What happens if you write a questionable memoir about Africa, vigorously disputed by the locals you claim to have saved?
Finding the black market pushing blood diamonds is as simple as logging on to Facebook.
Once again, South Africa’s courts have been dragged into a political spat. This time, it’s a constitutional court ruling on whether members of parliament can use a secret ballot to vote in a motion of no confidence against president Jacob Zuma.
Tanzania has promised to build a nation where everyone should have the opportunity to get a high school diploma, except if you’re a pregnant teenage girl.
It was a winding trek to the .africa domain name, but users are finally able to start claiming their piece of this internet real estate.
The violent fall and bloody death of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 triggered an international treasure hunt for the riches of the wealthy and flamboyant Libyan dictator. Now, a United Nations report reveals that much of Gaddafi’s loot was hidden in plain sight across Africa.
For over century, the mining industry has been the bedrock of South Africa’s economy, but the industry has historically been run by a handful of wealthy white mining magnates exploiting poor black labor. Now a new policy promises to shake the industry to its core—and no one involved seems particularly happy with the proposal.
Ayo Ajayi remembers his first years as a doctor in the outpatient department of a Nigerian state hospital as frustrating. Now, about four decades later he encounters a similar frustration. Only this time, as the director of the Africa Team of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation he has the power to change it.
The wife of Lesotho’s new prime minister was shot dead on June 14, two days before prime minister-elect Thomas Thabane was to be inaugurated. The murderers and their motives are still unknown, local police said.
In less than two minutes, Marvel Studios generated international hype with the release of the Black Panther trailer.
A bumper crop should have been good news for South African maize farmers, but market forces are saying otherwise.
With high energy and well-tailored suits, South Africa’s new finance minister, Malusi Gigaba, has worked hard to reassure anyone who cares to listen that the country’s economy is in good hands.
More than six million South Africans are without work. In a country of about 55 million people, and a labor force of 22 million, that figure is staggering.
A combination of climate change, crime and market speculation has driven the price of vanilla to record highs, simultaneously damaging the quality of natural pods. Ahead of harvest season in the southern hemisphere, and summer in the northern hemisphere, the almost default ice cream flavor choice may not be as ubiquitous as usual.
On Monday morning (May 29), president Jacob Zuma addressed another political meeting. His voice calm, his signature giggle cropping up when necessary, he reiterated his government’s dedication to addressing South Africa’s economic inequality. There were no outward signs that this was man who had spent the weekend fighting for his political life.
Does it make sense for a country to locate its capital city someplace no one can find? Zambia wants to move its capital city from the well-known metropolis of Lusaka to the little know rural district of Ngabwe. A cursory search on Google Maps struggled to locate Ngabwe (Apple’s Maps app had better luck but showed little detail), but if planning minster Lucky Mulusa has his way, it will be the heart of life in Zambia.
Happy Africa Day!
Lubumbashi, DR Congo
The World Health Organization reportedly spent more money last year on traveling around the globe, than they did on actually combating the world’s illnesses.
After more than 90 years, General Motors is leaving South Africa, and South Africans aren’t handling the separation very well.
Lubumbashi, DR Congo
As the US and the UK look inward, Germany is training its focus on Africa. The administration of chancellor Angela Merkel—who may now be considered the true leader of the free world—is setting up shop in emerging markets once dominated by the pound and dollar.
Durban, South Africa
Funding isn’t necessary for creativity, entrepreneurship or innovation. As several of the innovators on this year’s Quartz Africa list found, funding is important, but it isn’t a rubber stamp for a successful innovation.
