How Emerging Movements Are Redefining Democracy Across Africa

The current state of democracy in Africa presents a striking paradox. On one hand, the continent is experiencing a revival of authoritarian practices, diminishing civic space, entrenched political elites, and institutions that are slow to keep pace with contemporary demands. On the other hand, a powerful democratic awakening is emerging.

Young people, women, rural organizers, cultural producers, artists, and creatives—actors long treated as peripheral to politics—are stepping decisively into democratic spaces. They are challenging the assumption that governance belongs to a narrow class of leaders or elites, and instead are insisting on a democracy that delivers for all.

Africa’s median age is just 18. But the average age of political leadership remains contradictorily high, at 77.5. This gap is more than symbolic; it reflects a profound divergence between those who are governed and those who hold power. In a digital age marked by rapid information flows and rising demands for accountability, the traditional model of leadership is increasingly inadequate.

Across the continent, citizens are asking a simple but transformative question—what should democracy deliver for us? The answer they give is equally simple: economic justice, dignity, and a voice in shaping their own futures.

A New Social Contract

For decades, too many African leaders have failed to listen to the people they serve. Yet what we see now is a democratic awakening that is not waiting for permission.

The movements emerging today, from Nairobi to Lagos, Johannesburg to Dakar, are not dominated solely by formal civil society organizations or traditional political actors. They are driven by DJs, tech entrepreneurs, market women, rural farmers, skaters, visual artists, and youth organizers. These communities are forging a new kind of social contract—one in which citizens, not politicians, establish the terms of democratic governance.

How We Are Supporting This Shift

At Open Society, we are committed to supporting this unprecedented momentum. We are investing in reforms that expand civic and political space, including initiatives that enable young people to engage in political party primaries without prohibitive financial constraints. We are also partnering with continental and regional institutions—such as the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States, and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development to advance structural changes that ensure these democratic gains endure. Countries like South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, and Senegal are at the forefront of this transformation, offering valuable insights into how local civic action can reshape national politics and influence the broader continental landscape.

Ubuntu as a Democratic Blueprint

Our democratic futures in Africa strategy draws intentionally from the philosophy of ubuntu: I am because you are.

Ubuntu provides a moral anchor for reimagining democracy—one that emphasizes collective well-being, mutual accountability, and the responsibility each generation holds for those yet to come. It recognizes that inclusive governance is not an abstract ideal but a practical necessity.

Why This Work Matters

My commitment to this work is profoundly personal. As a student leader in Nigeria during the military era of the 1990s, I was imprisoned four times. Those experiences instilled in me a lasting resolve: if ever given the chance, I would devote myself to building systems that make the return of authoritarianism unimaginable—whether in Nigeria or anywhere across the continent. Today, I see a new generation emerging—one that refuses to defer or accept injustice as an unavoidable reality. They are asserting their presence not only in the streets, but also within the institutions, movements, and ideas that will shape Africa’s future. Their courage inspires hope. Their determination gives us direction. And their vision—bold, inclusive, and uncompromising is redefining what democracy in Africa can become.