African Youth:
Barriers and Transformative Potential for the Future of Africa

In recent decades, Africa’s population has been steadily growing, positioning the continent as the second most populous in the world. In 2020, Africa had over 1.3 billion inhabitants, with more than a third of the population aged between 15 and 35 and 70% under the age of 30. This makes Africa the youngest continent in the world. Moreover, by 2050, it is estimated that one in three young people worldwide will live in Sub-Saharan Africa. This demographic trend highlights the crucial role of youth in the economic, social, and political development of the continent, establishing African youth as a key transformative force for the future of Africa.

Africa’s young and growing population defines the continent’s demographic landscape and represents a critical element in understanding its socio-economic development. While this reality presents significant challenges—due to demographic pressure and cultural, social, and political structures that limit youth empowerment—it also offers a unique opportunity for transformative change. However, addressing this growth effectively requires strategic investments in employment and empowerment, along with the creation of enabling environments that foster youth associational engagement and active participation. This will allow young people to take on leadership and decision-making roles.

The African Youth Charter of the African Union (2006) recognizes young Africans as a fundamental resource for the continent’s future. If properly supported, they can become a driving force for change. However, significant socio-economic and political barriers persist, limiting their ability to contribute to Africa’s development. Political and economic hostility, along with rigid structural barriers, have hindered the emergence of active youth leadership. These obstacles have weakened young people’s autonomy, reducing their capacity to organize themselves and promote meaningful change.

Key Barriers to Youth Autonomy and Leadership:

1. Cultural and social barriers: Africa’s gerontocratic traditions limit young people’s access to leadership positions, which are often reserved for the elderly. This exclusion creates a gap in leadership knowledge and training, marginalizing young people from socio-economic development discussions and relegating them to the role of “leaders of the future” without real participation in the present.
2. Youth unemployment: Among African youth, unemployment restricts growth and development opportunities, making it difficult to access economic resources and professional training necessary to gain experience and leadership skills.
3. Lack of education and training: In many African countries, only a small number of young people complete secondary school due to educational access challenges, particularly in rural areas. This drastically reduces their chances of active participation in local and national development.

Another key issue is the fragmentation of educational pathways, which significantly affects young people’s ability to take on leadership roles. In Sub-Saharan Africa, only one-third of boys and just over a quarter of girls enroll in secondary school. This situation is directly linked to youth unemployment, further increasing their socio-economic vulnerability.

These factors create a vicious cycle, preventing young people from assuming leadership positions and progressively excluding them from decision-making processes. The lack of active participation reinforces their marginalization and prevents the recognition of their transformative potential. This scenario not only limits individual opportunities but also deprives society of young people’s energy, creativity, and resilience. Their ability to drive change remains untapped, hindered by political and social structural barriers. Greater investments in youth and their leadership potential are crucial so that the next generations can become the true engine of transformation for Africa’s future.