Addressing the needs of youth – for education, engagement, and livelihoods – has become a central tenet of global and continental policy discussions over the past decade. The African Youth Charter underscores the rights of youth to participate in political and decision making processes and calls upon states to prepare them with the necessary skills to do so. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) consider youth essential partners for achieving inclusive and peaceful societies. More than one-third of the 169 SDG targets reference youth. Almost 60% of Africa’s population is under the age of 25, representing enormous opportunities and challenges. The fact that only 14% of lawmakers on the continent are under the age of 40 highlights the gap between youth’s voice and the importance of youth to economic and social progress. Youth unemployment rates are double those of adults in most African countries, and 60% of Africa’s unemployed are young people. Almost half of young Africans have considered emigrating – most often in search of jobs. Findings from the latest Afrobarometer surveys in 34 countries shed light on challenges confronting Africa’s youth. Young citizens do not feel they are getting the support they need from their governments – and their elders agree. Younger Africans have made substantial gains in terms of educational achievement, but they still face huge gaps in paid employment, making job creation the most critical issue on the youth agenda. While both youth and older citizens support more aggressive government efforts to help young people, they give their governments failing marks in meeting these needs. Africans of all ages seem to understand that if the youth are suffering and unable to establish productive livelihoods, this is not just a “youth problem,” but a “society problem.” But even if their elders support a pro-youth agenda, young Africans could do more to make their own voices heard directly in policy-making processes. The youth of Africa are far less likely to vote than their older compatriots, and they are generally less engaged in day-to-day political processes as well. African states have failed to effectively engage youth in governance and decision-making processes, but youth themselves could find ways – including voting – to ensure their voices are heard in the design of policies and programs to overcome the hurdles they face.
