Disaffected African young people risk their lives to try to reach Europe. Others join radical groups such as Boko Haram, Al-Shabab and Islamic State. Angry young unemployed South Africans were behind xenophobic attacks there. Youth protesting their socio-economic and political marginalization have changed governments in Tunisia and Senegal. One-third of Africans are between the ages of 10 and 24 and they are better educated than their parents and have higher expectations, but they are less likely to have jobs or political influence. Young Africans are organizing in many ways, and are making their voices heard. How will they force governments to listen?

Alcinda Honwana is author of The Time of Youth: Work, Politics, and Social Change in Africa and Youth and Revolution in Tunisia. She is Visiting Professor in International Development at the Open University and was director of the Africa Program of the Social Science Research Council, New York.

Funmi Olonisakin is Professor of Security, Leadership and Development at King's College London and member of the panel on the 2015 Review of the UN Peacebuilding Architecture. 

Africa Talks is a programme of high-profile events that creates a platform for African voices to inform and transform the global debate. 

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