Megatrends between Democratization and Autocratization

• Yohannis Mulu Tessema

How Elections Can Shape Long-Term Political Views: Lessons from the 2005 Ethiopian National Election

Ethiopia has never had a national election as contested as the one in 2005. Afrobarometer data show the long-term effects of this event, such as the former youth's embrace of national rather than ethnic identities or a preference for geographically based federalism.

doi:10.18449/2025MTA-WP18

• Download (PDF) | 407 KB

• Franzisca Zanker

A Question of Standard Regulations? Colonial Continuities of Afro-European Visa Regimes and Mobility Partnerships

• German

Legal and safe migration to Europe has become increasingly difficult for African citizens owing to racialised structures of mobility. Visas put huge burdens on African applicants while migration partnerships have had little impact, despite Germany’s need for migrant labour, argues Franzisca Zanker.

• Christine Hackenesch
• Lena Gutheil
• Tobias Heidland
• Emmanuel Nshakira-Rukundo
• Rainer Schweickert
• Denis M. Tull

Megatrends and the Future of Democracy in Africa. How Do the Youth Bulge, Urbanization and Digitalization Shape African Politics?

Africa’s future will be young, urban and digital, but will it be more democratic? This Working Paper explores how age, urbanization and access to social media shape African citizens’ political attitudes, their willingness to participate in democratic institutions, and forms of collective action.

doi:10.18449/2025MTA-WP16

• Download (PDF) | 1.2 MB

• Godfred Bonnah Nkansah

The “Demo-conomics” in African Youth Politics. Youth Bulge and Unemployment Meet Political Attitude and Participation

With more than 70 per cent of the continent’s population under 30 years of age, Africa is currently the youngest continent. A high youth bulge is associated with strong support for democratic norms, an increased likelihood of participation in demonstrations and a decreased likelihood of voting in elections.

doi:10.18449/2025MTA-WP15

• Download (PDF) | 820 KB

• Magdalena Freischlad

Mozambique after the Elections: Civil Protests and the Risk of Escalation

• German

Following the presidential elections in Mozambique, youthful mass protests against the alleged electoral fraud perpetrated by the ruling party FRELIMO have erupted. Tensions are exacerbated by police violence. There is a risk of further escalation, which could lead to civil war.

• Ann-Kathrin Schumann

Workshop Report: Exploring Avenues for (Enhanced) Collaborations in the Digital Sphere in Africa

• German

Africa’s digital transformations are unfolding against the backdrop of global competition between major global actors, including China, the United States, and Europe. Amidst this dynamic, the continent’s own agency is a crucial element that should not be overlooked.