July 31, 2024

Strengthening the future: 2SCALE's Global Youth Mentorship Program (GYMP)

In 2022, 2SCALE launched the Global Youth Mentorship Program (GYMP) to empower young professionals across Africa by connecting them with experienced mentors. This initiative aimed to unlock the potential of young minds, guiding them towards a brighter future in agribusiness, and their careers overall. The journey of this program exemplifies growth, learning, and profound impact, spanning two enriching cohorts.

May 2022 marked the start of the first cohort of GYMP. In this cohort, 44 eager participants within 2SCALE’s network, comprising 22 mentors and 22 mentees from ten different countries, paired together with the common goal of learning, growing, and making a difference. The mentors- seasoned professionals with years of experience, were ready to share their wisdom, while the mentees, full of enthusiasm, sought guidance and direction.

For the mentees, the objectives were clear: gain insight into their life's purpose and passion, understand their own strengths, identify career pitfalls, and prepare for their future. Having a senior professional as a point of reference was crucial in making their professional path simpler. For the mentors, the program provided an opportunity to set an example for young colleagues at the beginning of their career paths. They aimed to help these young professionals develop their own talents and ambitions, act as enablers and inclusive agents, develop their own coaching skills, and demystify the workplace for the mentees. To ensure relevant and impactful guidance, mentors and mentees were paired based on their career paths and fields of expertise.

A Journey of Growth

The GYMP was more than just a series of meetings. It was a comprehensive learning journey. The mentors and mentees engaged in regular virtual meetings, masterclasses, and continuous feedback sessions. The masterclasses were a cornerstone of the GYMP, designed to provide participants with in-depth knowledge and practical skills. These sessions were conducted in both English and French to ensure inclusivity and wide participation. Each masterclass was led by industry experts who shared their insights and experiences on various topics crucial for personal and professional growth.

One of the most impactful masterclasses was led by Coach Kassoum Bikienga, an economist and certified trainer based in Burkina Faso, who shared his expertise on leadership and mentorship styles. Another notable session was by Jean Boudillon, a former agribusiness and soft skill coach from the Netherlands, who featured as a guest speaker. He took the cohort through a session on building rapport. These masterclasses not only equipped the participants with essential skills but also fostered an environment of interactive learning through role-playing and question-and-answer (Q&A) segments.

A big takeaway for me from the masterclass is that I am a better leader if I improve my listening skills and emotional intelligence.

A mentor shared.

As the months passed, the participants began to see tangible changes in their professional lives. The program fostered not only professional growth but also personal development.

Joseph Kamau, a mentee, shared his experience with his mentor Hans Meenink.

The sessions have been a learning experience for me and the teamwork between Hans and myself is amazing. We have a detailed document with goals that guide each session and a logbook to track our progress. During our first session we had a thorough overview of the concept of value chains, key to an upcoming agribusiness professional. With the blueprint we have in place, I am certain that the upcoming sessions will be just as interesting, and knowledge filled.

He explained.

Olive M’Bahia, a mentor, shared her experience with her mentee. She said,

The introductory call with Saida went well. We took the time to get to know each other and discuss the next steps. Our discussions have been focused and goal-oriented.

The first cohort's journey culminated in a virtual closing event in February 2023. This gathering was a celebration of their achievements and a reflection on the journey. Participants shared their growth stories, discussed pivotal moments, and highlighted the importance of mentorship in their development.

Building on Success

Inspired by the success of the first cohort, 2SCALE launched the second cohort in July 2023. Cohort two had 28 participants, 14 mentors and 14 mentees. This cohort built upon the foundation laid by its predecessor, incorporating feedback and introducing new topics in the masterclasses to address the evolving needs of the participants.

The second cohort featured masterclasses by Coach Bikienga on topics such as self-esteem in the workplace, finding your lifepath and leadership styles. These sessions were crucial in helping mentees build confidence and navigate their professional environments effectively.

I have gained a lot from the masterclasses. For instance, I have learnt to be flexible and to practice gratitude and self-esteem in the work environment.

Highlighted a mentee after a masterclass session.

The closing event for the second cohort, held in May 2024, was filled with enriching discussions and invaluable insights into sustainable impact. Participants delved into their experiences, exploring the innovative strategies they developed and the new perspectives they gained. The event reflected the program's success in fostering a supportive community and driving meaningful change in the workplace.

Bachir Bounou Issoufa, International Fertilizer Development Centre (IFDC) Niger's Country Director and a mentor from the second cohort, also shared his experience mentoring a young professional in his field of project management. He highlighted,

During my engagements with Josline Nyaga, my mentee, we talked about our different experiences in Project Management. Three key areas that we explored, and I was able to provide some guidance on, were fostering a good relationship with colleagues, working efficiently as a project manager to achieve deliverables, and sustaining a healthy work-life balance.

Severin Naon, a mentee from the second cohort, shared his enriching experience at the closing event. He said,

My experience with my mentor, Samuel Bacye, Communications Coordinator at SNV, went beyond my initial expectations. Since we are in the same field of work and he is an experienced and respected professional, I was able to gain new perspectives on the industry. We also developed different innovative strategies to ensure the success of my projects.

The journey of Severin and many others atests to the program's lasting impact, inspiring a new generation of leaders ready to make a difference in the African Agribusiness sector and beyond. The 2SCALE Global Youth Mentorship Program is more than just a mentorship initiative; it is a story of an intentional drive towards equipping the future of Africa. By fostering a paired culture of learning and support, the GYMP is shaping the future, one young professional at a time.

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