Survey finds divided African youth views on USAID cuts
An African Youth Survey of nearly 5,000 people in 16 countries found 25% saw possible benefits from USAID cuts, while 46% expected harm, particularly to health services.
Young Africans are divided over the effects of sweeping US foreign-aid cuts, with one quarter saying the loss of USAID funding could have a positive impact while nearly half expect damage, according to a newly reported continental survey.
The African Youth Survey interviewed almost 5,000 people aged 18 to 24 across 16 of Africa’s 54 recognised countries. It found 25 percent believed reduced foreign funding could push national leaders to take greater responsibility for domestic challenges, while 46 percent said the closure of USAID would harm their countries. Another 11 percent were uncertain.
Optimism was highest among respondents in Ghana, at 41 percent, Nigeria, at 40 percent, and Liberia, at 37 percent. Concern was strongest in Mozambique, where 76 percent anticipated harm, and in Kenya and Rwanda, both at 63 percent. Health services and disease prevention were identified as the areas most at risk.
The Trump administration announced in early 2025 that it would eliminate more than 90 percent of USAID foreign contracts and about $60 billion in assistance worldwide. Development organisations have linked the abrupt cuts to clinic closures, medicine shortages and pressure on humanitarian programmes.
Because the survey covered 16 countries, its findings describe respondents in those markets rather than all African youth. The results nevertheless highlight competing views about the immediate human cost of aid reductions and the longer-term goal of reducing dependency on external funding.
