Photo credit: Linda Ikeji blog
A poll of youth across 16 African countries has shown they would prefer to leave their countries because of corruption.
The African Youth Survey, commissioned by the Johannesburg-based Ichikowitz Family Foundation, surveyed 5,604 people between the ages of 18 and 24 in Botswana, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia.
Eighty-three per cent of the participants said they are concerned about corruption in their countries, and sixty-two per cent believe the government is failing to address it.
The poll indicated that fifty-eight per cent of young people said they are “very likely” or “somewhat likely” to consider emigrating to another country in the next three years.
The survey, conducted through face-to-face interviews in January and February, reveals that concern is spread across different spheres, including national and local governments, businesses, and police forces.
The foundation said, “They want tougher sanctions against corrupt politicians, including banning them from standing for office.”
About fifty-five per cent of participants said Africa was headed in the “wrong direction.” However, “Afro-optimism” rose to thirty-seven percent from the 2022 survey.
Many favored North America as their top destination, followed by Western Europe.
A lot of them also worried about the negative effects of foreign influence.
“They are concerned about their countries being exploited by reign companies, especially their natural mineral wealth being mined and exploited without any further benefit to the people,” said the foundation.
Eighty-two per cent had positive views about China’s influence. Seventy-nine per cent think the United States’ effect is positive. Forty-one per cent said it provides “important loans and economic support.”
Most do not think a Donald Trump victory in the November elections would be positive for Africa. They would rather have a win with the Democratic nominee, Kamala Harris.
