ARTS & CULTURE
A New Museum to Bring the Benin Bronzes Home
In 1897, the British Army violently raided Benin City and seized thousands of precious Benin Bronzes. The architect David Adjaye discusses his plans for an institution to house the looted treasures on their to return to Nigeria. Full article
Cleaning the sea through art
Andrew McNaughton is an Anglo-Kenyan artist, who worked in Nairobi as an interior design consultant for 35 years. In 2005, he relocated to the coast and established a one-of-a-kind workshop that turns washed-up debris into beautiful pieces of artwork. Full article
7 West African Institutions Animating the Region’s Contemporary Art Scene
Across West Africa, in cities like Lagos, Ibadan, Tamale, Accra, and Lome, a spate of new art institutions and alternative spaces have recently opened, ushering in cross-regional dialogues and new approaches in the display and dissemination of the continent’s modern and contemporary art. Full article
ECONOMY
Africa’s largest economy ratifies continent trade deal
The Nigerian government said Wednesday it had ratified the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) — a key step towards the long-negotiated creation of the world’s largest free trade area. The deal, signed by 54 of the African Union’s (AU) 55 member states, commits countries to 90 percent tariff cuts within a five-year period.The AU estimates it will boost trade by 60 percent between the continent’s 1.2 billion people by 2022. Full article
Nigeria: Dangote Refinery, African Free Trade hinge on better roads
Nigeria’s road network is the elephant in the room for Dangote’s new oil refinery – as well as for free trade in Africa. COVID-19 and the recent disruption to business caused by protests against police brutality may push the project into 2022, says Femi Ademola, executive director at Cordros Capital in Lagos. But unless a planned new coastal road is completed before the refinery starts operation, “moving crude from the ports through the roads may not be efficient,” he says. Full article
How foreign investments can transform an economy — Africa Re
In a keynote speech delivered at the AIM Digital 2020 Conference in Dubai recently, titled “Re-insuring Investments during and post COVID-19,” Deputy Managing Director of African Reinsurance Corporation (Africa Re), Mr. Ken Aghoghovbia said that since the outbreak of COVID-19, reinsurers have been actively playing their risk mitigation role in settling the pandemic related claims. Full article
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Orange announces winners of Africa and Middle East Social Entrepreneur Prize
Orange has announced the winners of the 10th Africa and Middle East Social Entrepreneur Prize, with startups taking home thousands in prize money. The winner of the International Grand Prix was Tunisian Ahkili psychological assistance telephone hotline, which won EUR25,000 (US$30,000), while second place went to Malian on-demand motorbike taxi service Teliman and Liberian ed-tech platform Weeglo. The International Women’s Prize, with a value of EUR20,000 (US$24,000), was Tunisia’s Ahmini, a digital platform to facilitate access for rural women to the Tunisian welfare and healthcare system, while the Special 10th Anniversary Prize, worth EUR10,000 (US$12,000), was won by Burkina Faso’s Toto Riibô, a service for ordering and delivery of meals. Full article
Kenyan entrepreneur adapts courier company to changing business environment
We started as a business that delivered letters. The Crosstown business model has been continually adjusting and adapting to trends in the market. We now invest more in research to identify current clients’ needs and to predict future needs to prepare solutions for these anticipated needs. Full article
African Startups Should Tokenize to Break Biased Funding Cycles
The question of whether or not to invest in Africa has always been one of risk. In an environment where property rights are questionable, foreign investors’ concerns boil down to “can I get my money in and out?” Years of infringement of property rights, foreign currency controls and sudden shifts in governance have built a negative image among international firms. Full article
INNOVATION
Israel to the Rescue? How Innovation and Technology Is Saving Lives in Africa
Innovation Africa is just one Israeli NGO aimed at helping African nations receive access to clean water and electricity. And Michal Benari, the organisation’s chief of staff, says her company has already managed to provide assistance to millions across the continent. Full article
Why a Zimbabwean Farming Project Failed: Lessons for Rural Innovation
Many countries in sub-Saharan Africa commit resources to promote agricultural innovations. This is based on the assumption that rural livelihoods are mainly agricultural and that the innovations will increase agricultural production and household income. As resources come under pressure from growing populations and natural resource degradation, governments and donors want to see that agricultural research and innovation has an impact. They want to see “success” and “value for money”. Full article
Apply to the Global innovation competition by AfricaHacks
Budding young African entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to make their business concept a reality in the 2020 AfricaHacks Global Hackathon. The 2020 AfricaHacks Global Hackathon, an initiative that enables participants to grow their idea into a startup or business concept rapidly, has opened for applications. Full article
LEADERSHIP
African leaders welcome Biden’s US election win
African leaders have welcomed the incoming US president on his electoral victory, expressing hope that Joe Biden’s win will boost trade and other relations between the continent and the US. “We congratulate President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris and the American people on your election. We look forward to working with you and deepening our bonds of friendship and cooperation,” South African President Cyril Ramaphosa wrote on Twitter late Saturday. Full article
Strong leadership fought COVID-19 in Africa: the next step is to harness research
African countries are still reeling from the effect of measures, such as lockdowns, taken to contain the spread of COVID-19. Though painful, they were a vital part of the successful public health response mounted by many African leaders. Full article
Magnate billionaire to run for leadership of African football
South African billionaire Patrice Motsepe has been nominated as a candidate for the leadership of the Confederation of African Football as the race for the top post in African soccer gathers momentum. Motsepe’s candidacy was announced by the South African Football Association at a news conference on Monday with support from Botswana, Sierra Leone and Nigeria. Full article
LIFESTYLE
World Travel Awards announces Africa 2020 winners
Winners include Kenya – with its tantalising cocktail of epic savannah landscapes, immense herds of wildlife and palm-fringed beaches – voted ‘Africa’s Leading Destination’, whilst its thriving capital Nairobi was named ‘Africa’s Leading Business Travel Destination’; and Kenyatta International Convention Centre collecting ‘Africa’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre’). Cape Town was declared ‘Africa’s Leading Festival & Event Destination’ and its majestic Table Mountain picked ‘Africa’s Leading Tourist Attraction’. The fascinating South African city of Durban was voted ‘Africa’s Leading City Destination’. Full article
South Africa lauds ‘Jerusalema’ producer for MTV Best African Act
The South African DJ behind the global pop hit “Jerusalema” won Best African Act at this year’s MTV European Music Awards, drawing praise from the country’s ruling party and jubilant fans. The gospel-influenced song, recorded by producer Master KG with Zulu lyrics by Nomcebo, lifted global spirits darkened by the pandemic at the start of the year. Full article
Race shapes travel: backpacking as a black woman
In an extract from her new book, the Kenyan writer reflects on how guidebooks to Africa, with their warnings of danger, instilled fear in her – until a solo trip to Burkina Faso. Full article