A BIG congratulations to the cast and crew of ‘FELA!’ The musical as they have just received 11 Tony Award nominations including Best Musical. The Tony Awards is the leading awards which honor Broadway productions that opened during the 2009-10 season. Along with the musical ‘La Cage aux Folles’, ‘Fela!’ has received the most nominations. ‘Fela! is nominated in all major categories including Best direction, Best performance by a leading actor, Best performance by a featured actress, and Best choreography. The 2010 Tony Awards show will air June 13 on CBS.

In related news Golden Globe nominated actor Chiwetel Ejiofor (Kinky Boots, American Gangster, Inside Man) has been cast to play Fela in the feature film biopic about the iconic Nigerian musician/activist. Deadline New York reveals:

(The) Focus Features movie about the African musician and activist Fela Anikulapo Kuti now officially has its leading man. Chiwetel Ejiofor is formally attached to play Fela in the film that will be directed by Steve McQueen, the British artist who made his helming debut on Hunger, the drama about the Irish hunger strike that starred Michael Fassbender.

When I revealed the project last year, Ejiofor seemed the obvious choice, but Focus Features wouldn’t confirm. Ejiofor sure has been taking it seriously on his end. In between his work on the upcoming Angelina Jolie-starrer Salt, he has been learning to play piano and saxophone to prepare for the role. I’m told he’s gotten quite good.

When I first heard about the biopic some months ago many people on Twitter, including myself, put in their vote for Ejiofor in the lead role. It seems the producers were thinking as we did. Though the two projects are unrelated, I can’t help but think the musical helped solidify production plans for the film. I, for one, am excited for both projects. Go see Fela! The Musical.

‘Fela!’ musical lands 11 Tony Noms; Chiwetel Ejiofor cast as Fela in biopic is a post from Annansi Chronicles - African business and culture trends

• FELA! musical hits Broadway with rave reviews
• “Africa Rising” festival brings JAY-Z, Rihanna, Alek Wek to Nigeria & Washington DC
• Cultures collide: Souja Boy African Remix
• The Paris Hilton effect on Africa’s development
• Africans on TIME’s 100 most influential people list
• Africa’s wealth and consumerism draws big brands
• 42 country, 100 exhibit Africa Pavilion unveiled for 2010 Shanghai World Expo
• Celebrity colonization of Africa (infographic)
• NY African Film Festival opens, celebrates World Cup and independent Africa
• Notes from Columbia U’s 2010 Africa Economic Forum

One of  the most dynamic, engaging young creative talents coming out of the African continent recently is Ivorian photographer/creative director Paul Sika. After being introduced about a year ago by a mutual friend, I was impressed by his creative vision and passion. Paul’s use of color and juxtaposition of characters in his photo and video creations expose a new way of looking at contemporary African life, culture, and style. A true entrepreneur, Paul has put together an upcoming book titled “At The Heart Of Me …” featuring his intricate work and concepts. As I mentioned in my earlier post “Top 6 African business and culture trends to watch in 2010“, Paul Sika is one of the African creative class making an impact this year. For more about Paul Sika and his upcoming book, visit PaulSika.com

Trailer for the book “At The Heart Of Me …” by Paul Sika

CNN Inside Africa’s Isha Sesay talks to Ivorian photographer Paul Sika about his vibrant images, filled with eye-catching colors.

If you can’t see the videos above, go here to view

Africa in vibrant technicolor, Paul Sika talks to CNN is a post from Annansi Chronicles - African business and culture trends

• NY African Film Festival opens, celebrates World Cup and independent Africa
• Hip-hop’s African ancestry at Odyssey Awards
• The Independent names 50 best African artists
• Trailer: When China met Africa (documentary)
• Microsoft chairman plots Africa’s tech revolution (video)
• Africa’s wealth and consumerism draws big brands
• Do we need an African version of Vogue Magazine?
• ‘Fela!’ musical lands 11 Tony Noms; Chiwetel Ejiofor cast as Fela in biopic
• 42 country, 100 exhibit Africa Pavilion unveiled for 2010 Shanghai World Expo
• Notes from Columbia U’s 2010 Africa Economic Forum

CNN’s Inside Africa recently aired a series of features on the growing global demand for contemporary art. View the 3 parts of the feature below.

Part 1

Johannesburg Contemporary Art Fair
The Johannesburg Art Fair recently showcased the works of 400 African contemporary artists, attracting more than 10,000 visitors. – CNN Inside Africa

PART 2

First US-based commercial art auction dedicated solely to contemporary African art
Auction house Bonhams’ recent ‘Africa Now’ auction in New York was first commercial auction dedicated solely to contemporary African art in the United States

Part 3

Ghana’s ancient beads back in vogue
A new generation of Ghanaians are rediscovering their heritage — and rediscovering the appeal of traditional beads – CNN Inside Africa

If you can’t view the videos above go here to watch

African contemporary art having a global renaissance (videos) is a post from Annansi Chronicles - African business and culture trends

• “Africa:The Next Chapter” videos premiere
• Designer Ozwald Boateng on dressing President Obama and his Made in Africa wealth initiative
• Growing middle class and Africa’s demographic opportunity
• Annansi Notes: Fall Out Boy, Mandela, Clint Eastwood, African babies, Facebook in Kenya
• Video: Ozwald Boateng Fashion Show at African Union Summit, Ghana
• The Paris Hilton effect on Africa’s development
• Hip-hop’s African ancestry at Odyssey Awards
• Top African-American talent plan trip to African Union Summit, Ghana
• Africa’s next chapter convenes at TEDGlobal 2007
• Five tactics for selling Africa-based products to non-Africans

The 17th annual New York African Film Festival (NYAFF) has opened on April 7th celebrating the 50th anniversary of 17 African nations’ independence from colonial rule as well as the freedom that the rise in technology has given African filmmakers to tell their own stories. Among the 13 features and 25 short films from emerging and veteran filmmakers from 18 countries are four soccer films in honor of the World Cup’s first games in Africa opening in June 2010, an animated short program, Focus Features’ Africa First short program and an environmental film.

The festival runs from April 7 through the 13th at The Film Society of Lincoln Center and continues at Columbia University’s Institute for African Studies, 3ten Lounge, New Museum and the Brooklyn Academy of Music BAMcinématek with dates in April and May. Some films showing during the festival include The Absence, directed by Mama Keïta (Senegal/France), Eliane de Latour’s narrative film Beyond the Ocean, winner of the Jury Prize at the Festival des Cinéma du Monde 2009, and Wanuri Kahiu’s Pumzi, which I highlighted here before.

Take a look at the full film schedule.

On Saturday, April 10, a panel discussion will also be held where established and aspiring directors and producers will learn how to craft an attention-getting pitch and utilize social networking tools at “Getting Exposure: Securing the Buzz You Need for Your Film.” The panel takes place at The Film Society of Lincoln Center at 1:30 pm, and is part of  the film festivals “Independent Africa”.

Panelists will include Jennifer Merin, film journalist with About.com and founder of the Alliance of Women Film Journalists; Misani, culture writer for the Amsterdam News; Paul Burani, social media strategist; and Pam Pickens, digital marketing expert. The event, which is open to the public, will be moderated by veteran entertainment publicist and NYAFF’s public relations consultant Cheryl L. Duncan of Cheryl Duncan & Company Inc.

For panel or film tickets, go to www.filmlinc.com.

NY African Film Festival opens, celebrates World Cup and independent Africa is a post from Annansi Chronicles - African business and culture trends

• Hip-hop’s African ancestry at Odyssey Awards
• 42 country, 100 exhibit Africa Pavilion unveiled for 2010 Shanghai World Expo
• Birth and boom of a new African design industry
• The Paris Hilton effect on Africa’s development
• Africa’s next chapter convenes at TEDGlobal 2007
• Africa’s wealth and consumerism draws big brands
• ‘Fela!’ musical lands 11 Tony Noms; Chiwetel Ejiofor cast as Fela in biopic
• Africa in vibrant technicolor, Paul Sika talks to CNN
• African contemporary art having a global renaissance (videos)
• Notes from Columbia U’s 2010 Africa Economic Forum

Last week I attended Columbia University’s annual African Economic Forum (AEF). The two-day conference was a diverse and insightful one with discussions ranging from Branding Africa to the growing, sometimes controversial China-Africa relationship. The organizers put together a great program with much discussion during and in-between panels. While I couldn’t attend the full program, I was able to participate in some great discussions with attendees and panelists in the Africa Arena. I’ve provided my notes from the discussions I was able to attend below. My notes cover a mixture of discussion topics and perspectives from the esteemed panelists and attendees. Please keep in mind that the notes below are portions of the hour plus long discussions from my perspective as an attendee. If you have any insight into any of the topics in my notes please feel free to comment. For clarification on any of the points in my notes please shoot me an email.

ATTENDANCE NOTES:
Panel: African Fashion Going Global
Moderator: ZANDILE BLAY, Market Editor, Paper Magazine
Panelists: OLUCHI, Supermodel and the Original Face of Africa; BUSIE MATSIKO, CEO and Co-Founder, Fashion Indie Media; AISHA OBUOBI, Designer & Founder, Christie Brown; MIMI PLANGE, Designer and Founder, Boudoir D’huîtres

• Should Africans sell primarily to Africans?
• African designers are more torn about designing Africa-inspired clothes vs. other western designers designing Africa-inspired clothes
• Western designers are not limited or stigmatized when using African influences in designs
• Should there be an African fashion capital? Some panelists say no
• Is there a viable African consumer enough to support African fashion industry?
• Designers don’t want to get pigeonholed as an ethnic designer; need room for growth
• There is very limited support (i.e. factories, retail outlets) for African designers on the continent
• Some panelists say African designers should focus on African consumers rather than targeting global consumers first
• There is lack of business expertise among designers on the continent
• Designers need to partner up with business professionals on the continent
• Pricing African designs is tricky
• Not too many Africans will pay high prices to support African designers
• There are two types of African consumers: 1) those that travel and buy high-end western clothes 2) the locals who can’t afford couture and buy mass
• It’s hard to produce on the continent particularly if you’re not doing mass production
• Many African designers aspire to go to South Africa fashion week because it’s the top African continent fashion industry
• Just like you don’t only have New Yorkers in New York Fashion week, South Africa’s Fashion Week has Africans from all over continent
• African designers get inspiration from everywhere just like other designers
• Some African designers are more drawn to cultural design than others

Panel: Brand Africa – Defining a Continent
Moderator: LOLA OGUNNAIKE, Entertainment Correspondent, CNN American Morning
Panelists: FEMI AGBAYEWA, Director of Production, Real Livin Films; HELEN JENNINGS, Editor, ARISE Magazine; ROSALIND McLYMONT, Editor-in-Chief, The Network Journal; MARK WALTON, Executive Vice President of Sponsorship and Corporate Development, The Africa Channel

• Mostly lazy journalists who cover Africa
• Mainstream media is invested in negative African images so corporations can go ahead and extract resources without contest
• Many NGO’s benefit from the negative images of Africa
• “Born again Africans” in the USA were slow to embrace the Africa Channel
• Peace Corp. types were 1st to embrace The Africa Channel
• Focus on African stories helps cross-over appeal
• Do channels have responsibility for positive Africa images?
• We should be focused on Africa telling African stories
• African storytellers should also create opportunity to cross-over to other audiences to get money to continue telling African stories
• Bollywood didn’t cross-over initially, so African film industry shouldn’t focus on that; should rather nurture African audiences first for revenue
• Make films true to the African communities and sell locally, to diaspora, and other interested communities
• There was a forum discussion between Bollywood, Nollywood, Nigerian government and other interested parties in Nigeria recently on how to get images out globally
• Nollywood movies are not shown on The Africa Channel because of lack of adherence to legal and copyright laws
• There doesn’t need to be a single Africa brand leader
• Obama is the ultimate African brand
• World Cup is a big opportunity for brand Africa to push forward
• South Africa has the world’s biggest non-unionized film crew
• Do the best within your sphere of influence to further the African brand
• Agitate! Africans don’t make themselves known for good or bad
• African diaspora don’t usually exercise its influence
• Consumers have to own the responsibility to change programming
• Africans should video and upload their life stories to show world another view
• There needs to be an Ad Council-type entity for African media
• The Africa Travel Association and The Corporate Council of Africa have been doing a good job of furthering brand Africa
• World Cup is “The Super Bowl” for Africa and should be treated as such
• Industries can coordinate branding efforts once it’s solidified
• African diaspora media should take leadership responsibility for re-branding Africa
• There is need for good local African journalists because big media won’t invest in sending journalists to continent
• When business and financial news is positive, big media will always take interest and cover
• The Africa Channel is invested in original African produced content
• Only four African countries currently spend money with the The Africa Channel
• African countries would rather spend money on CNN who will only plop ads into mixed programming without effort

Panel: African Hospitality – The Power Within
Moderator: SCOTT SHUSTER
Panelists: RUMIT MEHTA, CEO, Immersion Journeys; ANDREW MURPHY, CEO, Eco-Ghana; STHU ZUNGU, President, South Africa Tourism

• South Africa Tourism did a lot of research to come up with brand ideals
• Tourism is as significant to South Africa as gold industry
• Bed and Breakfasts are mushrooming ahead of World Cup
• Domestic and inter-regional tourism is important for any tourism in Africa
• Travel is an investment in local culture
• Eco-Ghana trained locals on how to structure tourism
• Eco-Ghana is looking for Ghanaian investors
• Eco-Ghana is focused on Ghanaian and Nigerian tourists
• Company is looking to create first Ghanaian hospitality group
• There needs to be infrastructure to enable diverse tourism destinations within African countries
• With local travel comes promotion and dispelling myths
• Wealthy Africans traveling within Africa can experience and communicate good brand images of continent to others
• Infrastructure in domestic tourism needs to be established
• Need education among Africans to bolster pride and ownership
• Branding Africa tourism comes down to which countries have the most money to do so on behalf of particular regions/areas

Summit: China – Africa Trade and Investment
Moderator: DR. HARRY BROADMAN, Senior Vice President, Albright Stonebridge Group LLC & Chief Economist, Albright Capital Management LLC
Panelists: JIAN-YE WANG, Chief Economist, China Export-Import Bank; REMI BELLO, Founder & Head of Research, B&M Consulting; ABIODUN (ABI) ADISA, Founder, Oridun Capital; DR. TOM DORSEY, Chief of the Strategy, Policy and Review Department, International Monetary Fund

• South-South trade and investment is a global trend not just between Africa and China
• How can Africa exploit Chinese investment?
• Panelist Bello forecasted higher growth potential of African commodities in 2010 due to BRIC interest
• In the past, Africa was affected by world economy decline, but today Africa continues to grow despite of it
• South-South trade will take up more of world trade in next couple of years
• Africa’s problem is investing too low; African governments invest too conservatively in infrastructure
• Africa should look at China as a market; China is still growing
• China needs local African partners to invest
• Chinese provide finance and have influence with African governments
• Chinese best practices are driven by local standards; they have a range of competencies
• Poverty data is expensive and lacking in Africa
• Better macroeconomic and other policies is helping sustainable growth
• Many Africa deals are not documented widely
• IMF published book “Building Bridges”
• Many drawbacks of Chinese aid to Africa
• Chinese aid is in form of loans not grants
• Aid is below market rates
• Aid is tied to procurement of Chinese goods
• Countries should keep an eye on debt sustainability: ability for project to pay for itself
• 90% of Foreign Direct Investment in Africa is still USA and EU based
• Africa governments should make sure production is done in country to take advantage
• Chinese are looking to set up local factories in Africa to alleviate manufacturing cost to China
• Management of public finances are Chinese strong point
• If Africa doesn’t invest in Africa then don’t expect others to
• Africa can learn from China’s growth
• China started from agriculture and so should African countries
• Chinese invested in infrastructure, human capital, and primary education to spur domestic growth
• Africa should invest in government processes and cutting red tape; less bureaucracy
• African countries should trade with other emerging countries and within the continent
• If African countries are going to borrow Chinese money, they should pay attention to how the money is spent
• Africa needs independent cost/benefit analysis to make sure project loans are viable
• Cleaning up bureaucracy will move projects forward faster
• Africa governments should set up laws to make sure Chinese projects are using locals and track reporting of such practices
• African Union should create Chinese production standard with reporting and tracking guidelines
• African Union should monitor and regulate standards and quality
• African governments need to strengthen regulations and consumer protection laws
• African governments should pay attention to environmental effects; learn from China’s mistakes
• African governments are still too closed to open investment and transparency; maybe because they are scared of past mishandling of public monies

For more about the conference please visit the 7th Annual African Economic Forum (AEF) at Columbia University website.

Notes from Columbia U’s 2010 Africa Economic Forum is a post from Annansi Chronicles - African business and culture trends

• The Paris Hilton effect on Africa’s development
• Urban explosion and African youth’s global influence
• Trailer: When China met Africa (documentary)
• Designer Ozwald Boateng on dressing President Obama and his Made in Africa wealth initiative
• “Africa:The Next Chapter” videos premiere
• Hip-hop’s African ancestry at Odyssey Awards
• The rise of Kenya’s equity generation
• Africa’s next chapter convenes at TEDGlobal 2007
• Five tactics for selling Africa-based products to non-Africans
• Microsoft chairman plots Africa’s tech revolution (video)

If you haven’t already heard FELA! The Musical has opened on the Broadway in New York City. For many people, myself included, this marks a milestone in African culture’s rise to global recognition. Nigerian musician and activist Fela Anikulapo Kuti has been an major inspiration for many young Africans looking to re-define what it means to be African in the West. Ever the African icon, Fela’s music and ideas have been at the cornerstone of the growing Afropolitan culture in New York and other metropolitan areas around the world. He has inspired many creative expressions of African culture including my own early foray into Africa-influenced business. After many years as an Afropolitan lifestyle inspiration, now the essence of what Fela has defined for modern Africans has brilliantly been captured in this new musical.

In it’s glowing review of the new musical The New York Times writes:

There should be dancing in the streets. When you leave the Eugene O’Neill Theater after a performance of “Fela!,” it comes as a shock that the people on the sidewalks are merely walking. Why aren’t they gyrating, swaying, vibrating, in thrall to the force field that you have been living in so ecstatically for the past couple of hours?

The hot (and seriously cool) energy that comes from the musical gospel preached by the title character of “Fela!,” which opened on Monday night, feels as if it could stretch easily to the borders of Manhattan and then across a river or two. Anyone who worried that Bill T. Jones’s singular, sensational show might lose its mojo in transferring to Broadway can relax.

FELA! The Musical features the Afrobeat music of Fela Anikulapo–Kuti, a book by Jim Lewis and the direction and choreography of Tony® Award winner Bill T. Jones. The musical is co-produced by Jay-Z, and Will and Jada Pinkett Smith among others.

Watch the opening night and behind the scenes videos below.

If you can’t see the videos above, click here

FELA! musical hits Broadway with rave reviews is a post from Annansi Chronicles - African business and culture trends

• The Paris Hilton effect on Africa’s development
• Hip-hop’s African ancestry at Odyssey Awards
• Africa’s next chapter convenes at TEDGlobal 2007
• Top African-American talent plan trip to African Union Summit, Ghana
• Africans on TIME’s 100 most influential people list
• This week in African Style 4/7 – 4/13/07
• This week in African style, 1/6 – 1/12/07
• African diamond facts according to Russell Simmons
• “Africa Rising” festival brings JAY-Z, Rihanna, Alek Wek to Nigeria & Washington DC
• “Africa:The Next Chapter” videos premiere

Speaking about the Ouarzazate region in Morocco, The Global Post reports:

Chances are you’ve unwittingly seen this region’s wild vistas in any number of movies. Among other locales, the desert was billed as Iraq in “Body of Lies,” dressed up as Jerusalem in “Kingdom of Heaven” and transformed into ancient Egypt in “The Mummy Returns.”

An array of ready-built sets, cheap labor and stunning landscapes has helped turn this sleepy provincial capital into a Third World Hollywood.

Production remnants abound, from concrete castles and plaster villages, to an American gas station falling to pieces beside a two-lane road. Featured in the horror film “The Hills Have Eyes,” its English sign offers non-existent beer to the Muslim drivers passing by.

But veterans of the country’s film trade say they wish more of their studios were in use this year. The global downturn has caused several big films to cancel or push back start dates, delaying cash upon which a growing population of technicians, actors and extras have come to depend.

The video below tells an interesting story of the North African desert’s draw for Hollywood.

If you can’t see the video above click here.

Morocco’s desert region a widescreen backdrop for Hollywood films is a post from Annansi Chronicles - African business and culture trends

• Africa’s next chapter convenes at TEDGlobal 2007
• Top 6 African business and culture trends to watch in 2010
• The Paris Hilton effect on Africa’s development
• Hip-hop’s African ancestry at Odyssey Awards
• Botswana Bushmen win land after DiCaprio appeal
• Growth and spending of African consumers (video)
• Top 100 global thinkers of 2010
• ‘Fela!’ musical lands 11 Tony Noms; Chiwetel Ejiofor cast as Fela in biopic
• Celebrity colonization of Africa (infographic)
• NY African Film Festival opens, celebrates World Cup and independent Africa

Supermodel Waris Dirie’s book Desert Flower: The Extraordinary Journey Of A Desert Nomad, published in 1999, helped fuel the open discussion of female genital mutilation in her native Somalia. After spawning two follow-up books, Desert Dawn and Desert Children, the original book is now premiering as a feature film starring another supermodel, Ethiopian Liya Kebede. Watch the trailer for the new movie “Desert Flower (“Wüstenblume” )” below. More about the movie here.

If the video is not visible below click here.

(via Africa_Visual_Media)

Liya Kebede stars in Somali supermodel Waris Dirie’s biopic is a post from Annansi Chronicles - African business and culture trends

• Ethiopia adds luxury coffee to brand identity
• African fashion features on Fashion Television
• K’Naan launches Coca-Cola World Cup campaign
• FELA! musical hits Broadway with rave reviews
• The long-lasting impact of 2010 World Cup on S. Africa
• Djimon Hounsou narrates How Not to Write About Africa by Binyavanga Wainaina (video)
• Bono on Obama’s 1st Africa visit as President and rebranding the continent
• President Obama on Africa and upcoming visit (video)
• Prada space captures rural Congo experience
• “Africa Rising” festival brings JAY-Z, Rihanna, Alek Wek to Nigeria & Washington DC

In this three part series fashion designer Ozwald Boateng talks with CNN about outfitting President Obama for his recent Ghana visit and the designer’s new initiative “Made in Africa”.

Part 1: Tailoring for the President
CNN’s Monita Rajpal talks British-Ghanaian tailor Ozwald Boateng about his rise to fame and tailoring for President Obama’s Ghanaian visit.

Part 2: Made in Africa Ozwald Boateng talks about ‘Made in Africa.’ An organization designed to promote wealth and self sufficiency in Africa

Part 3: Designer to role model
British-Ghanaian tailor Ozwald Boateng explains his plans to help tailor Africa’s image problems.

Designer Ozwald Boateng on dressing President Obama and his Made in Africa wealth initiative is a post from Annansi Chronicles - African business and culture trends

• “Africa:The Next Chapter” videos premiere
• The Paris Hilton effect on Africa’s development
• Hip-hop’s African ancestry at Odyssey Awards
• Africa’s next chapter convenes at TEDGlobal 2007
• Growing middle class and Africa’s demographic opportunity
• Video: Ozwald Boateng Fashion Show at African Union Summit, Ghana
• Urban explosion and African youth’s global influence
• Who’s doing business in Africa?, Trade Forum Magazine update
• Five tactics for selling Africa-based products to non-Africans
• Trailer: When China met Africa (documentary)

Below is an excellent video documenting the recent inaugural Maker Faire Africa event held in Accra, Ghana. The event was organized as a a celebration of African ingenuity, innovation and invention, with strong participation by local makers. Find out more about the event and the upcoming 2010 Kenya edition at the official website here. A job well done by the organizers.

via whiteafrican

Maker Faire Africa edition 2009 (video) is a post from Annansi Chronicles - African business and culture trends

• “Africa:The Next Chapter” videos premiere
• Africa’s next chapter convenes at TEDGlobal 2007
• Designer Ozwald Boateng on dressing President Obama and his Made in Africa wealth initiative
• Climate change threatens Ghana’s economic future
• Hip-hop’s African ancestry at Odyssey Awards
• Changing “Brand Africa”, an International Trade Forum magazine feature
• Trailer: When China met Africa (documentary)
• Top 100 global thinkers of 2010
• African contemporary art having a global renaissance (videos)
• Notes from Columbia U’s 2010 Africa Economic Forum

• Tony Hawk meets "fearless" Zulu skateboarders on South Africa trip

• If a mosquito bites in Sub-Saharan Africa, grab your cell phone

• Could Ghana be Africa's premier outsourcing destination?

• African businesses to invest in sustainability

• Hillary Clinton says "We're committed to Africa's future" during her Africa tour

• Kenya’s Safaricom releases world’s first solar-powered phone

• Ghana invests $150m in nationwide broadband infrastructure

• Kenya to build Africa's biggest windfarm

• Google announces G-Africa Initiative, a series of events in Sub-Saharan Africa for software developers

Trending Africa Aug. 12, 2009: Tony Hawk & Zulu skateboarders, World’s 1st solar-power phone, H. Clinton tours Africa is a post from Annansi Chronicles - African business and culture trends

• No Related Post

• Big news of East Africa finally getting high-speed internet with the launch of SEACOM's fibre optic cables; and some reactions

• The Gates Foundation and Peace Corps open up Africa Rural Connect, encouraging everyone to send Ideas on how to help rural Africa

• Investors are seeing growing fields of opportunity across Africa

• As the new high speed cable is launched, experts speculate that internet use in Asia, Africa, and Mid-East is set to soar

• Google is extending services in Africa

• If you're not one of the lucky ones attending TEDGlobal 2009 this week, head over to the official blog for exciting updates and videos

• While we're on the topic of TEDGlobal 2009, make sure to listen to Jon Gosier's presentation about his mobile phone search service for Uganda

Trending Africa July 23, ’09: E. Africa gets hi-speed internet, TEDGlobal, etc. is a post from Annansi Chronicles - African business and culture trends

• No Related Post

UK-based Banksy, one of my favorite street artists turned art world hero, has recently taken his brand of political commentary to the streets of Africa, Mali to be exact. It seems Banksy’s work has been spotted on the walls in Mali. As with his usual style, Banksy makes good use of the natural state of the wall and the surrounding environment to add to the emotion piece of his piece. View pictures below.





(via gradient & unurth)

Banksy takes street art to walls of Mali is a post from Annansi Chronicles - African business and culture trends

• Microsoft chairman plots Africa’s tech revolution (video)
• This week in African Style 3/17 – 3/23/07
• Malian director puts globalization on trial
• This week in African Style 1/20 – 1/26/07
• LA Times: Hollywood’s dark approach to African films
• Making Mali Music

A recent article in African Business magazine looks at the recent boom of modern African designers on the continent and internationally. From February’s ThisDay Arise Magazine African fashion event at NY Fashion Week to architect David Adjaye being appointed to design the new African-American National Museum in Washindton DC, the influence of modern African design in global culture continues to solidify. But while there are more and more role models for budding African designers, there’s still a long way to go before Africa itself recognizes and taps into it’s strong creative capital.

To become truly competitive though, the continent must do things in
its own way, with its own brand of excellence and innovation. Africans
can grasp the best of design worldwide, as well as the best the
continent has to offer and transform it into something new, compelling,
beautiful and sustainable. Small pockets of success show that African
design development has reached the point at which it can play a very
real role in addressing poverty and unemployment throughout the
continent. From craft initiatives in rural villages to
multi-disciplinary industrial projects that boast global collaboration,
design can boost a nation’s GDP. (more)

CNN also reports on a new contemporary African design aesthetic in the video below shot at the 2009 Design Indaba in S. Africa.

Birth and boom of a new African design industry is a post from Annansi Chronicles - African business and culture trends

• 42 country, 100 exhibit Africa Pavilion unveiled for 2010 Shanghai World Expo
• NY African Film Festival opens, celebrates World Cup and independent Africa
• Prada space captures rural Congo experience
• The Paris Hilton effect on Africa’s development
• Africa’s wealth and consumerism draws big brands
• ‘Fela!’ musical lands 11 Tony Noms; Chiwetel Ejiofor cast as Fela in biopic
• African contemporary art having a global renaissance (videos)
• Notes from Columbia U’s 2010 Africa Economic Forum
• Designer Ozwald Boateng on dressing President Obama and his Made in Africa wealth initiative
• Growing middle class and Africa’s demographic opportunity

Influx Insights points us to an interesting marriage of Congolese and Western culture in the form of an art and entertainment experience space. The Double Club, a 6 month project collaboration between Fondazione Prada (Prada’s art foundation), and German artist Carsten Höller opened in London. The space, which is literally spit in two – is a “bar, restaurant and dance club where the Congo meets the west; A bar,
restaurant and dance club where the west meets the Congo.” The project is meant to spark dialogue between Congolese and Western contemporary culture and will feature. All profits are slated to go to The City of Joy charity, which provides
shelter and services to women who have been targets of violence during
Congo’s long running civil warIf you’re in London before May 2009, check out this culture mashup.

• Video tour/interview
• Location/times

Prada space captures rural Congo experience is a post from Annansi Chronicles - African business and culture trends

• The Paris Hilton effect on Africa’s development
• Hip-hop’s African ancestry at Odyssey Awards
• Africa’s next chapter convenes at TEDGlobal 2007
• Africa’s wealth and consumerism draws big brands
• 42 country, 100 exhibit Africa Pavilion unveiled for 2010 Shanghai World Expo
• FELA! musical hits Broadway with rave reviews
• Designer Ozwald Boateng on dressing President Obama and his Made in Africa wealth initiative
• Birth and boom of a new African design industry
• Video: Ozwald Boateng Fashion Show at African Union Summit, Ghana
• Urban explosion and African youth’s global influence

EXHIBIT
Kehinde Wiley, The World Stage: Africa Lagos~Dakar
July 17—October 26, 2008
PLACE
The Studio Museum in Harlem
144 West 125th Street
New York, New York 10027
tel 212.864.4500

The World Stage: Africa, Lagos ~ Dakar is Kehinde Wiley’s first solo exhibition at The Studio Museum in Harlem and features ten new paintings from his multinational “The World Stage” series. Wiley is known for his stylized paintings of young, urban African-American men in poses borrowed from eighteenth- and nineteenth-century European figurative paintings, a practice he started in the early 2000s while an artist in residence at the Studio Museum. Over the last two years, Wiley has expanded his project by living and working abroad; he temporarily relocates to different countries and opens satellite studios to become familiar with local culture, history and art. His “The World Stage” series is the result of these travels.

pictures from the exhibit opening

Painter Kehinde Wiley’s World Stage: Africa is a post from Annansi Chronicles - African business and culture trends

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Tony Award winning director Bill T. Jones directs and choreographs this new musical about the life of African Pop Icon Fela Anikulapo Kuti. Play runs August 5 Through September 21 only at the 37 ARTS located at 450 W. 37th Street between 9th and 10 avenues, NY, NY. Visit the website and get tickets.
More clips

Video: Fela! A New Musical (off Broadway) is a post from Annansi Chronicles - African business and culture trends

• ‘Fela!’ musical lands 11 Tony Noms; Chiwetel Ejiofor cast as Fela in biopic
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• Painter Kehinde Wiley’s World Stage: Africa
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Part 1

Part 2

via YG

Video: Ozwald Boateng on career, design and Ghanaian influences is a post from Annansi Chronicles - African business and culture trends

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If you’re in the NYC area this evening make sure to head over to Ghanaian photographer Stanley Lumax’s opening of photos from his recent trip to Ghana. Details below.

Back to My Roots
Photography By Stanley Lumax Jr.
May 22 – June 18th, 2008
Opening Reception
Thursday, May 22, 2008
7-9 pm
Habana Outpost
757 Fulton St. & South Portland
Brooklyn, NY
C Train to Lafayette
RSVP: info@stonefacephotography.com

Ghanaian Photography exhibit is a post from Annansi Chronicles - African business and culture trends

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Video: Africa’s creative minds gather at Design Indaba ’08 is a post from Annansi Chronicles - African business and culture trends

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