Eddy Kenzo, the international musical pop star, was born in Masaka, Uganda, as Edrisah Musuuza. Around the age of 4, he lost his mother. Her death left him alone to wander the streets for thirteen years, as he couldn’t find his father and did not know any other family members from either side of…
Out of the 18 candidates that are currently running in the Somali elections taking place over the next several weeks, Fadumo Dayib is the only woman. Dayib’s competition includes Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, an incumbent who is noted for his history as a scholar and activist. To date, Mohamud has been in power for approximately…
The Ugandan Rapper Keko is well aware of the dangers of drugs and alcohol. In 2014, while leading a highly successful music career, she found herself in a downward spiral of drug and alcohol abuse. Luckily she was able to pull herself out, and now uses her fame to keep other young Ugandans from…
Recently, a popular Kenyan web series has grasped the attention of many both within and outside of its target audience. Tuko Macho is a groundbreaking web series, which means “we’re watching” in Swahili. The group takes justice into their own hands by capturing and punishing those who have committed atrocities and who are considered to…
Tied inextricably to the world’s crude oil market, Nigeria’s economy is reeling from low oil prices and militant attacks against oil facilities. The current price of a barrel of oil is approximately $45.00 USD, down from the 2012 high of $109.45 USD. Although oil is only about 15% of the country’s GDP, it represents…
Lupita Nyong’o owned the red carpet on Sunday night at the gala presentation of her new film, Queen of Katwe, at the Toronto International Film Festival. The actress wore a breathtaking yellow and blue gown with a unique and intricately-detailed bodice created by House of Herrera. The star’s stunning look was accessorized with a…
The artistry and talent of the Nigerian film industry are being showcased to an international audience this week at the 41st Toronto International Film Festival. Every year, TIFF highlights the cinema of a specific urban center as part of its City to City program, and for 2016 the focus is on the exciting…
In late August, violent clashes in the capital city of Gabon left at least three people dead and a burning National Assembly. The violence was prompted by the re-election of incumbent President Ali Bongo Ondimba, which marks the continuation of a dynasty that has been in power for five decades. For the Gabonese…
What started as a simple hashtag has spread to all four corners of the globe. Created and popularized by African nationals, #IfAfricaWasASchool pokes fun at different countries and cultures by re-imagining them as high school stereotypes. Some countries are the jocks, for example, while others are the nerds or band geeks. “#IfAfricaWasASchool Ivory Coast…
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged a $30 billion investment in Africa on August 27, 2016, noting that his country has faith in Africa’s future. Abe was in Nairobi, Kenya, to attend the sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD). He said the $30 billion in public and private support for education, healthcare…
