On 15 April 2026, at the World Bank Group Headquarters in Washington, D.C., USA, the Youths Enterprise Development and Innovation Society (YEDIS) convened a landmark high-level session titled “Examining How Artificial Intelligence and Digital Agriculture Create Jobs in Developing Countries.”
What began as a policy dialogue quickly evolved into a powerful global exchange on the future of work, agriculture, and digital transformation in developing economies.
Bringing Global Minds Together
As an official session of the World Bank Group Civil Society Policy Forum, the event brought together leading voices from across continents; policy experts, innovators, development practitioners, and youth leaders, all united by a shared mission: to explore how technology can drive inclusive economic growth.
The session welcomed 89 participants, reflecting strong international engagement and growing global urgency around AI-driven development and digital agriculture.
Exploring the Future of Work Through AI and Agriculture
Throughout the dialogue, discussions were forward-looking, practical, and solution-driven. Participants explored how artificial intelligence and digital agriculture are reshaping traditional agricultural systems, improving productivity and creating new employment pathways—especially for young people in developing countries.
Key themes included:
-The role of AI in transforming agricultural value chains
-Digital platforms are expanding access to markets and information
-Youth inclusion in agritech innovation ecosystems
-Policy frameworks needed for inclusive digital transformation
-Scaling innovation for sustainable rural development
The conversations reinforced a shared understanding: technology is not just transforming agriculture—it is redefining the future of work itself.
Leadership and Vision
The session was hosted, and the keynote address was given by Rafiu Akinpelu Olaore, who emphasised the importance of aligning innovation, policy, and human capital development to ensure that digital transformation leads to real, inclusive job creation.
His keynote highlighted that the future of agriculture in developing countries will depend on how effectively AI and digital tools are integrated into local systems to empower communities and expand economic opportunities.
Distinguished Voices
Contributions from distinguished panellists enriched the dialogue:
-Parmesh Shah (World Bank)
-Florence Ethere (Bind Minds Initiative, Cameroon)
-Kabirah Olaore (World Food Forum Global Action; FUTA Nigeria)
-Rikin Gandhi (Digital Green, India)
-Mansur Kasali (EmpowerHer Capital, USA)
Their insights provided diverse global perspectives on innovation, inclusion, and sustainable agricultural transformation.
A Shared Commitment to Impact
The session concluded with a renewed sense of purpose and collaboration among participants. It reaffirmed that achieving sustainable development in agriculture requires not only technology but also partnerships, policy alignment, and inclusive capacity building.
🔗 Keynote Speech
The full keynote address is available here: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:EU:3f80d81d-a3f3-43a2-95f4-d6965b53bcdf
Together Forward
Through initiatives like this, YEDIS continues to champion innovation, youth empowerment, and sustainable development—working toward a future where technology drives opportunity and inclusive growth across developing economies.
