KEY POINTS
- African youth play a pivotal role in political movements.
- Technology empowers youth-led movements across the continent.
- Despite challenges, African youth continue driving political change.
Young people in Africa are increasingly taking leadership roles in political movements that contest authoritarianism, corruption, and economic mismanagement. Given that more than 60% of Africa’s population is under the age of 25, its youth hold power in shaping the political future of the continent. Armed with digital tools and social media, they have become influential in organizing protests, starting new movements, and advocating for change. This article explores the historical roots, current involvement, and future prospects of African youth in political activism.
Technology and the rise of youth-led political movements
Youth engagement in African political movements has a long history. In the mid-20th century, young people were instrumental in liberation struggles such as Kenya’s Mau Mau movement against British colonial rule and South Africa’s ANC Youth League, which played a crucial role in dismantling apartheid. However, post-independence disillusionment led to youth-led protests, such as South Africa’s 1976 Soweto Uprising against apartheid educational policies.
Today, African youth are more connected than ever before, thanks to the proliferation of mobile phones and internet access. These tools have become vital in modern political movements, enabling rapid communication and coordination. For instance, Nigeria’s #EndSARS protests against police brutality and South Africa’s #FeesMustFall protests for affordable university fees leveraged platforms like Twitter and Facebook to mobilize large numbers of supporters. Such technology has democratized political activism, allowing youth to bypass traditional media channels and amplify their voices directly.
Youth are not merely protesting from the sidelines but are also forming political movements. In Uganda, musician-turned-politician Bobi Wine has inspired the youth-led National Unity Platform, a direct challenge to President Yoweri Museveni’s 35-year rule. Similarly, movements like Senegal’s Y’en a Marre and Burkina Faso’s Balai Citoyen have successfully mobilized the youth to bring about political change, including the ousting of entrenched leaders.
Challenges youth face as they lead Africa’s political transformation
Despite their numbers and enthusiasm, African youth face significant challenges as they seek to transform the political landscape. Political repression remains a major obstacle, with governments often responding to youth movements with arrests, censorship, and, in some cases, violence. For instance, the Nigerian government cracked down on #EndSARS protesters, while Uganda’s government has used intimidation tactics against supporters of Bobi Wine.
In addition to political repression, economic barriers also hinder youth activism. Many African countries suffer from high youth unemployment rates, often above 30%. The economic vulnerability of young people makes it difficult to sustain long-term political engagement, particularly when financial resources are scarce. Cultural barriers also exist, as many African societies are governed by gerontocratic systems that prioritize older generations in positions of power. Youth are often viewed as inexperienced or as troublemakers, further limiting their opportunities for political influence.
However, despite these obstacles, African youth continue to drive political change across the continent. Their activism has already resulted in significant reforms in some countries, and their growing involvement in politics suggests that they will remain a powerful force for change in the years to come.
