25% of Young Africans See Upside in $60 Billion US Aid Cuts
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jul 30
25% of Young Africans See Upside in $60 Billion US Aid Cuts
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jul 30
Summary
A new survey of nearly 5,000 people in 16 African countries found 25% of 18- to 24-year-olds think US aid cuts could help by forcing governments to solve their own problems.
That optimism sits alongside broad concern: 46% said the USAID shutdown would damage their countries, especially healthcare and disease prevention, while 11% were unsure.
Ghana and Nigeria recorded the strongest positive views at 41% and 40%, with Liberia at 37%; anxiety was highest in Mozambique at 76%, followed by Kenya and Rwanda at 63% each.
The split follows the Trump administration's early-2025 move to eliminate more than 90% of USAID foreign contracts and cut $60 billion in global assistance, a shock that closed clinics and worsened medicine shortages.
The findings point to a wider youth push for less dependence on foreign donors and more accountability from African leaders, as aid budgets also shrink in Britain, France and Germany.