Böll.Global | Awakening of Generation Z: Youth Protests in Africa, Latin America and South Asia

Across multiple countries worldwide, a new generation of youth protest movements is currently emerging, demanding political attention with increasing force. Whether in Africa, Latin America, or South Asia, young people are developing new forms of digital mobilization, resisting, driving social and political change, and often paying an excessively high price for their activism.

While the immediate triggers of Gen Z protests differ from country to country, the young demonstrators share far more than their digital connectivity or a new protest identity with common symbols. A desire for social justice, political transparency, participation, and protection from political repression runs through all these movements.

In Morocco, nationwide protests under the name “GenZ 212” emerged at the end of September 2025 against corruption, high unemployment, inadequate public services in education and health, and the enormous spending on infrastructure projects related to the planned 2030 FIFA World Cup.

In Kenya, dissatisfaction was primarily directed at economic burdens, police violence, and the failure of government reforms. In Tanzania, widespread unrest erupted following the controversial elections at the end of October 2025. In Peru, Generation Z mobilized against corruption, economic insecurity, and a contentious pension reform.

In Bangladesh, youth protests had already broken out in 2024 in response to a perceived unfair quota system for government jobs, which first popularized the term “Gen Z protests” worldwide. In Nepal, a broad Gen Z movement was sparked in early September 2025 by a sweeping ban on numerous social media platforms.

In some cases, the Gen Z protests have achieved significant impact: demonstrators not only succeeded in drawing attention but also in sparking political debates and, in some instances, securing initial concessions. At the same time, authorities in many countries responded with harsh repression: numerous protesters were injured, arrested, or sentenced to long prison terms, and fatalities were not uncommon.

What are the key drivers behind these protests? What role do the new protest symbolisms play? Where can parallels be drawn between the movements in Africa, Latin America, and South Asia? What can the protests achieve? And what do they reveal about the political future of their regions and the potential role of young people in the next political generation?

These and other questions will be discussed together with experts from various perspectives on the protests in Morocco, Kenya, Tanzania, Peru, Bangladesh, and Nepal.

• Dr. Anja Hoffmann, Director, Heinrich Böll Foundation, Rabat Office
• Nelly Luna Amancio, Co-founder & Editorial Director, OjoPúblico Peru
• Javan Ofula, Programme Consultant, Democratic Space, Heinrich Böll Foundation Nairobi
• Sarah Weiß, Head of Programme “Young Advocates”, Global Unit for Democracy & Human Rights, Heinrich Böll Foundation 

Moderation: Layla Al-Zubaidi, Head of International Policy Divisions, Heinrich Böll Foundation
 

Contact: 
Louisa Reeh
E reeh@boell.de

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