FAO, Mastercard Unite to Empower Kenya’s Youth Through Livestock Innovation

A powerful new partnership between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Mastercard Foundation is set to transform Kenya’s livestock sector by creating thousands of livelihood opportunities for young people across the country’s arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs).

Source:farmersreviewafrica

The five-year initiative, Creating Shared Value in the Livestock Sector with Young People in Kenya’s ASALs (CASHA), aims to break down the barriers that prevent youth — particularly young women, people with disabilities, refugees, and displaced persons — from fully participating in the livestock economy.

FAO Representative to Kenya, Nyabenyi Tipo, said the collaboration reflects a shared vision of empowering the next generation through innovation and inclusion. “Investing in young people is key to unlocking the potential of agrifood systems,” she said, noting that Mastercard Foundation’s support will help shape an agrifood sector that offers genuine and lasting opportunities.

Through CASHA, the two organizations will work to transition 200,000 young people from vulnerable backgrounds in 15 counties into sustainable and dignified employment — with a special focus on women, who make up 80 percent of the target group. The initiative will harness the expertise of several partners, including SNV Netherlands Development Organisation, E4Impact Foundation, The Boma Project, the Kenya Livestock Marketing Council, and the International Livestock Research Institute, to strengthen access to training, finance, markets, and resources.

Livestock remains the economic backbone of Kenya’s ASALs, which cover about 80 percent of the country’s land area and sustain roughly 60 percent of the national herd. For most pastoral and agro-pastoral communities, animals are more than a source of income — they are a way of life. Yet, for many young people, especially women, access to opportunities in this vital sector remains limited by inadequate skills, restricted financing, and cultural barriers.

The CASHA programme seeks to change that narrative by equipping youth with the tools and confidence to turn livestock farming into a modern, profitable, and sustainable enterprise. It aligns with the Mastercard Foundation’s Young Africa Works strategy, which envisions 30 million young Africans in dignified work by 2030, and leverages FAO’s technical expertise and deep community ties to ensure lasting impact.

As climate change and economic uncertainty reshape Kenya’s rural landscape, this partnership could become a lifeline for a new generation — empowering young people to not only build resilient livelihoods but also reimagine the future of livestock production across the ASALs.