We support networks that bring together young people from diverse political and social backgrounds to promote dialogue and civic engagement.
Executive Summary: A New Path for Africa’s Youth
The “Cross-Political Networks” program is a strategic response to a critical challenge in Africa: the growing political marginalization of its youth. With over 60% of the continent’s population under 25, this demographic is a powerful force for change, but it is often excluded from formal governance.1 This exclusion, combined with high unemployment, has created a state of “waithood,” a prolonged period of economic and political limbo that fuels frustration and can lead to instability.5 A 2024 survey found that a majority of African youth are worried about corruption and want to emigrate , but they are also demanding accountability and better governance.8
The program’s mission is to move youth engagement beyond protest and into sustained, institutionalized policy advocacy. It is a strategic investment in the continent’s future, designed to build a new generation of leaders who are not just demanding change, but actively shaping it.
The Problem: Frustration, Exclusion, and Polarization
Young Africans are increasingly educated and digitally literate, yet they face the highest youth unemployment rates in the world, with over 121 million categorized as “not in education, employment, or training” (NEETs).2This economic precarity, coupled with deep-seated corruption, creates a profound disconnect. Illicit financial flows, which drain an estimated $88.6 billion from Africa annually, lead to a lack of essential services and job opportunities.12 Youth see this corruption as the “single greatest threat” to their future , and this frustration often drives them to mass protests, as seen in movements like #EndSARS in Nigeria and the recent protests against the Finance Bill in Kenya.14
This activism is amplified by digital tools, but it is a double-edged sword. While social media allows for rapid mobilization, it is also a space where misinformation thrives and governments can use surveillance and internet shutdowns to stifle dissent.17
The exclusion of youth is further complicated by political and social barriers. Gerontocratic political systems, where older elites dominate, sideline young people, viewing them as inexperienced.1 This is particularly true for young women, who face compounded challenges rooted in gender norms and a lack of financial resources.22 The pervasive issue of gender-based violence (GBV) also limits women’s political participation and access to education.24
Our Strategy: Three Pillars for Constructive Engagement
The Cross-Political Networks program is designed to build a durable and resilient network for youth political participation through three strategic pillars.
- 1. Fostering Dialogue and Collaboration: This pillar aims to create safe, structured spaces for dialogue among young people from diverse political and social backgrounds, as well as with older leaders. The goal is to move beyond polarization and build a foundation for collaborative problem-solving. This strategy is based on successful models like the African Union’s Youth Reference Committee, which helped secure a 30% quota for youth and women in federal appointments in Nigeria, demonstrating that institutional engagement can lead to tangible results.27
- 2. Building Capacity for Data-Driven Accountability: This pillar moves beyond protest by equipping young people with practical skills in investigative journalism and open-source intelligence (OSINT). Participants will learn to use data and digital tools to expose corruption and trace illicit financial flows, building irrefutable cases for accountability.29 This approach transforms activists into skilled, data-driven advocates who can create lasting policy change.
- 3. Championing the Inclusion of Marginalized Voices: Recognizing the intersectional nature of exclusion, this pillar is dedicated to empowering young women and other marginalized groups to lead. The program will provide targeted leadership skills and mentorship 31, while advocating for the domestication and implementation of key pan-African frameworks like the Maputo Protocol and the African Youth Charter.32 Community-led campaigns like “One Man Can” in South Africa provide a model for engaging men and boys as allies in promoting gender equality and ending gender-based violence.24
Implementation and Impact
The program will be implemented using a decentralized “hub-and-spoke” model, with the Pan African Youth Movement as the central hub coordinating with local and regional youth-led organizations.37 This approach leverages existing networks and ensures that interventions are grounded in local realities.
A critical component of this strategy is a robust focus on activist safety. The program will provide training on digital security and partner with organizations that offer legal and psychosocial support for whistleblowers and activists who face threats and repression.38
The Cross-Political Networks program is an investment in a new kind of political engagement: one that is collaborative, informed, and institutionalized. By empowering youth to lead with data, dialogue, and a commitment to inclusivity, this initiative can transform a potential source of instability into the continent’s most powerful force for democratic resilience, good governance, and a more prosperous future.
