Young protesters took to the streets to attend nationwide demonstrations marking the anniversary of the deadly anti-taxation protests in Nairobi, Kenya, on 25 June 2025.
© picture alliance / Anadolu | Gerald Anderson
doi:10.18449/2025MTA-WP20
With African youth at the heart of political change, this study draws on Afrobarometer data from 41 countries to examine how the youth bulge, urbanization, and social media use shape young Africans’ support for democracy, voting behavior, and protest participation.
Young protesters took to the streets to attend nationwide demonstrations marking the anniversary of the deadly anti-taxation protests in Nairobi, Kenya, on 25 June 2025.
© picture alliance / Anadolu | Gerald Anderson
Africa’s future will be young, urban and digital, but will it be more democratic? This Working Paper explores how age, urbanization and access to social media shape African citizens’ political attitudes, their willingness to participate in democratic institutions, and forms of collective action.
doi:10.18449/2025MTA-WP16
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