Africans remain actively engaged in politics but are increasingly sceptical of party affiliations and electoral integrity, according to a new survey by pan-African research organisation, Afrobarometer. Drawing from over 53 000 interviews in 39 countries, the report highlights a significant decline in party loyalty, which dropped to 42% from 56% a decade ago.

While voting participation remains robust, with 72% saying they cast ballots in recent elections and 85% reporting feeling free to choose candidates, trust in election fairness has waned. Only 59% now regard their last national election as mostly or completely free and fair, down from 66% ten years ago. Citizens also report diminished freedom of speech.

Instead of turning to political parties, Africans are increasingly contacting local leaders directly. Engagement with local councillors rose to 29%, up six points in a decade, and interactions with party officials increased to 20%. Protests, meanwhile, remain stable and relatively low at around 9%.

Online political engagement has grown slowly despite rising internet use, particularly among youth. While nearly half of adults surveyed use the internet regularly, only 6% actively post about politics or community issues online.

Afrobarometer suggests Africans are shifting from collective political activism towards individualised channels, reflecting both changing preferences and an increasingly restrictive civic environment.

Africa is not immune from shifting political tides, which is a growing phenomenon across the world.