An authoritative guide to the political, social, and demographic changes happening in Africa and why it matters for the rest of the world.

Africa is undergoing an astounding transformation that will usher in a new era of political volatility and experimentation in the coming years. The region is in the midst of a historically unprecedented demographic surge that has skewed the median age in most countries to below 20 years old. This demographic moment coincides with three factors likely to amplify the political agendas of African youth: rapid urbanization, dramatically increased digital connectivity, and an inflection point in new political narratives.

Gavin argues that these clear trends will result in an increase in political volatility, popular demonstrations will become larger and more frequent, incumbents will be more vulnerable, honeymoon periods for new leaders will be shorter, and transfers of power and leadership will be more frequent. Citizens frustrated by the status quo will show more willingness to experiment with different forms of government and different external partnerships, all with significant implications for those hoping for a global democratic resurgence.

What are we to make of these all this? Will young African men pose a global security threat, as some schools of thought speculate? Will a massive migration wave bring wide-reaching consequences on neighboring regions, especially Europe? Will upwardly mobile African youth fuel an engine of growth and entrepreneurialism on the continent, presenting development opportunities? Rather, this book is focused on what kind of governance models are rejected and preferred by young, urban, engaged Africans, and what the consequences of frequent political change might be. What is coming will be dramatically different from the period of political stagnation that has characterized the past two decades in the region. All these changes will enable new forms of political organizing and greater awareness of alternative models and experiences. Moreover, an increasingly heated major power rivalry between the United States, Russia, and China will be watching the region closely.