As Africa and the rest of the world #buildbackbetter post-COVID19, we have to reconceptualise development. The steep economic declines during the pandemic showed us that the current view of development as only increasing GDP per capita is outdated and unsustainable. We must re-think sustainability with human development and climate resilience at its core. As we close off the season, let’s combine all we’ve learnt and #buildbackbetter for a prosperous Africa. This conversation is led by...

Youth account for 60% of all of Africa’s jobless, according to the World Bank. In North Africa, the youth unemployment rate is 25% but is even greater in Botswana, the Republic of the Congo, Senegal, and South Africa, among others. With 200 million people aged between 15 and 24, Africa has the largest population of young people in the world (Africa Renewal, 2017). In this conversation, we are joined by youth development practitioner and Managing Director of Youth Lab, Pearl Pillay.

Social entrepreneurs establish and run outstanding, innovative businesses that benefit low-income, marginalised and vulnerable people. As a result, more and more young Africans in diaspora are taking a leap to start their business and social enterprise on the continent. This conversation is led by Bertha Sithole, the founder and Managing Director of Kuanza Dreams Deliveries. Her resounding passion comes across strongly as she shares the importance of social entrepreneurship in Africa, and how...

The Lancet Global Health 2018 report reveals that mental health problems appear to be increasing in importance in Africa. Between 2000 and 2015 the continent's population grew by 49%, yet the number of years lost to disability as a result of mental and substance use disorders increased by 52%. In this episode, we are joined by Mental Health Activist, Social Entrepreneur and CEO of Batoka Hospitality, Vimbai Masiyiwa, as she shares her own thoughts and journey on mental health in Africa.

A Chinese proverb says "If you want to proposer, first build roads". Construction is a major part in Africa's development. The Deloitte Africa Construction Trends report of 2018 shows us that the Transport sector has the most structural projects with 40% of projects, yet healthcare projects account for less than 3% of construction projects. Another trend we see is Chinese companies overshadowing local contractors. In this episode we unpack construction in Africa, trends, challenges, foreign...

Africa’s identity was dictated by people who had no vested interest in the continent’s improvement and no understanding of the continent’s cultures, systems, traditions and ideologies. As Africans reclaim their own identity, we grapple with the question on everyone’s mind ‘What is an African?’. We are joined by José Litako Belengo a pan-African philosopher and co-founder of JEMO who shares his inspiring views on African identity and how we can truly reclaim it.

Welcome back! In this episode, we introduce you to Africa Matters Initiative so that you have better understanding of the work that we do. Additionally, we give a nice outline of what to look forward to for the rest of the season. Enjoy!

COVID19 has affected us all on a global, continental and even personal scale. In Africa, COVID19 has exacerbated rates of youth unemployment which is a catastrophe for a population with the largest youth population in the world. However, this is not all doom and gloom. African youth can play their part in uplifting their communities and playing their part with government and the private sector.

Non-profits led by people of colour win less grant money, according to a Bridgespan and Echoing Green Study. Numerous other studies have confirmed this. In this episode, Africa Matters Co-Founder and CEO, Reanne Olivier, openly shares the struggles that black run non-profits face and how we can overcome these.

Africa has a shortage of 17 million teachers to educate its large population and youth boom, yet not enough young people consider teaching as a career option. In this conversation, Pan-African Educator Thembi Ngoma unpacks the importance of teaching in advancing and growing society.

The #NotTooyoungToRun movement started out in Nigeria with young people demanding that their voices be heard in all spaces including politics. In this episode, Lindokuhle Ntuli (South African attorney, activist, Mandela Rhodes Scholar and Schwarzman Scholar) unpacks the importance of young people in political leadership.