[Commlist] Call for Papers: Gen Zs, Digital Media, Elections and the Politics of Inclusive Democracy in Africa

CFP
*Gen Zs, Digital Media, Elections and the Politics of Inclusive 
Democracy in Africa *

**

*Editors: Ufuoma Akpojivi, Job Mwaura, Teke Ngomba & Jimmy Ochieng *

*Focus of Study: *A growing body of scholarship has interrogated the 
dynamics of electoral politics in Africa with a particular emphasis on 
the implications of democratic backsliding, the resurgence of coups, and 
the shifting landscape of citizen engagement (see Ndlela and Mano 2020, 
Lilleker and Mutsvairo 2026). The electoral cycles of 2022 to 2025 have 
seen a significant number of African states, such as South Africa, 
Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania and Kenya, amongst others, conduct elections, 
revealing a salient and often underestimated actor:  Generation Z (Gen 
Z). According to Afrobarometer, 60% of Africa’s population consists of 
individuals aged 25 and below, most of whom fall within the Gen Z 
category (born between 1997-2012), and are considered to be digitally 
native (BBC n/d).  This means that these Gen Zs are not only the future 
generation that will (re)shape politics and democratic processes in the 
continent, but their voices cannot be silenced or ignored in the 
democratic process, as their actions have a broader implication on 
democracy and democratic sustenance.

Rice and Moffet (2021) argue that Gen Z’s political behaviour stands 
apart from that of older generations. While the older generation of 
voters may tend towards caution and compromise,  Gen Zs, on the other 
hand, are less willing to accept poor governance or systemic failure 
quietly. These inclinations described above are at the heart of recent 
varied forms of demonstration in countries such as Madagascar, Cameroon, 
Morocco, Kenya, Tanzania and Nigeria, where these groups of young 
Africans have demanded good governance.   Their constant exposure and 
access to information shape the forms and manner of their political 
engagement and participation. Their expressions are grounded in their 
critique of political and economic failures of African states, as these 
factors have formed the catalyst of their engagement (Mbugua 2025).

In light of the above, this proposed edited collection seeks to 
understand how Gen Zs are influencing political participation, electoral 
behaviours and democratic transformation across the African continent. 
We are interested in the broader questions of how Gen Z is (re)shaping 
political participation and elections in Africa? Are there structural or 
socio-economic barriers to Gen Z’s political participation? If there 
are, what are these and in what form do they exist? How is Gen Z’s 
voting behaviour different from other generations, and what is the 
broader impact of their voting behaviour on the electioneering process? 
What role, if any, do social media influencers and activists play in 
shaping the electioneering process and in influencing the political 
awareness of Gen Zs?  Ultimately, this volume seeks to place Gen Zs at 
the centre of the current debates about democracy in Africa, not as 
future citizens, but as active political agents in the present.

We welcome submissions that address but are not limited to the following 
themes related to Gen Zs in Africa:

 1. Political participation and everyday engagement with the state
 2. Psychological factors that influence political participation and
    engagement (i.e. political interests, efficacy and agency)
 3. Generational shifts in political behaviours, especially concerning
    electoral choices
 4. Online and offline activism and protest cultures
 5. Civic trust and policy influence
 6. Trust, disillusionment, and civic withdrawal
 7. Misinformation, disinformation and their impact on Gen Z’s political
    behaviour
 8. Influencer politics, micro-celebrities, and youth mobilisation
 9. Surveillance, voter suppression and politics of fear
10. Youth-State relations and the reimagining of political accountability
11. Informal political spaces and alternative forms of organising

*Submission details*:

Please, email a chapter proposal of up to 400 words and brief author’s 
biographical information and affiliations to the editors at 
(ufuoma.akpojivi /at/ gmail.com) <mailto:(ufuoma.akpojivi /at/ gmail.com)>, 
(job.mwaura /at/ lmu.de) <mailto:(job.mwaura /at/ lmu.de)> and (jochieng /at/ iu.edu) 
<mailto:(jochieng /at/ iu.edu)>. Decisions on chapter proposals will be 
communicated to the authors by February 16, 2026. This proposed edited 
volume is earmarked for publication with a university press.

*Note*: We do not require an article publishing charge (APC)

*Tentative Timelines*:

January 15, 2026: Abstract submission deadline

February 16, 2026: Notification of decision

May 15, 2026: Deadline for the submission of the full draft

August 31, 2026: Feedback from peer reviewers

November 2, 2026: Deadline for submission of revised chapter

December 7,  2026: Final decision on chapter submission

February 1, : 2027: Submission of book manuscript to the publisher

*References*:

Afrobarometer (2023). Understanding the Youth’s Perspectives: Highlights 
of Afrobarometer R9 Findings. Online: 
https://www.afrobarometer.org/articles/understanding-the-youths-perspective-highlights-of-afrobarometer-r9-findings/#:~:text=Findings%20from%20the%20joint%20webinar,engagement%20with%20the%20youth%20demographic 
<https://www.afrobarometer.org/articles/understanding-the-youths-perspective-highlights-of-afrobarometer-r9-findings/#:~:text=Findings%20from%20the%20joint%20webinar,engagement%20with%20the%20youth%20demographic>. 


BBC (n/d). What is the Gen Z Stare? Online: 
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zf8kfdm#zvjw3qt 
<https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zf8kfdm#zvjw3qt>,

Lilleker, D. and Mutsvairo, B. (2026). /Election Campaigning in 
Sub-Saharan Africa: Democracy, Societal Cleavages and Social Media/.  
London: Palgrave

Mbugua, J. (2025). Why Kenyan’s Gen Z Has Taken to the Streets. Journal 
of Democracy, Online: 
https://www.journalofdemocracy.org/online-exclusive/why-kenyas-gen-z-has-taken-to-the-streets/#:~:text=Over%20the%20past%20year%2C%20the%20nation%20has,however%2C%20the%20state%20has%20responded%20with%20force 
<https://www.journalofdemocracy.org/online-exclusive/why-kenyas-gen-z-has-taken-to-the-streets/#:~:text=Over%20the%20past%20year%2C%20the%20nation%20has,however%2C%20the%20state%20has%20responded%20with%20force>. 


Ndela,  M. and Mano, W. (2020). /Social Media and Elections in Africa, 
Volume 1: Theoretical Perspective and Election Campaigns./ London: Palgrave.

Rice, L and Moffet, K. (2021). /The Political Voices of Generation Z/. 
New York: Routledge.

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