‘The youth are not given a listening ear’: A critical analysis of the contributions of youth-led civil society organisations to Africa’s development

Dominant narratives around Africa’s youth have underscored them as perpetrators of violent conflicts and lazy individuals who dislike hard work and engage in risky behaviours including gambling and crime. However, an emerging body of knowledge has also highlighted the important role that young people and youth-led civil society organisations (CSOs) can play in promoting sustainable development, conflict transformation and sustainable peacebuilding. Drawing on qualitative interviews with 31 representatives of youth-led CSOs in the Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Zambia and Zimbabwe, this article examines how youth-led CSOs contribute to development in Africa. Our findings indicate that despite the several factors ranging from limited funding opportunities, limited access to authorities and decision-making structures and a lack of organisational capacity, that stand to affect the potential for youth-led CSOs, they are well placed to contribute to three critical areas of developmental issues facing Africa: i) climate change; ii) democratic governance; and iii) civic engagement. Based on these findings, we argue that far from the prior dominant characterisation of young people as perpetrators of violent protests, there is a place for youth-led CSOs to contribute to the sustainable progress of Africa particularly in line with “The Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want” in a highly constrained environment.