Young Africans turn more optimistic on Trump, survey finds

A new 16-country survey finds roughly three in five young Africans think Donald Trump’s second term could improve their countries’ prospects, even as concerns persist over USAID cuts and U.S. access to African resources. The African Youth Survey 2026 also shows U.S. perceived influence edging past China’s overall, while China still enjoys a more positive image among those who see it as influential.

Why it matters: - Young Africans are becoming more pragmatic about foreign powers, judging them by jobs, investment, security and delivery rather than rhetoric. - The shift matters because the survey shows U.S. influence rising, but China still leads on perceived favorability among influential powers. - The findings suggest Washington’s leverage in Africa is growing, even as trust and goodwill remain contested.

What happened: - The African Youth Survey 2026 found about three in five young Africans are optimistic Donald Trump’s second administration will deliver a better future for their countries. - Optimism was highest for youth empowerment and security cooperation and counterterrorism, both at 60%. - Democracy support and trade relations both came in at 59%. - Military support, development aid and assistance, and political support and relations all scored 58%. - The survey was conducted in March 2026 across 16 countries and interviewed almost 5,000 young Africans. - The countries surveyed were Burkina Faso, Chad, Congo Brazzaville, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, Togo, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The details: - The biennial survey was launched in 2020 by the Ichikowitz Family Foundation and conducted by PSB Insights. - Overall U.S. influence rose from 74% in 2024 to 81% in 2026, edging ahead of China at 79%. - China’s influence is viewed more positively by respondents who say it has influence, with 95% rating China’s influence as positive versus 85% for the United States. - In the 2024 survey, young Africans had favored a Biden administration over a Trump administration by 42% to 23% across the evaluated areas. - Fifty-eight percent worry the United States will disregard international law and norms to gain access to natural resources in their country, rising to 70% in South Africa and Liberia. - Forty-six percent say USAID ceasing to operate as an independent foreign assistance agency will have a negative impact on their country. - Healthcare services and disease prevention are seen as the areas most affected by the USAID change. - Fifty-two percent say their leaders should find a way to work with Trump regardless of differences. - Twenty-six percent say dismantling USAID could have a positive impact by forcing leaders to confront domestic challenges directly. - That view rises to 41% in Ghana and 40% in Nigeria. - Sixteen percent say the USAID change will have little or no impact, and 11% do not know. - The survey found 47% of young Africans in the eight countries tracked since 2020 say their own country is moving in the right direction, up from 30% in 2024. - Forty-five percent say their national economy is moving in the right direction, up from 26% in 2024. - Forty-three percent say Africa is moving in the right direction, up from 37% in 2024. - Rising living costs were named as the biggest event or development affecting Africa over the past five years by 27% of respondents. - Asked what Africa most needs to progress, 27% named new, well-paying jobs and 25% cited reducing government corruption. - Making it easier to start a business rose to 16% from 10% in 2020. - A full copy of the report can be downloaded here. - African Youth Survey 2026 photographs, videos and animations can be downloaded here.

Between the lines: - The results point to a generation that is less ideological and more transactional in its view of international relations. - The survey also suggests Trump’s style may resonate with respondents who want leverage and concrete gains, even if they remain wary of U.S. motives. - Perceived U.S. strength is improving, but the stronger positive ratings for China show Washington is not winning the trust contest. - Ivor Ichikowitz, founder and commissioner of the African Youth Survey, said young Africans respond to Trump because he speaks the language of power, interest, leverage and deals.

What's next: - The survey is likely to shape how governments, businesses and civil society interpret young Africans’ expectations of the U.S. and China. - The results also set a baseline for how African views of Trump’s second term evolve as policy decisions on aid, security and trade unfold. - Washington’s handling of USAID, resource access and Africa policy will help determine whether higher perceived influence translates into lasting support.

The bottom line: - Young Africans are not embracing Trump uncritically, but they are increasingly open to a deal-driven U.S. approach if it produces visible results. China still has the stronger goodwill advantage.