2024-10-04 20:15:46
In recent years, African nations have made international headlines for their notable progress in youth participation during electoral processes. In 2020, Namibia saw an increase in youth participation with several young leaders taking on senior roles in local government. This year Senegal elected the youngest president in African history, 44-year-old Bassirou Diomaye Faye. In both countries, where the average age is 18 and around 75% of the population is under 35, this youth leadership represents an important step towards aligning political representation with demographic reality.
Contrary to what some may believe, young Africans have faith in democracy. According to the latest Afrobarometer (November 2023), 64% of young Africans support democracy and reject other authoritarian alternatives. By comparison, only 59% of adults in Latin America and the Caribbean, on average, express support for democracy. While it is a statistic we should be proud of, we cannot ignore that six in ten young Africans are dissatisfied with the functioning of democracy in their countries. There is room for improvement and young people are ready to accept the challenge.
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