A recent survey of young Africans reveals that Chinese influence on the continent is viewed more favorably than that of the United States, reflecting shifting perceptions among the region’s youth. The biennial African Youth Survey, conducted across 16 countries and involving nearly 4,900 respondents aged 18 to 24, found that 95 percent rated China’s influence positively, compared with 85 percent for the US. China’s favorability rating has topped the survey since 2022.
The survey also indicated Britain (95 percent), India (91 percent), and Germany (90 percent) rank highly in terms of influence favorability, while Russia’s standing has notably increased from 68 percent two years ago to 83 percent, particularly in the Sahel region where Moscow has expanded its military presence.
Despite China’s higher favorability ratings, the United States is still perceived as the most influential country overall, with 81 percent of young Africans recognizing its impact—placing it ahead of China in terms of overall perceived power, a lead it last held in 2020.
The report points to several factors shaping these perceptions. The US Agency for International Development (USAID), once a major contributor to healthcare and disease prevention programs, experienced significant budget cuts following restructuring efforts during former President Trump’s second term, including a cost-cutting initiative led by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency. These reductions led to the closure of some clinics and setbacks in programs targeting HIV and malaria, contributing to concerns about the US’s commitment to Africa’s health sectors. Nearly half of respondents said that the dismantling of USAID would harm health outcomes in their countries.
Meanwhile, China’s positive image is linked to its extensive investments in infrastructure across Africa, including roads, railways, and power plants developed through the Belt and Road Initiative. Many young Africans cited affordable Chinese consumer goods and the visible improvements in infrastructure as reasons for their favorable views. However, critics warn that the associated loans have increased debt burdens for some African governments and may strain already fragile economies.
Emmanuel Kwezi Tabaro, a Ugandan political analyst who contributed to the study, described the results as indicative of a generation focused more on concrete benefits than ideological alliances. “Africa’s youth want partners, not patrons,” he said, highlighting the importance of jobs, investment, and development over political allegiance.
Attitudes varied significantly between countries. In South Africa, 58 percent of young people viewed US influence positively, the lowest in the survey, with 70 percent favoring a more confrontational stance toward former President Trump, especially amid trade tensions and controversy over refugee offers to white Afrikaners. Correspondingly, South African youth expressed comparatively stronger support for Russia, reflecting the African National Congress government’s refusal to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its involvement in joint naval exercises with the Russian navy.
As Africa is expected to be home to more than 40 percent of the world’s young people by 2030, insights into the continent’s youth attitudes provide a critical measure of emerging geopolitical dynamics and partners’ influence in the region.