Nigeria

African football won the 34th Afcon, with Côte d’Ivoire a close second

By Chuka Onwumechili, Howard University The 34th Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) came to an end in Côte d'Ivoire with millions of viewers around the world shouting at TV screens, and an astonishing performance by Côte d'Ivoire both on the field as champions and off it as hosts. The west African country beat Nigeria 2-1 in the final but the good news was bigger than the match. […]

14 February, 2024

Business / Economics

Investment in African women-founded and led startups remains a bright spot in a global ecosystem drained of funding.

By Conrad Onyango, via bird story agency Africa’s women-led startups retained their sparkle through 2023, against the backdrop of one of the darkest periods for global startup funding, raising US$200 million, 7% growth over the previous year, according to a report from Africa: The Big Deal. In 2022, these female-founded ventures had grown by 4%. The amount remains significantly lower than the US$ 2.7 billion raised […]

9 February, 2024

Africa

Nigeria’s street food: tasty but toxic? Expert shares advice to make it safer

By Helen Onyeaka, University of Birmingham In the lively streets of Nigeria’s cities, where delicious street food is a daily delight, a wide variety of food can be bought and consumed instantly. From the sizzling suya snack in Abuja to the aromatic jollof rice in Lagos, street food has become an integral part of Nigerian life. However, beneath these enticing flavours lies a critical question of public safety […]

9 February, 2024

Africa

Tensions rise over safety of Nigerians in South Africa

An advisory issued by the High Commission of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Pretoria has raised concerns about the safety of Nigerians in South Africa. South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation spokesperson, Clayson Monyela, says the advisory is regrettable.

7 February, 2024

Africa

Women fishers in Makoko, Lagos’s ‘floating slum’, are struggling as breadwinners: education and funding would make a difference

Makoko women fish traders waiting to buy fish from fishermen. Yasuyoshi Chiba / AFP / Getty Images Ayodele Oloko, University of British Columbia Makoko, a coastal fishing community in Lagos, Nigeria, was established by fishermen in the 19th century. It is considered the world’s largest “floating slum”. There are conflicting figures about its population but it is home to about a million inhabitants living in poor and informal housing built […]

7 February, 2024

Africa

Slaves of God: Nigeria’s traditional Osu slavery practice was stopped, but the suffering continues

By Michael E Odijie, UCL There are global efforts to fight modern slavery, but a few traditional systems still hold strong in west Africa. These include Osu, Ohu and Trokosi. The Conversation Africa’s Godfred Akoto Boafo spoke to Michael Odijie who has researched one of the systems – Osu – and what can be done to finally put a stop to it. What is Osu? Osu is a traditional […]

2 February, 2024

Entertainment

Grammy Awards: Africa finally has its own category – but at what cost?

By Eric Charry, Wesleyan University For the first time in its 65-year history the Grammy Awards in the US has introduced an African category, Best African Music Performance, which recognises the song of the year. The Grammys is the most prestigious award in the largest music industry in the world. Its focus has always been US music styles in categories like pop, R&B, rap, country, jazz and classical. […]

2 February, 2024

Africa

International clubs look to Africa for female football talent

By Bonface Orucho, bird story agency Africa is growing into a critical supplier of professional female football talent to international clubs outside the continent, according to a new FIFA report. The ‘Global Transfer Report 2023’ released on January 30 by the international football governing body, FIFA, shows that Nigeria and Ghana produced among the highest number (in the top ten globally) of women players in the international transfer […]

1 February, 2024

Africa

Nigeria criticises ECOWAS exit

Nigeria has accused military authorities in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso for letting their people down with their joint decision to leave the Economic Community of West African States. Ajeck Mangut reports.

1 February, 2024