The State of Africa

Boluban and Grace Usenge explore the rich cultural identity of Kenya and Africa, the entrepreneurial spirit of Africans, and the challenges faced by women in business. Grace shares her experiences as an entrepreneur and mentor, emphasizing the importance of resilience and resourcefulness among African entrepreneurs. They discuss the impact of government policies on entrepreneurship and the signifi...

Gloria Kiconco, a Ugandan poet and writer, shares her insights on the complexities of African and Ugandan identity, cultural connections, and the challenges faced by artists and writers in Uganda. The discussion highlights the importance of unity among African nations, the role of young people in shaping the continent's future, and the need for greater support for the arts. Gloria emphasizes the r...

In this episode of the State of Africa podcast, Boluban engages with Koketso Mazimba, a South African entrepreneur and founder of Complia and Kina Sportswear. The conversation delves into Koketso's passion for Africa, discussing the continent's rich resources and potential for development despite its challenges. Koketso emphasizes the importance of a balanced mindset that values both culture and k...

If Namibia only exports hydrogen, it misses the bigger opportunity to industrialize. Green energy should develop Africa, not just clean Europe. If Africa doesn’t set the rules, history will repeat with better branding. TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@boluban_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boluban_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestateofafrica_ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bolub...

If Africa supplies the minerals but not the industries, it will power the world without powering itself. TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@boluban_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boluban_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestateofafrica_ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@boluban LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bolumayode

Guinea’s bauxite powers the world but the value is captured elsewhere. Guinea’s bauxite story is Africa’s story. It lacks control over value. Until Africa finishes what it starts, others will finish it for us and keep the profits. TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@boluban_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boluban_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestateofafrica_ YouTube: https://www.youtub...

In this engaging conversation, Boluban and Sinothando Ngubane explore the multifaceted challenges and opportunities facing Africa today. They discuss the critical role of youth in driving development, the importance of accountability in leadership, and the need for a collective effort among African nations to foster progress. Sinothando emphasizes the value of local talent and innovation, while al...

Your phone runs on African minerals. The world’s clean energy future runs through Africa. The future of tech runs through Congo. All because of Cobalt. Cobalt is leverage. The only missing piece? African control. Will Africa remain a supplier or become a partner? What Africa does with it will shape the next century. TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@boluban_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bolu...

Niger powers nuclear France but sits in energy poverty. Isn’t it obvious? The problem isn’t uranium. It’s power. Africa cannot power the world while remaining powerless. Africa has leverage and it is time to use it. TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@boluban_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boluban_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestateofafrica_ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@boluban...

Botswana didn’t get rich just by owning diamonds, owning the diamonds isn’t enough. Botswana got rich by controlling the system around them. They built an ecosystem for their diamonds to thrive and generate wealth. Africa doesn’t need more resources. It needs more strategy. TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@boluban_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boluban_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/t...

Tyla, Race and the Collision of African and American Identity. One word. Two histories. Africa and America don’t speak the same racial language but the global system expects Africans to translate themselves anyway. This was a case of cultural collision. TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@boluban_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boluban_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestateofafrica_ YouT...

Tyla, Afrobeats and the Battle for African Self-Definition When Tyla said “this isn’t Afrobeats,” she wasn’t rejecting Africa, she was only refusing to be flattened by people who didn’t want to understand her context. Naming is power. And Africa is learning to name itself again. TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@boluban_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boluban_ Instagram: https://www.instagram....

The Rise of the African Tech Scene (2010s–2020s) Africa built solutions from scarcity. These solutions built confidence which is very essential for freedom. TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@boluban_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boluban_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestateofafrica_ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@boluban LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bolumayode

We argue about Jollof because we know, deep down, we belong to the same table. So it’s not about rice, it’s about identity and shared culture. You only joke like this with family not with enemies. TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@boluban_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boluban_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestateofafrica_ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@boluban LinkedIn: https://w...

Afrobeats and The New African Sound (2010s–Today). Afrobeats went global by being African not by copying the world. Africa can only reclaim power by being African. TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@boluban_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boluban_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestateofafrica_ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@boluban LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bolumayode

The Return of the Benin Bronzes (2020s) The return of the Benin Bronzes is about identity today. It tells Africans, especially young Africans, that their ancestors were skilled and sophisticated. TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@boluban_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boluban_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestateofafrica_ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@boluban LinkedIn: https://ww...

The Resource Curse in Africa (20th–21st Century) Africa’s problem has never been a lack of wealth or resources. The African economy was designed to extract and not to build. The resource curse has shaped African politics, power and the African mentality. But it doesn’t have to shape the future. TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@boluban_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boluban_ Instagram: https:...

The Rise of Pentecostalism in Africa (Late 20th Century–Today). Pentecostalism rose where hope collapsed and systems failed. It was no accident. Faith became therapy and a mode of survival. TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@boluban_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boluban_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestateofafrica_ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@boluban LinkedIn: https://www.link...

The Birth of the African Union (2001). In 2001, Africa took a bold step toward unity. The AU may not be perfect but it is Africa speaking as one for the first time in centuries. TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@boluban_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boluban_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestateofafrica_ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@boluban LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/...

The Rwandan Genocide (1994). The Rwandan genocide was engineered through identity politics and propaganda. When we understand how division is created, we understand how to stop it. The real danger isn’t tribe. It’s the people who profit when tribes hate each other. TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@boluban_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boluban_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestateof...

Nelson Mandela’s Release & the Rebuilding of South Africa (1990s) Mandela taught Africa one of the hardest truths: forgiveness is a strategy. But only when paired with justice. TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@boluban_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boluban_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestateofafrica_ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@boluban LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/b...

The ANC vs Inkatha Rivalries (1980s) The ANC vs Inkatha conflict wasn’t “tribalism.” It was a strategy weaponized by apartheid to weaken the freedom struggle. A strategy that is still used today that Africans keep falling for and cannot seem to figure out. TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@boluban_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boluban_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestateofafrica_ Y...

Thomas Sankara and The Burkinabè Revolution (1983–1987) Thomas Sankara ruled for just four years. But he left a blueprint for a continent. He showed Africa what leadership without corruption looks like. The world remembers his death but his ideas are immortal. TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@boluban_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boluban_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestateofafric...

Fela Kuti & The Kalakuta Republic (1970s) The government sent soldiers, police and entire battalions after Fela but he never stopped singing. Fela Kuti showed Africa that music can confront power, challenge dictators and free people’s mind. TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@boluban_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boluban_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestateofafrica_ YouTube: http...

For 27 years, the apartheid government did everything to break one man, hard labour, isolation, censorship, starvation of information. But Nelson Mandela walked out stronger than he went in. TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@boluban_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boluban_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestateofafrica_ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@boluban LinkedIn: https://www.lin...