In a strategic international collaboration, the United Arab Emirates and the Brazil Africa Institute (IBRAF) have launched a major initiative to empower young African professionals with specialised agricultural expertise.
The Youth Technical Training Programme (YTTP), announced at the 2024 African Union Summit, will initially train 50 participants from Angola and Guinea-Bissau, focusing on the cocoa and cashew industries, respectively.
This multi-phase initiative spans three continents—Africa, South America, and Asia—and aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals related to hunger, education, and economic growth. Its broader objective is to train 1,000 young Africans by the end of 2025, equipping them with the skills needed to strengthen local economies and agricultural value chains.
Participants from Guinea-Bissau will undergo training at Brazil’s Embrapa Tropical Agroindustry in Fortaleza, while Angolan professionals will attend the Mixed Cocoa Research and Innovation Unit in Ilhéus. A second phase of the programme will take place in the UAE, which is contributing curriculum development, expert training, and financial support.
Reem Bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, said the programme reflects the UAE’s commitment to sustainable development through knowledge transfer. UAE Minister Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan emphasised the country's broader engagement in Africa across food security, climate action, and healthcare.
Brazil’s Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira praised IBRAF’s role in fostering South-South cooperation through targeted capacity-building. IBRAF President João Bosco Monte added that the programme offers practical, industry-specific training tailored to national needs.
Officials from Angola and Guinea-Bissau welcomed the programme as a catalyst for long-term agricultural and economic transformation, highlighting its role in modernising production, boosting exports, and reinforcing food security.
The YTTP stands as a compelling model of how international collaboration can empower communities and unlock sustainable growth.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
