Global Stage Podcast
About this Episode:

In this special episode from the 2026 Global Democracy Conference, Kellogg PhD Fellow Rasheed Ibrahim interviews Afrobarometer CEO Joseph Asunka on the latest democracy survey results from the continent. Bringing his expertise on the influences driving mass democratic support in Africa, Asunka reflects on the role of corruption, security concerns, unemployment, and more recently health care in countries like Ghana, Mali, Kenya, and South Africa.

 

Show Notes:

What keeps citizens committed to democracy when governments struggle to deliver economically? In this episode of Global Stage, Kellogg Institute PhD fellow Rashid Ibrahim talks with Joseph Asunka, CEO of Afrobarometer, about what the organization’s latest survey data reveal about democratic attitudes across Africa. While a clear majority of Africans continue to prefer democracy to other forms of government, Asunka explains that their commitment is driven less by economic performance than by the quality of political institutions and governance.

For many citizens, accountability is central. Free and fair elections, respect for the rule of law, legislative oversight, and the ability to hold leaders responsible all strengthen support for democracy. Asunka describes a notable shift over time: Africans are increasingly likely to value accountable government rather than simply a government that delivers goods and services, suggesting that democratic commitments may be deepening even amid economic frustration.

But those attitudes vary substantially across countries. Asunka discusses how insecurity in the Sahel can make military rule or strongman leadership more appealing, while perceptions of corruption can erode democratic support elsewhere. He and Ibrahim also explore how anti-colonial and anti-Western sentiment can be harnessed by authoritarian leaders - and why the rhetoric of those leaders may resonate even when citizens remain committed to values such as integrity and accountable government.

The conversation also turns to the political power of Africa’s young population. Asunka argues that political parties will need to genuinely engage young people as social media and influencers increasingly become vehicles for political mobilization. He also highlights a striking change in citizen priorities: healthcare has recently overtaken unemployment as the top issue across the continent in Afrobarometer data. The episode concludes with examples of how governments, regional institutions, and civil society organizations are using citizen survey data to shape policies and make public voices part of governance.

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