Meet Albert Luthuli, the first African to win the Nobel Peace Prize for his nonviolent fight against apartheid. As the leader of the African National Congress, he became well-known in South Africa's anti-apartheid movement. In this role, his views on justifiable violence were tested and evolved. We explore his story of perseverance and courage. Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod and Twitter: itsacontinent. It's a Continent (published by Coronet) is available to purchase:...

Chocolate is something we all know and love to consume. However, it’s no secret that cocoa as a commodity has its roots in something a lot more sinister. Human rights campaigners continue calling on global chocolate companies to recognise the role the cocoa trade has played in enabling poverty and child labour, particularly in countries such as Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana - West Africa's top cocoa producers. Does the continent remain, in the words of Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo, locked in...

The CFA franc is one of Africa’s most baffling and misunderstood currencies. Introduced in 1945 to keep France’s African colonies under control, it has withstood decolonisation. Today, the CFA franc operates in 14 African countries and remains managed by France. Its existence remains controversial, with the currency described as ‘one of the straitjackets that keeps the African countries dependent on France.’ In this episode, we unravel the history of the CFA franc and its potential...

Andrée Blouin fought ardently for her belief in independence from imperial power. We look at her life, legacy and how colonial law impacted her experiences: from growing up in an orphanage, to losing her son from a treatable illness. Blouin used her experiences to advocate for women's rights both against traditional customs and European imperialism. How did she end up on the periphery of post-independent African history? Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod and Twitter: itsacontinent. It's a...

Calls for reparations have come at a time where we’ve seen the Head of State be removed in Barbados and the returning of looted items like Benin Bronzes, Patrice Lumumba’s tooth and skulls stolen during the Namibian genocide. In this episode we look at the case for reparations: its definition, political origin and what it could look like. Thank you for your support this year and see you in 2023! Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod and Twitter: itsacontinent. It's a Continent (published by...

In this episode, we explore Lusophone Africa, that is, Portuguese-speaking Africa, through the lens of the revolutionist and Pan-Africanist Amílcar Cabral. Cabral played a critical role in ending colonial rule in Guinea-Bissau and Cabo Verde. We follow his story, legacy, and impact on the rest of Lusophone Africa.  Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod and Twitter: itsacontinent. It's a Continent (published by Coronet) is available to purchase: itsacontinent.com/book   We're on Buy me a Coffee...

We're joined by Heizal Nagginda, a climate and environmental activist from Uganda, and founder of Climate Operation (@climateoperation). The organisiation's mission is to educate Ugandan children and communities about climate change and its intersection with other social issues. We discuss the effects of climate change in Uganda and the wider continent, the world's response to climate change, and why we see Africans suffer disproportionately compared to those living in wealthier...

*This episode may contain The Woman King spoilers* The Agojie were fearless and skilled warrior women in the Dahomey Kingdom. By the mid 1800s, the all-female regiment was in its thousands, outmuscling rival kingdoms and participating in annual warfare. They lived in the royal palace and were taught how to fight and survive from an early age. However, the Agojie's existence is thought to have upset the invading French's understanding of gender roles, and their invasion led to the disbanding...

Cabinda is an exclave and province of Angola; however, this status is disputed and part of a long-standing conflict stemming from colonialism and decolonisation. This dispute has led to decades of conflict between Cabinda's liberation movement and the Angolan government. We discuss how this situation came to be and the present state of affairs.  Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod and Twitter: itsacontinent. It's a Continent (published by Coronet) is available to purchase:...

As China looks for resources to benefit its growing consumption, African countries are looking for funds for development. We're now seeing Chinese state-owned firms building large scale infrastructure within the continent in exchange for access to minerals and oil. In 2000 Sino-African trade was 10 billion dollars. Just fourteen years later, this grew to 220 billion dollars. How did this happen? Is China looking to be in their words “friends of Africa” or are they a new set of...

To celebrate It's a Continent's Pub Day, we're joined by Juliana from No Shame in My Name Podcast, where she interviews us (on our own show - why not!) We discuss the writing process, our origin story, secrets behind the podcast and what we'd love our readers to take from our book baby. Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod and Twitter: itsacontinent. It's a Continent (published by Coronet) is NOW available: itsacontinent.com/book  Buy me a Coffee :...

The Aksum kingdom was a wealthy African civilisation and a major empire of the ancient world, thriving for centuries as a prosperous society and a spiritual home for the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. During the kingdom’s peak power, it conquered southern Arabia. This episode sees us discuss the empire's rich history, and how amazing it is that a lot of Aksum's artefacts can be found in Ethiopia, not exclusively in the British Museum.... Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod and Twitter:...

Prince Louis Rwagasore was a key political figure in Burundi's history. He was known as the unifying prince as he worked to unite the country's ethnic groups, which Belgium had divided. In 1958 he established the Party for National Unity and Progress (UPRONA), and in September 1961, they successfully won the elections to lead an independent Burundi. But on Friday 13th October 1961, Prince Louis Rwagasore was assassinated, only 16 days after being sworn in as prime minister.  Follow us on IG:...

Africa contains five of the top thirty oil-producing nations, accounting for 85% of the continent’s oil reserves. However, unethical practices by some oil multinational corporations have seen social movements by host communities and human rights groups. Oil exploration has led to underdevelopment, pollution, and the eroding of traditional practices within host regions. In this episode we'll look at the relationship between oil companies and local governments, and how this has furthered...

We're joined by Heizal Nagginda, a climate and environmental activist from Uganda, and founder of Climate Operation (@climateoperation). The organisiation's mission is to educate Ugandan children and communities about climate change and its intersection with other social issues. We discuss the effects of climate change in Uganda and the wider continent, the world's response to climate change, and why we see Africans suffer disproportionately compared to those living in wealthier...

Around a decade ago, one of the first “viral” moments of the social media age took place. This involved American men launching a campaign to make Joseph Kony the most famous man in the world. Kony, the leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) (which had existed for decades prior), had been indicted for war crimes and crimes against humanity. But was this a case of activism, slacktivism, or white saviourism on a global scale? Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod and Twitter: itsacontinent....

The Chagos Islands are located in the Indian Ocean, home to Chagossians. However, the islands' sovereignty remains disputed to this day. The UK continues laying claims to the islands, despite being urged to end its unlawful occupation. In this episode we’ll focus on the expulsion of Chagossians from their home country, and the steps the British government have taken to make it more difficult for Chagos islanders to return home. This episode originally aired in April...

Gamal Abdel Nasser was an Egyptian political leader and second post-independence President. Nasser joined Egypt's Royal Military Academy in 1937, and whilst in the military, he helped form the Free Officers Movement. In July 1952, the movement overthrew the monarchy in a coup and led Egypt into complete independence. Two years later, Nasser emerged from behind-the-scenes and positioned himself as Prime Minister, and then in 1956, he became President.  Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod and...

This week we're in Guinea, looking at how the actions of market women went on to shape the policy of their nation through standing up against corruption. The cohesive nature of these demonstrations goes to show how market women became the most powerful collective group within their society. The revolt inspired other Guineans to speak up against Toure's oppressive regime, seeing him release political prisoners, culminating in an end to his ambition. The Guinean Market Women's revolt is...

The African Union (AU) was officially formed in 2002 with a vision to create an "integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena.” In this episode we discuss how the AU came to be, its links to the Pan-African movement, and what the future holds for the continent under the AU. Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod and Twitter: itsacontinent. Pre-order It's a Continent (2022) on itsacontinent.com/book   We're on Buy me a...

Hello! We will be back with our usual shenanigans and historical tea in February, bringing you stories from the African continent, and a new concept too - we'll be exploring themes that transcend national stories such as the African Union, the CFA Franc and more. Join us next month for It's a Continent Season 5, and why not catch up on an old episode before then? Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod and Twitter: itsacontinent. Pre-order It's a Continent (2022) on itsacontinent.com/book   We're...

Ceuta and Melilla are enclaved cities where the European Union has land borders with the African continent, as Spain continues to lay claims within Morocco. What is Spain doing in Morocco in the first place, and what are the wider implications? In this episode, we discuss why the two cities have been described as Europe’s “dirty secret" - the over-surveillance of the walls separating Africa from Europe, and the mistreatment and brutality towards those seeking a better life in Europe. We're...

Our final episode of the season takes us to Algeria. We discuss the lead up to the Algerian War of Independence and the drastic actions France took in an attempt to retain power over the northern African nation. We also discuss the consequences of this conflict - including the mistreatment of Algerians in France, and those of Algerian descent demanding for official recognition of their treatment enshrined in law. See you in the new year!  Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod and Twitter:...

The Kingdom of Lesotho is a country enclaved within South Africa. The country’s formation stemmed from the work of King Moshoeshoe I (1786-1870) who founded the Basotho nation and helped define what it meant to be Basotho. In this episode, we’ll explore the country’s formation, its complicated relationship and history with South Africa, and recent political challenges which have shaped the nation. Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod and Twitter: itsacontinent. Pre-order It's a Continent (2022)...

Vera Chirwa was Malawi’s first female lawyer and became a founding member of the Malawi Congress Party and the Nyasaland African Women’s league. Chirwa’s belief in multiparty democratic rule came at a time when a dangerous despot, Hastings Banda ruled a newly independent Malawi. In 1982, Banda ended up charging Vera and her husband Orton with treason, and the following year the court sentenced the couple to death. In this episode we look at Vera Chirwa's life and her drive to keep going...