Ghana’s decision to lower the minimum presidential age to 35 places it among a growing number of African countries that have opened the presidency to younger candidates, even as many of the continent’s longest-serving leaders remain in office.
Ghana has become the latest African country to lower the minimum age for presidential candidates to 35, adding to a growing list of nations that have eased constitutional barriers to younger political leaders.
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The constitutional reform, approved by the government last week, reduces the eligibility age from 40 to 35 as part of broader governance changes that also extend the presidential term from four to five years.
The move comes as Africa remains the world’s youngest continent, with more than 60 percent of its population under the age of 25, while simultaneously being home to some of the world’s oldest and longest-serving heads of state, including Cameroon’s Paul Biya and Equatorial Guinea’s Teodoro Obiang.
With Ghana’s reform, at least 21 African countries now require presidential candidates to be at least 35 years old, making it the continent’s most common constitutional age threshold for the presidency.
African countries where the minimum presidential age is 35
Angola – Presidential candidates must be at least 35 years old.
Burkina Faso – The constitution sets the minimum age for presidential candidates at 35.
Cabo Verde – Citizens become eligible to contest the presidency from age 35.
Cameroon – Candidates for president must have attained 35 years.
Côte d’Ivoire – The constitutional minimum age is 35.
Ghana – Approved a reduction in the minimum presidential age from 40 to 35 in July 2026, broadening eligibility for younger candidates.
Libya – Presidential hopefuls must be at least 35 years old.
Liberia – The constitution requires candidates to be 35 or older.
Malawi – Presidential candidates are eligible from age 35.
Mozambique – The minimum age requirement is 35.
Namibia – Candidates must have reached 35 years.
Nigeria – The constitution sets the minimum age for presidential candidates at 35.
Rwanda – Citizens aged 35 and above are eligible to run for president.
São Tomé and Príncipe – Presidential candidates must be at least 35.
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Senegal – The constitutional threshold is 35 years.
Togo – The presidency is open to candidates aged 35 and above.
Zambia – Candidates must have attained 35 years.
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Countries with lower presidential age thresholds
Not all African countries require candidates to be 35.
Democratic Republic of Congo – 30 years.
Republic of Congo – 30 years.
The Gambia – 30 years.
Kenya – 18 years.
Uganda – 18 years.
The different constitutional thresholds reflect varying approaches to balancing political experience with youth participation. While several countries have lowered age barriers over the past two decades to encourage greater youth representation, many continue to be led by presidents who are decades older than the constitutional minimum.
The contrast has become increasingly pronounced as Africa’s youthful population pushes for greater political inclusion.
