Young Africans Back Democracy but Call for a Model Better Suited to Africa, Survey Finds
Young Africans Back Democracy but Call for a Model Better Suited to Africa, Survey Finds
While 73% of young Africans still believe democracy is the best system of government, 56% say Western-style democracy is not suitable for Africa, according to the African Youth Survey 2026, which polled 4,901 people aged 18–24 across 16 countries.
Key findings:
🟠76% believe leaders are out of touch with young people, and the same proportion say too few young people hold government positions.
🟠80% say they would be more likely to vote for parties that nominate more young candidates, and 80% support creating a dedicated youth minister.
🟠65% favor age limits for presidents and prime ministers, with 57 years identified as the preferred upper limit.
"Let us be honest about what Africa’s Gen-Z are saying. They have not abandoned democracy. They have abandoned the patience to be lectured about democracy by leaders and institutions that cannot deliver work," said survey founder Ivor Ichikowitz.
Despite economic pressures, 43% of respondents believe Africa is moving in the right direction, up from 37% in 2024.
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