His rise marks a striking generational shift in a nation where political leadership has long been dominated by veteran figures from the same established parties.

He was a rapper

Long before entering politics, Balen Shah was known in Nepal’s music scene.

His rap songs often focused on corruption, inequality and frustrations with the country’s political system. The music helped him build a large following, particularly among younger audiences.

During last year’s protests, one of his songs — Nepal Haseko, Nepal Smiling — gained more than 10 million views on YouTube and became associated with the wider movement demanding political change.

Supporters later turned his image and lyrics into campaign symbols, with crowds chanting his name at rallies and singing campaign songs generated for social media.

He was an engineer

Before music and politics, Shah trained as a civil engineer.

After studying engineering in Kathmandu, he pursued a master’s degree in structural engineering at Visvesvaraya Technological University in Karnataka, India.

His professional background helped shape his political messaging. Throughout the campaign, he emphasised practical solutions to economic stagnation, highlighting issues such as job creation, education and healthcare for poorer Nepalis.

Nepal remains one of the poorer countries in the world, with limited job opportunities at home. Many young people leave the country each year to seek work abroad, often in difficult conditions.

He was Kathmandu’s mayor

Shah’s political breakthrough came in 2022, when he ran as an independent candidate for mayor of Kathmandu.

His victory shocked Nepal’s political establishment, defeating candidates from the country’s traditional parties.

As mayor, he became known for visible urban reforms in the capital. His administration launched clean-up drives, removed illegal structures and pushed programmes aimed at developing skills among young people.

However, his approach also drew criticism from rights groups, particularly over the use of police against street vendors as the city sought to clear roads and regulate informal businesses.

He became the face of a generational revolt

Shah’s rise to national prominence followed a wave of youth-led protests in September that toppled the government of veteran leader KP Sharma Oli.

The demonstrations began after the government imposed a ban on social media platforms but quickly expanded into wider protests against corruption and economic stagnation. At least 77 people were killed during the unrest.

In the election that followed, Shah’s Rastriya Swatantra Party rode a wave of anger towards the traditional political class.

Early results showed the party winning a majority of direct parliamentary seats, while Shah himself defeated the 74-year-old Oli in his own constituency.

The group referenced Nigeria’s decision to ban sachet alcohol, which was driven by data from a national survey revealing that nearly one in ten children under the age of 13 drinks alcohol daily.

VAST-Ghana raised concerns about the design and marketing of sachet alcohol. Typically containing alcohol levels of 43% or more, the small and low-cost packaging makes it easily accessible and concealable by school children. The group stated, “This situation leads to alcohol abuse, addiction, physiological damage such as liver damage, even from small amounts, and long-term health problems, as early exposure is particularly harmful to developing bodies.”

The organisation described the normalisation of sachet alcohol near schools and transport terminals as “a threat to our national security and future human capital”. VAST-Ghana also cited a May 2025 study published in BMC Public Health, which found alcohol to be the most commonly used substance among Ghanaian students, with some beginning consumption as early as age 10.

Alcohol consumption is linked to the development of noncommunicable diseases such as liver and heart diseases, several types of cancer, and mental and behavioural health issues, including depression and alcohol use disorders, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). Global data from 2019 showed that approximately 400 million people, or 7% of the world’s population aged 15 and older, had alcohol use disorders. Among these, 209 million individuals were living with alcohol dependence.

The push for policy change in Ghana follows Nigeria’s ban on sachet and small-sized alcohol bottles under 200ml, implemented by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). The ban specifically targets the affordability and accessibility of small alcohol packs to minors.

A survey conducted by NAFDAC across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones revealed that 54% of minors purchase alcohol themselves, with a preference for sachets and small bottles due to their discreet size. The same data showed that nearly one in ten children under 13 consumes alcohol daily.

Defending the ban, NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said : “Access to alcohol by children can be limited if pack sizes that can be easily concealed are not available. A ban on small pack sizes... can reduce the menace of underage drinking.”

According to Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, Twitch qualifies for the ban because its livestreaming and real-time interaction features pose risks for younger users.

Other services, such as Pinterest, LegoPlay and WhatsApp, have been allowed to remain accessible for teenagers. Several additional platforms are still under review.

Twitch, which has more than 7 million livestream artists, said most of its audience is between 18 and 34. It did not disclose how many users are younger, though current rules already prohibit anyone under 13 from joining.

The legislation has faced heavy pushback from tech companies, which argue that enforcing strict age limits online is practically unworkable and that the policy has been rushed. Critics say without reliable age-verification technology, the ban may function more as a political statement than a meaningful barrier.

Even so, the move is being closely watched by governments exploring their own approaches. 

New Zealand ’s Prime Minister has pledged to pursue similar laws, and officials in the Netherlands have advised parents to keep children under 15 off apps like TikTok and Snapchat.

As it stands, Australia now holds one of the toughest positions on youth access to social media . 

Here are the four key issues driving the movement.

1. Collapse of public healthcare

Protesters say Morocco’s public hospitals are underfunded, overcrowded, and broken. Some described being forced to buy their own bandages and medicines from street sellers because hospitals lacked supplies. Others accused medical staff of exploiting shortages. One demonstrator said, “We are just asking for healthcare, nothing more.”

"I'm a citizen, and all I'm asking for is healthcare and education. If someone goes to Mohammed V Hospital or any hospital, they're told to bring their own medicine. My brother had his leg amputated, and another man tells me to bring bandages and medicine - even though he has them - and wants me to buy them from him. I told him I need the ones he already has, and he told me to get them from the street,” another protestor told Viory.

2. Poor quality of education  

Many protesters blame poor-quality schooling and limited access to good universities for leaving an entire generation unprepared for work. Several said degrees are worthless because qualified graduates cannot find jobs. Placards read, “Failed policies destroy the new generation.” A protestor said, “We want to go to school and actually find quality education. We want to say, 'thank God we're in our country.' We don't want to migrate."

3. Unemployment and lost futures

Youth unemployment remains stubbornly high, and many young Moroccans say they feel forced to consider migration. Protesters demanded a government “made up of the people,” accusing leaders of prioritising politics and wealth over real economic reform.

4. Corruption and inequality

Chants of “people want to bring down corruption” echoed through the streets. Demonstrators accuse officials of mismanaging public funds and enriching elites while ordinary citizens struggle to afford basic needs. The protests have become a rallying cry for freedom and dignity.

While most marches began peacefully, some gatherings turned violent. Morocco’s Interior Ministry reported 263 injured security officers, 23 civilian injuries, and damage to government buildings, banks, and vehicles. Authorities detained nearly 490 people, saying they acted to maintain public safety while protecting citizens’ rights.

On Sunday, more than 500 protesters gathered near government buildings in the capital, where confrontations escalated as demonstrators threw firecrackers and stones while police responded with tear gas, pellets and batons. According to authorities and journalists’ associations, at least 18 people — including police officers, reporters and protesters — were injured. Several journalists reported being deliberately targeted with pellets while covering the events.

The pension reform at the heart of the unrest requires all adults over 18 to join private pension funds (AFPs) or the state system (ONP), a move critics say unfairly burdens young workers in a country where more than 70% of jobs are informal. “Congress has no credibility… it is wreaking havoc in this country”, said protester Celene Amasifuen, reflecting broader frustrations with the government and conservative-majority legislature.

Protesters also denounced rising extortion, violent crime , and corruption scandals tied to President Dina Boluarte’s administration, whose approval ratings have plummeted ahead of next year’s election. Many demonstrators argue that political elites benefit from reforms while ordinary Peruvians face worsening economic insecurity. “They have just repealed laws that benefit, as always, the most powerful”, said protester Kaira Alfaro.

With Generation Z now representing more than one-fifth of Peru’s population, analysts say the mobilisation underscores the growing influence of young people in shaping the country’s political future. Activists have vowed to continue demonstrating, drawing inspiration from similar youth-led movements elsewhere in Latin America and Asia.

With youth unemployment reaching crisis levels exceeding 50% in some countries many young Africans take on these underpaid roles simply to survive. The lack of better economic alternatives has made the continent a convenient source of cheap remote labour.

Many of these workers are fully aware they’re being underpaid, but with few other options, they accept roles that offer no job security, no benefits, and no long-term prospects. Their labour powers the digital systems that millions of people rely on every day yet they themselves remain invisible and undercompensated.

Some companies go even further in their exploitation. In what are meant to be job interviews, young applicants are sometimes asked to complete real assignments or tasks—only to receive no feedback, no payment, and no offer. After contributing meaningful work, many are simply ignored or sent a generic rejection email.

Even among Africa’s growing class of digital content creators, inequality is evident . While producing high-quality content that gains global reach, many are excluded from earning opportunities available to creators in Europe or North America. Companies often cite “technical limitations” or claim that payment systems don’t work in Africa.

Some African governments have begun to take action. In Kenya, a high-profile lawsuit revealed the poor treatment of workers by an outsourcing firm serving a major international platform. The case drew international attention and marked a significant challenge to unfair labour practices.

Ghana and Nigeria are also taking steps. Both countries are drafting policies aimed at regulating digital labour and protecting the rights of remote workers and freelancers.

Africa’s youth population is its greatest asset. With more than 250 million young people, the continent has the potential to drive the world’s next wave of growth and innovation. But this potential is being stifled by a lack of opportunity .

Every year, between 10 and 12 million young Africans enter the job market, yet only about 3 million formal jobs are created. This leaves the majority either unemployed or forced into the informal economy often in low-paying, insecure jobs with little room for advancement.

A recent Afrobarometer study , conducted across 34 African countries, found that unemployment was consistently identified as the most pressing issue by citizens. Young people, particularly those aged 18 to 35, overwhelmingly cited joblessness as the top challenge their governments must urgently address.

To fully benefit from its youthful population, Africa must find ways to expand access to fair and sustainable economic opportunities. While remote digital work offers a potential pathway for employment, concerns around compensation, job security, and equitable treatment continue to surface.

“Life has been difficult for young people since the arrival of this new regime,” said street vendor Madiaw Pakha. “The police prevent us from selling on the street, and life is very expensive, which was not the case during President Macky Sall’s time. Sonko came here and made us many promises, but since then, we have not seen him again. It is time for the authorities to help us,” he told the AFP

Some young people, however, believe that the government needs more time to fulfill its promises. University of Dakar student Abdou Hakim Ndir acknowledged the economic challenges the administration is facing. “Currently, it's a bit difficult with the debt issues, but I believe that if we give them a little time, they will try to manage things,” he said. Fellow student Cheikh Astal Gadiaga echoed this sentiment, urging patience. “Citizens must be understanding while knowing that there were enormous difficulties in the past regime. Some issues need to be fixed before we can move forward.”

Fisherman Saliou Wade is among those who remain optimistic. “Compared to past years, Senegal now offers many opportunities, and I firmly believe that the new authorities can succeed if we support them. Many young people attempted illegal emigration because they had lost hope in this country, but today, we have authorities we trust. If we give them a little time, they will be able to succeed,” he said.

According to Modiene Joe Ndiaye, responsible for financing at the General Delegation for the Rapid Entrepreneurship of Women and Youth (DER), an overwhelming number of young people are seeking financial assistance. “We launched a campaign to receive funding requests with a budget of 5 billion CFA francs. In less than a month, we received 60 billion CFA francs in requests, which shows the motivation and expectations of the youth.”

In August 2024, the United States Peace Corps, in collaboration with the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA), conducted a pivotal "Youth Volunteerism Workshop" in Subic, Zambales. This workshop, aimed at boosting youth engagement in community development, saw the participation of over 100 Peace Corps Volunteers alongside Filipino counterparts. Funded by USAID, it utilised a “train the trainers” model, focusing on preparing 41 Peace Corps Volunteers and 82 Filipino volunteers to educate approximately 10,000 youth on critical topics, including youth mental health and HIV/AIDS prevention. Notably, the prior year's workshop managed to outreach to 5,000 youth, thereby establishing a significant baseline for this year's increased engagement, alongside the training of over 300 individuals to promote volunteerism throughout the Philippines, the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines reports.

Cyber security

The recent crackdown on cyber scams in a special economic zone near the Laos border has prompted the Philippine government to initiate the repatriation of distressed Filipino workers from the area. According to Barrons , this action underscores the government's commitment to safeguarding its citizens abroad and addressing issues related to illicit activities.

Arrests

In a related enforcement action, Philippine police conducted a raid in Parañaque City, arresting 99 individuals associated with a suspected cryptocurrency scam hub. The operation involved both foreign and local workers tied to scams involving cryptocurrency and romance manipulation schemes. Notably, management personnel from the AIA Company, which was unregistered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, were among those arrested, Bitcoin.com reports. The company allegedly coerced employees into deceptive roles to facilitate the manipulation of victims on a fraudulent trading platform, leading to preparations for charges under the Cybercrime Prevention Act and the Securities Regulations Code.

Red Sea warning

The Philippine government has issued a warning to its seafarers regarding heightened risks in the Red Sea area due to increased attacks by Houthi forces on merchant vessels amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. This advisory follows an attack on the Greek oil tanker Sounion near Yemen, which suffered fire and engine failure, World Echo News reports. The foreign ministry has stressed the importance of caution among Filipino mariners, asserting their "right to refuse sailing" in hazardous zones, a critical safety measure for a workforce that constitutes a significant portion of the global maritime sector.

Life sector net income

Finally, the life insurance sector in the Philippines has reported robust financial growth, with a net income increase of 21.62% year-on-year, totalling $360 million (Php 19.9 billion) in the first half of 2024. The total assets within this sector expanded by 6.86% year-on-year, reaching $34.2 billion (Php 1.9 trillion), while total liabilities rose by 8.58% to $28.8 billion (Php 1.6 trillion). According to Insurance Asia , the total premium value witnessed a significant growth of 16.5% year-on-year, amounting to $3.13 billion (Php 174.1 billion), bolstered by 16.5% growth in variable life premiums and an impressive 19.9% increase in traditional life premiums. Furthermore, new business annual premium equivalents recorded a notable increase of 12.74% year-on-year, reaching $600 million (Php 33.2 billion).

The South Korean branch of the Mexican-owned global chain which is typically marketed at young children hopes to help tackle youth unemployment in the country with its wildly popular, adults-only events.

 “Our park is thirteen years old. A seven-year-old child at the time of opening has become a twenty-year-old child. Then let’s create an event for them. Let’s say the event is not for kids. That's how it started,” the president of Kidzania South Korea, Kang Jae-hyung, tells AFP.

As of June 2024, South Korea's unemployment rate was 2.8%. There were 857,000 unemployed people in total, which is 50,000 more than there were a year before.

However, there were 28.907 million people in employment, an increase of 96,000 or 0.3% from the previous year.

“When I say young, not just any young, we need credible young people. That's extremely important because you could have young leaders with the same mindset of rulers that have derailed the future of the continent and will be in more trouble,” said Chike in an interview with GSW’s Ismail Akwei.

“We have people who are Gen Z and younger who are also upcoming. So as we clamour and fight for the voice of the young person to be heard, our generation needs to understand that there are also people behind us and start now to groom them… our failure to incorporate young minds in decision-making is the fact that the older generation did not have a transition mechanism or a system to groom people who are credible and capable of leadership. It is important that we don't pass on that problem to the next generation,” he added.

Chike became Nigeria's youngest presidential candidate when he joined the 2019 presidential race at 35 years old after former Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari passed a bill that reduced the age requirement for presidential aspirants from 40 to 35.

Including Nigeria’s recent election of President Bola Tinubu aged 71 into office, the most recent African elections have seen the election of African presidents over the age of 40.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi aged 69, Felix Tshisekedi, aged 60 of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Madagascar’s Andry Rajoelina, aged 49 all secured re-elections in their respective nations while Liberians swapped former president and football icon George Weah aged 57 for an older president in Joseph Boakai who turns 80 in November 2024.

The youth unemployment rate in Nigeria from 2014 until 2023 was at an average of 24.28%. The inflation rate in the West African nation as of September 2023 was at 26.72%, 5.94% higher than the 20.77% recorded in September 2022, local media the Guardian Nigeria reported.

The youth in Nigeria sell their kidneys in the black market for 1 million Naira (about $ 1,266.62) as a means of obtaining financial freedom, local Nigerian newspaper Daily Trust reported.

About 10% of the global population is affected by chronic kidney disease (CKD), according to the National Kidney Foundation .

This would explain the high demand for kidneys which has resulted in the establishment of a high-functioning illegal kidney trade in the country.

The network of illegal kidney black market also includes an established network of young Nigerians who act as agents for the organ harvesters. These agents connect their friends in financial trouble for a payout in exchange for their kidneys.

However, the high of getting these payouts does not outweigh the long-term negative psychological and physical effects that these illegal kidney trades have on the donors.

According to the Daily Trust investigation, 25-year-old Aminu, a donor who sold his kidney in June 2022 for 1 million Naira (about $ 1,266.62) has been battling with suicidal thoughts ever since he completed the transaction.

“I have lost my kidney, I have no money or job, and I no longer have the strength to do any strenuous work,” he told the Daily Trust.

The annual global value of organ trafficking is estimated to be between $840 million and $1.7 billion and out of the 12,000 illegal transplants that occur each year, around 8,000 are kidney transplants, the nongovernmental organisation Global Financial Integrity (GFI) reported.

The GFI notes that illegal kidney transplants are the most common globally because they come from living donors.

Illegal organ harvesting is rife in regions with high unemployment and economic hardships. In 2013, Human Trafficking Search reported that the 40-45 per cent unemployment rate in Kosovo resulted in many of the Balkan nation’s citizens selling their kidneys.