These ‘Giants of Global Africa’ give the lie to negative stereotyping of Africans

‘Global Africa” is a term popularised by the late Kenyan scholar Ali Mazrui and used to refer to African diasporas of enslavement and colonialism, covering the Americas, the Caribbean, Europe and the Indian Ocean.

My recently published Global Africa: Profiles in Courage, Creativity and Cruelty (Jacana) consists of 100 essays, written over the past three post-apartheid decades. They cover historical and political figures, technocrats, activists, writers, public intellectuals, music and film artists and sporting figures.

The essays seek to capture the zeitgeist of the post-apartheid era, arguing that Africa’s liberation struggles were mirrored by similar anti-colonial battles in the Caribbean as well as the American civil rights movement.

The book examines three historical figures: Cecil Rhodes, Mahatma Gandhi and Woodrow Wilson.

Rhodes was the greatest symbol of imperialism during the late 19th century, plundering Africa’s riches by often brutal means while expanding British colonial territory.

Wilson was the US president from 1913 to 1921. His supposedly “liberal” foreign policy entailed imperial “gunboat diplomacy” in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Gandhi has been widely lauded for his role in the liberation of the colonial world. His many racist utterances during his 21 years in South Africa (1893-1914) have, however, recently tarnished his legacy in Africa and beyond.

The book also provides kaleidoscopic profiles of 18 African and eight Western political figures: Ghana’s Kwame Nkrumah and two of South Africa’s Nobel peace laureates, Albert Luthuli and Nelson Mandela, as well as Thabo Mbeki, were all actively involved in Africa’s liberation movement as Prophets of the Pan-African Pantheon.

Mbeki was the heir of Nkrumah, with both acting as philosopher-kings seeking to craft a visionary pan-African foreign policy. Zambia’s Kenneth Kaunda and Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe both contributed greatly to the liberation of southern Africa, but instituted autocratic rule and oversaw catastrophic economic policies. FW de Klerk ruled an undemocratic apartheid state, but embarked on peacemaking with fellow Nobel laureate, Mandela, to usher in democratic rule.

Nigeria’s Olusegun Obasanjo and Ghana’s Jerry Rawlings were autocratic military rulers before becoming elected civilians, though Rawlings remained more popular among his citizens.

South Africa’s Jacob Zuma – dogged by allegations of graft – had a similar cunning “native intelligence” to Obasanjo’s, while controversial Nobel peace laureate, Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (who had funded Liberian warlord Charles Taylor during the country’s civil war in the 1990s), was a technocrat politician.

Ethiopia’s Meles Zenawi and Nobel peace laureate Abiy Ahmed both ruled as strong-fisted, intellectual freedom fighters. Zaire’s Western-backed Mobutu Sese Seko’s 31-year rule brought about the very chaos he had repeatedly argued that only he could prevent.

Uganda’s Idi Amin and Kenya’s Daniel arap Moi oversaw tyrannical regimes, mirrored by Rwanda’s Paul Kagame. Libya’s mercurial Muammar Gaddafi suffered from monarchical delusions of grandeur, while promoting a quixotic pan-Africanism.

US Democratic presidents – Bill Clinton and Kenyan-Kansan Nobel peace laureate Barack Obama – were both intelligent, charismatic but ultimately cynical leaders who, respectively, oversaw the forced withdrawal of UN peacekeepers from Rwanda at the height of the 1994 genocide, and the extended militarisation of Africa by the US military in the 2010s. 

American president Donald Trump, British prime ministers Margaret Thatcher, Tony Blair and Boris Johnson, and French president Nicolas Sarkozy all expressed prejudiced thinking towards Africa. The legacies of two US secretaries of state – Colin Powell and Madeleine Albright – are also assessed.

The perspectives, personalities and performance of 14 global technocrats are then examined: Egypt’s Boutros Boutros-Ghali; Ghana’s Nobel peace laureate Kofi Annan; Nigeria’s Adebayo Adedeji, Ibrahim Gambari, Margaret Vogt, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Eloho Otobo; Algeria’s Lakhdar Brahimi; Tanzania’s Augustine Mahiga; South Africa’s Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Naledi Pandor and Mamphela Ramphele; Argentina’s Raúl Prebisch; and France’s Jean Monnet.

I then turn to the legacies of seven activists from Global Africa: American civil rights stalwarts, Nobel peace laureate Martin Luther King Jr and John Lewis; Kenyan environmental  campaigner Wangari Maathai and her Congolese fellow Nobel laureate, anti-sexual violence campaigner Denis Mukwege (who unsuccessfully ran for his country’s presidency last year); martyred Nigerian environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa; and two martyred South Africans, Ruth First and Solomon Mahlangu.

Two Europeans are highlighted who contributed to Africa’s political (Tor Sellström) and journalistic (Kaye Whiteman) struggles.

I then analyse the rich diversity of African literature, starting with the influence of 19th-century British writer Charles Dickens on the continent’s writers, before profiling Nigeria’s Chinua Achebe, Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, Buchi Emecheta and John Pepper Clark, as well as America’s James Baldwin, Maya Angelou, Nobel laureate Toni Morrison and bell hooks.

Ten public intellectuals are then showcased who pioneered Africa’s Triple Heritage (Kenya’s Ali Mazrui); Post-Colonial Studies (Palestinian American Edward Said); Négritude Literary Criticism (Nigeria’s Abiola Irele); Post-Colonial African Literary Criticism (Kenya’s Chris Wanjala); the Political Economy of Rebel Movements in Africa (Malawian-Swede Thandika Mkandawire); the Politics of Rural Societies in Africa (Nigeria’s Raufu Mustapha); America’s Prison Industrial Complex (African-American Angela Davis); and the Struggles for Global Reparations (America’s Randall Robinson, Barbadian Hilary Beckles and Nigeria’s Ade Ajayi).

I examine the legacies of seven artistes: Iconoclastic, anti-establishment rebels, Nigeria’s Fela Aníkúlápó Kuti and Jamaica’s Bob Marley; American multiple Grammy-winning superstar Michael Jackson; Bahamian American Oscar-winning actor Sidney Poitier; Nigerian-British Oscar-nominated actress Cynthia Erivo; and Nigerian Grammy-winning Burna Boy and his songbird compatriot, Asa.  

I conclude by assessing the legacies of 21 of the greatest sporting figures in history: Three-time African-American world boxing heavyweight champion and civil rights campaigner Muhammad Ali; Afro-Brazilian three-time World Cup winner Pelé; Mozambican-born European footballer of the year Eusébio; Argentinian World Cup-winning captain Diego Maradona; Africa’s only Ballon d’Or winner, Liberia’s George Weah; five African players of the year: Cameroon’s Samuel Eto’o, Ivorian Didier Drogba, Egypt’s Mohamed Salah, Senegal’s Sadio Mané and Gabon’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang; the all-conquering anti-apartheid West Indian cricket team of Viv Richards, Clive Lloyd, Michael Holding and Joel Garner; American quadruple Olympic gold medal sprinter Jesse Owens; rugby’s first global superstar, New Zealand’s Jonah Lomu; Spanish tennis phenomenon Rafael Nadal; Nigerian American two-time NBA (National Basketball Association) champion Hakeem Olajuwon; and my late businessman father and sports administrator Israel Adebajo.

With negative stereotyping and widespread Afrophobic views of the continent and its diaspora still so rife in the Western imagination and media, it is critical to counter these views through these giants of Global Africa. DM

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Thailand’s ‘Humanitarian Corridor’ for Myanmar Faces Pushback

Armed Conflicts, Asia-Pacific, Civil Society, Development & Aid, Editors’ Choice, Featured, Headlines, Human Rights, Humanitarian Emergencies, Migration & Refugees, Sustainable Development Goals, TerraViva United Nations

Migration & Refugees

A Myanmar girl, displaced by war, sells cigarettes through the razor-wired border with Thailand near the frontier town of Mae Sot. Thailand is bracing for another influx of refugees. Credit: William Webb/lPS

A Myanmar girl, displaced by war, sells cigarettes through the razor-wired border with Thailand near the frontier town of Mae Sot. Thailand is bracing for another influx of refugees. Credit: William Webb/lPS

MAE SOT, Thailand, Mar 13 2024 (IPS) – The Maung family is rebuilding their lives in a foreign land. A freshly painted signboard with a play on the word Revolution declares their small restaurant is open for business, and breakfast features traditional Myanmar mohinga—rice noodles and fish soup.


Three years ago, the family of four was prospering in the central Myanmar city of Mandalay but suddenly everything changed. The military seized back power from the newly elected government, and thousands of people took to the streets in protest, including the Maungs. A brutal crackdown ensued across Myanmar, the father was arrested and their two restaurants seized.

Since the 2021 coup, the UN estimates some 2.4 million more people have been displaced by conflict across Myanmar, while 78,000 civilian properties, including homes, hospitals, schools, and places of worship, have been burnt or destroyed by the military.

The Maung family was wise to leave Myanmar when they could, and fortunate to survive the hazardous journey eastwards towards the border with Thailand. After spending a year in a border camp for IDPs run by the military wing of the Karen National Union (KNU) in eastern Kayin State, the family managed to cross into the Thai frontier town of Mae Sot to start afresh, even if they exist in a grey zone of legality alongside tens of thousands of others.

More waves of refugees are following in their footsteps.

“We have 750,000 IDPs in our territory,” said a senior official of the KNU, which has been waging the world’s longest civil war against successive Myanmar regimes since 1949. “A year ago, there were 500,000 to 600,000. Numbers are rising because the military is deliberately targeting civilians,” he told IPS in Mae Sot, asking not to be named.

Myanmar refugees in Thailand pick out clothes piled in the street that have been donated in the border town of Mae Sot. Credit: William Webb/IPS

Myanmar refugees in Thailand pick out clothes piled in the street that have been donated in the border town of Mae Sot. Credit: William Webb/IPS

Against this background and wanting to preempt an influx, Thailand’s new coalition government announced its intention last month to open up a ‘humanitarian corridor’ into Myanmar to funnel aid to IDPs and keep them well away from the border.

Thailand’s military—the real arbiter of power in these border regions and holding sway over two parties in the coalition—is haunted by the spectre of past and present examples of chaos through conflict. In the 1980s, Thailand reluctantly hosted several hundred thousand Cambodian refugees, including remnants of the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime, on its eastern borders. Today it looks west and sees Bangladesh struggling to contain in camps some one million Rohingya refugees forced out of Myanmar in what the UN special rapporteur on human rights called a genocidal campaign by the Myanmar military.

But beyond the ‘humanitarian’ aspect, what has caused anger within the various groups fighting the Myanmar military as well as rights activists, is Thailand’s own admission that its humanitarian corridor proposal is aimed at drawing the regime’s State Administration Council (SAC) into a dialogue that would lead to a negotiated settlement with Myanmar’s diverse resistance forces.

Neither the KNU nor the parallel National Unity Government set up by ousted Myanmar lawmakers after the coup were consulted by Thailand, which received a green light from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Under Thailand’s initiative, aid would be delivered initially to 20,000 IDPs by the Thai Red Cross and the Myanmar Red Cross (whose senior administrators are former military officers) and monitored by ASEAN’s Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management, where the Myanmar junta also has a presence.

“Aid is used everywhere in the world as a political entry point,” the KNU official commented. “This is not a pure humanitarian issue. They want to bring the SAC out of isolation. This is very problematic for us.”

A senior NUG official, also based in Thailand, was similarly concerned by the political intentions behind the proposal.  “It’s a desperate measure by ASEAN seeking a semblance of negotiated peace and dialogue,” he told IPS.

The official doubted it would get off the ground in its present form without the support of the Karen forces that control large areas of Kayin State, nor without the full backing of the US.

The US values its long-held strategic ties with Thailand and its military, and Thai Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara returned from Washington last month, declaring that he had secured complete US support for the initiative, although the US public statement appeared more cautious.

Human rights activists and humanitarian workers on the Thai-Myanmar border remain highly sceptical of the initiative, denouncing it as a “weaponization of aid”.

Thailand, they note, has never officially recognized the refugee status of nearly 100,000 people living in nine UNHCR camps along the Thai-Myanmar border since the 1990s.

“This is not about providing humanitarian aid to the people of Myanmar. It is about giving a new lifeline to the junta to re-engage with ASEAN and everybody else,” commented Paul Greening, a former UN senior staff officer and now independent consultant in Mae Sot.

“Neighbours and other international actors, including the US and China, do not want the junta to fall. They do not want the junta to win but they do not want it to fall either. This is why they all want a ‘negotiated settlement’,” he said.

Igor Blazevic, a senior adviser at the Prague Civil Society Centre who previously worked in Myanmar, said a “carrot” was being held out to the Myanmar regime at a time when it was “seriously weakened and shaken” after losing large areas of territory to resistance forces both in Rakhine State in the west and in Shan State close to China.

“A political aim behind the ‘humanitarian initiative’ is the intention to treat genocidal power-usurpers in uniform as the inevitable and unavoidable key factor in Myanmar’s ‘stability’ and with combination of soft pressure and humanitarian incentives, try to force everybody else to surrender, in a soft way, to ongoing military dominance in politics and the economy,” Blazevic wrote in a commentary.

With the UN warning that nearly two million people in Myanmar are expected to fall into the “highest category of needs severity (catastrophic)” this year, the resistance is aware that they will come under intense international pressure not to reject the Thai initiative.

Recent developments indicate Thailand may rethink its proposal, however. It has opened channels with the KNU and the NUG to discuss their involvement in facilitating aid deliveries through Myanmar civil society organisations independent of the regime. Word has it that the Myanmar Red Cross is not that keen to be directly involved, knowing it is too close to the regime to be able to safely deliver aid to those who have suffered atrocities at its hands.

For the Maung family and their small eatery in Mae Sot, a dream would be to return to Mandalay and Myanmar in peace. But they have little hope of such an outcome, nor do they really want to remain in Thailand, along with over two million other Myanmar workers, classified as migrants, not refugees.

For the moment, life revolves around navigating Thailand’s complex and often corrupt system to secure papers that would give them a degree of legitimacy and enable them to move beyond Mae Sot and surrounding Tak Province. A possible lifeline is an ethnic Chinese branch of their family with members in Taiwan.

“Taiwan could be our future,” says the elder of two daughters, who still dreams of going to university. “I can learn Chinese,” she says, in excellent English.

IPS UN Bureau Report

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ABCD Africa 100 Most Impactful Voices List (2nd Edition)

Released to mark 2024 International Women’s Day

ABCD Africa is proud to announce the release of the 2nd edition of the 100 Most Impactful Voices List to mark 2024 International Women’s Day. This list recognizes African female coaches, content creators, and community builders who leverage their voices and digital content as tools for impact.

In a world grappling with unprecedented challenges ranging from climate crises to systemic injustices, the voices of women are more crucial than ever. 

Through the 100 Most Impactful Voices list, we shine a spotlight on women who harness the power of digital platforms to address these pressing issues head-on. 

They are the architects of transformation, leveraging their voices to dismantle barriers, challenge norms, and uplift communities across various digital platforms, including Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, TikTok, Netflix, Podcasts and Blogs.

“We are thrilled to unveil the 100 Most Impactful Voices in Africa and amplify their contribution. We hope that this list inspires other women to use their voices, create impactful content, and shape conversations that contribute to the development of a more equitable and inclusive society,’’ says Joke Pearl Oyebamiji, Founder of  ABCD Africa.

The selection process was rigorous and thorough, with nominations received from digital experts and the general public. The finalists were evaluated based on their creativity, impact, authenticity, and engagement.

Here they are (This list is in no particular order):

Click HERE to download the full magazine.

  1. Dr. Oby Ezekwesili 🇳🇬 

Economic and Human Capital Policy Expert, Good Governance Champion

Dr. Oby Ezekwesili is an eminent figure in Nigeria, renowned for her expertise in economic policy, advocacy for transparency, and commitment to good governance and human capital development. A former vice president at the World Bank, she has championed initiatives like #BringBackOurGirls, lending her voice to pressing issues and driving crucial conversations through her social media platforms where she has over 1.4 million followers.

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  1. Yemisi Adegoke 🇳🇬 

Senior Reporter, BBC

Yemisi Adegoke, a former CNN Africa journalist and current BBC Africa reporter, has garnered acclaim for her incisive journalism. With a focus on addressing misinformation, she engages audiences with thought-provoking storytelling that raises awareness and sparks dialogue about pressing issues in Africa.

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3.Dr. Addy Olubamiji 🇺🇸 

EdTech Pioneer & Founder at D-Tech Centrix Inc

Dr. Addy Olubamiji, is the CEO of D-Tech Centric Ltd. and Founder of STEMHub Foundation Canada, where she champions STEM education and empowerment for youths and immigrants through training programs and digital content. 

A Nigerian-American technologist and pioneer in metal and plastic additive manufacturing, she broke barriers by becoming the first Black person to obtain a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan. 

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4.Nozipho Tshabalala 🇿🇦 

Conversation Strategist 

Nozipho Tshabalala, a renowned conversation strategist and award-winning financial markets broadcaster, excels in moderating global conversations for measurable outcomes. With courage and insight, she navigates difficult discussions for leading global institutions, listed multinational corporations, and civil society organizations.

As an executive director at LRMG and a faculty member for Duke Corporate Education, Nozipho is committed to leveraging conversations for transformative change in Africa and beyond.

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5.Stella Ndekile 🇳🇬 

Founder/CEO, Nuban Beauty Ltd

Stella Ndekile, a visionary serial entrepreneur, host of « Walk with Stella » show, and author of “Success Uncharted,” leads Nuban Beauty Ltd, a premier cosmetic brand catering to African skin tones. 

With over a decade of experience in business development and cosmetics, Stella empowers individuals to feel confident through her premium beauty products and impactful digital content.

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6.Chinyere Okorocha 🇳🇬 

Chairperson, Nigerian Bar Association Women Forum

Chinyere Okorocha, Chairperson of the Nigerian Bar Association Women Forum, is a distinguished IP and medico-legal lawyer.

Passionate about empowering female professionals, she founded the Heels & Ladders Career Mentorship Club, providing invaluable guidance for career advancement through her digital content and programs. 

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7.Fatma Said Kauga 🇹🇿 

Executive Director, Doyenne Tanzania

Fatma Said Kauga is the visionary Founder and Executive Director of Doyenne Organization, dedicated to nurturing the next generation of female leaders in Tanzania. 

Recognized as a Gratitude Network Fellow and a Perennial Leadership Fellow, Fatma is committed to empowering youth and women to drive sustainable change through various initiatives and digital content.

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8.Esther Ijewere Nigeria 🇳🇬 

Media Strategist, Founder – Women of Rubies

Esther Ijewere, a renowned media strategist and author, is the Founder of Women of Rubies, championing women’s rights and empowerment. Recognized for her impactful advocacy, Esther’s work has earned prestigious awards and accolades, including the Women Enterprise Award from Vital Voices International.

Through her platforms and initiatives, Esther inspires positive change and celebrates individuals making a difference.

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  1. Nana Agyemang 🇬🇭 

CEO/Founder – EveryStylishGirl, Multimedia Journalist

Nana Agyemang is a multimedia journalist, creative strategist, and writer known for her impactful work with The Cut, Refinery29, ELLE Magazine, New York Times, and BBC News.

As the founder of EveryStylishGirl, she champions diversity and empowerment in fashion and media, creating a vibrant community that amplifies the voices of women of color and advances opportunities in the industry.

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  1. Dr Chinasa Amadi 🇳🇬 

Int’l Board Certified Lifestyle Medicine Physician

Dr. Chinasa Amadi, a Russian-trained Medical Doctor and Board Certified Lifestyle Medicine Physician, champions holistic healthcare in Africa.

Founder of Ariella Health and Fitness Ltd, she empowers communities through Africa’s first Digital Lifestyle Medicine Practice, offering CPD accredited health coaching courses and reaching thousands worldwide with her digital content.

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  1. Toyin Oluwafimidara Poju-Oyemade 🇳🇬 

Producer & Documentary Filmmaker at StoryTeller Media Global

Toyin Poju-Oyemade is a seasoned media professional with over 16 years of experience spanning radio, television, and documentary filmmaking.

As the founder of StoryTeller Media, she is dedicated to curating powerful conversations and showcasing the journeys of everyday people. With a passion for storytelling, Toyin has collaborated with various organizations, producing qualitative documentaries that inspire and resonate.

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  1. Aisha Falke

Founder – Northern Hibiscus Community, Chairperson – Falke Group of Companies

Aisha Falke is a serial entrepreneur and visionary leader dedicated to empowering Northern Nigerian women and youth. As the Founder of Northern Hibiscus Community which has over half a million followers, she leverages her passion for storytelling and community building to drive positive change.

Through initiatives like the Northern Youth Summit and Edu-Kids Academy, she strives to tackle poverty and educational challenges in Northern Nigeria.

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  1. Lynn Ngugi

Media Personality, Youtuber

Lynn Ngugi, an award-winning journalist and YouTuber, is renowned for her captivating coverage of human interest and societal issues.

Transitioning from her role at Tuko to her self-titled YouTube show which has amassed over 850,000 subscribers, Lynn has garnered international acclaim for her impactful storytelling.

Recognized with prestigious awards like the BEFFTA Best International Media Personality and the Gender Justice Champion Award, she continues to inspire change through her advocacy.

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  1. Adedayo Tosin Olufemi 🇳🇬 

Founder, Newmumshub.com

Adedayo Tosin Olufemi, the visionary founder of Newmumshub.com, passionately advocates for new mothers through her online platform which boasts of over 130,000 followers.

New Mums Hub serves as a nurturing community, offering support and guidance to mothers embarking on the journey of motherhood. 

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  1. Reni Odetoyinbo 🇨🇦 

Content Creator, Marketing Consultant & Finance Educator 

Reni Odetoyinbo, a Canadian-Nigerian blogger, empowers women worldwide through her transformative resources on financial literacy and lifestyle tips. 

Recognized by YouTube as part of the prestigious #YouTubeBlack Voices Class of 2022, Reni’s engaging video content inspires women to take control of their financial futures and pursue their professional aspirations.

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  1. Iquo Ukoh 🇳🇬 

Culinary Expert, Author & Podcaster

Iquo Ukoh, a Nigerian food expert, consultant, and podcaster, celebrates the richness of Nigerian cuisine through her blog, 1Q Food Platter. Her cookbook, “Memories on a Platter,” documents her culinary journey and promotes Nigerian identity through food.

Iquo’s irresistible presentations and delicious recipes educate and inspire food lovers while reflecting her commitment to preserving Nigerian culture.

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  1. Aissata Sidibe 🇨🇮 

Founder – Afrique Femme, Founder – Yelenba Women in Action 

Aissata Sidibe N’Dia is the President and founding member of Yelenba-Women in Action, an NGO dedicated to empowering women and raising awareness among young girls in Ivory Coast.

With over 18 years of experience in communications and an MBA from the University of Maryland, USA, she founded the Afrique Femme platform, which has over 150,000 followers. Aissata champions African women leaders through her show, African Woman 2.0.

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  1. Chinny Ononuju-McErnest 🇳🇬 

Founder – The Women International 

Chinny Ononuju-McErnest is the Founder of The Women International (TWI), where she leads a global movement empowering women through various initiatives and digital content across multiple countries.

Chinny’s marketing expertise, showcased at W Agency, is utilized to amplify the impact of renowned foundations and NGOs, driving societal change.

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  1. Ogheneyonreme Karika 🇳🇬 

Global Community builder

Ogheneyonreme Karika is a Networking and People Strategy Expert. Karika educates thousands of entrepreneurs and professionals globally through her social media platforms on personal branding and networking, accelerating their careers and business visibility.

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  1. Ife Durosinmi-Etti 🇳🇬 

Founder, Hereconomy

Ife Durosinmi-Etti, founder of Herconomy, is dedicated to empowering women in business through funding, mentorship, training programs, and impactful digital content.

Herconomy provides a platform for women to connect, save money, and access opportunities, aiming to address the challenges of funding and self-development faced by women.

Ife’s passion for women’s empowerment has led to impactful initiatives and partnerships with global organizations like Amazon and Google.

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  1. Arian Simone 🇺🇸 

Co-Founder & CEO – Fearless Fund

Arian Simone is the Co-Founder and General Partner of Fearless Fund, the first VC fund by women of colour for women of colour. With over 17 years of entrepreneurial experience, she pioneers initiatives supporting Black women entrepreneurs.

Despite legal opposition, her work in economic empowerment and advocacy uplifts underrepresented founders, challenging systemic barriers to diversity, inclusion and economic empowerment.

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  1. Victoria James 🇳🇬 

Fashion Designer 

Victoria James, known as Veekee James, is an award-winning fashion designer, content creator, and social media influencer.  Her brand, Veekee James, inspires creativity and elegance globally with unique, custom-crafted pieces.

With over 1 million Instagram followers, she shares her faith through her gospel podcast – Bible Stories With VJ.

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  1. Shakirat (Ronke) Edoho 🇨🇦 

Recipe Developer, Founder – Atarefoods, Lose It Nigerian, Jollof Code

Ronke Edoho, a Nigerian-born Chartered Accountant and certified nutritionist, is the culinary genius behind 9jafoodie. Through her platform, Ronke celebrates Nigerian cuisine while promoting wellness through nutrition.

Her blog offers authentic recipes, cooking tips, and nutritional insights, empowering her audience to make healthier food choices and embrace the richness of Nigerian food culture.

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  1. Joycee Awosika 🇳🇬 

Founder/CEO, ORíKì Group

Joycee Awosika is a visionary entrepreneur known for building impactful global companies in wellness, manufacturing, and tech sectors. As Founder of ORiKi Group, she has expanded wellness spas across Africa. 

Leveraging her expertise, impactful digital content, and transformative programs, she empowers entrepreneurs with systems, structure and faith-based advisory. 

Featured in CNN, CNBC, and Ebony Magazine, Joycee’s leadership inspires women worldwide.

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  1. Hayet Rida 🇬🇭 

CEO/Creative Director, Khoi

Hayet Rida, a Ghanaian-born entrepreneur and influencer, is known for her resilience and creativity in the fashion and lifestyle industry. From founding luxury candle brand AÏYA CANDLE CO to launching her jewelry line, KHOI Studio, she’s a master of pivoting failures into success.

With a passion for empowering others, Hayet shares her life experiences openly, inspiring her followers to embrace confidence and self-love.

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  1. Haoma Worgwu 🇳🇬 

Linkedin Growth Expert 

Haoma Worgwu is an award-winning thought leader and LinkedIn expert, renowned for helping business owners and professionals maximize opportunities on the platform. Her impactful digital programs, including the “20 Days LinkedIn Growth Program,” have impacted thousands globally.

Recognized as one of the top LinkedIn creators in Nigeria, Haoma’s influence extends to global forums, earning her accolades from the United Nations and Goldman Sachs.

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  1. Adenike Adebayo-Esho 🇺🇸 

Actress, Director & Content Creator

Adenike Adebayo-Esho, a Nigerian-born actress, director, and storyteller, captivates audiences with her talent and dedication to storytelling.

Known for her roles in acclaimed productions like “Reach” and “Make It or Break It,” she brings depth and authenticity to each character.

Through her work, Adenike entertains, inspires, and sparks important conversations.

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  1. Dr. Tewa Onasanya 🇳🇬 

Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, Founder – Exquisite Magazine

Dr. Tewa Onasanya, a British-Nigerian philanthropist, publisher and mindset stylist, is the visionary behind Exquisite Magazine and the ELOY Awards.

Through her platforms, initiatives and digital content, she celebrates excellence in fashion, beauty, and entertainment while promoting empowerment and self-confidence.

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  1. Claudia Lumor 🇬🇭 

UN Ambassador (UNFPA), Founder – Glitz Africa

Claudia Lumor, founder and editor-in-chief of Glitz Africa, has transformed the fashion landscape in West Africa through her influential lifestyle publication. As a UN (UNFPA) Ambassador for Ghana, Claudia is dedicated to promoting and telling inspiring African stories. Her innovative work has earned her numerous awards and accolades. 

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  1. Sola Adesakin 🇳🇬 

Finance & Wealth Coach, Founder – Smart Stewards

Sola Adesakin is a seasoned finance coach and chartered accountant. Through Smart Stewards Financial Advisory Limited in Nigeria and the USA, she has transformed lives financially across 40 countries, guiding people from financial stress to rest, from debt to wealth, and from mediocrity to an extraordinary life.

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  1. Claire Eniola Idera Nnani 🇳🇬 

Artist, Founder – CI Workshop & Cladini

Claire Idera Nnani is a versatile artist known for her delicate portrayals of the transformative journey of young black women. Her work, inspired by personal journals and introspection, explores themes of identity and growth through whimsical elements and vibrant colors.

With a background in architecture and fashion design, Claire also shares her creative expertise through teaching and authentic lifestyle content on her YouTube channel where she has amassed over 52,000 subscribers.

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  1. Candy Olatunji 🇳🇬 

Certified Health Coach, Weight Management Expert.

Candy Olatunji, a Certified Health Coach and Weight Management Expert, transforms lives by providing tailored guidance on maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

With over half a million followers across digital platforms, Candy educates on calories, metabolism, and simple fitness routines through ebooks and personalized coaching sessions. 

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  1. Hannah Kupoluyi 🇬🇧 

Founder – All Women’s Network, Podcast Host

Hannah Kupoluyi, founder and CEO of All Women’s Network, is a multi-award-winning business coach and advocate for women’s empowerment.

Through transformative initiatives like Discover Your Business Spark workshops, she empowers women to overcome challenges and thrive in business.

Hannah’s strategic use of impactful content, coupled with her dedication to women’s advancement, has earned her recognition as a UN Women delegate and numerous prestigious awards.

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  1. Dr. Inya Lawal 🇳🇬 

Social Entrepreneur, Founder – Africa Creative Market Global

Inya Lawal is a social entrepreneur and founder of Ascend Studios Foundation and the Africa Children’s Creative Network, dedicated to empowering women, youth, and nurturing creative skills in children.

She leads Ascend Studios, producing impactful  TV and feature content while consulting for brands. Inya’s leadership extends to international programs, board memberships, and receiving honors for her contributions to women’s leadership and global trade development.

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  1. Prophet Olabisi Adamu 🇳🇬 

Minister, Entrepreneur, Coach

Olabisi Adamu, founder of Ignite Nations Ministry, is a Prophet, Intercessor, and seasoned teacher of God’s word. With a passion for spiritual growth and business empowerment, she leads thousands in prayer daily and owns Pro Thirty One Designs, an interior design showroom in Abuja.

Through her ministry, businesses, digital content, and philanthropic initiatives, Olabisi ignites individuals to excel spiritually and prosper in all aspects of life.

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  1. Solafunmi Oyeneye 🇬🇧 

Founder – Wealth Motley

Solafunmi Oyeneye is a seasoned Media, Tech, and Entertainment Executive with over 15 years of experience. Passionate about financial empowerment, Solafunmi runs Wealth Motley, a platform dedicated to teaching financial literacy and wealth creation, reaching over 75,000 individuals.

As the VP of Business & Strategic Partnerships at Circo, she drives innovation in African storytelling. 

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  1. Titoluwa Sam-Oladapo 🇳🇬 

Christian Content Creator/ Influencer 

Titoluwa Sam-Oladapo, known as Titothewriter, is a writer, culture shaper, and advocate breaking the silence on vaginismus through her book “Pop My Cherry Now.” She shares her journey of living with and overcoming vaginismus, addressing stigma and sexual assault. 

Through her Instagram and YouTube, Tito discusses faith-led Christianity, emphasizing grace over condemnation and shattering sexual stigma in the gospel and society.

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  1. Pretty Amagbakhen United States 🇺🇸 

Licensed Mental Health Therapist 

Pretty Amagbakhen, a licensed mental health therapist and ADHD coach, courageously addresses mental health issues and dismantles stigma. With empathy and intuition, she offers invaluable support through her social media content, fostering a safe space for her audience to thrive. 

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  1. Yacine Diop Djibo 🇸🇳 

Founder & Executive Director – Speak Up Africa 

Yacine Diop Djibo, Founder of Speak Up Africa, is a leading voice in Africa’s public health landscape. Since 2011, her organization has tackled issues like malaria and sanitation, fostering collaboration with African leaders.

Yacine’s influence extends to multiple boards, including the RBM Partnership to End Malaria. 

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  1. Sola Allyson

Singer 🇳🇬 

Sola Allyson-Obaniyi, known as Shola Allyson, is a renowned Nigerian soul and folk singer-songwriter. She’s a voice coach and consultant, sharing her vulnerability and soulful storytelling to inspire personal growth and spiritual reflection.

Her music, including hits like “Eji Owuro” and “Obinrin Ni Mi,” blends traditional Yoruba folk with contemporary gospel. 

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  1. Tito Bez-Idakula 🇬🇧 

Writer, Author, Founder – My Lighthouse 

Bolatito Bez-Idakula, known as Tito, is the Founder of My Lighthouse, a faith-based blog. With a background in banking and a passion for sharing God’s love, she writes on self-identity, self-love, and honest motherhood stories. 

Through vulnerable narratives on social media, Tito aims to inspire healing, encourage deeper spiritual connections, and empower others to live their best lives.

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  1. Adetoke Oluwo 🇳🇬 

Founder – SGTC Clothing, Content Creator

Adetoke Oluwo is a dynamic TV producer, screenwriter, and Creative Director of the renowned Ankara ready-to-wear fashion brand, Sgtcclothing. From covering international fashion events to training entrepreneurs, Adetoke’s journey reflects her passion for both fashion and business.

Through her Instagram page where she reaches over 67,000 followers, she shares daily tips to uplift and empower others, while unashamedly expressing her love for Jesus.

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  1. Dizigbordi Kwaku 🇬🇭 

High-Performance Coach, Founder & CEO – DCG Consulting Group 

Dizigbordi Kwaku is a seasoned Business Leader with nearly three decades of experience in corporate America and Africa. As the Founder and Chief Strategist of The DCG Consulting Group, she specializes in personal development, professional growth, and talent development.

Through her professional work, training programs, and digital content, Dizigbordi is dedicated to empowering individuals and organizations to reach their full potential.

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  1. Maryam O. Belgore 🇳🇬 

Founder, Mob Foundation 

Maryam O. Belgore is a dedicated advocate for Youth & Girls Empowerment in Nigeria. Through her NGO, the Maryam Onikijipa Belgore Foundation, she tirelessly works to improve the lives of underprivileged youths & girls by providing access to education and essential supplies.

Through her talk-show, “Unraveling with Maryam,” she shares insights on life and gratitude.

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  1. Hauwa Ojeifo 🇳🇬 

Mental Health Advocate

Hauwa Ojeifo is a trailblazing advocate for mental health awareness and women’s rights in Nigeria. As the Executive Director of She Writes Woman, she empowers individuals with lived mental health experiences to share their stories, co-create solutions, and advocate for their rights.

Hauwa’s groundbreaking work has garnered international recognition, including prestigious awards from organizations like the Queen’s Young Leaders and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

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  1. Oluseye Yemisi Aderonke 🇳🇬 

Holistic Health & Nutrition Coach

Oluseye Yemisi Aderonke, fondly called DIBIA, is a Certified Holistic Nutrition Practitioner, Health Coach, and Naturopath. As the founder and CEO of FD Naturales & Essential Oils Ltd, she inspires wholeness in individuals through holistic health and wellness practices.

With a passion for natural alternatives, she has helped thousands regain their health through educational posts, holistic programs, and her authored books.

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  1. Aya Chebbi 🇹🇳 

Speaker, Founder – Nala Feminist Collective, I Am Nala Podcast 

Aya Chebbi, a Tunisian diplomat and passionate pan-African feminist activist, made history as the youngest senior official in the African Union’s history. 

Through various initiatives, storytelling and her podcast – I am Nala, she advocates for youth empowerment and the advancement of women’s rights. 

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  1. Ifeoma Chuks-Adizue 🇳🇬 

Commercial Director, Founder – Uncommon Woman Movement

Ifeoma Chuks-Adizue is a seasoned leader with over 18 years of experience driving growth in people and organizations across Africa.

As the Founder of the Uncommon Woman Movement, she empowers black career women to unleash their potential, achieve career success, and create impactful businesses through her transformative programs and digital content.

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  1. Habibah Waziri 🇳🇬 

MD, BGR Consulting

Habibah Waziri, a seasoned Human Capital Strategist and Business Solutions expert with nearly a decade of experience regularly shares her expertise through digital content, panels, keynotes, and workshops globally.

As the Managing Director/CEO of BGR Consulting Ltd, she implements human capital development programs and business growth strategies across Africa.

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  1. Irene Kiwia 🇹🇿 

Tech Entrepreneur, Women & Youth Proponent 

Irene Kiwia is a seasoned entrepreneur with over 17 years of experience in media, marketing communications, and technology. As the Founder of Adanian Labs, Twaa, eCOBbA, and The Africa Blockchain Center, she is dedicated to empowering women and youth across Africa.

Irene’s innovative digital content & impact tech platforms aim to provide access to finance, communities, and capacity building, driving wealth creation for women in Africa.

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  1. Blessing Oyeleye Adesiyan 🇳🇬 

Founder – Mother Honestly

Blessing Oyeleye Adesiyan is a leading voice, recognized for her pioneering work in building robust care infrastructure for today’s workforce. As the Founder & CEO of Mother Honestly and Caring Africa, she leads initiatives aimed at advancing workplace equity globally through her programs, offerings, and digital content. 

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  1. Yeside Olayinka-Agbola 🇳🇬 

Intimacy Coordinator/Director for Tv & Film

Yeside Olayinka-Agbola, also known as ‘Olori Coitus,’ is a certified sexual and reproductive health educator and intimacy expert. Through her enterprise, Olori Coitus, she challenges taboos around sex in Nigeria, providing sexual health education and coaching to individuals and couples.

As the host of the Olori Coitus Podcast, she explores relationships, sex, pleasure, and intimacy, empowering listeners with knowledge they wish they had growing up.

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  1. Marieme Jamme 🇬🇧 

Founder – iamtheCODE

Mariéme Jamme, a Senegalese-born French-British Technologist and Young Global Leader, is the CEO of Spotone Global Solutions and founder of iamtheCODE. 

Through iamtheCODE, she mobilizes global support to empower 1 million girls in STEAMD education by 2030. 

Mariéme’s inspirational podcast and Instagram series blend Japanese and African philosophies to bring joy and purpose to her audience, while her advocacy for marginalized communities resonates worldwide.

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  1. Ndidi Nwuneli 🇳🇬 

President – ONE Campaign, Founder – LEAP Africa

Ndidi Nwuneli is an expert on African agriculture, entrepreneurship, and youth development. As the co-founder of AACE Foods & Sahel Consulting, she works to improve nutrition in Africa. Recognized globally, she serves on several boards and is committed to changing narratives about Africa through food.

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  1. Uche Pedro 🇳🇬 

CEO – Bella Naija

Uche Pedro is the visionary founder of BellaNaija, Africa’s foremost lifestyle and advocacy digital media company. With over 12 million active users, BellaNaija has revolutionized creative industries across Africa.

Uche’s influence extends beyond media, as she champions positive change through initiatives like #BNDoGood. Recognized as one of Africa’s most powerful women by Forbes, Uche is dedicated to fostering progress for Africa’s emerging generations.

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  1. Rorisang Thandekiso 🇿🇦 

Presenter, Content Producer, Speaker

Rorisang “Rori” Thandekiso is a versatile South African talent, renowned as an actress, musician, and presenter. As the lead vocalist of MuzArt and a former YOTV presenter, she has left an indelible mark on South Africa’s entertainment landscape.

With acting roles in popular TV shows, hosting gigs on prominent platforms like Mzansi Insider, and her digital content, Rori engages her over 400,000 followers with her bubbly personality and unwavering dedication to youth advocacy.

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  1. Temilade S. Olanrewaju 🇳🇬 

Climate Education & Communications Expert

Temilade Salami Olanrewaju is a Climate Education and Communications Expert, dedicated to driving environmental change in Nigeria. As the Executive Director of “EcoChampions”, she leads initiatives in climate education, tree planting, and plastic waste management.

Through her digital content, books and poetry, she creatively advocates for environmental consciousness and self realization.

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  1. Abolanle Matel-Okoh 🇳🇬 

CEO – BMO Advisory Services, Executive Coach

Bola Matel-Okoh is a seasoned attorney and Non-Executive Director with over 30 years of legal experience. As the Lead Coach and Founder of BMO Advisory Services and The Women’s Lifestyle Hub, she empowers executive women to achieve personal and professional excellence.

Through her transformational programs and digital content, she guides women to unlock their full potential.

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  1. Entle Mmipi 🇧🇼 

Founder, Finpowerment Botswana

Entle Mmipi is the founder of Finpowerment Botswana, which aims to impact the youth with financial literacy and entrepreneurship skills through age-appropriate and interactive methods, as a way to assist in alleviating poverty and unemployment in Botswana.  

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  1. Banke Fasominu 🇳🇬 

Product Designer, CEO – Oludidit

Banke Fasominu is the CEO and Creative Director of Oludidit, a renowned creative enterprise specializing in arts and crafts. With a passion for blending African and Western elements, she transforms imaginations into tangible products, from interior decor accessories to stationeries.

Banke also shares her wisdom through her video series “Dear Young Lady,” offering authentic life advice distilled from her own experiences.

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  1. Dr. Yetunde A. Omede 🇺🇸 

Professor of Global Affairs & Politics 

Dr. Yetunde A. Omede, Ph.D., is a professor at Farmingdale State College and Director of Community and Civic Engagement. A Fulbright Specialist Scholar, she champions good governance and global ethics.

Her work spans academia, policymaking, and humanitarian efforts, earning her numerous awards, including induction into Rutgers University’s African-American Hall of Fame. As a global speaker and author, Dr. Yetunde empowers youth and women worldwide to effect positive change.

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  1. Hilary Rodriguez-Taiwo 🇳🇬 

UK Certified Cosmetics Scientist 

Hilary Rodriguez-Taiwo, a Nigerian Cosmetic Scientist, brings science to skincare. With a BSc in Cosmetic Science, she’s formulated for Procter and Gamble and consulted for brands like Lancôme and Chanel.

As founder of Hilary Says, she champions quality beauty products for all skin types. Her platform offers research-driven advice, empowering individuals to make informed skin care choices.

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  1. Mariama Khai Fornah 🇨🇲 

CEO, Hands of Hope Radio 100.5 FM

Mariama Khai Fornah is a seasoned journalist, gender activist, and visionary leader. With over 18 years of experience, she has reported on significant events, including the trials of former President Charles Taylor in The Hague.

As CEO of Hands of Hope Radio 100.5 FM, Sierra Leone’s first woman-owned radio station, she addresses critical issues such as livelihood, gender, governance, and education, aiming to inspire hope and resilience in communities.

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  1. Rajaatu Muhammed Ibrahim 🇳🇬 

Culinary Expert, Founder – Diary of a Northern Cook

Rajaatu Muhammed Ibrahim, popularly known as Chef Rajah, is the culinary genius behind the « Diary of a northern cook » brand which has amassed an impressive following of over 190,000 on instagram.

Chef Rajah shares her passion for cooking, lifestyle, and culture, providing a glimpse into her world through tantalizing recipes and engaging storytelling. 

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  1. Amanda Chenai Makombe 🇿🇼 

Founder, Kumbekumbe Arts Trust

Amanda Chenai Makombe is a versatile professional excelling in creative design, research, and project management. As the founder of Kumbekumbe Arts Trust, she utilizes various art forms to engage, facilitate, and advocate for community issues, amplifying the voices of young people.

Amanda’s dedication to storytelling and creative expression empowers others and drives positive change in Zimbabwe.

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  1. Ada Ujaligwa 🇺🇸 

Fashion & Lifestyle Blogger

Ada Ujaligwa is a Nigerian-born digital creator, community builder, and lifestyle influencer. Through her Facebook platform where she reaches over 167,000 followers, she shares insights and tips on health, style, fashion, beauty, skincare, and travel.

Her engaging posts and authentic approach make her a trusted voice in the fashion and lifestyle community, impacting lives and fostering a sense of empowerment among her followers.

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  1. Angella Summer Namubiru 🇺🇬 

Director and Co-Founder – Blacare 

Angella Summer Namubiru, East Africa’s most-followed TickToker with over 6.2 million followers, engages her audience with her vibrant personality and empowering content. Proud of her dark skin, she uses her platform to advocate for social issues like the dangers of skin bleaching and equal rights for women and children. 

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  1. Bisi OlaSoetan 🇬🇧 

Marriage Coach, Founder – Secret Place Wife Community

Bisi Ola Soetan is on a mission to help couples achieve beautiful marriages, God’s way. With expertise in pre-marital and marital counseling, she shares invaluable insights and practical tips for building healthy relationships via her Instagram platform where she reaches over 165,000 followers.

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  1. Dr. Yvonne Ofodile 🇳🇬 

MD- Zetile Oil and Gas, Founder – 360 Woman Africa

Yvonne Ofodile, MD of Zetile Oil and Gas and Founder of 360 Woman Africa, is a leading advocate for women’s entrepreneurship in Nigeria. With over a decade of experience in oil and gas, she empowers women through her digital content and transformational coaching programs.

Yvonne’s impact extends beyond business as she mentors aspiring women entrepreneurs through platforms like the Academy of Women Entrepreneurs. 

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  1. Fatima Beyina-Moussa

CEO – ECAir, President of The African Education Foundation (AEF)

Fatima Beyina-Moussa is a trailblazing leader in African aviation, renowned as the CEO of ECAir, the national airline of the Republic of Congo.

Additionally, Beyina-Moussa serves as President of the African Education Foundation, demonstrating her commitment to advancing education and socioeconomic development in Africa. 

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  1. Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal 🇳🇬 

General Manager of the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs.

Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal is a multifaceted professional, radio host, lawyer, and  life coach. As the founder of Amputees United Initiative and The Gratitude Hub, she empowers persons with disabilities and fosters gratitude through her initiatives and digital content.

She currently serves as the General Manager of the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs.

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  1. Lumbiwe Lulu Limbikani 🇿🇲 

Founder, Cumacatu

Lulu Limbikani, co-founder of Cumacatu, champions girls’ and women’s empowerment in Zambia. Through education and training sessions, Cumacatu provides back-to-school support and fosters basic financial literacy and farming skills.

Lulu’s commitment to education and technology integration in the classroom drives her advocacy for lifelong learning and gender empowerment.

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  1. Ella Chioma Ezeadilieje, PhD 🇳🇬 

Story Teller

Ella Chioma Ezeadilieje, a seasoned storyteller, helps businesses craft compelling narratives to enhance brand engagement. Through her digital content, ebooks, and live training, she empowers brands to connect with their audience on a deeper level, impacting lives and forging stronger connections in the process.

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  1. Rebecca Enonchong 🇨🇲 

Founder and CEO AppsTech

Rebecca Enonchong, a pioneering tech entrepreneur from Cameroon, founded AppsTech, a global enterprise applications provider. Recognized by the World Economic Forum and Forbes, she’s celebrated for her advocacy in promoting technology in Africa.

Enonchong’s Twitter presence as @Africatechie has garnered over 200,000 followers, establishing her as a leading voice in African tech circles. 

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  1. Dr Anino Emuwa 🇳🇬 

Founder – 100 Women @Davos, Global Women’s Leadership Expert

Dr. Anino Emuwa, an internationally recognized management consultant, leads the innovative Avandis Consulting, shaping entrepreneurial ecosystems at the nexus of innovation, finance, and human capital development.

A fervent advocate for gender balance, she spearheads global initiatives like Women@Davos and the African Women CEOs Network. 

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  1. Ivy Wanjiru 🇰🇪 

Digital Creator, Financial Literacy Champion

Ivy Wanjiru Mugo, known as ‘Just Ivy Africa,’ is an acclaimed Digital Creator and Financial Literacy Champion. With her expertise as an Award-Winning Marketer, Ivy empowers individuals through her captivating content and investment insights.

Through ‘The Movers Society,’ she cultivates a vibrant community dedicated to financial enlightenment, personal growth, and enjoyment.

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  1. Folake Kehinde 🇳🇬 

Serial Entrepreneur, Business Coach

Folake Kehinde, popularly known as Folake Aya Akanni, is a serial entrepreneur and business coach, specializing in marketing and sponsored ads. Through her digital content and innovative training programs, she empowers business owners with the skills and tools to elevate their visibility and drive sales.

Her unique ability to break down complex business concepts into actionable ideas makes her platform stand out.

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  1. Kisiwaa Gyan 🇬🇭 

Youth Bridge Foundation Programs Officer

Eunice Kisiwaa Gyan is a multifaceted young professional, blending her diverse experiences in Human Resources, Diplomacy, compliance, and Media Relations with a strong social media presence, reaching audiences passionate about professional development and cultural enrichment. Notably, she holds a Masters degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy from the University of Ghana and a degree in Political Science from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). 

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  1. Chioma Ifeanyi-Eze 🇳🇬 

Accountant, Founder – Accounting Hub

Chioma Ifeanyi-Eze, a Chartered Accountant and entrepreneur, is dedicated to fostering sustainable growth in African SMEs. With over 11 years of experience in finance and business consulting, she founded AccountingHub in 2015 to provide virtual and retail tech-accounting services tailored to SMEs’ needs. 

Through her digital content and training programs, she has supported hundreds of thousands of entrepreneurs in Nigeria, reaching over 160,000 followers via Facebook.

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  1. Esther Amba Numaba Cobbah 🇬🇭 

Chief Executive Officer, Strategic Communications Africa Limited

Esther A.N. Cobbah is the CEO and Lead Communication Strategist of Stratcomm Africa Ltd., a top-tier marketing communication agency she founded. With over 35 years of experience in both local and international communications, Esther excels in developing comprehensive strategies utilizing diverse media channels.

Her pioneering work in establishing communication departments for organizations like GNPC and Chevron has left an indelible mark on Ghana’s corporate landscape.

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  1. Dr Kehinde Nwani 🇳🇬 

Social Reformer, Leadership Coach, CEO – Meadow Hall Group

Dr. Kehinde Nwani, CEO of Meadow Hall Group and astute educationist, is driven by her passion for leadership excellence.

With over 30 years of experience in building sustainable businesses, she empowers individuals and organizations with proven strategies to build a leadership pipeline for organizational continuity through her digital content and transformational programs.

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  1. Abir Ibrahim 🇸🇩 

Associate Director of Africa at the World Economic ForumAbir Ibrahim, a Sudanese-American development practitioner, serves as the Associate Director of Africa at the World Economic Forum in Geneva, Switzerland. With a background in public health and psychology, she has spearheaded impactful initiatives in social and economic development, gender mainstreaming, and global health. 

Abir’s mission-driven approach has led to significant contributions, from heading the Private Sector portfolio at UNICEF in Sudan to founding Inua Naturals Inc., empowering marginalized women farmers and artisans.

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  1. Toyosi Etim-Effiong Nigeria 

CEO – That Good Media

Toyosi Etim-Effiong, a distinguished media entrepreneur, spearheads That Good Media, promoting authentic African narratives globally. Recognized as one of Nigeria’s inspiring women by Leading Ladies Africa, she empowers aspiring media professionals through workshops, demonstrating her commitment to the growth of Nigeria’s creative sector.

Through her Instagram platform, she reaches over 200,000 followers, sharing inspiring faith-based narratives.

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  1. Elizabeth Wathuti 🇰🇪 

Environmentalist & Climate Activist

Elizabeth Wanjiru Wathuti, a Kenyan environmentalist and climate activist, founded the Green Generation Initiative to nurture young people’s love for nature and environmental consciousness. Through her initiative, she has planted 30,000 tree seedlings in Kenya, contributing significantly to environmental sustainability and raising awareness about climate change through her digital campaigns.

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  1. Madame Joyce 🇬🇧 

Media Influencer/Podcaster

Madame Joyce, a charismatic media influencer and podcast host of Nigerian descent, captivates audiences with her wit and humor. Co-hosting the podcast “Cocktails and Takeaways” on Apple and Spotify, she delves into human stories while sharing her love for cocktails.

With engaging content on Instagram, Tiktok and YouTube, where she has a combined following of over half a million, she entertains and inspires her followers.

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  1. Danièle Sassou Nguesso

Founder, SOUNGA Foundation

Danièle Sassou Nguesso, Founder of the SOUNGA Foundation, champions education and gender equality through initiatives like Le Petit Samaritain. Her impactful work resonates across Africa, earning her prestigious awards for fostering inclusivity and empowerment. 

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  1. Clara Chizoba Kronborg 🇪🇸 

Media & Social Entrepreneur,  Host – Women’s World Show

Clara Chizoba Kronborg is an international media & social entrepreneur, talk show host and creative director. As the host of Women’s World Show and a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, Clara has long championed the power of storytelling across various media platforms.

From captivating talk show episodes to visionary content creation and aspiring film productions, her commitment to sparking inspiration and fostering societal change shines through.

Clara Chizoba Kronborg is set to make history with a Guinness World Record attempt for the Longest Interviewing Marathon. The attempt will hold between March 8 and 10 2024, in Marbella, Spain.

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  1. Omolabake Matthew 🇳🇬 

Founder – Workingmumdiary

Omolabake Matthew, a Social Entrepreneur and Tech Opportunities Advocate, is the founder of Working Mums Diary, and co-founder of Nutrition4kidsng and MumsNTech. She has cultivated a supportive space where mothers can connect, share experiences, and seek guidance on their journey through parenthood.

Through her digital content and innovative programs, she empowers moms to upskill and advance their careers. 

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  1. Ineza Umuhoza 🇷🇼 

Eco-Feminist

Ineza Umuhoza Grace is an eco-feminist and climate activist. As the CEO of The Green Protector and co-founder of the Loss and Damage Youth Coalition, Ineza spearheads transformative efforts to combat climate crisis effects and empower vulnerable communities.

Through advocacy, education, and storytelling, she amplifies youth voices and demands justice for those affected by climate-related loss and damage. 

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  1. Toyin Onigbanjo 🇳🇬 

Founder/CEO, August Secrets

Toyin Onigbanjo is an award-winning child nutrition advocate and founder of August Secrets, a pioneering child nutrition company in Nigeria. Through her innovative cereals, best selling recipe book, and digital content, she aims to combat malnutrition and promote healthy eating habits among African children.

Toyin’s dedication to improving child nutrition has earned her recognition, including the prestigious Graca Machel Gender Lens Award.

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  1. Jessica Ufuoma 🇨🇦 

Travel Content Creator

Jessica Ufuoma, a Nigerian travel creator and influencer, shares her adventures with her dedicated community of over 200K followers. Through compelling content, she not only inspires others to explore the world. Passionate about travel representation, she aims to empower more people, especially women of color, to embark on their own journeys.

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  1. Iyore OV 🇨🇦 

Fashion Influencer

Iyore, a prominent Nigerian-born fashion influencer, captivates audiences with her impeccable sense of style and beauty. Through her vibrant and trend-setting content, she inspires her followers to embrace their individuality and express themselves confidently through fashion.

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  1. Rhodaline Nanah Animah 🇬🇭 

Founder, African YouTubers Hub

Rhodaline Nana Animah, Founder and Leader of African YouTubers Hub, is a visionary empowering content creators across Africa. Committed to nurturing creativity and fostering community, she offers vital resources, mentorship, and collaborative opportunities to YouTubers at every stage of their journey.

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  1. VANESSA NAKATE 🇺🇬 

Environmentalist, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador

Vanessa Nakate, a climate justice activist from Uganda, gained prominence in 2018 for raising awareness about the alarming rise in temperatures in her country. Her tireless activism and advocacy, and impactful digital content aim to combat climate change and promote environmental justice on a global scale.

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  1. Itiayo Ogunsanwo 🇳🇬 

Head Photographer at BOJ Studios

Itiayo Ogunsanwo is a talented photographer renowned for her expertise in concert, event, and portrait photography. As the Head Photographer at BOJ Studios, she leads a team of creatives in producing captivating imagery that tells compelling stories.

Through her Instagram platform, she regularly shares content creation tips to the delight of over 129,000 enthusiasts who currently follow her.

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  1. Pelumi Nubi 🇬🇧 

Travel content creator

Pelumi Nubi, is a travel content creator, and first Black woman to embark on a solo trip from London to Lagos. On Saturday, January 30th 2024, she embarked on a 2-month solo trip from London to Lagos. Starting from England, Ms Nubi will traverse 17 countries in two months and explore every city and country.

If successful, Ms Nubi will set a record and become the first black woman to drive from London to Lagos, but she said ‘the journey is not about breaking records.’ 

According to her, it is about showing the world that ‘impossible’ is just a word, especially when someone has enough grit and determination.

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  1. Dr. Joy Isa 🇳🇬 

President, Isa School of Education

Dr. Joy Isa, a seasoned educator and counselor, is dedicated to shaping the future of education in Africa. With extensive experience in international schools and educational leadership roles, she founded the Isa School of Education (ISED) to empower educational leaders across the continent.

As a sought-after facilitator and mentor, Dr. Isa also drives change through her counseling programs and digital content.

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  1. Kate Kallot 🇨🇫 

Founder & CEO – Amini

Kate Kallot, CEO and Founder of Amini, is pioneering innovative solutions to address the critical issue of data scarcity in Africa. Through her Nairobi-based startup, she harnesses satellite imaging and AI technology to collect and analyze environmental data at a granular level.

Her groundbreaking approach coupled with impactful storytelling empowers communities with actionable insights to tackle pressing environmental challenges, driving positive change for a sustainable future.

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  1. Zim Flores 🇺🇸 

Investor & Developer 

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UNWRA Chief Warns Agency’s Fate ‘Hangs in the Balance’

Aid, Civil Society, Development & Aid, Featured, Headlines, Humanitarian Emergencies, IPS UN: Inside the Glasshouse, Middle East & North Africa, Peace, Sustainable Development Goals, TerraViva United Nations

Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), briefs reporters at UN Headquarters.

Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), briefs reporters at UN Headquarters.

UNITED NATIONS, Mar 6 2024 (IPS) – UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini asked the UN General Assembly to urge member states to support the organization’s mandate during this period of unprecedented crisis for the region and the agency. He also called for member states to facilitate a “long-overdue political process” for the two-state solution for Israel and Palestine. Only then, in this context, should UNRWA be allowed to transition.


He was speaking at an informal session of the General Assembly on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). This was convened to discuss the ongoing situation with UNRWA’s capacity as a humanitarian and human development agency in Gaza.

Despite its existence for 75 years, UNRWA’s presence was always intended to be temporary. “It is a stain on our collective conscience that for 75 years, UNRWA has had to fill a vacuum left by the lack of a political solution and genuine peace,” said Lazzarini.

The ongoing hostilities in the Gaza Strip and the resulting destruction of UNRWA facilities, which have disrupted humanitarian services in the region, have led to calls to seek alternatives that can deliver on the scale of the agency or to raise concern about whether other agencies can deliver the necessary humanitarian aid.

“UNRWA is facing a deliberate and concerted campaign to undermine its operations and ultimately end them,” said Lazzarini.

Lazzarini argued that dismantling UNRWA during the current crisis would be shortsighted, given that the agency was designed to provide public services such as education and primary healthcare in a region without state authority. “The notion that the Agency can be dismantled without violating a host of human rights and jeopardizing international peace and security is naïve at best,” he said.

Speaking at a press briefing that same day, Lazzarini told reporters, “We can only feel that the worst is yet to come.” He remarked that since January, aid delivery to Gaza has decreased by 50 percent. Since then, famine has become all but inevitable.

Remarking on the dual investigations into UNRWA’s operations, Lazzarini stated that the investigations were necessary as an accountability measure. These investigations were announced after it was revealed that he had terminated the contracts of 12 staff members who were allegedly involved in the October 7 attacks. Lazzarini added that the “swift decision” to terminate the contracts, as well as the investigations, would likely reflect the agency’s ability to follow through on recommendations from a risk management review.

Lazzarini admitted, however, that he had not anticipated the swift action that 16 donor countries took to suspend their funding in the wake of the allegations, which he revealed were conveyed to him in an oral manner.  “I have no regret,” he said, referring to his response to the allegations, “but to be honest, I did not expect that… over the weekend, 16 countries would take that decision.”

The UNRWA chief also indicated that most donor countries would consider resuming their support. For those donor countries, the pressure to pull support came from domestic or public opinion that seems divided over UNRWA rather than foreign policy considerations.

There is some promise that UNRWA will continue to deliver on its mandate with the help of donor states, as was seen with the European Commission’s decision to continue funding the agency, starting with a pledge of 50 million euros. However, this will only go partway into filling the gap of 450 million USD left by the 16 donor countries. Lazzarini warned that without additional funding, the agency would be in “uncharted territory” and would have “serious implications for global peace and security.”

The atrocities that were committed on and since October 7 have only resulted in increasing devastation and tragedy. The international community, as embodied by the General Assembly on Monday, seems largely united in their calls for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza and for the safe release of all hostages.

Yet the ongoing hostilities in the region have prevented the UN and its agencies from fulfilling their mandate to safely provide critical emergency aid. Five months on, there is a seeming lack of forward momentum within the Security Council to deliver a ceasefire resolution. UNRWA has been contending with compounding existential questions about its survival as an agency from hostile forces in the Gaza Strip and beyond who call for its dissolution.

IPS UN Bureau Report

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Freedom of Speech Is Silenced in Nicaragua

Civil Society, Democracy, Editors’ Choice, Featured, Freedom of Expression, Headlines, Human Rights, Latin America & the Caribbean, Press Freedom, Regional Categories, TerraViva United Nations

Press Freedom

Abigail Hernández (left) appears at a press conference with journalist Wendy Quintero, a member of Independent Journalists and Communicators of Nicaragua at the headquarters of the Nicaragua Nunca Más Rights Collective. CREDIT: José Mendieta / IPS

Abigail Hernández (left) appears at a press conference with journalist Wendy Quintero, a member of Independent Journalists and Communicators of Nicaragua at the headquarters of the Nicaragua Nunca Más Rights Collective. CREDIT: José Mendieta / IPS

MANAGUA, Mar 5 2024 (IPS) – Almost six years after the outbreak of the April 2018 protests, there are no signs left in Nicaragua of the violence that reigned in those days. There is no graffiti on walls or banners with demands or opinions against the leftist regime that has ruled the country since 2007.


Nor are there newspapers or opinion programs or debates on radio and television, let alone press conferences or public rallies.

“The Ortega and Murillo regime’s repressive mechanisms have escalated to dramatic and unimaginable levels. A simple opinion issued on social networks or a criticism of the regime could land you in jail or exile.” — Martha Irene Sánchez

The city of Managua, the capital, is always bustling and active, with markets and shopping malls open at all hours; traffic is usually disorderly and police patrols roam the streets and avenues at all times.

At noon every day, on all radio and television stations, the tired, quiet voice of Vice President Rosario Murillo is heard giving the government’s news, social achievements and propaganda messages such as phrases of love and praise to God.

The program, which has no specific name, is broadcast from Channel 4, the historical property of the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN), the ruling party, to which the other state media are linked. The private media outlets controlled by the presidential family are also connected, together with dozens of radio stations and portals on social networks.

It first emerged in 2007 as “a message from comrade Rosario, from the Communication and Citizenship Council of the People’s President.”

“Here we are, on Valentine’s Day, with love, friendship, and for us, love and peace, because it is with love and in peace that we can walk ahead, move forward, building the future of all, a fraternal future,” she said on Feb. 13.

Murillo has been Nicaragua’s vice president since she was appointed in 2016 by her husband, President Daniel Ortega, the veteran former guerrilla who has been in office since November 2006.

Murillo is also the regime’s spokesperson and the only authorized voice, among the population of 6.7 million inhabitants of this Central American country, who can speak publicly and freely about anything. No one else can do so.

Freedom of expression in Nicaragua is one of the most repressed and abused rights, said journalist Abigail Hernández, director of the Galería News platform.

Journalist and former political prisoner Lucía Pineda Úbau, together with Martha Sánchez, take part in a protest by Nicaraguan journalists exiled in Costa Rica. CREDIT: José Mendieta / IPS

Journalist and former political prisoner Lucía Pineda Úbau, together with Martha Sánchez, take part in a protest by Nicaraguan journalists exiled in Costa Rica. CREDIT: José Mendieta / IPS

Her opinion, tellingly sent via an encrypted messaging application, is based on experience: three years’ exile.

“The media and journalists are a good thermometer for measuring the quality of freedom of expression,” Hernández told IPS.

“When we have less and less access to sources of information, when they limit us from reporting from the streets, when we can’t take photos or videos freely, when we can’t do our work inside the country, it reveals that there is no freedom of expression,” she said.

She is part of a generation of 242 journalists who have had to go into exile since the 2018 protests, which began against Social Security reforms and ended in a bloodbath provoked by military and police forces, with more than 355 civilian deaths, according to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR).

Journalist Martha Irene Sánchez, director of the República 18 platform, holds similar views, also expressed from exile.

“The scenarios for exercising freedom of the press and freedom of expression in Nicaragua have not improved since 2018; on the contrary, we are encountering more and more hostility,” she told IPS.

She is also a member of Independent Journalists and Communicators of Nicaragua (PCIN), a union organization that emerged after the protests and all of whose members went into exile.

“The Ortega and Murillo regime’s repressive mechanisms have escalated to dramatic and unimaginable levels. A simple opinion issued on social networks or a criticism of the regime could land you in jail or exile,” Sánchez said.

A forum for the presentation of the report on freedom of expression and press freedom in Nicaragua, released in September 2023 in San José, Costa Rica. The panel included journalists from Nicaragua from the Connectas platform, including FLED director Guillermo Medrano, (second-right). CREDIT: José Mendieta / IPS

A forum for the presentation of the report on freedom of expression and press freedom in Nicaragua, released in September 2023 in San José, Costa Rica. The panel included journalists from Nicaragua from the Connectas platform, including FLED director Guillermo Medrano, (second-right). CREDIT: José Mendieta / IPS

She cited the example of Victor Ticay, a local journalist in Nandaime, a municipality in the northwestern department of Granada, who went out one day to cover a procession during the Catholic Holy Week of 2023.

The event had not been authorized by the police, whose agents interrupted the religious ceremony and Ticay filmed the parishioners running away from the patrol cars through the streets of the town.

He was arrested, charged with treason and spreading false news and sentenced to eight years in prison.

Guillermo Medrano, director of the Foundation for Freedom of Expression and Democracy (FLED), explained to IPS that between 2020 and 2021, the Nicaraguan regime passed a series of laws criminalizing the practice of journalism and freedom of expression.

A study that FLED released in September 2023 in San José, Costa Rica, a country bordering Nicaragua and the center of the country’s exile community, documented 1329 press freedom violations, mostly perpetrated by state agents in the 2018-2023 five-year period.

The actions were taken against 338 Nicaraguan journalists and 78 media outlets, between April 2018 and April 2023.

They included the police intervention of several media outlets such as 100% Noticias, Confidencial, Trinchera de la Noticia, Radio Darío and La Prensa, the last newspaper circulating in Nicaragua until August 2022.

According to Medrano, the Special Law on Cybercrime, passed in October 2020, provides for prison sentences for the use of information “which in normal democracies should be freely accessible to citizens and the public.”

In theory, the main objective of this legislation is the prevention, investigation, prosecution and punishment of crimes committed by means of information and communication technologies to the detriment of natural or legal persons.

The press freedom advocate also pointed out that the Ortega-Murillo administration, which controls all state institutions and branches of power, as well as the security forces, established the Law for the Defense of the Rights of the People to Independence, Sovereignty and Self-Determination for Peace, effective since Dec. 22, 2020.

This law gives discretion to judges and prosecutors in terms of the crime of “treason”, which orders the banishment and denationalization of the accused, as well as life imprisonment through a reform of the penal system.

More than 180 people have already been prosecuted under these laws and at least 22 journalists were stripped of their citizenship and banished in 2023.

“Under these laws, freedom of speech and the press has become a high-risk constitutional right for those who exercise it within Nicaragua,” Medrano denounced.

A report by the regional organization Voces del Sur says that Nicaragua ended 2023 with new forms of repression and threats to press freedom applied through banishment, confiscations, illegal detentions and harassment and surveillance of the families of journalists working in exile.

The outlook, the report warns, is of greater silence about social issues.

Nicaraguan journalists conduct interviews under risk of persecution or criminalization, denounced several reporters in San José, Costa Rica, in August 2023. CREDIT: José Mendieta / IPS

Nicaraguan journalists conduct interviews under risk of persecution or criminalization, denounced several reporters in San José, Costa Rica, in August 2023. CREDIT: José Mendieta / IPS

According to the report, between 2018 and the end of 2022, 54 media outlets disappeared, including 31 radio stations, 15 television channels and eight print media outlets. Of that total, 16 media outlets were confiscated, including La Prensa, the country’s main daily newspaper.

“Sources, even under conditions of anonymity, are harder and harder to find, and the saddest thing is that the State, through its officials, continues to be the main victimizer of citizens’ rights of expression and journalists’ press rights,” Medrano complained.

The non-governmental Human Rights Collective Nicaragua Nunca Más, made up of human rights defenders and activists in exile, states that the Ortega-Murillo administration “has carried out an unprecedented attack on freedom of expression in this country.”

The organization reports that of 28 resolutions of precautionary measures for journalists in Latin America, which have been issued since 2018 by the IACHR on freedom of expression, 15 have been issued for Nicaragua.

However, it says that “none of the precautionary measures” have been complied with by the State and, on the contrary, harassment against the targets has increased.

“And that reveals to us the seriousness of the problem of a small country with disproportionate and unacceptable restrictions on fundamental freedoms,” said one of the agency’s advocates, on condition of anonymity for security reasons.

These complaints find no responses within Nicaragua, because with the exception of Murillo, no one is authorized to answer, but can simply repeat the official discourse: “Nicaragua lives in peace and security.”

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International Women’s Day, 2024Progress Hinges on Feminist Leadership

Civil Society, Democracy, Editors’ Choice, Featured, Gender, Global, Headlines, Human Rights, IPS UN: Inside the Glasshouse, TerraViva United Nations

Opinion

The following opinion piece is part of series to mark International Women’s Day, March 8.

PORT LOUIS, Mauritius, Mar 4 2024 (IPS) – Investing in inclusion requires more than electing and initiating women leaders. It requires a coordinated effort to change mindsets and systematically increase investments. This will allow feminist leaders, individually and collectively, to fully exercise their agency and counter targeted attacks on their safety and legitimacy.


A great deal of attention has been paid to the accomplishments of women in politics and society in recent years. Joan Carling, Francia Marquez, Maria Ressa, Amira Osman Hamed, and Narges Mohammadi have received global accolades for their vision and fearless activism.

Amid the pandemic, women leaders like Jacinda Ardern, Sanna Marin, Tsai Ing-Wen, and Angela Merkel outpaced their strongman counterparts by leading complex responses. During this period, the UN achieved gender parity in its senior leadership, including its national missions and peace operations, for the first time in history.

The leadership of women has been visible not just in institutions but also on the streets. Across the world, women human rights defenders have acted boldly for change despite severe restrictions. Movements such as #MeToo, #FreeSaudiWomen, #NiUnaMenos and #AbortoLegalYa are examples of women advancing systemic change for equality and justice. Women led peaceful demonstrations and civil disobedience actions as part of the Sudan uprising in 2018.

In 2022, the killing of Mahsa Amini sparked a large-scale and intersectional uprising for democracy. Across borders, Iranians demonstrated for ‘Women, Life, Freedom.’ They hit home the point our societies are incomplete if women are denied the right to participate in political, economic, and societal activities fully.

While the United States made headlines with its Supreme Court ruling restricting abortion rights in 2022, other countries like Ireland, San Marino, Colombia, and Mexico have turned the tide. They legalized abortion following years of struggling for their right to choose.

An uphill battle

Despite these achievements, there has been no respite in the attacks targeting women’s rights and their leadership. Civic space has never been worse since the launch of CIVICUS Monitor in 2018. 118 countries now face serious civic space restrictions. Only 2.1 percent of the world’s population lives in countries with open civic space. Intimidation, protest disruption, and detentions of protesters were the top violations documented in 2023.

These repressive strategies are extensively used to push back against women’s and LGBTQI+ people’s rights. Gender and sexuality remain at the centre of a culture war waged by a well-organised and funded international network of anti-rights forces leveraging these issues for political advantage.

South Korea’s national election in 2022 stands out as an example of how disinformation distorted the public and policy discourse against women’s rights. In his campaign, South Korea’s president-elect, Yoon Suk Yeol, actively legitimized the notion that moderate advances in gender equality were responsible for young men’s struggles in the current labour market. He pledged to abolish the Ministry for Gender Equality and Family and promised to increase punishments for the offence of making a false claim of sexual assault, a move likely aimed at making it harder for women to report real crimes.

But women are fighting back, in South Korea and elsewhere. Despite relentless anti-rights disinformation campaigns and owing to multi-year advocacy efforts, Indonesians passed a Sexual Violence Bill to criminalise forced marriage and sexual abuse and enhance protections for victims. In Spain, a new Law on the Guarantee of Sexual Freedom, based on the principle of consent, was passed to challenge widespread impunity for sexual and gender-based violence.

Women made up less than 34 percent of country negotiating teams at the COP27 climate conference, and only seven of the 110 world leaders were present. In response, gender equality was featured as a key theme during the COP28 climate conference last year.

A ‘Decision on Gender and Climate Change’, which lays the basis for future advancement of gender equality and women’s rights in future COP processes was adopted and 68 parties endorsed a Gender-Responsive Just Transitions & Climate Action Partnership, which includes a package of commitments on finance, data and equal opportunities.

Feminist leaders

In the recent past, several countries have elected or inaugurated their first-ever female political leaders. This includes Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu Hassan, Honduras’s Xiomara Castro, Slovenia’s Natasa Pirc Musar, and Peru’s Dina Boluarte. In Australia, a newly elected progressive government included a record number of women and brought the welcome promise of a U-turn on its predecessor’s policies of climate denial.

And yet, other contexts have provided a stark reminder that female leadership isn’t necessarily a victory for women, especially when feminist leadership principles aren’t at the fore. Examples include Hungary’s first female President, Katalin Novak, a close ally of authoritarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and a staunch supporter of his anti-gender policies. Italy’s first woman Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, has also, unfortunately, loudly touted anti-feminist values.

For generations, women have been subjected to rules they’ve had no role in making. Women’s movements all over the world have experienced the frustration of unsuccessfully calling for laws that benefit women. They have been struck down by the countries’ legislative bodies, made up mostly of men. Globally, women still have only three-quarters of the legal rights afforded to men. They continue to be grossly underrepresented in the places where decisions are made on issues that deeply affect them.

Invest in a feminist future

According to UN data, feminist organizations receive only 0.13% of official development assistance. Only five percent of government aid is focused on tackling violence against women and girls, with no country on track to eradicate intimate partner violence by 2030. If current trends continue, more than 340 million women and girls will still live in extreme poverty by 2030.

Close to one in four will experience moderate or severe food insecurity and as many as 236 million more women and girls will be food-insecure under a worst-case climate scenario. While progress has been made in girls’ education, women’s share of workplace management positions is estimated to remain below parity, even by 2050.

When CIVICUS interviewed Terry Ince from the CEDAW Committee of Trinidad and Tobago, she highlighted, “Women are running but not necessarily winning. To win, they would need financial and coordination support. It is not just about being in the room, but at the table, contributing, being listened to and having their ideas examined, pushed forward and implemented.”

There is a lot left to do to ensure greater representation at all levels. Only four women have been elected as president of the UN General Assembly in its 76-year history. The UN has never had a woman Secretary-General.

The 2024 International Women’s Day arrives with women heavily impacted by conflicts, crises, democratic erosion, and anti-rights regression. On the 8th of March, women will take to the streets in solidarity with those experiencing the brunt of regression. We collectively resist and take action and celebrate victories scored thanks to longstanding struggles.

The struggle for justice and progress will continue until we realize the dream of a healthier, safer and equitable world for all. To make this reality come true, we must invest in women and feminist future.

Lysa John is Secretary-General of CIVICUS, a global alliance of over 15,000 members working to strengthen citizen participation and defend civic freedoms. She has championed human rights and international mobilisation for over twenty-five years, starting her journey with grassroots organisations in India and subsequently spearheading trans-national campaigns for governance accountability. Her former roles include working as Global Campaign Director for Save the Children and Head of Outreach for the UN panel that drafted the blueprint for the Sustainable Development Goals. She can be reached through her LinkedIn page or X handle: @lysajohnSA.

IPS UN Bureau

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