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OPINION OCTOBER 31, 2025 | The Indian Eye 10

‘Gen-Z’ Protests and

Digital Activism in Africa

While the context and nuances within the ‘Gen Z’ protests in Morocco and Madagascar

may vary, they share specific common root causes. In both nations, the political elites have

done little to improve the economic plight of their citizens

ABHISHEK MISHRA The gap between the rich and the poor is evident and growing in both countries (IDSA)

ithin a few weeks, young have any formal leadership? Are they Egypt, stronger local currencies, and and Africa Digital Rights Hub are
people across the globe decentralised, or is there a likelihood growing demand for affordable, low- leading advocacy efforts for policy
Whave taken to the streets en of such movements getting hijacked cost devices. reforms. Yet, formidable challenges
masse to fight against perceived gov- by the political class? Given that Gen African youths have been at the persist. Low internet penetration in
ernment corruption and the inability Z is a digitally tethered cohort who forefront of digital activism, using rural areas and exorbitant data costs
to deliver public goods worldwide. widely use social media platforms, social media platforms like Discord, hinder digital inclusion. Some Afri-
These protests—dubbed as being led are recent protests in Morocco and WhatsApp, Facebook and Telegram can governments use digital surveil-
by ‘Gen Z’—have spanned countries Madagascar indicative of the emer- to amplify their voices and mobilise lance, censorship and arrests to stifle
in Africa (Morocco, Madagascar, gence of a new toolkit for activism support. With over 70 per cent of online dissent and prevent mass mo-
Kenya), Asia (Nepal, Indonesia, Phil- across Africa? Africa’s population under 30 years bilisation. Disinformation campaigns
ippines), and South America (Peru, old, the continent presents a fertile seeking to manipulate African in-
Paraguay). They have sparked violent WHY IS DIGITAL ACTIVISM IN ground for digital activism and policy formation systems have also surged
clashes with authorities and, at times, AFRICA SURGING? advocacy. Some notable movements in recent years in countries ruled by
have even turned deadly. Various include #EndSARS in Nigeria, military juntas. A prominent exam-
grievances directed at government he African continent’s digital #FixTheCountry in Ghana, #ShutI- ple is the AI-generated disinforma-
leadership have motivated these pro- transformation is accelerating, tAllDown in Namibia, and #Reject- tion used extensively in Burkina Faso
tests, ranging from water and electric- Tdriven primarily by a surge in FinanceBill in Kenya, illustrating the to create propaganda that portrays
ity shortages in Madagascar to limit- digital innovations and smartphone power of digital platforms to drive its junta leader, Captain Ibrahim
ed access to education and healthcare ownership. Although Africa is bound social change. Traore, as a pan-African hero.
in Morocco to corruption scandals in by geographical divisions, digital and African start-ups like Ushahadi
Nepal and Peru. emerging technologies can be import- (Kenya), BudgIT (Nigeria) and MOROCCO PROTESTS
But what underlying causes ex- ant in unifying the continent. Africa’s Code for Africa are innovating in the n late September 2025, Moroccan
plain such anti-government protests smartphone market has steadily ex- digital rights space. Activists and civil youth called for protests on so-
worldwide, led by a new generation panded year-on-year due to easing society organisations like Paradigm Icial media using the #GenZ212
of young adults? Do these protests inflation in countries like Nigeria and Initiative, Internet Sans Frontières, Continued on next page... >>

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