Young voices : Africa corridors of power

By Mary Alorh

The future belongs to the youth, and over the past few decades, young Africans have been at the forefront of advocating for freedom from authoritarian rule and injustice. Political uprisings on the continent, such as the Arab Spring, led to the toppling of governments in Egypt, Tunisia, and beyond.

This wave of change has fostered a sense of responsibility among Africa’s youth. Facing high unemployment, many young people began questioning their prospects and the future of their homeland and continent. This prompted a realization that they must take charge and represent themselves in positions of power.

Across Africa, young leaders have begun running for presidential elections – not necessarily to win immediately, but to spark meaningful discussions. Figures such as Zimbabwe’s Nelson Chamisa, Uganda’s Bobi Wine, and Nigeria’s Omoyele Sowore have courageously contested presidential elections, often against entrenched institutions and political elites.

For example, Omoyele Sowore of Nigeria was the youngest presidential candidate in the 2023 Nigerian election. He ran against well-established figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Lagos Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who now serves as President.

The youth hold solutions to longstanding challenges facing the continent, such as insecurity, poverty, and underdevelopment. Their talent, knowledge, and skills offer valuable resources for governments seeking to drive progress and development across Africa.

These established politicians often benefit from significant institutional support and financial resources.

Today’s African youth are prepared to disrupt the status quo and challenge the aging political class that has dominated since independence. Given that the continent’s average age is 19.5 years, it is only fitting for young people to be involved in decision-making processes at the highest levels.

Many young Africans are leveraging technology to create jobs and improve their livelihoods, though they often face challenges such as newly imposed taxes by political leaders in countries like Kenya, Ghana, and Uganda. These tax measures have frequently been met with resistance from the youth.

The African Union’s creation of the African Youth Envoy position has given young people a greater voice on the continent, facilitating access to decision-making bodies and platforms for change. Recent milestones, such as the election of President Macky Sall’s successor, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, in Senegal, and Botswana’s appointment of 26-year-old Lesego Chombo as Minister of Youth and Gender, underscore the significance of youth in Africa’s development journey.

The youth hold solutions to longstanding challenges facing the continent, such as insecurity, poverty, and underdevelopment. Their talent, knowledge, and skills offer valuable resources for governments seeking to drive progress and development across Africa.

Mary Alorh is Director of Administration at DefSEC Analytics Africa Ltd., and is an expert in Gender, Youth, and Peace & Security initiatives in West Africa.