Includes bibliographical references (pages 189-197) and index.

Introduction: A view from the top of the population pyramid -- Africa: the Mexico of Europe -- A "stress test" between generations -- Africa has not yet taken off -- The kingdom of lies -- The law of large numbers -- Africa: the world's youth -- Nigeria: take it or leave it -- Lagos: half paradise, half slum -- The Chinese model -- Demographic governance -- The island-continent of Peter Pan -- Empty granaries, coveted land -- The "birth" of youth -- Suicides in a blue frock coat -- Brothers and sisters in faith -- Democracy, a barmecide feast -- Emerging Africa -- Trade secrets -- The "gatekeeper state" -- "A billion good reasons" -- Identity as a repertoire -- Musa Wo, the legendary "enfant terrible" -- A cascade of departures -- The dilemma of development aid -- The draining of Lake Chad -- To live the "white man's life" -- The repertoire of rejection -- Zooming in on the mare nostrum -- Europe as destination and destiny -- Don't reckon without your host -- Plugging a leaky dike with sandbags of euros -- "Bowling alone" -- Smashing the actuarial tables -- Beware of "transfers" -- "A rancour sharpened by the winter" -- By way of conclusion: Some plausible scenarios for the future -- The obsession with "scenes and types" -- Go see the other side!