WHAT AILS THE YOUNG? INSIGHTS INTO AFRICA’S YOUTH FROM THE AFRICAN PEER REVIEW MECHANISM

This research paper analyzes the challenges facing Africa's youth by examining Country Review Reports (CRRs) from the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) for 16 countries. It identifies a 'crisis of integration' characterized by a mismatch between education and labor market needs, high rates of youth unemployment and underemployment, and the resulting risk of social instability. While noting the potential for youth to be a 'destructive force' if marginalized, the author also highlights a strong entrepreneurial drive and a growing trend of political activism among young Africans.

• Africa has the youngest population of any region globally, with a median age of 19.3 years. As of 2015, 75% of the population (approximately 892 million people) were aged 34 or younger, and 60% (approximately 716 million) were 24 or younger.
• There is a significant 'mismatch' between the education provided to African youth and the requirements of the economy. Between 2008 and 2010, nearly two-thirds of graduates studied humanities, social sciences, education, business, and law, while fewer than 20% graduated in science, engineering, or technology. Only 1% to 2% of graduates specialized in agriculture, despite its economic importance.
• Youth unemployment in Africa is characterized by a high ratio of youth to adult unemployment. While youth unemployment in sub-Saharan Africa is below the global average, the young make up three-fifths of the total unemployed despite being only two-fifths of the working-age population. In some countries, such as Botswana, Congo, and South Africa, more than one in three young people are unemployed.
• Much of the youth employment in Africa is actually underemployment, occurring within a large informal sector that accounts for between a half and three-quarters of employment. This sector often serves as a means of survival rather than a vehicle for wealth creation, and educated youth are frequently at high risk of unemployment when first entering the market.
• The failure to transition to adulthood due to economic insecurity—a state termed 'waithood'—creates risks of social instability. APRM reports describe the youth as a potential 'time bomb' or 'destructive force' if they do not identify with societal objectives. This alienation can lead to drug trafficking, criminal gangs, and recruitment into insurgent groups like Boko Haram.
• Despite socio-economic challenges, African youth demonstrate a strong aspirational and entrepreneurial impulse. Research indicates that youth in sub-Saharan Africa are among the most favorably inclined toward entrepreneurship globally, though they often lack the necessary enabling environment, such as access to land and capital.
• Youth political activism is increasing, often bypassing formal structures and utilizing social media and consumer technology. This is evident in movements like the Arab Spring and the 2015 student protests in South Africa, reflecting a generation that is increasingly defying autocratic governance to demand freedom from want and fear.
• Government interventions to support youth—including dedicated ministries and procurement quotas—are often undermined by resource constraints, poor program design, and a lack of reliable empirical data. The author argues that youth-specific initiatives must be part of broader socio-economic reforms and partnerships with non-governmental community structures.

APA

Corrigan, T. (2016). WHAT AILS THE YOUNG? INSIGHTS INTO AFRICA’S YOUTH FROM THE AFRICAN PEER REVIEW MECHANISM. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Occasional-Paper-234.pdf

Chicago

Corrigan, Terence. WHAT AILS THE YOUNG? INSIGHTS INTO AFRICA’S YOUTH FROM THE AFRICAN PEER REVIEW MECHANISM. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2016. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Occasional-Paper-234.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Corrigan |first1=Terence |title=WHAT AILS THE YOUNG? INSIGHTS INTO AFRICA’S YOUTH FROM THE AFRICAN PEER REVIEW MECHANISM |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=June 2016 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Occasional-Paper-234.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{corrigan2016what, author = {Corrigan, Terence}, title = {{WHAT AILS THE YOUNG? INSIGHTS INTO AFRICA’S YOUTH FROM THE AFRICAN PEER REVIEW MECHANISM}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2016}, month = jun, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Occasional-Paper-234.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }