Zindi Anthony Levi

This article argues that Africa's core development challenge is not a shortage of talent, but a shortage of systems to use it. It critiques the current focus on remittances and symbolic diaspora outreach, and makes the case for a policy shift toward brain circulation through voting rights, investment parity, and structured diaspora engagement.

Africa is the youngest continent on earth yet it remains governed by some of the world’s oldest political elites. While leaders repeatedly declare that “the youth are the future,” real power continues to bypass the very generation that makes up the majority of the population. This piece interrogates Africa’s governance paradox: why are young people mobilised during elections but marginalised in leadership? And what is the long-term cost of asking an entire generation to wait its turn?

This analysis examines migration from The Gambia through a political-economy lens, arguing that irregular migration is not merely a humanitarian crisis but a structural feature of global inequality. It explores how economic hardship pushes young Gambians to migrate while smuggling networks profit from their desperation, and why regular migration pathways must be central to The Gambia’s national development strategy.

Regional organizations, once seen as vital for economic integration and cooperation, now face significant challenges due to rising nationalism and an emphasis on state sovereignty. This trend undermines regional cooperation and contributes to global fragmentation, as seen in the EU's migration crisis, Brexit, and withdrawals from ECOWAS. To revitalize these organizations, states must balance sovereignty with the need for cooperation. Prioritizing regional solidarity is essential for addressing shared challenges and promoting global stability amidst globalization.