Key facts
- Russia's influence has grown among young Africans, surpassing France.
- China remains the leading influence among African youth.
- A survey by the Ichikowitz Family Foundation highlights the shift.
Russia's influence has surged among young people across Africa in recent years, leaping over former colonial power France while still trailing China, a survey of African youths has found. Many young Africans now perceive Russia to be an ally, observers said, warning its rivals to take the shift seriously as the continent becomes increasingly critical to both Moscow and Beijing. The African Youth Survey was commissioned by the South Africa-based Ichikowitz Family Foundation.