In recent years, African countries have made international headlines for their notable progress in youth participation in electoral processes. In 2020, Namibia saw an increase in youth participation, with several young leaders taking on leading roles in local government. This year, Senegal elected the youngest president in African history, 44-year-old Bassirou Diomaye Faye. In both countries, where the average age is 18 and around 75% of the population is under 35, this youth leadership represents an important step towards aligning political representation with demographic reality.
Contrary to what some might believe, young Africans trust democracy. According to the latest Afrobarometer (November 2023), 64% of young Africans support democracy and reject other authoritarian alternatives. In comparison, only 59% of adults in Latin America and the Caribbean express support for democracy. Although this is a statistic to be proud of, we cannot ignore that six out of ten young Africans are dissatisfied with the way democracy works in their country. There is room for improvement and young people are ready to take on the challenge.
Having strong political representation, and it’s not just about having a young president, allows young people to feel seen, heard and reflected in their government. At the same time, it encourages positive participation in democratic processes. Youth is not only the present, but also the future. Your voice, our voice, is essential to building more just and equitable societies. And we must be aware that our participation has a direct impact on the policies implemented.
There can be various reasons why a person may be dissatisfied with the way democracy works in their country. For young people, lack of representation is at the top of the list. Most African leaders are 55 or older, some even over 75. Those who believe that the generation gap does not influence the relationship between a leader and his citizens are deluding themselves. The lack of empathy and understanding for the struggles of the new generation on issues ranging from housing, financial independence and employment to basic health services remains a major source of concern and discontent policy.
We cannot demand that all future leaders be from the same generation as the vast majority of their voters; However, they are expected to surround themselves with people who defend the concerns of this part of society. I know personally the difference it can make in a country.
According to the aforementioned report, only 44% of Africans between 18 and 35 say they trust their president. This reflects a problem of trust, but also of civic education. Governments must prioritize raising awareness among their citizens about the importance of democracy in their daily lives.
Democracy is crucial because it guarantees individual rights and freedoms, enables citizen participation, ensures accountability of leaders and promotes equality and social justice, thereby contributing to the stability and development of society. National leaders have an obligation to unite with democracy advocates to raise awareness of the importance of defending democratic values in an increasingly polarized world. Campaigns like the one recently launched by the World Coalition for Democracy, whose motto is “Thanks to Democracy,” can be excellent ways to raise awareness and disseminate these messages.
The participation and representation of young people in politics is the only way forward if we want to nourish and strengthen our democratic systems. Only 63% of young Africans – or less than two thirds – called to the polls during the last electoral process did so. A percentage much lower than the 80% electoral participation recorded in other age groups.
As for young African women, a series of factors distance them even further from political reality. Lack of educational opportunities – including access to higher education institutions –, economic dependence on partners, limited health services and lack of protection against various forms of gender-based violence have created a gap that urgently needs to be addressed.
The increasing digitalization of Africa makes political participation increasingly accessible. Although we still have much work to do, progress is unstoppable. In 2010, only 10% of Africa’s population had access to the internet, compared to 43% in 2021. Social media has become an essential platform for political participation and social mobilization on the continent, and digital governance is already a reality in many countries. many countries. which are already using digital mechanisms to improve the efficiency of public administration. Furthermore, digitalization has improved access to information, essential for monitoring government activities, increasing transparency and promoting best practices.
To make the most of these advances, we must ensure that digital literacy is at the top of our priorities to strengthen democracy and foster development. The African Union’s Agenda 2063 includes specific goals for the digital transformation of the continent, such as the establishment of an African open distance learning university and cooperation on cybersecurity issues.
The path to engaging young Africans from different backgrounds in politics is not easy, but on this International Day of Democracy, I call on my fellow young Africans to move forward. And I do it with the certainty that if we don’t like the things that happen, they can be changed. Getting involved in politics is a civic duty, but also an act of love towards your community, your country and future generations.
More than ever, democracy must produce results if we dream of making our region better. To achieve this, we must listen and be heard when we say that young people are not only the future of the continent; They are the protagonists of the change we need today.
Emma Theofelus (28) is Namibia’s Minister of Information, Communication and Technology and is part of the Club de Madrid’s WYDE network of young decision-makers.
