Africa's Youth at a Crossroads: Protests, Leadership, and the Quest for Change

Strategic Insights -

Africa's demographic bulge, with more than 400 million people aged between 18 and 35, finds itself at a crossroads. A disillusioned generation blames the ruling political classes for missed economic opportunities, leading to youth-led protests in several African countries. In Kenya, protests against corruption and high taxes have been a major concern, while in Uganda, police intervened to prevent a potentially chaotic scene. Nigeria has also seen short-lived protests against economic mismanagement. The protests are a warning sign that the youth are demanding change but seem unable to drive it. The Africa Youth Forum 2024 in Nairobi aimed to stimulate an intergenerational dialogue to promote the perspectives of all age groups in the continent.

Key Takeaways:

  • The continent has the youngest population in the world, with more than 400 million people aged between 18 and 35, and by 2030, it is estimated that 42% of all young people entering the workplace will be African.
  • The generational gap between the youth and Africa's leadership denies young people a chance to show their abilities, energy, and contribution to the continent's economy, leading to widespread protests in Kenya and elsewhere in Africa.
  • Organizers of the Nairobi meeting say Africa's youth will have no meaningful contribution to state affairs without dialogue, and will always be at the mercy of crafty politicians.
  • Faith Norah Lukosi, a youth representative in a national fund, castigated the youth for sitting on the fence and waiting for handouts from politicians, and argued that "Kenya is ripe for revolution led by youth".
  • Rwanda has not witnessed the kind of political and economic protests seen in Kenya or Uganda, as young people in the country still feel the best way to forestall such chaotic scenes is by continued government engagement.
  • Not just education but digital access is a major challenge for many Africans, with only 43% having access to the internet in 2021, and 74% of web traffic in Africa via mobile phones as of January 2024.
  • Without physical and intellectual infrastructure, Africa's youth will not reach their potential, will not have any tangible input in the global, regional, or national agendas, nor will they understand what really matters to them and how policies formulated at the highest levels affect them.

Statistics:

  • More than 400 million people aged between 18 and 35 in Africa by mid-2024.
  • 42% of all young people entering the workplace will be African by 2030.
  • 43% of Africans had access to the internet in 2021.
  • 74% of web traffic in Africa was via mobile phones as of January 2024.
  • 14 percentage points higher than the world average in mobile phone usage for web traffic in Africa.

Sources:

  • The Africa Youth Forum 2024 in Nairobi.
  • Peter Muiruri in Nairobi.
  • The Daily Nation.
  • Faith Norah Lukosi's article "Kenya is ripe for revolution led by youth".
  • Deborah Mukundwa from Kigali, Rwanda.
  • Kjell Magne Bondevik, former prime minister of Norway.
  • Oslo Center.