Youth and Activism

AFRICA AND ACTIVISM: DISRUPT, REFORM, OR TRANSFORM? From pro-democracy movements and social media-led protests to community organizing and electoral mobilization, African youth are leading a continental wave of transformation that is unapologetically bold, tech-savvy, and rooted in justice. From Sudan to Uganda, Nigeria to Kenya, and Ghana to Liberia, youth activism is growing, evidenced by the rise in electoral engagement, civic protests, digital advocacy campaigns like #EndSARS in Nigeria, and political organizing demanding transparency, equity, and inclusive development. In Kenya, notable youth-led movements such as Yes Youth Can and JIACTIVATE have mobilized thousands across the country to influence governance and policy-making, while the recent #RutoMustGo protests highlight the digital-savvy and fearless nature of Generation Z-led activism demanding economic reform and governmental accountability. Across North Africa, the legacy of the Arab Spring continues to inspire youth mobilization in countries like Tunisia and Egypt. These movements reflect the diverse and determined voices of Africa's youth, who are increasingly shaping national conversations and policies through sustained civic engagement.

This panel takes an intricate look at what youth activism and civic engagement look like in practice across Africa today, not only in protest movements and digital advocacy, but also through diplomacy, policymaking, trade, and institutional reform. The conversation moves beyond singular notions of activism to reflect a broader reality: young Africans are navigating and reshaping power in ways as complex as the systems they inherit.

By bringing together panelists with a wide range of experiences — from grassroots organizing to statecraft and economic diplomacy, the session probes urgent questions: What does it take to transform power, rather than simply confront it? Is the African narrative shifting, and who is shaping the new one? What tools and strategies are proving effective in reshaping public life, governance, and futures?

Framed around the possibility (and limitations) of transformation, this panel invites us to consider youth not simply as agitators but as diplomats, disruptors, and dealmakers — negotiating legitimacy in a continent still contending with colonial residue, systemic inequality, and democratic fragility.