Megatrends and the Future of Democracy in Africa. How Do the Youth Bulge, Urbanization and Digitalization Shape African Politics?

• Godfred Bonnah Nkansah

The “Demo-conomics” in African Youth Politics. Youth Bulge and Unemployment Meet Political Attitude and Participation

With more than 70 per cent of the continent’s population under 30 years of age, Africa is currently the youngest continent. A high youth bulge is associated with strong support for democratic norms, an increased likelihood of participation in demonstrations and a decreased likelihood of voting in elections.

doi:10.18449/2025MTA-WP15

• Zum Volltext (PDF) | 820 KB

• Benedikt Erforth

Data Extraction, Data Governance and Africa–Europe Cooperation

Africa's digital realm is rapidly evolving, with increasing regulatory frameworks emerging amidst diverse challenges. This contrasts with Europe’s established yet subtly influential digital governance landscape. The paper analyzes the dynamics of data regulation cooperation, advocating a non-paternalistic EU approach that embraces data sovereignty and a nuanced partnership strategy.

doi:10.18449/2024MTA-WP14

• Zum Volltext (PDF) | 491 KB

• Lena Gutheil

Can Public Participation Deepen Democracy?

While public engagement has contributed to enhancing social justice in Nakuru City, Kenia, challenges in improving governance effectiveness and legitimacy persist. This is due to limited responsiveness of local elites, political and legal loopholes, and restricted public participation.

doi:10.18449/2023MTA-PB18

• Zum Volltext (PDF) | 265 KB

• Obiageli “Oby” Ezekwesili

Not Just Statistics: Why We Need to Overcome Youth Unemployment in Nigeria

Nigeria’s youth is rapidly growing – a significant promise for the country’s future, but a currently untapped potential due to high unemployment. Obiageli “Oby” Ezekwesili, former Minister of Education, explains how Abuja and Berlin could work together to empower youth.

• Lena Gutheil

The Impact of Urbanisation on Political Regimes in Africa: A Literature Review

The working paper finds that urbanisation does not automatically lead to democratisation, but structures the way citizens relate to the state. While urban density facilitates collective accountability demands, the link between urbanisation and individual accountability relationships with the state is less straightforward. The reviewed evidence suggests that the force to reckon with is not the middle class, but rather the poor masses. It is not enough for governments to cater to the elites anymore, as the share of the urban poor becomes too large to ignore.

doi:10.18449/2022MTA-WP03

• Zum Volltext (PDF) | 814 KB

• Benedikt Erforth
• Lena Gutheil

Why we should talk about megatrends in Africa

• Deutsch

Megatrends have become ubiquitous phenomena in public policy debates. A thorough understanding of what this concept entails is often missing. We address this gap by unpacking the notion “megatrend” and tracing the significance it has for understanding the transformation of African societies.