Africa’s youth underrepresented in public service - Afrika Youth Movement

Africa's youth are vastly underrepresented in public service, despite making up a significant portion of the continent's population. With 70% of Africa being under 30 years old, there is a glaring generational gap as the average age of African leaders stands at 66 years old. Aya Chebbi, the Founder of Afrika Youth Movement, highlights the challenges faced by young people when it comes to participation in public service. The exclusion of youth from decision-making processes, both in the political landscape and public service recruitment, further exacerbates this issue. However, there is a willingness among the youth to join public service, with 70% of young people expressing a preference for it. Chebbi emphasizes the importance of recruiting young people based on merit and involving them in the recruitment process to bridge this gap. To address this disparity, a concerted effort to empower and include the youth in public service is essential. This article delves into the key points raised by Chebbi and the initiatives undertaken by the Afrika Youth Movement to increase youth participation in public service.