Series
DW's 77 Percent
Published 12 October 2026
Africa’s future belongs to its youth. With 77 percent of the continent’s population under the age of 35, young Africans are driving change, challenging the status quo and shaping the continent’s future, yet remain among the least represented in decision-making.
The 77 Percent amplifies their voices through hard-hitting reports, personal stories and lively debates on the issues that matter most to young Africans. From politics and social justice to employment, identity and innovation, our hosts and correspondents explore the realities, aspirations and challenges of a generation determined to make its mark.
Direct from across the continent, the series puts African youth at the centre of the conversation, championing their perspectives, ideas and role in shaping Africa and its place on the global stage.
Episodes
DW's 77 Percent Season 1
Africa’s future belongs to its youth. With 77 percent of the continent’s population under the age of 35, young Africans are driving change, challenging the status quo and shaping the continent’s future, yet remain among the least represented in decision-making.
The 77 Percent amplifies their voices through hard-hitting reports, personal stories and lively debates on the issues that matter most to young Africans. From politics and social justice to employment, identity and innovation, our hosts and correspondents explore the realities, aspirations and challenges of a generation determined to make its mark.
1. Influencers & Misinformation
26 min Influencers & Misinformation
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2. Can Women do Everything?
26 min Can Women do Everything?
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3. Masculinity and Money
26 min Masculinity and Money
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4. The True Size of Africa
26 min The True Size of Africa
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5. Foreign Aid
26 min Foreign Aid
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6. Love and Money
26 min Love and Money
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7. State of Democracy In Nigeria and Africa
26 min This week, we uncover the movements, voices, and visions shaping the continent's political future. Deadly clashes and mass arrests have accompanied recent elections. Can democracy thrive while leaders cling to power?
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8. Street Debate Youth in Ugandan politics
26 min Across Uganda, young people are stepping boldly into the political arena. In our Street Debate we ask them: Where does your drive and sense of urgency come from? And: Do they actually stand a chance?
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9. Why is Intra-African travel so complicated?
26 min From the waves of Robertsport to the roads of East Africa, this episode crosses borders. We ask why it's so hard to move within Africa, follow a truck driver on the Northern Corridor, and discover Seychelles' Creole culture
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10. Beyond conflict: Africa's interfaith reality
26 min This week's show explores how Muslims and Christians live together across Africa. We ask Nigerians, if violence in the north is really about religion and meet people working to promote peace between the two faiths.
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11. Locs and the controversy explained
26 min This week on The 77 Percent, we follow the lives of those who have experienced discrimination in their countries based on how they look.
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12. African women striking back
26 min Women in Africa are being silenced, abused — and fighting back. This week's show looks at gender‑based violence from East to West Africa, and the historic political gains women are making in Namibia.
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13. Did Kaluma Boy expose Kenya's broken and corrupt system?
26 min In Kenya, corruption scandals and a failing health system leave families stranded. When hospitals and governments vanish, citizens turn to TikTok and civil society for help to build roads, equip schools or anything else.
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DW's 77 Percent Season 2
Africa’s future belongs to its youth. With 77 percent of the continent’s population under the age of 35, young Africans are driving change, challenging the status quo and shaping the continent’s future, yet remain among the least represented in decision-making. The 77 Percent amplifies their voices through hard-hitting reports, personal stories and lively debates on the issues that matter most to young Africans. From politics and social justice to employment, identity and innovation, our hosts and correspondents explore the realities, aspirations and challenges of a generation determined to make its mark.
1. The Magazine for Africa's Youth
26 min The 77 Percent examines how pressure to conform to a certain body ideal and the pursuit of the “ideal body type” have led many people on the African continent to opt for cosmetic and plastic surgery.
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2. Why is it cheaper to fly to Europe than across Africa
26 min From the waves of Robertsport to the roads of East Africa, this episode crosses borders. We ask why it's so hard to move within Africa, follow a truck driver on the Northern Corridor, and discover Seychelles' Creole culture.
Play
3. Scam factories and human trafficking
26 min A new trafficking route feeds on African ambition, carrying victims from Kenya and Uganda to Northern Cyprus and the battlefields of Ukraine, where fake agents replace promised futures with coercion, debt and force.
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4. The Magazine for Africa's Youth
26 min Nigeria is losing a significant number of its most talented professionals, who are leaving the country in search of better opportunities abroad. This mass migration of Nigerians is commonly referred to as ‘japa.' In this week’s show, Edith Kimani asks young Nigerians what is driving them to leave the country.
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5. Afro Americans
26 min In this week's show, Edith Kimani meets with Afro-Americans who have relocated to Ghana and locals to explore the challenges and opportunities sparked by the 'Year of Return'.
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6. Afrobeats is taking over - ready or not
26 min In this week’s show, we are at the carnival of cultures in Berlin. And from Berlin to Cape Town to Lagos, we look at how dance and music are connecting cultures across the world.
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7. Could You Still Afford to Live in Cape Town Today?
26 min Cape Town’s iconic beaches and upmarket housing is shadowed by severe inequality and gang violence that plagues many residents. This week, The 77 Percent explores how young people are trying to improve their communities.
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8. Why African football is changing the World Cup forever
26 min The World Cup is global, yet Africa faces barriers—from visas to access. With 10 teams qualified, can talent overcome the odds?
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9. Kenya's battle against femicide
26 min In Kenya, rising femicide cases have sparked nationwide outrage. The 77 Percent meets families seeking justice and activists leading the fight against gender-based violence.
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10. Inside South Africa's Xenophobia Crisis
26 min As anti-immigrant sentiment grows in South Africa, tensions are rising. We explore what is driving the anger and why migrants are becoming scapegoats for problems such as corruption and inequality.
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11. Summerjam: Why does hair discrimination still thrive?
26 min What does your hair say about you—and why does it matter so much? This week, The 77 Percent explores the politics of hair and identity. We hear from participants at this year’s Summerjam event.
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12. Soul of Africa Museum
26 min The 77 Percent visits Essen's Soul of Africa Museum and its unique Mami Wata altar. We explore why a new generation of young Africans is rediscovering traditional medicine and pre-colonial spirituality.
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13. Marry early or wait until you're financially stable?
26 min Would you prefer to marry early or wait until you are financially stable to commit fully to a relationship? This week on the 77 Percent, we travel to Kumasi, Ghana, where modern Ghanaians are waiting longer to get married
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DW's 77 Percent Season 3
Africa’s future belongs to its youth. With 77 percent of the continent’s population under the age of 35, young Africans are driving change, challenging the status quo and shaping the continent’s future, yet remain among the least represented in decision-making. The 77 Percent amplifies their voices through hard-hitting reports, personal stories and lively debates on the issues that matter most to young Africans. From politics and social justice to employment, identity and innovation, our hosts and correspondents explore the realities, aspirations and challenges of a generation determined to make its mark.
1. Who Told South Africa What "Good Hair” Is?
26 min Too natural for school? Too bold for the office? Too "unprofessional” for a job interview? For many young South Africans, hair is still tangled up with race, class, beauty, identity and belonging. In this 77 Street Debate, young people take over the conversation.
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2. Marriage and Matchmaking
26 min This week on The 77 Percent, we dive into the realities of modern relationships across Africa. We explore a question: should you marry for love before achieving financial stability, or wait until you're more secure?
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3. Did Kaluma Boy expose Kenya's broken and corrupt system?
26 min In Kenya, corruption scandals and a failing health system leave families stranded. When hospitals and governments vanish, citizens turn to TikTok and civil society for help to build roads, equip schools or anything else.
Play
4. Who is Africa’s most celebrated hero?
26 min Who gets to be called a hero? From freedom fighters to activists and social media personalities, we meet Africans who have changed lives and shaped the course of history.
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5. Scam factories and human trafficking
26 min A new trafficking route feeds on African ambition, carrying victims from Kenya and Uganda to Northern Cyprus and the battlefields of Ukraine, where fake agents replace promised futures with coercion, debt and force.
Play
6. Inside the world of 'Yahoo boys' Africa's scam industry
26 min West Africa now accounts for 30% of all cybercrimes in Africa, costing victims billions globally. We explore the world of internet fraudsters known in Nigeria as "Yahoo boys" and in Ghana as "Sakawa Boys."
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7. ‘Coloured’ identity in South Africa
26 min In this week’s show we look at what it means to be ‘Coloured’ in South Africa. We explore the history, culture and evolving meaning of a complex identity.
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8. Kenya wins medals. But no one pays the athletes!
26 min Kenya produces world-class athletes. But why do so many struggle to make a living from sports? Athletes and experts debate funding, sponsorship, missed opportunities and the future of Kenyan sports.
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9. How to build a successful sports career in Africa
26 min Kenya is home to champions like Eliud Kipchoge. But behind the medals lies a deeper story of ambition, opportunity, and struggle. We explore the people, challenges, and forces shaping the future of Kenyan sport.
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