Over the past few months, we have witnessed AI growth all around, whether with the arrival of DeepSeek or the unveiling of Grok 4. The progress is huge, and has taken the world by storm. It is only befitting that we talk about a few things happening or being highlighted when it comes to AI in Africa.
The VivaTech 2025 which took place in Paris last month gave a stage to some 45 African startups. Excerpts below are from Africanews. Enjoy!
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The 9th edition of VivaTech, Europe’s premier tech and innovation event, spotlighted Africa’s growing influence in the global tech ecosystem. Held in Paris, this year’s event highlighted artificial intelligence (AI) as the dominant trend, offering a unique opportunity for African nations to leapfrog into the digital future.
François Bitouzet, VivaTech’s Managing Director, emphasized the potential for a level playing field in this new technological era. “If you didn’t have the cloud like France, blockchain like Africa, or massive data storage, it doesn’t matter. Everyone can start from scratch. And he said that with Africa’s digital talent and ability to surprise the world with innovation, AI is a powerful new frontier for them,” he said.
Among the most prominent African delegations at VivaTech was Côte d’Ivoire, whose tech scene is rapidly becoming a continental powerhouse. Startups from the West African nation are leading the charge, especially in the fields of culture and digital innovation.
Philippe Yacé, founder and CEO of Sellarts, showcased his platform that bridges African artists with global buyers. “We’re creating a marketplace where artists can gain visibility and connect with international collectors. Digital tools are allowing African creativity to shine worldwide,” he said.
Senegal also made a strong showing, with 15 startups participating in the search for strategic investment. Aïssatou Mbodji, Minister Delegate for Rapid Entrepreneurship of Women and Youth in Senegal, noted the mutual interest: “We’re looking for investors for our startups—but at the same time, investors are actively seeking out high-potential ventures in Africa’s emerging sectors.”
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With 45 African startups participating in the competition, the message was clear: Africa is not just catching up but helping shape the future of global tech.
The semi-finals for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) is taking place today, Tuesday July 22 in Morocco. By the way, as a parenthesis, why are we still calling stuff a year behind because of the 2020 pandemic? At what point are we going to go back to the normal schedule? Tokyo 2020 took place in 2021, AFCON 2023 in 2024, etc; just change the naming already! As I was saying, the semi-finals will see the hosts, the Atlas Lionesses of Morocco take on the Black Queens of Ghana, while the Super Falcons of Nigeria, record nine-time champions, will meet the Banyana Banyana of South Africa. The Confederation of African Football has doubled the prize money for the cup winners who will get $1 million for their performance.
Flag and map of Nigeria
The tournament has highlighted the competitiveness of the women football on the continent. This is the 13th edition of the biggest women’s footballing event in Africa. So far, we have seen beautiful football, and been impressed by quite a few amazing players. The highly anticipated Zambian duo, Barbra Banda, 2024 BBC Women’s footballer of the year and 2nd most expensive women signing, and RachealKundananji, the 2023 Goal50 Women’s Footballer of the year and 2023 Best Goal Trophy from Mundo Deportivo, did not shine, and the Copper queens were obliterated by the Super Falcons 5-0. At this point, the Nigerians look like the favorite to win the title, as they have not conceded a goal so far. Will this be the year of a 10th trophy?
Flag of Morocco
Ghizlane Chebbak of Morocco has shone throughout, saving her team with a hat-trick to defeat Mali 3-1. Thus far, she is tying the place for the tournament’s top scorer with Senegal Nguenar Ndiaye with 4 goals. The competition is still ongoing, and she might very well win the top scorer title. Last time, when Morocco hosted the cup 3 years ago, they reached the finals. They are led by Jorge Vilda, Spain’s Women’s coach who guided Spain to the world cup win in 2023. With the home court advantage, will they be this year’s winners?
Map and Flag of Ghana
Goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan of the Black Queens of Ghana has also shone throughout the tournament. This is the first time Ghana returns to the WAFCON semi-finals since 2016. At this point, they defeated Algeria by penalty shoot out to make it to the semi-finals. Can they defeat Morocco to make it to the finals?
Flag of South Africa
South Africa is the current cup holder, but had to squeeze past Senegal in 4-1 penalty shoot out, after a 0-0 draw (South Africa is this year’s Women African Cup of Nations Champion). Goalkeeper Andile Dlamini has produced good saves which has kept her team in the competition. Will the defending champions, the Banyana Banyana, repeat the exploit?
The finals will take place on Saturday, July 26. May the best team win, and may it be a celebration of the best football!
A few years back, we talked about the Senegalese author Mariama Bâ, the African female pioneer who is considered to have written the first African feminist novel. Her literary career, although short as she passed away few months after the publication of her first book, advocates for women’s rights. Une Si Longue Lettre [So Long a Letter] has been one of my favorite books in my library. It was written by a woman in 1979; it talks about the condition of the woman in the Senegalese society, conditions that are very similar in many African countries. It sheds a light on the place of the woman in the society, the effect of polygamy on women and society, and the clash between modernism and traditions. Her book became an African classic, and has been read in schools across the continent and translated in many languages. Her story still resonates today.
Une Si Longue lettre / So Long a Letter
It is important to note that Bâ’s feminism is deeply rooted on an African identity, humanity, and experience, which is different from the Western feminist frameworks.
The Senegalese screenwriter and producer Angele Diabang has decided to adapt this masterpiece for the big screen, and debuted the feature film at the Brooklyn Arts Music (BAM) FilmAfrica Festival (BAM | FilmAfrica 2025) in May 2025. Enjoy, and I hope all of you will get a chance to watch it.
Last week, the world-renowned singer Angelique Kidjo became the first Black African to get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, thus joining another African, South African actress Charlize Theron. The legendary singer, five-time Grammy award winner of Beninese origins known for Wombo Lombo, We We, Agolo, has been inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame, an honor granted to only a few in the world. She has cemented her place in history. Have you ever been to a Kidjo’s concert? I have been quite fortunate to attend one of them: the energy is electrifying, carried over by her strong voice which is rooted in ancestral sounds. Her career spans four decades, fusing elements of different African genres, Jazz, R&B, and Latin music, collaborating with some of the greats of this world, and crossing over continents. She has reinvented herself, releasing a total of 16 albums, earning 15 Grammy nominations and securing 5 wins. She is also one of the few who started under the tutelage of another legend of the continent, the Cameroonian Ekambi Brillant.
Excerpts below are from AfricaNews, for the full article check it out. For other articles, please check out The Citizen and DW.
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Benin with its map and flag
Music icon Angélique Kidjo has cemented her place in history, becoming the first black African artist to be awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. …
The Beninese singer, known for her electrifying voice and genre-blending sound, is no stranger to acclaim. With five Grammy Awards and a global fanbase, Kidjo has long been recognized as one of Africa’s most influential musical exports.
Over the course of her four-decade career, she has released 16 albums, fusing Afrobeat with elements of jazz, R&B, funk, and Latin music. Her collaborations read like a who’s who of the music industry, including the likes of Burna Boy, Alicia Keys, Carlos Santana, and Philip Glass.
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… Her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is more than a personal achievement — it’s a historic recognition of African artistry on one of the world’s most iconic stages.
We have been told to applaud the recent “peace” agreement between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda. It can be accessed on the US Department of State website both in English and French.
Last week, on
Flag of the Democratic Republic of Congo
June 27, 2025, the Foreign ministers of the DRC and Rwanda, Therese Kayikwamba Wagner and Olivier Nduhungirehe, respectively, in the presence of United States President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House signed a peace agreement. Some of the key points of this peace agreement are : 1) Territorial integrity and prohibition of hostilities: both nations pledge to respect the territorial integrity of the other and its sovereignty – not sure why both, since the Rwanda of Paul Kagame has always been the aggressor and the one not respecting and violating the DRC territory and people. 2) Disengagement, disarmament, and integration of non-state armed groups – End state support to armed groups, thus committing both governments to halt military support for non-state armed groups – again, not sure why both when we all know that Rwanda is the culprit. Does that mean that the DRC government will now be working against its patriotic forces who have been trying to fight the Rwandan-backed groups in the East? 3) Joint security coordination mechanism. 4) Refugees, internally displaced persons, and humanitarian considerations – return of refugees and displaced populations – how? when the culprits have not even been openly named? 5) MONUSCO and other multilateral support – how can someone trust this organization of the United Nations which has produced zero results (more like negative results) in over 30 years in eastern DRC? and which has instead been an accomplice to the worst atrocities in Congo? 6) Regional economic integration framework – … this framework… shall ensure… both parties derive greater prosperity… the parties shall launch and/or expand cooperation on … national park management; hydropower development; derisking of mineral supply chains; joint management of resources in Lake Kivu; and transparent, formalized end-to-end mineral value chains (from mine to processed metal) that link both countries, in partnership, as appropriate with the US government and US investors – What an abomination! Why is this not signed with Burundi, Tanzania, or Zambia too? Don’t they share borders with the DRC? So Congo needs to share its resources with the resource-less Rwanda, and together they will manage Congo’s resources! Unbelievable! – the US have always been in the great lakes region funding Rwanda against the DRC under Clinton and subsequent governments; what changes now? 7) Implementation and dispute resolution– any dispute arising for the implementation of this agreement shall be resolved amicably between the parties with the facilitation of the Joint Oversight Committee upon request of either party – what the heck is JOC: African Union facilitator, Qatar, and the United States.
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) mineral map (Source: Atlas du continent africain, Jeune Afrique et editions Jaguar, 2000)
In point 6, all resources of Congo now belong to the entire region: Rwanda with no resources, and Congo with the resources. Thus, DRC needs to keep feeding Rwanda (and Uganda – the other co-aggressor), and all the controllers, until they are filled to the brim! What is Rwanda doing in the management of Congolese national parks? or the hydropower? why should Rwanda be involved in the management of the mines and exploitation of minerals (gold, diamond, cobalt, uranium, etc) in the DRC? Why? What gives them the right? Can you imagine, now, the resources of Congo should mutually benefit its agressor Rwanda (and Uganda) equitably so that the DRC will have peace! What sort of garbage is this? Rwanda benefits 100%, while DRC keeps feeding the neighbor! In essence, the theft and expropriation of the DRC resources has now been fully legalized. Does this mean that for each exploration in Congo, Rwanda needs to be consulted? Corruption is even mentioned, what is Rwanda doing in the fight against corruption in Congo’s resources?
DRC cobalt
Thus, in this “peace” agreement, Rwanda got everything, while Congo got nothing … not even peace! How can one get peace, if the culprit has not even been cited openly? or punished? no justice? Even Kagame after the Rwandan genocide had the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) in Arusha Tanzania, and the gacaca courts (community-based justice)… the DRC got nothing, not even a whisper about the crimes committed against its populations for 30 years! Moreover, its resources are now “regional” resources! Not sure if this should be called a peace agreement! Honestly, Africans should never dream of peace without fighting… it can never work! The predator will never let go until it is beaten to the ground!
Last week, on June 19th, Niger announced plans to nationalize its uranium venture which until now had been operated by the French company Orano. By this, the Niger government has decided to gain control over its resources from France. For many years, the French state owned company Orano, which was previously Areva, has been extracting uranium in Niger, enjoying a full monopoly, paying barely anything to the country including no taxes (Mali and Niger end Long-Standing Tax Treaties with France). This quest for freedom or rather fairness by Niger is not something new which started with the government of President Abdourahamane Tchiani, but rather the culmination of years of an unfair treatment based on an unbalanced relationship with the French company and government. In the 2000s, then President Mamadou Tandja had sought to re-negotiate the partnership with then Areva (now Orano) which until then had enjoyed a de facto4 decade monopoly in the country paying almost nothing to the locals; he tried to curb the French influence by striking a deal with the China Nuclear International Uranium Corporation in 2007 to develop a uranium mine. As expected, Tandja was deposed in a coup in 2010, coup financed by the metropolis. Niger Takes Control of its Uranium, and Niger and Orano: Disagreement.
In yet another assertion of sovereignty, the government of Niger announced on Thursday, June 19, that it would nationalize the Somaïr uranium venture, wresting control from the multinational nuclear fuel cycle corporation Orano.
Orano is owned by the French state, which, the government noted, has been “openly hostile toward Niger since July 26, 2023”, when the then president Mohamed Bazoum, domestically perceived as a French puppet, was ousted in a popularly supported coup.
Without yielding to French threats of war, the military government replacing Bazoum’s regime consolidated widespread support by expelling French troops, fulfilling the demand for which mass protests had been underway in the lead-up to his removal.
Flag of Niger
… France has long exerted a monopoly over Niger’s uranium, which is among the highest grade in Africa. It has been fueling French nuclear power plants, lighting up a third of its light bulbs, while over 85% of Nigeriens lacked connection to the electricity grid.
… The nationalization changing this neo-colonial arrangement “will allow for healthier and more sustainable management of the company and, consequently, optimal enjoyment of the wealth from mining resources by Nigeriens,” its statement added.
Threatening Niger with “legal actions, including criminal proceedings if necessary”, Orano said it “intends to seek full compensation for the damages suffered and will assert its rights to the stock corresponding to Somaïr’s production to date.”
During a meeting with Ivorian Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé, the CEO of Resolute Mining, Chris Eger, specified that the construction of the mine will begin in the first quarter of 2026, for a duration of two years. The planned investment amounts to 300 billion CFA francs (approximately 530 million USD).
Map of Cote d’Ivoire
Hummm, Isn’t it a bit suspicious that this large deposit is right near the border with Burkina Faso? We all know that these people plan over decades, so what if the location of the mine in the northeast is not only used for gold extraction, but also as a base for attacks in the neighboring country (U.S. military posture in Africa shifts while terrorist threats intensify)? It is no secret that Côte d’Ivoire is being used as a Western base against the countries of the AES (Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger). Moreover, for many years, people have mentioned the geological survey conducted by the UNESCO (or one of the UN-organization) on Africa which was never made public to African countries. Are we to think that the same Resolute Mining which owns the Syama gold mine in Mali or the Mako gold mine in Senegal, with mining permits in Guinea, never did a geological survey into neighboring Côte d’Ivoire before? Lastly, this is the same Resolute Mining which refused to pay taxes to Mali for years Mali wins $160m in Gold Mining Dispute; Has Côte d’Ivoire negotiated well, or were they too excited by the gold findings? Again, this is where unity would significantly help our countries… here Resolute Mining is signing in Côte d’Ivoire, if they were to sign with a smaller country, less developed, the government maybe so happy that they sign anything or do not negotiate well enough for their populations to benefit from this manna… and these contracts lasts for many many years!
Anyways, we applaud the findings in Côte d’Ivoire, and wish that the government would think of opening a refinery in their own country as well, and train its youths, like in Mali… oh wait… the government of Côte d’Ivoire does not like the Mali of Assimi Goïta!
As of June 2025, the Zimbabwean government has announced that exports of raw lithium concentrate will be banned starting in January 2027. This move is meant to push mining companies to build local processing plants and keep more of the value chain within the country, thus helping towards the country’s development, and stopping the cycle of exports of raw materials and barely anything (The Lithium of Zimbabwe). This should also create employment for the locals.
Lithium
Several Chinese firms—like Sinomine and Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt—are already building lithium sulfate plants at the Bikita and Arcadia mines. These facilities will refine lithium concentrate into lithium sulfate, a key ingredient for battery-grade chemicals like lithium carbonate and hydroxide.
There is not yet a full refinery built, but this ban indicates Zimbabwe’s clear shift from being just a raw exporter of lithium. Given the importance of lithium in the electric car revolution as a material for batteries, this is really a game changer. We applaud Zimbabwe, and call other countries to learn from Zimbabwe, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
Kwame Nkrumah
This is where the dream of Kwame Nkrumah, of a real African Union, comes back; we are not talking about the current union which is just a puppet organization serving the interest of the Western powers. Kwame Nkrumah: African Visionary and Ghana’s First President. Currently, each country is negotiating individually, which may yield good or not so good results, if they do not have good negotiators or good mining lawyers in the case of lithium for instance. However, some would end up being taken advantage of just because they are not exposed to the new changes, don’t know, and could accept really low prices which may affect even their neighbors. Being United would insure good negotiations across the board learning from others, and also ensure that the multinationals respect the local governments and populations; and if they are kicked out of one country because of law or contract infringements, that they do not just run to another to perpetuate the cycle. This is what the AES is doing (The AES Creates a Joint Military Force), and all African countries should.
President Assimi Goita of Mali during the launching of a public gold refinery (Source: akondanews.net)
Today, June 17, 2025, Mali has begun the construction of a new state-controlled gold refinery. The facility, built in partnership with Russia’s company Yadran Group, is expected to process up to 200 metric tons of gold annually, significantly increasing Mali’s refining capacity. The refinery is part of the broader mining reforms taken by the government of Assimi Goïta to keep more gold processing within the country rather than exporting raw materials. This should, in principle, help develop the local manpower. The state will hold a 62% stake, with Yadran Group owning the remaining 38%. This refinery is intended to serve as a regional hub, processing gold not only for Mali, but in the long term for neighboring countries like Burkina Faso as well. This project reflects the wider trend in the Sahel, and particularly in the AES, where countries are revising mining laws so as to keep more value-added processing at home.
Flag of Mali
It is about time that Mali, and other African countries learn to process their materials at home, instead of exporting the raw materials to later on import the same things, or letting the others reap fruits from our raw materials. Just imagine for a second if the Democratic Republic of Congo had the power to develop its cobalt, tantalum, tin, uranium, etc., at home, wouldn’t it impact its populations for better? Or just imagine if Ivory Coast, the number one world producer of cocoa was processing its cocoa at home, instead of exporting the raw beans to Europe for Europeans to process, how would this fundamentally change the Ivorian economy?
Map of Mali
Of course, when you read the MSM magazines, they will title Junta-led Mali begins construction of gold refinery in partnership with Russia; instead of the Malian government begins the construction of a gold refinery! They are upset that Mali, and all the other countries of the AES, Burkina Faso and Niger, are taking steps to nationalize, to improve, and to build factories to refine their God-given resources in their own lands, thus taking a step towards lifting their nations out of poverty! This, of course, would not help the West which would rather have a weak African government or puppet governments.
Moreover, yesterday 06/16, the Malian courts ordered that the Loulo-Gounkoto gold mine be placed under provisional administration for six months. The deposit has been the subject of a tug-of-war between the Malian government and the Canadian mining group Barrick Gold for the past two years, over tax dispute (Mali wins $160m in Gold Mining Dispute). The Malian authorities hope to resume production operations halted in January at this strategic gold site, while gold prices are at their highest.
A replica of the Trojan Horse, used in the 2004 film Troy, stands today in Çanakkale, Turkey, the modern-day location of the city of Troy (Source: Wikipedia)
Have you ever received a poisoned gift? Do you remember the Fall of Troy with the story of the Trojan horse as told in the Odyssey of Homer? The Greeks built a huge wooden horse at the behest of Odysseus, and hid a select force of soldiers inside including Odysseus himself; they pretended to sail away leaving the wooden horse behind, and the Trojans thinking that it was a gift from the Greeks pulled the horse into their city as a victory trophy. That night, the Greek force came out of the horse, opened the city gates for the rest of the Greek army, and destroyed the entire city defeating the Trojans.
Last week, we heard Bill Gates say that he will be leaving the majority of his $200 billions to the future of Africa towards education, healthcare, and innovation. His focus will be maternal and child health, infectious diseases, and poverty. He plans to work closely with governments, local organizations, and partners across Africa to implement plans. It is quite laudable that such a rich man would want to “give away” his fortune. However, one cannot be blinded by some loud elements that would make this questionable.
Flag of India
In 2009, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation was involved in a clinical trial of cervical cancer vaccines in India which killed and handicapped thousands of girls, causing the organization to be kicked out of the country. In December 2024, Gates called India “a laboratory to try things,” which caused an uproar. Indian farmers have also protested against controversial laws promoting privatization of agriculture passed by the government supported by Gates.
Flag of Kenya
In Kenya, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation faced criticism for its involvement in the livestock vaccination; the green revolution promised by Gates through one of his organizations AGRA has wreaked so much havoc and destruction. There have also been adverse effects of some of his other vaccines (including meningitis or tetanus) on young girls, or the polio vaccine which caused issues, in some cases there are claims of young girls getting sterilized or dying. This caused the removal of the foundation’s diplomatic immunity in the country. Can you imagine a non governmental organization and its staff receiving diplomatic immunity from legal action in a country? What are they hiding to need such? This was canceled in April 2025. Recently, we heard about genetically modified (GM) mosquitoes introduced by his foundation in Djibouti to fight malaria; who has approved this? Once the mosquitoes are released in Djibouti, what is to stop them from crossing the border to Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, or even Yemen?
Thus, when this same person, who for many years was the richest man on earth and thus could pay off any government in the world, says he is pledging his money to Africa for “maternal and child health“, it raises concerns. Remember when Melinda Gates said that “family planning is vital” and pledged almost $5 billion to ensure that the African woman is less fertile, less encumbered and yes, she said more “liberated“. In a 2010 TED talk, Bill Gates expressed the hope that vaccines along with “family planning” could bring population growth to nearer zero.
An Akua’ba tucked into the wrapper of an Asante woman. Photograph by Herbert M. Cole, Ghana, 1972 (RandAfricanArt.com)
Why is the fertility of the African woman such a problem to these people (remember Macron and his monologue about African women having too many children?)? We do not worry about theirs, why worry about ours? In a world where some countries (Japan, Italy, South Korea, …) are facing population crises, not producing enough children to regenerate the society, and trying to find ways to circumvent this, why do these people have issues with African fertility? It is no secret that the African population represents 18% of the world’s population, and has the youngest population in the world.
Thus, when Bill Gates says he is pledging his money for the well-being of Africa… it is clear that Africans should treat it as a Trojan horse. Why Africa? As shown in the article by S. Ahmed, and others on India, there are 54 countries and governments in Africa with very poor control and thus there will be little accountability for anything that could possibly go wrong, and as Gates said about India, and maybe now Africa, it is so easy “to try things” on the continent without much control! Africans, beware of free money! There is no free lunch out here!
The 9th edition of VivaTech, Europe’s premier tech and innovation event, spotlighted Africa’s growing influence in the global tech ecosystem. Held in Paris, this year’s event highlighted artificial intelligence (AI) as the dominant trend, offering a unique opportunity for African nations to leapfrog into the digital future.
African Heritage 