African youth hopeful about future despite jobs crisis

PROSPECTS: Optimism among young Africans has climbed to its highest level since the Covid-19 pandemic, but unemployment, rising living costs and corruption remain their biggest concerns, according to the 2026 African Youth Survey…

By Lehlohonolo Lehana

Young Africans are more optimistic about the future than at any time since the Covid-19 pandemic, but rising living costs, unemployment and corruption continue to dominate their concerns, according to the 2026 African Youth Survey.

The survey, commissioned by the Ichikowitz Family Foundation and conducted by PSB Insights, interviewed 4 901 people aged 18 to 24 across 16 African countries in March 2026. It is the largest edition of the annual survey since its launch in 2020 and aims to provide governments, businesses and civil society with insights into the aspirations and concerns of Africa’s youth.

Across the eight countries tracked in every edition of the survey, optimism has risen sharply since 2024. About 47% of respondents believe their country is moving in the right direction, up from 30% two years ago, while 45% say their national economy is improving, compared with 26% previously. Confidence in Africa’s overall direction has also increased, with 43% expressing optimism, up from 37%.

Despite the improved outlook, the cost of living remains the single biggest issue affecting the continent over the past five years, cited by 27% of respondents. When asked what Africa most needs to progress, 27% identified the creation of well-paying jobs, followed closely by reducing government corruption (25%). Making it easier to start a business also gained importance, rising from 10% in 2020 to 16%.

The strongest gains in confidence were recorded in Ghana, Ethiopia and Zambia. Ghana experienced a 51-percentage-point increase in positive sentiment about the country’s direction since 2024, while Ethiopia and Zambia recorded significant declines in concern over unemployment alongside growing confidence in their economies.

Ivor Ichikowitz, chairman of the Ichikowitz Family Foundation and commissioner of the survey, said young Africans remained hopeful but were no longer willing to accept empty promises.

“Young Africans still believe in this continent, but they are no longer prepared to confuse hope with patience while they struggle with the cost of living, unemployment, corruption and governments that too often talk about the future while excluding the very generation that will have to live in it,” he said.

He added that Africa’s youth wanted practical solutions rather than political rhetoric.

“They want jobs, clean government, safety, business opportunities and a real voice in power. The age of speeches without delivery is over.”

Pragmatism

The survey found that 70% of respondents believe the world is becoming increasingly divided and dangerous. As a result, most young Africans favour international partnerships that deliver tangible economic benefits rather than ideological alignment.

More than half (55%) said their countries should prioritise alliances with nations capable of delivering trade, investment and economic opportunities regardless of their political systems, while 42% preferred partnerships based on shared democratic values.

Infrastructure investment emerged as the most important factor in choosing an international partner, followed by respect for Africa’s natural resources, democratic values, sovereignty and access to technology.

The United States and China remain the continent’s most influential external powers. Although 81% of respondents identified the US as influential, China’s influence was viewed more positively, with 95% of those acknowledging its influence describing it favourably, compared with 85% for the US.

The survey also found that young Africans are taking a pragmatic view of the return of US President Donald Trump. While 52% believe African leaders should work with him despite political differences, 46% fear the dismantling of USAID as an independent aid agency will negatively affect their countries, particularly healthcare services and disease prevention programmes.

African priorities

Support for democracy remains strong, with 73% saying it is preferable to any other form of government. Respondents overwhelmingly supported free and fair elections, equality before the law and freedom of speech.

However, 56% argued that Western-style democracy does not adequately reflect African realities and called for an African model that balances democratic freedoms with effective governance.

When asked what such a system should prioritise, respondents highlighted national unity and stability (48%), regular free and fair elections (46%), leaders who deliver jobs and services (43%), and greater community participation in decision-making (36%).

Ichikowitz said young Africans were not rejecting democracy itself but wanted political systems that produced meaningful outcomes.

“They want freedom and opportunity. They want accountability and effectiveness. They want elections and economic progress.”

Although 70% of respondents said they felt safe in their countries, only about a quarter expressed strong satisfaction with police and security services. Unemployment and poverty were identified as the greatest threats to community safety by 54% of respondents, ahead of substance abuse, corruption within security services, violent crime and domestic violence.

More than half (56%) said governments should prioritise creating jobs for young people as the most effective way to improve security, ahead of increased military spending and anti-corruption measures. The survey argues that, for Africa’s youth, employment is no longer viewed solely as an economic issue but as a foundation for security, stability and effective governance.

Mixed fortunes

The findings also reveal stark differences between countries. Rwanda recorded the highest confidence levels, with 91% of respondents saying the country is moving in the right direction, while 99% reported feeling safe. Somalia also emerged as a surprise success story, with strong optimism about both its economy and future.

By contrast, young people in Kenya, South Africa, Mozambique, Chad and Nigeria were among the most pessimistic about their countries’ direction, economic prospects and security. Kenya and South Africa also recorded the highest levels of pessimism about Africa’s overall trajectory, with 70% of Kenyan respondents and 69% of South Africans believing the continent is moving in the wrong direction.

The survey was conducted through face-to-face interviews in Burkina Faso, Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, Togo, Zambia and Zimbabwe. – Fullview