Tyla, Ayra Starr and Moliy Shine at MTV VMAs 2025 With Tyla winning Best Afrobeats for “PUSH 2 Start,” the 2025 MTV VMAs on Sept 7 in New York also showcased African stars Ayra Starr and Moliy. news September 8, 2025
Seun Kuti and Bro. Diallo Challenge the Hype Around "First Blacks" on 'Bird's Eye View' With the first episode of OkayAfrica’s new podcast show ‘Bird’s Eye View,’ Kuti and Bro. Diallo set the tone for their platform as a place for critically nuanced, pan-African conversations. news September 1, 2025
Today in Africa — September 1, 2025: Nigerians Chase World Reading Record, Kizza Besigye Boycotts Treason Trial in Uganda, Mob Burns Woman to Death Over Blasphemy in Northern Nigeria OkayAfrica has scoured the internet for today’s major news stories, so you don't have to. news September 1, 2025
Faure Gnassingbé Assumes Newly Created Executive Role as Controversial Constitutional Change Takes Effect in Togo The West African country’s ruling party controls both legislative houses with an overwhelming majority, paving the way for the former long-term president to indefinitely hold on to executive power. news May 5, 2025
Namibia’s First Female President Appoints New Women-Majority Cabinet Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has reduced the number of ministries, citing the need to reduce the cost of governance and improve efficiency. news March 24, 2025
South Sudanese Sprinter Gout Gout Runs Fastest 200 Meters Time in the World This Year Even skeptics are beginning to compare the 17-year-old sensation, Gout Gout, to Usain Bolt. news March 17, 2025
Three Powerful Films From South Africa, Kenya, and Sudan Showing at Sundance 2025 'B(l)ind The Sacrifice,How to Build a Library'and 'Khartoum'offer intimate portraits of survival, transformation, and hope, bringing African experiences to a global stage. film tv February 1, 2025
Junta-Ruled Gabon Sets Date for Presidential Election While Gen. Brice Oligui Nguema hasn’t declared his candidacy, last year’s constitutional referendum highlighted his popularity ahead of the presidential vote. news January 23, 2025
How Multiple Petrol Price Hikes Are Crippling Everyday Life in Nigeria Even with the ever-looming danger of fuel transportation in the country, hikes in petrol prices are leading many Nigerians to take fatal risks. news January 20, 2025
Internet Girl Wants to Be the Biggest Band Out of South Africa Cape Town outfit Internet Girl is finding its sound and is dead-set on bringing it to you. music January 17, 2025
Are There Any Lasting Solutions to Africa’s Policing Problem? Police officers across Africa have a horrible reputation for corruption and excessive use of force, but activists struggle to find hope for change. news January 16, 2025
Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 Announce US Tour Dates On the back of his album,‘Heavier Yet (Lays The Crownless Head),’the Afrobeat icon's massive tour comes with a new Zamrock remix featuring Sampa the Great. music January 16, 2025
The Controversy Surrounding South Africa's Mine Rescue Highlights the Tension Between Law and Life As rescue operations wind down at Stilfontein mines, families and activists grapple with a crisis that has claimed 78 lives and sparked debate over compassion versus law enforcement. news January 16, 2025
What Stories Are on North African Journalists' Radars in 2025? Three stories from Morocco, Algeria and Egypt are anticipated to be major cultural moments in 2025, from Sudan's football surge to Libya's arts renaissance and the region's evolving music scene. news January 16, 2025
Cynthia Erivo Earns Best Leading Actress Nomination at the BAFTAs Erivo’s stunning performance in the global blockbuster, ‘Wicked,’ continues to earn the actor and singer more nods. music January 15, 2025
Daniel Chapo Sworn-in as Mozambique’s President Despite Continued Protests Against Election Results Many Mozambicans have continued to protest against electoral fraud they believe to be responsible for Chapo’s ascent into power. news January 15, 2025
US Sitcom ‘Superstore’ Gets An isiZulu Makeover Universal International Studios partners with local production house Barkers Media to bring the beloved retail comedy to South African audiences. film tv January 15, 2025
What To Watch in West Africa This January This month’s list of what to watch brings together exciting films and television series from Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. film tv January 15, 2025
What We're Looking Forward to in 2025 A year-long celebration kicks off with contemporary art in Marrakech, peaks with historic festival appearances from Burna Boy to Tems, and culminates in AFCON's return. music January 14, 2025
Is Kenya Enabling Foreign Governments to Carry Out Forcible Extradition? The abduction and release of Tanzanian activist Maria Sarungi Tsehai spotlights Kenya’s role in cross-border crackdowns while also highlighting its domestic crisis of rising abductions. news January 13, 2025
President Mahama Trims Down Ministries as Part of Bid to “Reset Ghana” Keeping to his campaign promise, the new president is attempting to put together an efficient government to tackle Ghana’s economic crisis and restore public trust in the next four years. news January 13, 2025
How Season 3 of ‘The Real Housewives of Lagos’ Takes the Drama to New Territories This season of ‘The Real Housewives of Lagos’ features three new cast members, a returning character and a range of themes that offer a layered side to well-known personalities. film tv January 13, 2025
Moonchild Sanelly’s Journey to Ghetto-Funk Greatness With a brand new album out and a clear-sighted plan for world domination, Moonchild Sanelly speaks toOkayAfricaabout how self-belief got her here. music January 10, 2025
After a Massive Fire, Traders at Ghana's Kantamanto Market are Forging Ahead Traders and creatives who rely on Kantamanto Market say the fire will set them back months but they are finding ways to bounce back from it. news January 10, 2025
Doc Shebeleza Remembered as a Kwaito Pioneer Kwaito legend Doc Shebeleza passed away earlier today following a long battle with illness. music January 9, 2025
Will US Sanctions Have an Impact on the War in Sudan? The U.S. designated the RSF’s atrocities as genocide, but civil rights groups fear that the announcement is more rhetoric than impact. news January 9, 2025
Ayo Edebiri, Tems, Wizkid and Tyla are Nominees for the NAACP Image Awards 2025 Ayo Edebiri leads NAACP Image Awards nominees with five nods, as global Black talent shines across film, TV, music, and literature categories. film tv January 8, 2025
French President Faces Criticism for Demanding Appreciation from African Countries President Emmanuel Macron has been accused of a lack of respect for Africans and African governments, for seeking appreciation despite dwindling French influence in the region. news January 8, 2025
Here’s How You Can Help Traders in Kantamanto Over 7,000 traders have lost their businesses in a devastating fire in Accra, Ghana, facing what they predict will be months of difficult recovery ahead. news January 8, 2025
Here’s Why Egyptians Celebrate Christmas on January 7 Often considered the gatekeepers of ancient Egyptian traditions, Orthodox Copts celebrate Christmas with traditional recipes. news January 7, 2025
Op-ed: Ghana’s Former President Leaves Office With A Complex Legacy Nana Akufo-Addo leaves a legacy marked by early triumphs, missed opportunities and mounting social concerns. news January 7, 2025
10 African Music Projects You May Have Missed This Year From the scintillating ballads of Dwin, The Stoic to the post-R&B explorations of Xenia Manasseh, here are 10 standout projects that may have gone under your radar throughout the ever-busy African music year. music December 20, 2024
The Best West African Songs of 2024 This year’s list features emerging talents and an uptick in artists reaching to the past to create new sounds. music December 20, 2024
With “Sade,” Adekunle Gold Challenged The Nigerian Music Industry As “Sade” turns 10, we take a look at how Adekunle Gold provided an alternative template to being a Nigerian superstar by making music with soul and commercial merits. home featured December 19, 2024
The Best Southern African Songs of 2024 The year has been long and eventful, and artists have kept the fresh releases coming. This is just a sample of all the music we enjoyed this year from Southern Africa. music December 19, 2024
The 10 Best African Documentaries of 2024 These groundbreaking African documentaries illuminate diverse struggles, resilience, and hope. film tv December 18, 2024
The Best North African Songs of 2024 OkayAfrica’s North Africa correspondent shares the region’s most celebrated and underrated songs of the year — from Libya’s electronic Touareg music to Sudan’s rap revolution, and more. music December 18, 2024
The Best African Feature Films of 2024 In this list, veteran auteurs exist alongside refreshing mavericks keen to make their mark. film tv December 17, 2024
The Best East African Songs of 2024 From bangers to ballads, these songs have defined the sound of East Africa this year. music December 17, 2024
Lookman, Banda Make History at CAF Awards in Morocco Atalanta star and Orlando Pride striker claim top African football honors, while Williams and Nnadozie secure goalkeeper awards in Marrakech ceremony. news December 17, 2024
After Winning Mister International, Samuel Nwajagu Says He is Just Getting Started The 23-year-old winner of the 16th Mister International pageant is the first African to ever win the competition since its inception, but he has his eyes set on leaving a positive legacy. news December 16, 2024
How Barry Jenkins Approached ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ as a Coming-of-Age Epic With ‘Mufasa’, Jenkins leans into his personal experiences and his ability to portray characters rising through adversities. film tv December 16, 2024
The Best Amapiano Songs of 2024 Amapiano’s momentum keeps going strong and the timeless bangers that came out this year are proof of its staying power. Here’s a selection of the best amapiano songs of 2024, featuring Tyler ICU, LeeMcKrazy, Pabi Cooper and many more. music December 16, 2024
The Best Afrobeats Songs of 2024 African music has had some great sonic highs throughout the year. Here are the best Afrobeats songs of 2024, featuring Amaarae, Wizkid, Tyla, Olivetheboy, Angélique Kidjo and more. music December 13, 2024
British Nigerian Actor Jimmy Akingbola Says There’s More Work to be Done The ‘Bel-Air’ and ‘Sorry, I Didn’t Know’ actor featured as part of the Global Impact of Black Culture panel at the Okayplayer House Presented by BET during this year’s Art Basel Miami Beach. events December 13, 2024
Eight African Cultural Practices From UNESCO’s 2024 Intangible Heritage List From the Durbar in Northern Nigeria to the Twāyef in Tunisia, these cultural practices shape culture and redefine traditions. arts culture December 12, 2024
The Ultimate Guide to December in West Africa This holiday guide offers an array of events, festivals, pop-ups and activities that represent what it means to spend December in West Africa. news December 12, 2024
From Nairobi to Seoul: Kenya Joins the K-Pop Wave How Kenya’s youth are falling hard for the music, moves and magic of K-pop. music December 12, 2024
“No one can do it better than you:” Ala Kheir on the Hopeful State of African Photography Sudanese photographer Ala Kheir encourages all African photographers to apply to the World Press Photo contest, which he will chair in 2025. arts culture December 11, 2024
The Ultimate Guide to December in East Africa As locals unwind and the diaspora returns, East Africa buzzes with energy. Here’s your guide to beaches, wildlife and city escapes this holiday season. news December 11, 2024
Get to Know Congolese Collective Fulu Miziki Kinshasa-based Fulu Miziki uses recycled trash to make their own, unique musical instruments. music December 11, 2024
Five Takeaways from the 11th Session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission The Ramaphosa and Tinubu governments issued a number of resolutions following a recent session, but we’ll have to wait and see if they turn into tangible results. news December 11, 2024
Kenyan Women Marching for #EndFemicide Met With Police Violence The #EndFemicideMarch, marking the close of 16 days of activism, demanded accountability for Kenya’s femicide epidemic, where a woman is killed every 24 hours. news December 10, 2024
OkayAfrica’s 2024 Gift Guide From simple to colorful and unexpected, these gifts are sure to warm the hearts of your loved ones during this holiday season. news December 10, 2024
Ghana Elects First Female Vice President as Opposition Wins Election The NDC’s pair of John Mahama and Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang have won the presidential elections in Ghana. news December 9, 2024
Nigerian Filmmaker Funke Akindele Knows She Can Break Her Own Record By breathing new life into a well-loved franchise, the Nigerian filmmaker has made a sure blockbuster with her upcoming film 'Everybody Loves Jenifa.' film tv December 9, 2024
Is Netflix Exiting Nollywood? Despite Netflix's denial, persistent rumors of scaling back in Nollywood is sending waves of uncertainty through Nigeria's entertainment industry. news December 7, 2024
Elmiene’s ‘For The Deported’ is a Love Letter to Sudan “Sudan is the reason I’m here right now,” says British Sudanese rising star Elmiene about his fourth EP, which marks a full circle moment since his breakout song “Golden.” music December 6, 2024
As the 2024 Ghana Elections Draw Near, Voters Express Uncertainty About the Major Candidates Ghana’s 2024 elections are crucial to the future of the country’s socio-economic development. However, voters are unsure if the two major candidates are up to the task. news December 5, 2024
Anendlessocean is Making Contemporary Nigerian Gospel Music Relatable For Everyone Anchoring his preference for musical diversity with a wholesome expression of his Christian faith, Anendlessocean has captured the ears of young people who want to be connected to God in the most relatable way possible. music December 5, 2024
Koyo Kouoh Leads a Historic Shift in Art and Curation Koyo Kouoh, Lesley Lokko, Rujeko Hockleyd and Aindrea Emelife are redefining global art, bringing African women's voices to the forefront. arts culture December 4, 2024
Amidst an Economic Crisis, is Detty December Going to be Different This Year? The state of the economy in popular end-of-year celebration locations like Ghana and Nigeria has affected the scale of events, pushing people to focus on smaller, more intimate gatherings. arts culture December 4, 2024
Nine Things Tayo Aina Says You Should Know About Traveling Across the Continent Right Now Travel filmmaker Tayo Aina shares his top tips and insights for exploring Africa, from must-visit destinations to breaking free from generic travel experiences. travel December 4, 2024
Asake is 2024’s Most Streamed Artist in Sub-Saharan Africa on Spotify Here’s the official data for Sub-Saharan Africa on the most streamed songs, albums and artists on the global streaming platform. music December 4, 2024
Opinion: Uncle Waffles’ Nairobi Event Highlights Broader Issues With African Music Concerts The chaotic Nairobi concert brings attention to recurring failures in the organization of music events across Africa, raising urgent questions about crowd safety and artist-audience care. events December 3, 2024
Africa Games Week 2024 and the Future of the Continent's Gaming Industry The African video gaming market is growing, and Africa Games Week is bringing the continent's developers together to ensure local creators get their shot at a local industry. events December 3, 2024
