Let the youth lead, and Africa will soar

Daily Maverick

a day ago

The African continent has the youngest population on the globe. In numerical terms, the continent is home to approximately 400 million people under the age of 35, with 70% of sub-Saharan Africa being inhabited by people under the age of 30. However, despite statistics clearly indicating that individuals aged 35 years and under are the majority demographic, there exists much room for youth-led interventions, leadership, and empowerment initiatives.
The challenges facing the youth are many. Dominant themes such as persistent unemployment, too few youth-focused empowerment initiatives, and insufficient attention being paid to the mental health challenges facing youths as they try and navigate increasingly complex and unequal societies. This is further compounded by the devastating effects of climate change, which disproportionately affect the younger generations, those who did not create these problems but are facing the very real threat. On a continental level, the African Union has taken strides to drive youth-focused policies and programmes. Chief among these policies and programmes is the African Youth Charter, as well as the Youth Decade Plan of Action, both of which have the potential to be catalysts for an Africa where the youth play an integral role as stakeholders in all decisions, policies and practices. Oftentimes, policies without practical implementation and dedicated sustainable support do not move the needle in practice, and thus mean very little, especially at a grassroots level. The status quo in many instances therefore remains the same. The aforementioned is evidenced by approximately 72 million African youths (the majority of which are female) not being employed and missing out on higher education training initiatives. Further, leadership positions on the Continent are largely dominated by older generations, with two-fifths of African leaders being over the age of 70 years.
The largest demographic is unjustly being denied a seat at the table.
The Continent is home to countless young individuals who have made significant contributions thanks to the correct kind of support. The Kenya Finance Bill Protests, widely known as the #RejectFinanceBill2024, were mobilised and led by Gen Z. This campaign was instrumental in the scrapping of the proposed Finance Bill. In South Africa, the youth-led #FeesMustFall has had far-reaching implications for higher education. These are but two examples of youth-led and youth-focused initiatives which illustrate the power of young voices.
Africa's future depends on the youth, and the time for youth tokenism is over. To truly thrive, young people must be at the forefront of decision-making processes, not as symbolic participants, but as empowered leaders whose voices shape the policies that will define their futures.
History has shown us the power of the youth. Both the 1976 Soweto Uprising and the 1985 State of Emergency in South Africa were led by young people who stood up for and demanded change. On that pivotal morning of June 16 th, those youths rose armed only with courage and a sense of conviction that living like second-class citizens was no longer acceptable. It is trite that the youth are our future. The time for change is now, and we need to move from policy into practice, to ensure that their voices are not only heard but respected, and that their suggestions are implemented and that they are included everywhere that decisions are made.
If Africa is to thrive, we need the input of youth at all levels of society. We must ensure that youths are present in our teams, communities and families; that we act as mentors, and that we allow youth to take up leadership positions even if it means that we step aside. Indeed, it is youth who have the potential to realise the long-hoped-for dream of an African Renaissance. Let us be the champions of a united, youth-led continent.