AFRICA YOUTH SURVEY 2020

The African Youth Survey 2020 has discovered a strong optimism for the future amongst Africa’s youth. Fourteen countries across the African continent took part in The African Youth Survey 2020, which had as its aim to discover the attitudes and feelings of the continent’s 18-24 year olds. These fourteen countries consisted of Nigeria, Mali, Rwanda, Zambia, Congo, Ethiopia, South Africa, Gabon, Malawi, Kenya, Togo, Zimbabwe, Ghana and Senegal. In total, 4,200 interviews took place, and there was a 50:50 gender ratio amongst those interviewed. The survey is apparently the largest conducted study of its kind so far, and was commissioned by Ivor Ichikowitz, (chairman of the Ichikowitz Family Foundation, which encourages active citizenship across all African nations).

SURVEY’S FINDINGS ON ATTITUDES TOWARDS AFRICA

The survey has highlighted the overwhelming positivity and ambition of Africa’s youth. 72% of those surveyed said that they were confident about their future financial situation, and 65% said that they believed that this 21st century will be the African century, in which the continent will flourish and thrive. However, 63% are currently dissatisfied with their own country, and 49% are dissatisfied with Africa in general. This means that those surveyed have hope for the future, and are confident in their ability to improve their own countries.

SURVEY’S FINDINGS ON ATTITUDES TOWARDS ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND TECHNOLOGY

The survey’s findings on entrepreneurship revealed a new African generation of determined business creators and self-starters. A huge 76% of those interviewed said that they want to start up a business in the next 5 years, with over 60% already having an idea for a business or social enterprise.

Following on from this, the survey has shown Africa’s youth to be well-connected with technology and digital media, with 59% of surveyees using their smartphones for over three hours a day, and 89% using their phone specifically for social media. As well as discovering the increasing use of technology amongst Africa’s youth, the survey also found that 81% of those interviewed believe that technology will change the fortunes of Africa. When asked about the survey, the editor of the website African Feminism, Rosebell Kagumire, said that the internet had provided Africa’s youth with amazing opportunities beyond national borders and enabled young people to connect with each other across the continent.

Consequently, technology is seen as a positive force for change amongst Africa’s youth, who are increasingly using it themselves.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR AFRICA?

The findings of the survey are greatly optimistic for the future, since it shows that those in charge of tomorrow’s Africa are determined and enthusiastic to use their technological skills and business aspirations to bring further prosperity across the entire continent.