According to the African Youth Survey 2026, young Africans demonstrate a higher level of optimism about the future than at any point since the Covid-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, serious issues persist, such as the rising cost of living, unemployment, and corruption. Meanwhile, South African youth emerged as one of the most pessimistic groups on the continent.
General Trends and Economic Outlook
The survey, published on Tuesday, indicates growing confidence in national economies and the future of Africa following a period of uncertainty. These results come amid increasing pressure on many African governments, which are forced to address youth unemployment, rising prices, and public demands for greater accountability and economic opportunities.
Regional Contrasts
The positive continental outlook did not translate to South Africa, where youth ranked among the least optimistic regarding both their country's future and the direction of Africa's development. The survey found that 69% of respondents from South Africa believe that Africa is moving in the wrong direction, placing them alongside Kenyan youth as among the most pessimistic on the continent. Furthermore, South Africa was listed among countries where youth were most pessimistic about their trajectory, economy, security, or overall global outlook.
Successes and Priorities
In contrast, Rwanda demonstrated the highest level of confidence in its national direction, while Ghana, Ethiopia, and Zambia recorded significant improvements in optimism compared to the previous survey. Among the eight countries tracked in each release since 2020, 47% of respondents stated that their country is moving in the right direction, which is higher than the 30% figure in 2024. Confidence in national economies also rose: 45% noted the economy moving in the right direction, compared to 26% two years ago, and 43% stated that Africa itself is moving in the right direction.
Key Challenges for the Continent
Despite the increased optimism, young Africans identified the rising cost of living as the most significant problem affecting the continent over the past five years. When asked what Africa needs most to accelerate progress, respondents ranked the creation of well-paid jobs first, followed by reducing government corruption. More younger than ever, they stated that governments should simplify the process of starting a business.
Security and Democracy
The survey also established a strong link between employment and public safety. More than half of respondents believe that creating jobs for youth will have a greater positive impact on security than increasing military spending. This confirms the view that unemployment and poverty are not only economic but also threats to stability and social cohesion. Ivo Ichikovic, founder and commissioner of the African Youth Survey, noted: 'This optimism should not be confused with satisfaction. It is not an expression of trust in the status quo.' He added that 'young Africans still believe in this continent, but they are no longer willing to confuse hope with patience while battling the cost of living, unemployment, corruption, and governments that talk too much about the future while excluding the generation that must live in it.'
Political Participation and International Relations
The poll also revealed strong support for democratic governance: 73% of respondents believe that democracy is preferable to any other system of rule. However, 56% stated that the Western model of democracy is unsuitable for Africa, calling for a model that better reflects the continent's realities while maintaining free and fair elections, freedom of speech, and equality before the law. Instead of rejecting democracy, respondents want a system capable of ensuring both political freedoms and economic opportunities. Despite the disappointments, 84% of respondents are confident that youth will be able to significantly influence political decision-making within the next five years, although 76% believe that political leaders remain detached from the needs and aspirations of their generation.
Methodology and Foreign Policy
The survey was commissioned by the Ichikovic Family Foundation and conducted by PSB Insights. In March 2026, it covered 4,901 young people aged 18 to 24 across 16 countries: Burkina Faso, Chad, Brazzaville Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, Togo, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. This is the largest edition of the survey since its launch in 2020. The results also showed that young Africans adopt a pragmatic approach to international relations, preferring that governments prioritize partnerships that ensure trade, investment, and infrastructure, rather than ideological alignment. Infrastructure investment and economic growth were valued higher than political alignment when choosing international partners, with China and the United States named as the two most influential external powers on the continent. Ichikovic emphasized that the results demonstrate this generation's understanding of the close link between prosperity and security, asserting that 'prosperity is one of the most powerful forms of security.'
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