The Nordic Africa Institute

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Commentary

Filmed conversation: Will Africa's Gen Z bring lasting political change?

NAI Researcher Martins Kwazema and NAI Director Therése Sjömander when the conversation was recorded in Stockholm, 16 Dec 2025. Photo: Mattias Sköld

NAI Researcher Martins Kwazema and NAI Director Therése Sjömander at the event in Stockholm, 16 Dec 2025. Photo: Mattias Sköld

Date • 23 Dec 2025

Often describing themselves as #fearless, #partyless and #tribeless, Africa’s Gen Zs are mobilising protests, reclaiming the meaning of democracy, and questioning political power across the continent. Are these mobilisations momentary, or do they signal the beginning of deeper, systemic change? And how do today’s digitally driven movements differ from earlier waves of social and political mobilisation?

These questions are explored in a recent conversation between NAI Researcher Martins Kwazema, historian and futurist, and NAI Director Therese Sjömander. Drawing on examples from Kenya, Madagascar, Ghana, Morocco and Tanzania, the discussion examines the potency of digitally mobilised civic agency and the political futures now taking shape.

Watch the full 1 hour 15 minute conversation or the 10-minute edited version:

Dive deeper

To coincide with the event, the NAI Library curated a book display on themes such as protest movements, youth, social media and digital technology. Visit us, browse the collection, or search the catalogue External link, opens in new window..

(You can also request the books via interlibrary loan within the Nordics.)