Africa Studies

About the Program

Africa is home to the world’s youngest population, with more than 60 percent of its population under the age of 25. Yet across the continent, these young Africans face barriers that limit their ability to shape their future. In many countries, military coups and authoritarian crackdowns have reversed democratic progress. Armed conflicts in places like Niger, Somalia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo have displaced millions, while extremist groups such as Boko Haram, al-Shabaab, and ISIS affiliates continue to recruit and terrorize communities. Economic growth has not translated into enough jobs, leaving educated young Africans unemployed. At the same time, climate change and violent conflicts have worsened hunger, with entire regions facing food crises that threaten stability. Education systems struggle to keep pace with population growth, leaving classrooms overcrowded, higher education underfunded, and millions of youth without the skills they need to compete in a changing global economy.

The Africa Studies program examines these challenges directly, providing evidence-based research and policy recommendations to African governments, regional bodies such as the African Union and ECOWAS, international development partners, and youth-led organizations. Our work focuses on advancing policies and initiatives that strengthen electoral integrity, counter violent extremism, reduce youth unemployment through entrepreneurship and skills development, improve agricultural productivity to combat hunger, and expand access to quality education at all levels.

Key Research Areas

Africa’s schools and training programs often fail to connect young people to jobs. We study how funding gaps, weak vocational pipelines, and skills mismatches leave graduates underemployed, and test policies that directly link education to labor demand.
In many African countries, flawed elections and limited representation push youth away from politics. We track how electoral systems, civic restrictions, and corruption shape youth trust, and evaluate reforms that give young people real influence in governance.
Conflict, climate shocks, and weak economies drive mass youth displacement within and beyond Africa. We examine how asylum systems, refugee camps, and border policies affect security, schooling, and work for displaced youth.
Millions of young Africans abroad send remittances, build networks, and push for change at home. We study how diaspora engagement in education, business, and advocacy shapes opportunities on the continent, and where policy can amplify these contributions.