Young Africans see major global powers as potential allies and want foreign relationships that deliver investment while respecting national sovereignty and natural resources, according to the African Youth Survey 2026.
The survey found that 60% of respondents believe their countries should build strong alliances with one or two major global powers to secure long-term benefits. Another 37% prefer to remain as neutral as possible and avoid strong alliances with major powers.
Respondents also set a test for the partners they choose. A majority, 55%, said their countries should prioritise partners that deliver trade and investment, regardless of the partner’s system of government. A further 42% preferred partners that share similar values and systems of government, even where those partners deliver fewer tangible benefits.
Economic interests shape the choice of partner. Respondents identified a country’s ability to invest in infrastructure and the economy as the leading criterion, cited by 43%.
Respect for natural resources followed at 39%. Democratic values and a strong human rights record drew 34%, matched by respect for sovereignty and noninterference in domestic affairs at 34%.
The African Youth Survey 2026, commissioned by the Ichikowitz Family Foundation and conducted by PSB Insights, was released on 29 July in Johannesburg, South Africa. Researchers conducted 4,901 face-to-face interviews with people ages 18 to 24 across 16 African countries.
The countries were Burkina Faso, Chad, Congo Brazzaville, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, Togo, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The sample was evenly divided between male and female respondents.
Attitudes toward the major powers stayed broadly positive. Among respondents who considered each power influential, 95% viewed China’s influence positively, matched by the United Kingdom at 95%.
The European Union followed at 92%, India at 91%, Germany and Brazil at 90% each, France at 87%, the United States at 85% and Russia at 83%. China also ranked as the most preferred partner, cited by 95%.
A tension runs through these attitudes. 80% voiced concern about the influence of foreign powers in their countries, and 60% still called for strong alliances with one or two major powers to secure long-term benefits.
The findings show young Africans weighing economic opportunity, infrastructure, natural resources and national sovereignty as they assess potential partners rather than sorting themselves into competing geopolitical blocs.
The survey’s findings represent young people in the 16 countries studied and should not be interpreted as representing every African country.
