Where does Africa stand today in its pursuit of democracy?
This is the question worth asking as the world marks the International Day of Democracy on September 15, a day dedicated to reflecting on the values of freedom, participation, accountability, and justice. For Africa, the answer is layered, one of remarkable progress, ongoing struggles, and an unshakable determination by its people to shape their own destinies.
This year’s theme, “From Voice to Action,” speaks directly to Africa’s democratic story. It highlights the need to move beyond symbolic expressions of democracy, such as voting every few years, to ensuring that the voices of citizens translate into meaningful policies, development, and justice in everyday life.
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Democracy in Africa: Triumphs and Trials
Africa’s democratic journey is diverse and complex. Nations like Ghana, South Africa, Botswana, and Senegal have established reputations for institutional resilience and electoral transparency. Yet, the continent also faces persistent challenges: contested elections, fragile institutions, suppression of dissent, and recent military interventions in parts of West and Central Africa.
Despite these setbacks, Africans have not lost faith in democracy. According to the 2024 Afrobarometer Report, two-thirds (66%) of Africans across 39 countries say they prefer democracy to any other system of government. Large majorities also reject one-man rule (80%), one-party rule (78%), and military rule (66%) as alternatives (Afrobarometer, 2024).
However, support is declining. Over the past decade in 30 consistently surveyed countries, support for democracy has dropped by 7 percentage points, including massive declines in key places: 29 points in South Africa and 23 points in Mali (Afrobarometer, 2024; The Guardian, 2024). Opposition to military rule has also weakened by 11 points, with some of the sharpest drops in Mali (40 points) and Burkina Faso (37 points) (Afrobarometer, 2024).
From Voice to Action: The African Imperative
The transition “from voice to action” is the challenge Africa must confront. While elections give citizens the platform to express their will, the translation of those voices into tangible results often falters. Promises made on campaign trails too often remain unfulfilled.
For Africa, “From Voice to Action” means:
• Strengthening Institutions: Building independent judiciaries, accountable parliaments, and transparent electoral commissions that safeguard democracy from manipulation.
• Youth Participation: With young people (aged 18-35) forming a large share of the population, more than 400 million youths aged 15–35 across Africa, and almost 64% of youth preferring democracy over any other kind of government, they must be not only voters but also policymakers, entrepreneurs, and civic leaders (African Business, 2024; African Union, 2024).
• Gender Inclusion: Women, who form half of Africa’s population, remain underrepresented in decision-making. True democracy means their voices must shape national agendas.
• Technology and Civic Space: As digital platforms empower activism, governments must balance regulation with the protection of freedoms to ensure technology becomes a tool for democratic engagement rather than repression.
Democracy as a Development Driver
Democracy in Africa must not be limited to political rituals; it should be the driver of inclusive development. From Nigeria to Kenya, citizens demand better healthcare, quality education, transparent resource management, and jobs for the youth. The ability of governments to respond to these demands will determine whether democracy deepens or erodes.
Recent data show that fewer than half (45%) of Africans think their countries are mostly or completely democratic, and only 37% are satisfied with the way democracy works in their countries (Afrobarometer, 2024). Satisfaction with democracy has dropped sharply in some high-profile democracies: Botswana and Mauritius both dropped by about 40 points, South Africa by 35 points, Ghana by 23 points, and Namibia by 12 points (Afrobarometer, 2024).
A Call to Action
On this International Day of Democracy 2025, Africa must rise to the challenge of turning voices into action. It is not enough to chant slogans of freedom; the continent must deliver democratic dividends that touch lives in villages, cities, and marginalized communities.
Citizens must remain vigilant and engaged, holding leaders accountable. Leaders, in turn, must recognize that democracy is not a gift they bestow but a right they must uphold.
As history has shown, Africa’s future will not be written by the silence of its people but by the collective action of voices demanding dignity, justice, and progress.
Democracy in Africa is alive. Its survival depends not just on the right to speak but on the power to act.
