In recent weeks, major cities across Africa have witnessed a wave of protests primarily driven by the continent’s youth, who are expressing their frustrations over rampant corruption, soaring living costs, and alarming unemployment rates. This surge of discontent is indicative of a deeper malaise affecting the youth of Africa, who are increasingly vocal about their demands for change.
The unrest began in Kenya, where a series of demonstrations erupted last month in response to a controversial tax bill proposed by President William Ruto’s administration. This bill, which aimed to increase taxes, sparked outrage among the young population, particularly Generation Z, leading to six weeks of protests that tragically resulted in at least 50 fatalities. Faced with mounting pressure from demonstrators, President Ruto eventually retracted the bill and initiated a cabinet reshuffle. However, the protests continued, fueled by allegations of widespread corruption and police brutality linked to his government.
Kenya, regarded as East Africa’s economic powerhouse, is grappling with escalating living costs that have severely impacted food prices and other essential commodities. The country’s youth are particularly affected, as the unemployment rate continues to climb. Adding to the economic strain, Kenya is burdened with billions of dollars in foreign and local debts, diverting a significant portion of its revenue towards servicing these obligations.
The wave of protests quickly spread to Uganda, where citizens attempted to march toward parliament in the capital, Kampala, on July 23 and 25. The government’s response was swift and forceful, with security forces detaining over 100 demonstrators, according to police reports. Protesters are primarily voicing their anger against widespread corruption in Uganda, which is estimated to result in the loss of approximately Sh. 10 trillion ($2.7 billion) annually in public funding due to graft, according to the Inspectorate of Government.
Faiza Fabz, a prominent radio host who participated in the protests, expressed her views on social media, describing the demonstrations as a crucial opportunity for citizens to demand accountability from their leaders. Among the protesters’ demands are calls for an audit of the lifestyles of Members of Parliament and the resignation of lawmakers embroiled in corruption scandals. Fabz herself was among those detained by Ugandan police during the protests.
Despite some economic stability due to an oil-related construction boom and agricultural growth, Uganda remains plagued by corruption, scoring just 26 on Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index, which ranks countries on a scale from zero (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). Earlier this year, several high-profile Ugandan politicians, including the Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among, faced sanctions from the United States and the United Kingdom for their involvement in corruption.
President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power for nearly four decades, warned protesters that they were “playing with fire.” He praised the security forces for suppressing the protests and claimed, without evidence, that they were funded by foreign sources.
Meanwhile, in Nigeria, the continent’s most populous nation, young activists are organizing an “end bad governance” march scheduled for August 1. This movement is fueled by the country’s dire economic situation, characterized by inflation rates exceeding 34%, the highest in nearly three decades, resulting in significant hardships for citizens. Unemployment rates have also been rising, adding to the mounting frustration among the youth.
Nigerian civil society organizations have articulated a range of demands, including calls for reducing the cost of living, addressing security issues, and implementing electoral and judicial reforms. Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong emphasized the urgency of addressing these issues, stating, “People are tired, people are hungry.”
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has called for calm, urging citizens not to participate in the upcoming protests. He expressed concerns that the demonstrations could spiral into violence, potentially echoing the tragic events of the 2020 #EndSARS protests, during which security forces opened fire on unarmed demonstrators.
Concerns about a potential escalation of unrest are echoed by military officials, who fear that the planned protests in Nigeria could mirror the violent demonstrations in Kenya. A defense spokesman cautioned that the military would not tolerate any attempts to destabilize the nation.
Gift Mugano, an adjunct professor of economics at Durban University of Technology in South Africa, described the youth-led uprisings as a “reality check for African leaders.” He noted that the protests in Kenya have created a ripple effect, inspiring similar movements in other African countries. “As long as there are no economic opportunities and governance is lacking, we will not achieve stability on the continent,” he warned.
Mamadou Thior, a political analyst in Senegal, echoed this sentiment, urging leaders to heed the growing dissatisfaction among African youth. He observed that young people are becoming increasingly impatient and demand swift changes. Social media has played a crucial role in connecting youth activists across
