Date: 24 November 2025
© Souleymane Ouédraogo
Since the security crisis of 2022, the youth of Burkina Faso, particularly the Gen Z, have shown a strong desire for political and governance change. Born in a context marked by political instability, insecurity and unemployment, these young people have openly expressed their frustrations and aspirations through mobilisations, online campaigns and community actions in support of the aspirational actions of the people, in particular the youth.
Deep-rooted motivations
Above all, young people are demonstrating for social justice, transparency in governance and better access to economic and educational opportunities. Many denounce the marginalisation of youth in decision-making and demand to be fully considered as actors in national development. Environmental issues, freedom of expression and security are also among their main concerns. For example, Aïcha, a young student from Koudougou, says: “We just want our voices to count. When we plant trees or take part in clean-up campaigns, it’s not just symbolic. It’s our way of saying that we want a better future, here in Burkina.”
Similarly, at recent citizens’ marches in Ouagadougou, many young people held up placards demanding “Justice for all” and “No to corruption”. These mobilisations reflect a genuine desire to help build a fairer, more accountable state.
New forms of commitment
Gen Z organises itself differently from previous generations. Thanks to social networks like Facebook, TikTok or WhatsApp, young people are able to mobilise quickly, share information and express their opinions. A striking example is the #MonÉcoleMonAvenir campaign, launched on Facebook and TikTok by young people in Ouagadougou to raise awareness on the need to renovate run-down public schools. In just a few days, hundreds of pupils and students posted videos showing the state of their schools, while proposing concrete actions to clean them up and paint them collectively. This movement, which was subsequently relayed by several local associations, illustrated the power of social networks as a driver of citizen and community involvement. They favour creative and spontaneous actions, often outside traditional political structures: online campaigns, citizen debates, volunteer actions, or local initiatives in schools and universities. Influencers and young associative leaders play an important role in bridging the gap between the street, communities and institutions.
Challenges and prospects
Although Burkinabe youth are showing increasing commitment, they still face a number of challenges: a lack of institutional support, political recuperation, misinformation, and sometimes repression of citizen movements. Yet this energy represents a real opportunity for democracy.
The obstacles faced by young people in Burkina Faso have profoundly shaped the way they act. Faced with misinformation, young people are taking to social networks not only to express themselves, but also to inform. They understand that the battle of ideas is being waged online. As a result, new groups such as InfoJeunes Burkina and SahelCheck are making their mark in fact-checking and disseminating reliable content. These initiatives reinforce critical thinking and encourage a more responsible digital culture.
In the face of repression, Generation Z prefers more creative, less frontal mobilization strategies. Instead of large, risky demonstrations, they opt for symbolic campaigns, community actions (clean-ups, reforestation, civic workshops), or artistic performances (slams, videos, posters) to get their messages across without direct confrontation.
Faced with a lack of institutional support, many young people choose to act at grassroots level. They get involved in local associations, set up citizens’ clubs in schools, or create collectives of young leaders in local communities. This “bottom-up” approach enables them to make a concrete impact and, little by little, build a social dialogue with local authorities.
So, these challenges are not holding back Burkina Faso’s youth; they are pushing them to invent more autonomous forms of commitment, rooted in solidarity and creativity. With the right support, a safe space for expression and civic leadership training, Gen Z could become the driving force behind democratic renewal in Burkina Faso.
Members of the YDC who contributed to this section:
Association pour la Sauvegarde de l’Environnement et le Développement Durable (ASEDD)
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