Youth during anti-tax protests in Nairobi. [File, Standard] Africa’s youth are not a problem to be solved, but an asset to be harnessed. Across the continent, a deeply flawed narrative persists—one that portrays young people as disengaged, entitled or burdensome. From the bustling streets of Lagos to the innovation hubs of Nairobi, from the resilient communities of the Sahel to the vibrant townships of Johannesburg, the disillusionment of youth is often blamed on their supposed apathy toward politics or frustration with the status quo. Yet this criticism ignores the broader structural and other realities shaping their experiences. Such a narrative…