Forbes Africa Magazine - April - May 2023

In this issue

This issue has everything young Africans are looking for – inspiration, lessons on entrepreneurship, role models and a great spread of tomorrow's titans! The FORBES AFRICA 30 Under 30 list is always a best-seller, as we uncover, for the ninth consecutive year, the continent’s most promising young people, taking offbeat routes to achieve success. These young achievers, starting from scratch to build businesses and brands, are our 2023 finalists, our newest class of multi-tasking multi-hyphenate entrepreneurs, innovators and leaders showing how they will grow human capital, put a dent in issues and lead Africa’s future – on their own terms. These are the founders and leaders creating a new world order, putting in place effective solutions for Africa’s problems, as also changing its image on the global stage. Also in this issue, more success stories to read about – the East African country of Rwanda is deepening its economic and investment relations with business behemoth UAE, its leading trade partner that it has now signed five new M0Us with. We also unpack how Rwandan cinema is coming of age, with a new wave of artistes and filmmakers bent on reiterating the country’s creative spirit and putting its movies on the international map. From the world of sport, we talk about the continent’s most favorite – football in South Africa. And the tech topic of the hour gets its due too: while the world buzzes about ChatGPT, where does Africa fit into the chatbot conversation? We look at why the continent needs its own startups that focus on conversational AI. All this and more in the power- and action-packed April/May 2023 issue of FORBES AFRICA! Buckle up and enjoy the ride.

'Pay Close Attention To What Is Happening In Africa'

As a departure from our historic travel to Europe, my wife and I decided to do something different this year. I suggested Nepal as an alternative, which was instantly accepted. My choice was mainly because the last visit to Nepal was marred by the unfortunate earthquake in April 2015; the horrors of which remain etched in my memory.

7 mins

Eazi Does It: 'I Was Just Born To Create'

In 2018, Oluwatosin Ajibade, better known as Mr Eazi, made the FORBES AFRICA 30 Under 30 list. The journey to that began in 2016, when Ajibade took the world by storm with his Afrobeats hit single Leg Over.

2 mins

Tomorrow's Titans: Heart and Hustle

In a world where ‘nepotism babies’ have become commonplace and uninspired, the notion of ‘self-made’ is acquiring new meaning and respect. These young achievers are starting from scratch to build businesses and brands that are totally solutions-oriented. For this coveted ninth annual edition of the Forbes Africa 30 under 30 list, our newest class of multi-tasking multi-hyphenate entrepreneurs, innovators and leaders show how they will grow human capital, put a dent in issues and lead Africa’s future – on their own terms.

10+ mins

The A.I. era begins right now

While the world buzzes about ChatGPT’s astonishing writing abilities, the next generation of business tools is forming, amid a shift that could prove as transformative as the internet.

10+ mins

Talking A-'bot AFRICA

Where does the continent fit into the chatbot conversation, and why it needs its own startups that focus on AI.

5 mins

Tapping Into The Market

Tanzania’s beer-guzzlers have a locally-brewed option as this entrepreneur attempts to change the country’s drinking culture with a social enterprise.

2 mins

Stirring It Up

Reitumetse Kholumo, the 25-year-old founder of Kwela Brews, is working to ensure that indigenous knowledge systems and makers of homegrown alcohol earn their rightful place in South Africa’s formal economy.

3 mins

The Dry Life

Athletic Brewing’s Bill Shufelt and John Walker are making non-alcoholic beer tasty enough to please the biggest suds snobs. And with a nearly $500 million valuation, the six-year-old startup has investors intoxicated.

7 mins

Let's Tech About It

Is Africa's tech industry missing out on top female talent?

5 mins

The Metaverse In Your Pocket

This writer stepped into the metaverse for a flying taxi ride at the recent Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. And roll, fold, flip – more nifty tech is coming up in the world of mobile phones.

4 mins

Celluloid Reality

Rwandan cinema is coming of age, with a new wave of artistes and filmmakers bent on reiterating the country's indomitable creative spirit and putting its movies on the international map.

6 mins

More To Mogadishu

Behind the sandbags, blast barriers, barbed wires and high walls, are impressive modern buildings in Somalia's capital city. Despite the country struggling with war and drought, there is a strong pride in being Somali.

4 mins

Big Shot

Nigerian teen golf prodigy Iyene Essien is focused on her goal to become ‘the female African Tiger Woods’. She has been acing her game from when she was six.

3 mins

Time And Tide

This is the first year the Ocean Race has been attempted since 2018, with 11 boats taking part in a journey expected to last six months, finishing early July. During the Ocean Race stop in Cape Town, South Africa, recently, French sailor Kevin Escoffier spoke about how you discover more about yourself in the high seas than in any other sport.

4 mins

Multiple Factors At Play

That South Africa has just a single player featuring in Europe’s top five leagues is a telling indictment of the country’s football, which has seemingly been left behind by the rest of the world.

3 mins

Story Of An African Lake

By Lake Tanganyika, the world's longest freshwater lake, our travel writer is woken up by chimpanzees as he retraces the steps taken by Dr David Livingstone and Jane Goodall.

2 mins

Read all stories from Forbes Africa

Forbes Africa Magazine Description:

Forbes Africa is the drama critic to business in Africa. The magazine helps readers connect the dots, form patterns and see beyond the obvious, giving them a completely different perspective. In doing this, it delivers sharp, in-depth and engaging stories by looking at global and domestic issues from an African prism.