Unlocking Sustainable Solutions for Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship through Indigenous Knowledge in Africa
Wednesday, May 27, 2026 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
- Virtual event
- Zoom meeting link
- Contact
- Samuel Ojo Oloruntoba, SamuelOjoOloruntoba@cunet.carleton.ca
The Africa Indigenous Knowledge Research Network (AIKRN), Institute of African Studies, Carleton University with support from the Mastercard Foundation presents the launch of the final report on the project entitled
” Unlocking Sustainable Solutions for Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship through Indigenous Knowledge in Africa
Date and time: Wednesday May 27, 2026, 10am EST/3PM GMT/6PM EAT via Zoom
Registration link: https://carleton-ca.zoom.us/meeting/register/kwoLyIJVS4S8LJzp2XQqcQ
Overview
From 2023 to 2026, the Africa Indigenous Knowledge Research Network (AIKRN), Institute of African Studies, Carleton University with support from the Mastercard Foundation carried out community-based research in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda to understand how indigenous knowledge can promote youth employment and entrepreneurship. The research highlighted how young people are drawing on indigenous practices, values, and community-based institutions to drive entrepreneurship in diverse sectors such as agriculture, creative industries, health, and environmental sustainability. It also showed that indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) continue to serve as critical foundations for innovation, resilience, and livelihood creation.
Despite these contributions, policy and development frameworks often marginalize indigenous knowledge, privileging externally derived models of entrepreneurship. This disconnect limits the potential of African youth to leverage culturally grounded, locally relevant, and sustainable pathways to economic empowerment. There is therefore a need to amplify empirical insights from ongoing research and create platforms for dialogue among scholars, practitioners, and development partners. This webinar provides a unique platform for sharing valuable insights from the research. The objectives of the webinar include the following:
- Share key findings from AIKRN–Mastercard Foundation collaborative research and reports on indigenous knowledge and youth entrepreneurship
- Highlight case studies from diverse African communities
- Foster dialogue on integrating indigenous knowledge into youth employment and entrepreneurship policies and programs
Audience: AIKRN members, researchers, community members, youth entrepreneurs, policy makers, AFRIAK members and fellows.
Expected Outcomes
- Increased awareness of the role of indigenous knowledge in shaping youth entrepreneurship
- Policy-relevant insights for integrating IKS into development programming
- Strengthened collaboration between researchers, development partners, and practitioners
Proposed Agenda (1 Hour 45 Minutes)
10:00 – 10:10: Welcome and Opening Remarks
- Dr. Anne Bowker, Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Carleton University
- Dr. Eunice Muthengi, Director, Evidence and Learning Insights, Mastercard Foundation
10:10 – 10:15: Introduction to the Africa Indigenous Knowledge Research Network (AIKRN, Samuel Ojo Oloruntoba, founder, AIKRN
10:15 – 10:25: Empowering Ijaw Youth through Indigenous Knowledge Entrepreneurship (Nigeria)-Adebowale Ayobade and Vincent Efebeh.
The presentation will explore informal trade networks, traditional birth attendance, traditional bone setting, fishing, cultural finance systems, and youth enterprise
10:25 – 10:35: Empowering Maasai and Ogiek Youth Indigenous Knowledge and Entrepreneurship in (Tanzania and Kenya): Nerisa Kumar.
The presentation will examine pastoralist knowledge, indigenous health, eco-entrepreneurship, bee keeping, and innovation in climate adaptation
10:35 – 10:45: Indigenous Knowledge and Youth Livelihoods among the Batwa (Uganda)-Judith Nagasha and Scorah Tumwebaze
The presentation will highlight forest-based livelihoods, indigenous health, agribusiness, ecotourism, and heritage enterprises
10:45 – 10:55: Indigenous Knowledge and Cultural Entrepreneurship among the Abatwa and Nguni (South Africa)
Jabulile Mzimela and Lethiwe Zondo
The presentation will focus on indigenous crafts, cultural tourism, and identity-based entrepreneurship
10:55-11:05: Indigenous Knowledge and Youth Entrepreneurship among the Ogoni (Nigeria) –Kialee Nyiayaana and Baridole David Nwiado.
The presentation will focus on indigenous wine production, mat making, fishing and youth entrepreneurship
11:05 -11:35: Interactive Discussion and Q&A
11:35 – 11:45: Closing Reflections and Next Steps