NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

With over 400 million people between the ages of 15 and 35, Africa already has the world’s youngest population. And by 2050, this youth population is projected to increase by 73%, compared to just 6% in the rest of the world. But this growth in the youth population is more than just a statistic — it’s driving the adoption of technological innovation across the region. This burgeoning demographic is leveraging digital platforms to carve their own paths, find work, build thriving online communities, and fuel their own education in ways that were unimaginable just a decade ago. 

This digital movement is not only transforming individual lives, it’s shaping the future of work for millions of young people across the continent. Indeed, these new generations of tech-savvy young people are a powerful force that can unlock Africa’s digital potential, especially if government, development partners and the private sector focus on actively listening to them — and addressing the challenges they continue to face in leveraging the benefits of emerging technologies. 

To take some key examples of these challenges, a series of surveys of 34 countries in Africa by Afrobarometer, done between 2019 and 2021, found that most people 30 years old and under lacked access to a mobile phone, internet and computer. Only 49% of this young demographic reported frequent use of the internet, while just 53% said they had an internet-enabled mobile phone. And though other studies have shown that many African countries have improved their internet connectivity, the majority of the continent’s young people still live in rural areas — many of which remain outside the coverage of mobile broadband. 

In 2023, with the support of the Mastercard Foundation, Caribou Digital engaged in discussions with 20 young people from seven countries across Africa to talk about the impact of digital technology on their lives. We compiled their stories and several others into a report called “Youth in Digital Africa: Our connections. Our choices. Our future,” which was published in May. These personal narratives highlight five interconnected themes — access, skills, jobs, voice and choice — that are critical to understanding how digital technology influences their lives, and how its impact could be amplified. We’ll share some highlights from the report below.

The Impact of Technology on Young Africans — In Their Own Words

Every story shared by the young people we engaged showed how access to technology — and the skills required to use it — often led to better outcomes for them, whether they were workers, women, students or people living with a disability. 

For instance Yvonne, a young woman from Rwanda who is visually impaired, shared how assistive technologies such as screen readers have been key to helping her lead an independent life. She explained that these technologies allow her to use her phone and computer without needing help from others. Meanwhile, Faith, a student in Kenya, talked about using Udemy, an online learning platform, to complement her classes while pursuing an undergraduate degree in software engineering. She explained that whenever she struggled to understand the material taught in class, she turned to the platform to bridge the gaps in her understanding. And Ayomide from Nigeria explained how he often uses the internet to share his views on the misconceptions about people with albinism — something that has given him a valuable voice in the public discourse, as someone with albinism. 

These insights offer a glimpse of how important it is for young people to access the internet — and devices such as smartphones and computers — as this online access is enabling them to reap real-world benefits that improve their lives. As Raphael, one of the young voices highlighted in the report, put it, “It is difficult for young people to fully participate in the digital economy if they don’t have access to technology and skills. Access and digital skills not only unlock choices for young people but are also a key to jobs and livelihoods. Access to digital technology also gives us a voice through which we share ideas, thoughts and information.” 

The Challenges of Leveraging Digital Platforms for the Benefit of Africa’s Youth

However, beyond the benefits, young people also face challenges while trying to use digital platforms in positive ways. For instance, young women we spoke with shared how using various online platforms, especially social media, exposes them to harm online — such as gender-based bullying, harassment and body shaming — which hinders their ability to use digital tools for both social and business purposes. Numerous testimonies showed how societal norms and pressures — such as husbands who refuse to allow their wives to own mobile phones — continue to prevent young African women from fully engaging with digital platforms. Yet it is through digital platforms that many of these women earn a living, whether they’re employed as gig workers, sellers or influencers, or work in other internet-centric professions. When women cannot fully participate in the digital economy, it means they cannot fully contribute to the economic growth of their countries. Similarly, young people with disabilities mentioned the high cost of obtaining — and learning to use — assistive technologies such as JAWS, a screen reader software developed for computer users whose vision loss prevents them from seeing screen content or navigating with a mouse. For example Papi, a visually impaired youth in Rwanda, struggled to pay the cost of the JAWS training course offered in his local community. Without affordable and accessible assistive technologies, Africa is missing out on harnessing these brilliant young minds. 

It’s worth highlighting that young people are not always waiting for policymakers to improve their access to digital technology and skills, and many have taken matters into their own hands to address some of these challenges. For instance, Jillo, who lives in Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya, shared how he offers low-cost digital classes to fellow refugees to increase their access to the internet, through which they can find scholarships or work opportunities. In Nigeria, Victor spoke about his efforts to teach school students in his hometown how to code, so they have relevant skills when they enter the digital workforce. And Anastasia, a Nigerian online freelancer, discussed how she shares useful tips on Instagram and LinkedIn with others who want to start a career in freelancing online. These efforts demonstrate that young people understand how technology has given them advantages in their lives, and want the same for others. As Papi from Rwanda suggested, governments and development partners should work with these young leaders to expand their efforts to reach more young people. 

How the Public, Private and Development Sectors Can Respond

But though many of the young people we spoke with were eager to lead the way, they also called on policymakers, the private sector and development partners to play their part in building a future that doesn’t leave young people behind. In our conversations, they emphasized several areas these different sectors could prioritize to advance the usage of technology among the continent’s youth, including:

• The need for policymakers to find strategies to make assistive technologies available and affordable for young people with disabilities. 
• The need for network service providers to offer affordable data packages and devices so young people can easily access educational materials and work opportunities. 
• The need for the telecommunication industry to partner with government to expand network infrastructure, particularly in rural areas.
• The need for digital platforms to improve their algorithms to minimize the visibility of abusive content, and to establish clear guidelines that prohibit hate speech, bullying and harassment.
• The need for governments to stop resorting to shutting down the internet during election periods and instead engage in dialogue with citizens. 
• The need for governments to do more to ensure that young women feel safe online. 
• The need for governments and development partners to help ensure that those without access to digital technologies gain that access — and the skills to use it. 
• The need for international technology companies to support training initiatives like tech hubs, e-libraries and skill development centers for youth, particularly in rural communities and low-income urban areas.

Unlike previous generations, today’s young Africans are digital natives, fluent in the language of the internet, and adept at using digital platforms to find and do work, connect, mobilize and learn. Not listening to young people will stifle the continent’s potential for innovation and progress, especially as rapidly advancing technologies like artificial intelligence continue to grow. Recognizing and harnessing this potential is not just an opportunity, it’s a necessity.

By prioritizing digital infrastructure, skills training and inclusive policies, policymakers, the private sector and development partners can unlock the vast potential of young Africans. The digital age offers unparalleled opportunities for growth and development. Our collective responsibility is to ensure that no young African is left behind. The voices of Africa’s youth are clear and compelling — and they demand to be heard. It is time for these stakeholders to listen and act: If they do, they’ll be making not just an investment in technology, but an investment in the future of the continent. 

Grace Natabaalo is a Research and Insights Manager, and Chelsea Horváth is a Measurement and Impact Manager at Caribou Digital. 

Photo courtesy of Andrea Piacquadio.