply for YouthADAPT — they should go for it and not stop trying. It’s a groundbreaking initiative, and it’s really going to change them, both personally and professionally.” – Juveline Ngum Ngwa, CEO of BleagLee, a waste management company in Cameroon that clears waste from drainage canals and recycles it, averting flooding risks.

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