GEN Z IN AFRICA: THE RISE OF A NEW POLITICAL CONSTITUENCY

Africa’s Gen Z is rising as a political force, using protests, social media, and activism to challenge power and demand change across the continent.

By Walcott Aganu

Gen z activism africa Youth protests nigeria kenya African political movements

There is something powerful happening across Africa, and it is coming from the youngest among the continent's large population. You may have seen them on the streets with placards in hand, or online, making waves with hashtags and viral videos. You may have heard them speak out on podcasts, organize fundraisers, or challenge politicians in live Twitter Spaces. They are the young people of Africa, mostly between the ages of 18 and 27, commonly referred to as Generation Z.

This generation, often dismissed by older folks as lazy or unserious, is proving that they are not just here to watch things happen. They are ready to shape the future of the continent. They are not waiting for permission. They are demanding space, asking questions, and holding leaders accountable in a way we have not seen in decades.

For many of us who have been observing and reflecting on politics in Africa for many years, this feels new. It feels fresh. And it feels like hope.

A New Force Awakens

Generation Z in Africa is the continent's most connected generation. Thanks to smartphones, the internet, and social media, they are exposed to global ideas, cultures, and conversations. They speak the language of hashtags, memes, videos, and activism, often switching between local slang and global references with ease. But beyond the tech and the tweets, Gen Zs in Africa are growing up on a continent that has not always worked for them.

Many of them were born into countries with unstable economies, high youth unemployment, poor healthcare systems, and long-standing leadership that seems out of touch with their realities. In some places, democracy exists only on paper. Elections are rigged, corruption is common, and the gap between the leaders and the led is painfully wide.

So it is no surprise that this generation is restless. But their restlessness is not just about complaints. It is becoming political. It is turning into movements. They are realizing that to change their lives, they must also change the system.

From Apolitical to Activists

Just a few years ago, many African Gen Zs were uninterested in politics. They saw it as dirty, slow, or hopeless. Politicians were often old, wealthy men speaking in long speeches that said very little. For young people dealing with day-to-day struggles like joblessness, rising costs, poor schools, and police harassment, politics felt like a faraway thing. Something grownups did behind closed doors.

But that is changing. Slowly at first, and now rapidly.

It started with conversations on social media. Young people began to talk about their frustrations more openly. They began to share videos of bad roads, angry rants about government failures, or screenshots of money meant for schools but missing from the budget. They were angry, and they were connecting their struggles to the decisions made by people in power.

Then, something bigger happened. In October 2020, young Nigerians led the #EndSARS protest. It was a movement against police brutality, especially by a notorious unit known as SARS. The protest was decentralized, organized mostly online, and driven by young people who felt they had had enough. It was not led by celebrities or political parties. It was led by regular young Nigerians using their voices and digital tools.

That moment changed everything. It showed Gen Zs across Africa that they had power, even without guns, money, or political offices. It was a wake-up call.

Protest and Power: Landmark Movements

Since #EndSARS, the spark has spread across the continent. In Kenya, a similar wave rose in 2024 with the #RejectFinanceBill protests. The government had proposed a bill with heavy new taxes that would increase the cost of living for already struggling citizens. Young Kenyans, most of them Gen Zs, said no. They organized protests, released songs and videos, and used social media to explain the bill in simple terms to others.

It was a bold and unexpected uprising. And just like in Nigeria, it caught the government off guard. They expected silence. They got resistance.

Elsewhere, youth-led protests have rocked Sudan, where young activists played a central role in toppling Omar al-Bashir's long reign. In Senegal, student protests against internet blackouts and unfair governance have been gaining momentum. In Zimbabwe, young voices continue to challenge state power, even under threats and intimidation.

In all these cases, Gen Zs are not only protesting for themselves. They are speaking for their families, their communities, and the generations after them. They are saying, loudly and clearly, that the old ways are no longer acceptable.

Nigeria Gen Zs fight against police brutality

Hashtag Revolutions and Digital Mobilization

What makes Gen Z activism unique is how they use technology. This generation grew up with the internet. Many of them have never known a world without it. For them, WhatsApp groups are like meeting halls, TikTok videos are like rally speeches, and Twitter threads are like political pamphlets.

During #EndSARS, young Nigerians used Twitter to organize locations, raise funds, and even provide legal help for arrested protesters. They live-streamed events so the world could see. In Kenya, the same pattern played out. Young people explained complex finance laws through short videos. They used Instagram and TikTok to simplify activism and make it accessible to those who might not watch the news or read newspapers.

The power of hashtags is no longer in doubt. A well-timed tweet or viral meme can do what traditional media sometimes cannot. It can wake up a generation, start a conversation, and bring thousands into the streets.

But it is not just about noise. These online spaces are where Gen Zs are building community. They are learning together, growing together, and figuring out how to change the world — one post at a time.

Resistance Meets Repression

Of course, those in power are not sitting quietly. Across the continent, governments are pushing back. Internet shutdowns are becoming common during protests. Young activists are being arrested, threatened, or smeared online. Some have lost their lives. Others have been forced into hiding.

In Uganda, for example, youth-led protests have been met with violence. In Sudan, protesters have been shot at. In Nigeria and Kenya, leaders have tried to dismiss the protests as foreign-sponsored or misguided. They fear the youth, but they do not yet know how to engage with them.

Despite this, Gen Zs are not backing down. Many are becoming more strategic. They are learning how to protect their digital footprints. They are partnering with lawyers, journalists, and civil society groups. They are not just shouting anymore. They are organizing.

Gen Zs stand firm in the face of repression

From Protest to Policy

The big question now is this: can all this youthful energy lead to real political power?

Protests are important, yes. But can Gen Zs also win elections? Can they shape laws? Can they sit at the table where decisions are made?

In some places, we are beginning to see signs. Young people are contesting local elections. They are building apps to monitor public spending. They are volunteering as election observers. They are even starting youth-focused political parties and civic movements.

In Ghana, South Africa, and Nigeria, we see young professionals and creatives openly discussing politics. Not just as something to complain about, but as something they want to shape. They are asking better questions and demanding clear answers.

But challenges remain. Politics is still expensive. It is still dangerous. And many young people are disillusioned by how slow change can be. Still, Gen Z is not just another youth group waiting for handouts. They are a growing constituency with votes, voices, and vision.

That Future is Gen Z

As someone who has watched African politics for almost two decades, I can say this with confidence: this is not a passing trend. This is a generational shift. Something deep is happening in the soul of African youth, and it is pushing them to act, speak, and organize like never before.

But they will need support. They will need mentorship, access to civic education, and spaces where their voices are respected. They will need to be protected from political predators who want to use them and dump them. And most importantly, they will need the patience to keep going even when change is slow.

For parents, teachers, leaders, and elders, the message is simple. Do not silence Gen Z or tag them as uncivil. Listen to them. Engage with them. Learn from them. They are not perfect, but they are passionate. They are not waiting for tomorrow. They are building it today.

Africa’s future is not somewhere far away. It is walking the streets with a smartphone in hand, wearing jeans and sneakers, tweeting under a protest hashtag, and asking tough questions. That future is Gen Z. And it is already here.

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GEN Z IN AFRICA: THE RISE OF A NEW POLITICAL CONSTITUENCY

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