Generation Z (Gen Z) in Africa, born between 1997 and the early 2000s, is already playing a pivotal role in reshaping how the continent is perceived globally. This generation is characterized by its strong connection to technology, heavy focus on mobile devices, and active participation in creative activities and entrepreneurship. Distancing themselves from old stereotypes that have long plagued Africa, Gen Z instead presents a more innovative, dynamic, and empowered image through the use of social media and digital platforms.
It is evident that African members of Generation Z are making their voices heard on the global stage, whether through launching tech startups or advocating for social and political change. The recent #RejectFinanceBill movement in Kenya serves as a prime example of their growing influence. However, it's important to recognize that such broad characterizations can sometimes oversimplify the diverse experiences and realities of this generation across the continent.
As with previous generational labels—such as "Millennials," often unfairly depicted as arrogant and lazy, or "Generation X," described as the "video world generation"—the stereotype of Generation Z (whose name is derived from "zoomer," a term modeled on "boomer") as a tech-savvy and politically active generation does not fully account for the wide range of experiences across Africa.
Since the beginning of 2024, a massive wave of spontaneous protests has erupted across Africa, sweeping through countries such as Nigeria, Kenya, Senegal, Uganda, and beyond. These protests, led by frustrated and tech-savvy youth, signal a new era in African politics, marked by a break from the legacies of the past. In contrast to previous movements, these protests are decentralized, overlapping, and demand not only the fulfillment of specific group interests but also a complete overhaul of existing systems. African youth, especially Generation Z, are no longer content to remain on the sidelines. They are taking to the streets, demanding a future that meets their expectations.
Rise in Street Politics
One of the most notable features of the youth protest wave sweeping through various African capitals and cities is its strong connection to Generation Z. Unlike past protests, often organized by political opposition or civil society organizations, these movements are leaderless and largely spontaneous. In Kenya, for instance, the #RejectFinanceBill movement began as a social media campaign against proposed tax increases, quickly spreading to the streets where thousands of Kenyans protested against what they perceived as an unfair burden on ordinary citizens.
Similarly, mass protests erupted in Nigeria in response to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's austerity measures, including the removal of fuel subsidies and a hike in electricity tariffs. What initially appeared as opposition to these specific policies soon evolved into a broader movement against chronic corruption and economic mismanagement. These protests, spreading across major cities such as Lagos and Abuja, were characterized by their decentralized nature, with no single leader or organization at the helm. Instead, they were driven by ordinary citizens, especially youth, mobilized through social media and community networks.
The protests in Kenya, led by Generation Z youth, resonate with a broader trend across Africa, where young people are increasingly disillusioned with existing political systems and economic hardships. As the continent faces rapid youth population growth, many countries are grappling with similar challenges: high unemployment rates, political corruption, and unfulfilled promises of economic development. These youth-led protests reflect a growing continental frustration, as young people question the legitimacy of their governments, often perceived as prioritizing the interests of the few at the expense of the majority.
Movements like those in Nigeria, or the youth-led protests in Sudan and Senegal, point to a wider pattern of resistance against outdated political structures that fail to address the aspirations of the new generation. Social media has emerged as a unifying tool, connecting young people across borders and enabling them to organize and mobilize more effectively. In many African countries, there are parallels with the Kenyan situation, where economic policies often favor foreign interests or elites, leaving the majority to struggle with rising living costs, a lack of job opportunities, and inadequate public services.
Therefore, the Kenyan protests are not isolated but part of a broader continental awakening, as young people increasingly take to the streets to demand change and hope for a promising future that aligns with their needs. These sentiments among African youth suggest a potential shift in the political landscape across the continent, as traditional power dynamics are challenged by a generation that is more connected, aware, and unwilling to accept the status quo.
Another key feature distinguishing the current protests from those of the past is the scope of demands being made. While previous protests in African countries often focused on specific issues such as improved public services, anti-corruption measures, or political reforms, today's protesters are demanding comprehensive reform of the political and economic systems they believe have failed them.
In Senegal, for example, protests erupted earlier this year in response to the arrest of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko on charges widely seen as politically motivated. While the initial protests centered on Sonko's release, they quickly evolved into a broader critique of President Macky Sall's government, which many Senegalese accuse of corruption, authoritarianism, and economic mismanagement. The protests spread across the country, with demonstrators calling not only for Sonko's release but for an end to Sall's rule and the establishment of a more transparent and accountable government. This ultimately led to significant shifts in the political landscape of Senegal.
Afrotopia
The Generation Z uprising in Kenya is part of a broader African narrative, intricately linked to the concept of Afrotopia and the continent's future. Africa's youth boom, projected to account for a quarter of the world's population and a third of its workforce by 2050, and an astounding 40% of the global population by 2100, represents a massive cultural asset. However, this demographic advantage can only be converted into dividends if vast and rapid opportunities in education, employment, and entrepreneurship are provided. Without such provisions, it risks devolving into a demographic nightmare, potentially leading to collective upheaval, insecurity, and instability that could significantly disrupt both the continent and the world.
Generation Z has come of age in an era of rapid technological change, exposed to global issues through the lens of social media. Unlike their predecessors, who held hopes that gradual reforms would improve their lives, this generation is characterized by a sense of urgency and impatience. For them, the social contract between the state and its citizens has fundamentally broken down, and they are unwilling to wait for slow, incremental changes.
This sentiment is particularly palpable in Nigeria and Kenya, where Presidents Bola Tinubu and William Ruto, respectively, have failed to fulfill their campaign promises. In both nations, the youth find themselves disillusioned with leaders who promised change but instead implemented policies that have exacerbated economic inequality and social injustice. Consequently, there has been a surge in youth-led protests, with Generation Z at the forefront, demanding not just political changes but a complete rethinking of political and economic systems.
Increasing Frustrations
Africa appears to be repeating the mistakes made after independence, as the revolution of increasing expectations has devolved into one of growing frustrations under the leadership of the first generation of post-independence leaders. The roots of today's youth upheavals can be traced back to a decade of economic stagnation, political corruption, and social inequality.
In the aftermath of the global financial crisis, a brief period of optimism swept across Africa. Countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya experienced high economic growth driven by investments in infrastructure, natural resources, and technology. This optimism was encapsulated in the "Africa Rising" narrative, which promised a future of prosperity and development. However, for many African youths, particularly those belonging to Generation Z, this promise has remained unfulfilled.
Instead, they have grown up in a world characterized by economic crises, political instability, and social unrest. The Ebola outbreak, the collapse in commodity prices, and the COVID-19 pandemic have all contributed to a pervasive sense of disappointment and despair. In Nigeria, for instance, youth unemployment remains significantly high, while inflation and currency depreciation have eroded living standards. Similarly, in Kenya, the cost of living has increased dramatically, with food prices doubling in some areas, while wages have stagnated.
Regardless of the outcome and future of these protests, one thing is abundantly clear: African youth are no longer content to remain on the sidelines. They are demanding a voice in shaping their future and are unlikely to be easily silenced. Whether this wave of protests will lead to structural changes in the state's and power structures across the continent or result in a series of limited reforms remains to be seen.
In any case, Africa stands poised for a significant transformation towards an Afrotopia, as envisioned by Felwine Sarr, the Senegalese economist, academic, and author of "Afrotopia" (2016). This transformation may come through a cultural revolution that provides African youth with a source of identity and self-awareness, potentially reshaping the continent's future.
