New Delhi: India’s standing among young Africans has improved significantly over the past two years, with nine in ten respondents now viewing India as an ally and 45 per cent saying India has “some” or “a lot” of influence in their country, according to the African Youth Survey 2026 released on Wednesday, 29 July. The figure marks an eight percentage point increase from the 2024 survey.
The survey was commissioned by the Ichikowitz Family Foundation and conducted by PSB Insights across 16 African countries in March 2026 among 4,901 people in 18-24 age group.
Although the United States (81 per cent) and China (79 per cent) were perceived to have greater influence than India, respondents viewed India’s influence more favourably. Among those who said India had influence in their country, 91 per cent described that influence as “very” or “somewhat” positive, ahead of the US (85 per cent), France (87 per cent), Russia (83 per cent), Germany (90 per cent) and Brazil (90 per cent). Only China and the United Kingdom, both at 95 per cent, recorded higher positive influence ratings among individual countries, while the European Union stood at 92 per cent.
India also ranked among the most trusted international partners. Nine in ten respondents described India as an ally, placing it on level with EU and ahead of Germany (89 per cent), the US (88 per cent), Brazil (87 per cent), Russia (86 per cent) and France (85 per cent). Only China (95 per cent) and the UK (92 per cent) ranked higher.
What these findings indicate
The findings come as India seeks to strengthen ties with African nations through development partnerships, trade, digital public infrastructure, health care, education and capacity-building initiatives, and as a leading voice of the Global South. The survey shows that economic co-operation and concrete results are increasingly important in shaping the views of young Africans about international partners.
Commenting on the findings, Ivor Ichikowitz, Founder and Commissioner of the African Youth Survey, said, “India is winning over Africa’s youth because it is proof that history is not destiny. India emerged from colonial rule, backed its entrepreneurs, built technological power and demanded a place at the global table. Young Africans look at that journey and see their own possibility.”
He added that this goodwill creates a major opportunity, but it offers no guarantee. “Africa’s youth will judge India by the same hard test they apply to every global power: does the partnership create jobs, build industry, transfer knowledge and respect African sovereignty? India has earned a strong position. The challenge now is to turn that position into a relationship of equals that delivers at scale.”
The report found that young Africans are adopting a more pragmatic approach to global partnerships. 70 per cent said the world is becoming more divided and dangerous, and 55 per cent said their countries should prioritize partners that deliver trade and investment, regardless of political system. In contrast, 42 per cent would prefer to see countries with similar political values, even if they are less effective at delivering economic benefits.
How Africans would pick international ally
When it came to choosing an international partner, 43 per cent said the ability to invest in infrastructure and economy was the most important thing. Next was respect for natural resources at 39 per cent, then democratic values and human rights, and respect for sovereignty and non-interference, were each selected by 34 per cent.
The report also found there are limits to goodwill towards foreign powers. Eight out of 10 said they were concerned about foreign countries’ influence over their own nations, suggesting international partnerships were being assessed on whether they delivered jobs, investment and technology while respecting sovereignty.
Beyond international relations, 60 per cent of respondents favoured building strong alliances with one or two major global powers, while 37 per cent preferred neutrality.
Concerns over human trafficking (80 per cent), drug and weapons smuggling (79 per cent), armed groups crossing borders (78 per cent), and asylum and immigration (72 per cent) also featured prominently in the findings. Meanwhile, 80 per cent supported reforming the UN Security Council to include permanent African representation, 68 per cent believed more women in senior government positions would improve governance, and 65 per cent backed reserving government positions for women.
Awareness of the African Continental Free Trade Area remained limited at 22 per cent, though 69 per cent of those familiar with it said they were optimistic about its economic impact.
The African Youth Survey 2026 was conducted across 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 in March 2026.