Africans Prioritize Development Cooperation Focused on Health, Education, and Economic Opportunities, Afrobarometer Survey Finds

African citizens across the continent have voiced clear priorities for the future of development cooperation, according to a recent survey conducted by Afrobarometer, a pan-African research network that gauges public opinion on governance, democracy, and economic issues.

The survey, published in late September 2026, captures the perspectives of thousands of Africans from diverse countries, revealing a strong consensus on the sectors where international and regional development efforts should be concentrated.

Health, Education, and Economic Empowerment Top Priorities

Respondents consistently identified healthcare as a critical area needing support, emphasizing the importance of improving access to quality medical services, combating infectious diseases, and strengthening health infrastructure. Education also emerged as a vital concern, with calls for enhanced educational resources, increased school enrollment, and better training opportunities for youth.

Economic opportunities, including job creation and support for small businesses, were highlighted as essential for improving livelihoods and reducing poverty. Many Africans expressed the desire for development cooperation to facilitate skills training, entrepreneurship, and access to financial services.

Context and Significance

This survey comes at a time when Africa faces multifaceted challenges, including public health crises, youth unemployment, and educational disparities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing economic shifts. The findings provide valuable guidance for governments, international donors, and development agencies aiming to align their programs with the expressed needs of African populations.

By centering development cooperation on these citizen-identified priorities, stakeholders can enhance the effectiveness and legitimacy of their interventions, fostering sustainable progress and inclusive growth.

What Remains Unclear

While the survey outlines broad priority areas, it does not specify the preferred modalities of cooperation or the relative weighting of these sectors across different countries and regions. Further research may be needed to tailor development strategies to local contexts and to understand how citizens perceive the roles of various actors, including governments, NGOs, and private sector partners.

Next Steps and Public Watchpoints

• Monitoring how governments and development partners incorporate these citizen priorities into policy and funding decisions.
• Tracking progress in health, education, and economic empowerment indicators across African countries.
• Assessing the inclusivity and transparency of development cooperation programs in responding to public demands.

Africa & Beyond — News | Analysis | Perspective