Jon Abbink in The Economist: Africa’s Young “Generation Hustle” Hits the Big Time

The article explores the shifting socio-economic landscape of Africa, opening with the story of a 26-year-old Nigerian juggling three part-time jobs just to make ends meet—one of many struggling under the country’s soaring 30% inflation. This is not an isolated case: across the continent, three-quarters of young Africans face challenges finding stable, well-paying jobs. Despite being, on average, better educated than previous generations, many find themselves unable to realize their full potential.

Frustration runs deep. Protests against economic hardship are often ignored or suppressed, leading to a shift in faith—not just metaphorically, but literally. As confidence in democracy declines (with more than half of young Africans dissatisfied with how it functions), many are turning to religion in search of hope and guidance. This shift is particularly evident in the rise of Pentecostalism, a Protestant denomination that is rapidly growing across the continent. By 2050, sub-Saharan Africa will have the world's largest Christian population, with Pentecostalism fueling much of that expansion. Even in Ethiopia—where Orthodox Christianity has been deeply rooted since the fourth century—a fifth of the population now identifies as Pentecostal, as Jon Abbink highlights in the article.

Despite the challenges, the article ends on a hopeful note: 40% of young Africans remain optimistic about the future, believing that well-targeted political mobilization can still bring meaningful change.

Read the full article here (behind paywall).

Photograph: Alamy