Trailblazing

Fast forward to 2025: Lagos isn’t merely participating in the global startup conversation; it's at the forefront, actively shaping it. Consistently ranked among Africa’s most vibrant startup cities by platforms like Dealroom and Partech, Lagos is a magnet for founders, venture capitalists, and innovative technologists from around the world. Isn’t it fascinating how one city can encapsulate a continent's entrepreneurial spirit? Born out of a visionary initiative by Prime Startups in 2015, Lagos Startup Week set…

A Woman’s Journey: Transforming Tradition in Niger's Dairy Industry Mogadishu (AX) — When you think of economic powerhouses, you might not immediately consider camel milk. Yet, in Niger, a nation where nearly 90% of the workforce is supported by livestock farming, one visionary woman is turning the humble camel into a symbol of progress and prosperity. Wouro Habsatou Aboubacar stands as a beacon of change. From the arid expanses of Niger, she has built a bustling business centering around camel…

Imagine receiving the pinnacle of recognition in your field, only to find yourself pigeonholed into the very stereotypes you were trying to break free from. This has been the bittersweet reality for trailblazing actresses like Hattie McDaniel, Rita Moreno, and Miyoshi Umeki. Despite their historic wins at the Academy Awards, they found themselves often cast in reductive roles such as maids or the docile housewife. It's a poignant reminder of how Hollywood has frequently confined…

The film world has lost a luminary, and tributes are flowing for Souleymane Cissé, one of Africa's most celebrated filmmakers, who passed away at the age of 84. His daughter, Mariam Cissé, shared the heartbreaking news, reflecting on a profound personal loss. "We mourn the passing of a man who not only dedicated his life to film and art but also inspired countless others to pursue their creative passions," she said, her voice a mixture of sorrow and gratitude. The specific cause of his death remains undisclosed, which only…

Muhsin Hendricks, renowned as the world’s first openly gay imam, was tragically killed in what appears to be an assassination in Gqeberha, South Africa. The circumstances surrounding his death are nothing short of shocking; his vehicle was ambushed, highlighting a dark chapter in the ongoing struggle for acceptance and safety faced by LGBTQI+ individuals. Hendricks was not merely an imam; he was a revolutionary figure passionately advocating for the rights of LGBTQI+ people within the Muslim community. His mission was…