The latest African Youth Survey from the Ichikowitz Family Foundation provides a comprehensive look at the perspectives, hopes, and concerns of young people across 16 African countries. Now in its third iteration, the 2024 survey reveals both encouraging signs of optimism as well as ongoing challenges facing Africa’s youth.

 

Rebounding Afro-Optimism Amidst Corruption & Economic Concerns. The survey reveals a generation that is hopeful about Africa’s future yet deeply aware of the challenges ahead. Young Africans are calling for more responsive governance, greater economic opportunities, action on climate change, and stronger protections against misinformation. While eager to shape their own destinies, they feel hindered by systemic issues, particularly the pervasive corruption that affects many aspects of their lives and aspirations.

 

This mix of optimism and frustration is evident in many areas of young Africans’ lives. While they express confidence in their personal futures, with over three-quarters (78%) saying they know what they want to do with their lives, they still face significant obstacles. Corruption emerges as the biggest barrier to finding employment (two-in-five) and ranks as the second-largest hurdle to starting a business. This pervasive issue undermines their faith in institutions, with notable levels of concern about corruption in national government (73%), local government (70%), and national companies (71%).

 

Climate Change Concerns are High. Climate change emerges as another critical concern, reflecting global trends but carrying particular urgency for Africa. The high level of worry about climate impacts (78%) contrasts sharply with the low satisfaction in government efforts to address the issue (48%). This gap underscores a broader theme of the survey: young Africans are deeply invested in their continent’s future but often feel let down by current leadership and institutions. The survey reveals that youth are acutely aware of the potential consequences, with 73% believing climate change will harm future generations and people in their country, and 69% expecting personal harm. Already, water scarcity stands out as the environmental issue of greatest concern to African youth, with 76% expressing worry. Moreover, 71% anticipate that climate change will increase conflicts over water and farmland, leading to resource hoarding. As youth across the Continent are increasingly aware of the impacts of climate change, they are looking for action to mitigate the likely effects — 81% of youth say their government needs to do more to address climate change.

 

Entrepreneurial Spirit Remains Strong. Despite the challenges they face, the entrepreneurial spirit of African youth shines as a beacon of hope and potential. An impressive 71% of young Africans plan to start their own business within the next five years, reflecting a strong desire to take control of their economic futures and contribute to their countries’ development. However, the path to realizing these aspirations is fraught with obstacles. The survey reveals that lack of access to capital remains the biggest barrier, cited by 52% of respondents. Corruption follows closely (40%), which has seen a concerning increase from 32% in 2022, mirroring the broader concerns about corruption’s pervasive impact on African societies. There is an urgent need for supportive ecosystems that can nurture and channel this entrepreneurial energy in the face of corruption. Systems like innovative financing solutions, mentorship programs, and policy reforms to create an environment conducive to start-ups and small businesses. By doing so, Africa could unlock a powerful force for innovation, economic diversification, and sustainable development, driven by the energy and creativity of its youth.

 

Africa’s Growing Global Role. African youth are calling for their leaders to balance domestic priorities with enhancing their country’s global influence. Nearly half (45%) want leaders to focus on addressing domestic issues, while the rest are split between increasing regional influence (23%) and expanding global presence (29%). They seek an equal seat at the table and a stronger voice in international affairs. Just under two-thirds (64%) believe African leaders can drive change on the global stage, 69% want their leadership to play a more active role in negotiating peace settlements, and 57% agree that their country should offer military support or supplies to international conflicts. However, on international conflicts, though opinions are divided on whether to take positions on conflicts outside Africa. These findings suggest that African youth envision a future where their countries are more assertive and influential globally, while also being cautious about foreign entanglements and prioritizing domestic development. They seek a balanced approach that leverages international partnerships for Africa’s benefit while maintaining autonomy, protecting natural resources, and addressing internal challenges.

 

As Africa’s youth population continues to grow, understanding their perspectives is crucial for policymakers, businesses, and civil society. The African Youth Survey offers invaluable insights to shape policies and initiatives that can unlock the immense potential of the continent’s young people. It calls for urgent action to combat corruption, create economic opportunities, and address critical issues like climate change, and empower youth to lead in solving Africa’s challenges.

 

The picture emerges of a generation at a crossroads – optimistic about their future yet frustrated by persistent barriers. How Africa and the world respond to their calls for change will be crucial in determining whether this turning point leads to a brighter future or continued struggles. The survey makes clear that investing in Africa’s youth – their education, businesses, and civic engagement – is not just an option, but a necessity for the continent’s progress and stability.

 

The Ichikowitz Family Foundation’s African Youth Survey provides a valuable and unique voice to youth from across the Continent – it is the most comprehensive study in Africa that focuses solely on the attitudes, aspirations, hopes, and dreams of youth. It has captured the perspective of more than 14,300 youth across 25 countries in three waves of research since 2020.

 

The full report is available here. Launched in time for the elections in May 2024, the special report on South Africa is available here.

 

Coverage includes:

 

 

For more information, please contact Cole Ryan at [email protected]