A G20 for Africa’s future

This article by Mandipa Ndlovu argues that Africa stands at a critical juncture as global power realigns and the G20 expands its engagement with the continent, particularly under South Africa’s leadership. While global initiatives and macroeconomic reforms, such as improved regulatory frameworks and renewed investor confidence, create opportunities, they have yet to translate into tangible benefits for most citizens. Ndlovu emphasises that Africa’s rapidly growing youth population is increasingly frustrated by persistent unemployment, underemployment, and limited economic mobility, despite rising levels of education. Survey data show that young people prioritise job creation, education, and skills development above all else, yet many remain trapped in informal or precarious work. This gap between high-level reform and everyday lived experience risks undermining trust in institutions and democratic governance. The article concludes that leveraging G20 engagement will only matter if African governments pair global commitments with strong domestic reforms that deliver inclusive growth, decent jobs, and visible improvements in young people’s lives.

This article was published on the Afrobarometer website. Read the full text.