The European Union maintains strong trust among young Africans, but will now be judged on its ability to deliver concrete results, according to the African Youth Survey 2026, published on Wednesday 29 July. Conducted among 4,901 young people aged 18 to 24 in 16 African countries, the survey shows that 90% of respondents regard the EU as an ally and that 92% of those who believe it exerts an influence in their country consider that influence to be positive, an increase of 16 points compared with 2024.
The study nevertheless highlights growing expectations for a partnership more focused on economic development. A majority of the young people surveyed (55%) favour alliances capable of delivering tangible benefits, such as trade and investment, regardless of the partner’s political system, as against 42% who give priority to shared values. Investment in infrastructure and the economy is the leading criterion for choosing an international partner (43%).
While the EU is widely perceived as an ally, its influence is still seen as less significant than that of several international organisations. 68% of respondents believe it exerts an influence in their country, compared with 77% for the African Union and the United Nations, 74% for the World Trade Organization and 73% for the International Monetary Fund.
However, in the eyes of young Africans, the Union remains more influential than the main European powers taken individually, including the United Kingdom (63%), Germany (49%) and France (47%).
Of the 16 countries analysed, the perceived level of EU influence is highest in Mozambique (88%), followed by the Republic of the Congo and Kenya (80%), Togo (79%), Chad (77%) and Ghana (76%). Conversely, only 52% of respondents in Burkina Faso report perceiving EU influence, compared with 57% in Zambia and Zimbabwe and 58% in South Africa.
Where it is perceived as influential, the Union enjoys a very favourable image: 98% of the young people surveyed in Mozambique consider that influence positive, ahead of Kenya (97%), Ethiopia and Liberia (96%), Ghana (95%), Chad (94%), as well as Nigeria and Zambia (93%).
See the report: https://aeur.eu/f/n2f (Original version in French by Bernard Denuit)