Frustrated by the one-dimensional portrait of Africa? This podcast is for you. Africa is a diverse continent with a rich and complex history. Its image, however, appears stuck in the past despite decades of progress. On this podcast, we'll strive to reflect the true realities on the ground today and discuss issues driving Africa's challenges and growth. Join Nii Akrofi Smart-Abbey for honest conversations about modern Africa. New episodes every other Friday.
Ballet has long been seen as elitist — foreign, inaccessible, and out of reach for many across Africa. But that perception is shifting. As the art form gains popularity, a new generation of African instructors is stepping forward: certified, committed, and determined to make ballet more inclusive. In Ghana, Vivie’s Dance and Theater Academy (https://vdt.academy/) is leading the charge, offering training to children from all backgrounds (https://www.instagram.com/viviesdancetheatre/). Founder and CEO Vivian Boateng shares why investing in both students and teachers is essential to building a space where every body can belong.
Additional audio excerpts: Credit - 7News Australia, BBC Africa News, CBS Sunday Mornings
7 Nov 2025
Closing the Data Gap in African Education
Calls for education reform across Africa are not new, but the one ingredient necessary to facilitate these reforms - data - is not readily available in many countries. The Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) has rolled out a five-year initiative aimed at transforming how education data is collected, understood, and used across the continent. Inyang Umoren, Project Manager of the Tackling Education and Skills Data Challenges in Africa project at ADEA, breaks down the challenges associated with collecting education data and how better use of data can help in decision-making and plans for education reform. Click here (https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/qa-what-you-need-know-about-state-education-africa)to read a UNICEF brief on the state of education in Africa.
Additional audio excerpt: Credit - TEDxTalk (TEDxIUEA) and BBC News.
24 Oct 2025
The Cost of Africa’s Green Energy Dreams
Africa's green energy transition is underway, but without dedicated funding, some countries may be forced to delay or abandon it altogether. Despite contributing less than 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, Africa remains vulnerable to the impact of climate change. Research Fellow at the Climate Policy Lab at Tufts University and IPPG, Seth Owusu-Mante, unpacks the burden of the green transition: the cost, the politics, and how some African countries are forging ahead with their own limited resources. Read the IPPG paper on emissions levy here (http://www.ippgafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IPPG-Policy-Brief-A-Call-to-President-Mahama-Retain-and-Reset-the-Emissions-Levy-to-fund-Climate-Action.pdf).
Additional audio expert: Credit - BBC News
Reach and audience
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YouTube views
2,801
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Podcast Authority Score: 32 / 100
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Quality
37
Social presence
0
YouTube
68
Engagement
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