Month: February 2025

Policy

Will the African Growth and Opportunity Act survive under Trump?
Advertisements

By Luke Kilian | African Business

At the 2024 African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum in Washington DC, Katherine Tai, US trade representative at the time, recounted her experience at the Made in Africa Exhibition near Soweto, South Africa. “I saw first hand the variety of products from massive drones to delicious food stuffs, beautiful jewellery, really excellent Peri Peri sauce as well.

“I could see the pride the business owners have in the things that they are making, and for me it was an incredibly important reminder of the impact that AGOA has on real people and real lives,” she said.

The African Growth and Opportunity Act, which provides tariff-free access to the US market for African manufacturers, has been at the heart of US trade policy towards Africa since its approval by Congress in May 2000.

Continue reading “Will the African Growth and Opportunity Act survive under Trump?” →
Embassies & High Commissions

Washington D.C. Hosts Ethiopian Tourism Showcase
Advertisements

Ethiopia has held a tourism promotion event in Washington, D.C., highlighting its historical sites, cultural traditions, and natural beauty. The event, hosted at the Embassy of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, aimed to introduce American visitors to Ethiopia’s tourism potential.

The event featured presentations and displays designed to attract American tourists. In his address, Ambassador Binalf Andualem, Ethiopia’s Special Envoy and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to the United States, emphasized Ethiopia’s significance as the cradle of humankind, its ancient civilization, its contribution of coffee to the world, and its UNESCO-listed heritage sites. He urged attendees to explore Ethiopia’s immense tourism potential and encouraged foreign investment in the sector.

Continue reading “Washington D.C. Hosts Ethiopian Tourism Showcase” →
Military

Cameroon-born US Soldier talks about her experience during Justified Accord
Advertisements

Video by Sgt. Kylejian Francia
U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

U.S. Army Pfc. Albright Ndemnyie, a supply specialist assigned to 1st Battalion, 182nd Infantry, 51st Troop Command, 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Massachusetts National Guard, talks about her experience during Justified Accord 2025 (JA25) at the Counter Insurgency Terrorism and Stability Operations center in Nanyuki, Kenya, Feb. 20, 2025. JA25 is the premier U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) exercise in East Africa, designed to enhance multinational combat readiness, strengthen crisis response capabilities and empower allies and partners in the region. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) and hosted by Kenya, Djibouti and Tanzania, JA25 integrates high-intensity training scenarios that sharpen warfighting skills, increase operational reach and enhance the ability to execute complex joint and multinational operations. The exercise runs from Feb. 10–21, 2025. (U.S. Army video by Sgt. Kylejian Francia)

Uncategorized

Mayor of Brampton honours Nigerian cleric, wife
Advertisements

By Oghenovo Egodo-Michael | Punch

The Mayor of Brampton in Canada, Patrick Brown, has honoured the General Overseer of the Seed of Christ Golden Church (Land of Reality), and his wife, Eunice. This happened on February 11, 2025, during their Apostolic visitation Gbara mi fun mi programme in Canada.

The award, personally presented by Mayor Brown, came as a surprise upon their arrival in the nation. The recognition highlights the couple’s commitment to fostering community spirit and uplifting those around them through their ministry.

Continue reading “Mayor of Brampton honours Nigerian cleric, wife” →
Uncategorized

Nigerian community forges solidarity amid decline in Black enrollment in Stanford University
Advertisements

By Tariq Lawal | Stanford Daily

Despite Stanford’s declining Black enrollment, Nigerian students and students of Nigerian descent stay connected with their heritage through the Stanford Nigerian Students Association (NAIJA), which allows them to celebrate their culture and address shared concerns.

The University has not fostered a sense of community and belonging among Nigerian students according to NAIJA member Christopher C. Emodi ’25, who citied long-running difficulties hosting events at the Center for African Studies (CAS) since 2023.

Continue reading “Nigerian community forges solidarity amid decline in Black enrollment in Stanford University” →
African Food

Best West African restaurant in Portland named one of the best in US
Advertisements

By Samantha Pierotti | Eugene Register-Guard

Akâdi is located in a warehouse in Southeast Portland. But the moment customers step inside, they are transported to the Ivory Coast of Africa, where chef Fatou Ouattara grew up and learned to cook.

Walls are painted in an ombré of sunset colors, a display of tribal masks hangs near the door and Mali music lilts through hidden speakers. Lush plants dangling from rafters blur the line between indoor and outdoor decor, something Ouattara remembers being important in her childhood home in Bouake, Cote D’Ivoire.

Continue reading “Best West African restaurant in Portland named one of the best in US” →
Video

Trump’s dissolution of USAID and its impact on Africa
Advertisements

President Trump recently ordered the closure of USAID and organization that has initiated several healthcare, economic development and democracy promoting programs across the world. Trump and his ally Elon Musk accused USAID of corruption and inefficiency. In the podcast Ebimo Amungo and Wuruche Uzoka examine the implications for Africa of this closure.

Sports

US-based fencer Akinbamiro chooses Nigeria
Advertisements

By Abiodun Adewale | Punch

American-based teenage fencer Peluola Akinbamiro has pledged her allegiance to Nigeria on the international stage, becoming the second fencer to pick the country after Folayemi Akinyosoye switched his allegiance from Great Britain to Nigeria last year.

The 13-year-old student from Fort Bend Fencing Academy in Houston expressed that her love for Nigeria inspired her decision to reach out to the Nigerian Fencing Federation, aiming to make her international debut for the country.

Continue reading “US-based fencer Akinbamiro chooses Nigeria” →
Sports

Nigerian American Moro Ojomo joins Philadelphia Eagles to celebrate Super Bowl LIX victory
Advertisements

By Ebimo Amungo

The Philadelphia Eagles are the New NLF champions and Nigerian-born Moro Ojomo  was among those celebrating this feat. The Eagles shut out the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in a one-sided Super Bowl LIX Finals held in New Orleans where four Nigerians were on the roster of the two opposing teams.

Moro Ojomo was part of the Eagles defensive team that limited Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The defensive tackle celebrated his first Super Bowl victory with a Nigerian flag as his team lifted the Lombardi trophy

Continue reading “Nigerian American Moro Ojomo joins Philadelphia Eagles to celebrate Super Bowl LIX victory” →
Video

Afrobeats and Nollywood are cultural exports that have enhanced  the image of African immigrants
Advertisements

Afrobeats, Amamapiano, Nollywood are cultural exports from Africa that has gained acceptance around the world and engendered a drastic change in the image of Africa and African immigrants.  In this discussion,  we examine how starts like Burna Boy, Tems, Tyla, Diamond Platinum are ambassadors and economic agents for Africa and the African diaspora

Africans-in-America.tv
Africa

From Music to Trade: Africa’s Cultural Proliferation and Economic Growth
Advertisements

By Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli | The Wilson Center

For the first time in history, twelve African artists from four countries are nominated across multiple categories in the 2025 Grammys. The nominations reflect Afrobeats’ rise and African music’s global impact. Sub-Saharan Africa’s music industry is the fastest-growing worldwide, with revenue up over 20% in 2023 alone. The industry showcases how African youth are transforming the continent’s creative landscape across fashion, technology, and beyond.

Africa is not only undergoing a cultural renaissance but also emerging as a global economic force.

Continue reading “From Music to Trade: Africa’s Cultural Proliferation and Economic Growth” →
African Food

Amen Cafe brings Ethiopian and Eritrean flavors to San Antonio
Advertisements

By Polly Anna Rocha | MYSA

The building at 5115 Fredericksburg Road was home to beloved local hot spot, Sangria on the Burg, for seven years before its chef and owner rebranded the space into a new concept, Saucy Birds, in early 2024. By summer, Saucy Birds was out, and the location sat vacant until recently, as a new restaurant has opened in its stead.

Amen Cafe Eritrean & Ethiopian Restaurant is now open on Fredericksburg Road, offering an assortment of East African dishes. It is not clear when exactly the Ethiopian restaurant moved in, but social media posts show activity around early January. MySA has reached out to Amen Cafe to find out more about the business.

Continue reading “Amen Cafe brings Ethiopian and Eritrean flavors to San Antonio” →
Politics

Yemi Mobolade | The Nigerian American who is the Mayor of Colorado Springs
Advertisements

By coloradosprings.gov

Blessing ‘Yemi’ Mobolade was sworn in as the 42nd Mayor of Colorado Springs on June 6, 2023. This is his first four-year term as mayor. He is the first Black man and immigrant to be elected mayor of Colorado Springs and one of the youngest.

Mobolade moved from Indiana to Colorado Springs in 2010, where he started a church as part of the Christian and Missionary Alliance. After identifying a need in downtown Colorado Springs for cultural gathering places, he became one of the first entrepreneurs to invest in downtown after the Great Recession when he co-founded The Wild Goose Meeting House in 2013.

Continue reading “Yemi Mobolade | The Nigerian American who is the Mayor of Colorado Springs” →
Uncategorized

Casimir Komenan | Ivory Coast Scholar Conducts Research on Prominent Author as Fulbright Visiting Scholar
Advertisements

By University of Arkansas News

Throughout his time as a college student, Ivory Coast scholar Casimir Komenan dreamt of the opportunity to conduct scholarship at a higher education institution in the United States. He got that opportunity this year, when he spent six months at the University of Arkansas conducting research as a Fulbright Visiting Scholar.

Komenan, an associate professor at Felix Houphouet-Boigny University in the Ivory Coast, researched at the U of A from April to October for his project on acclaimed South African and Nobel Prize winning author J.M. Coetzee. Specifically, the project examines how four of Coetzee’s works – Elizabeth Costello, Slow Man, Diary of a Bad Year, and The Childhood of Jesus – represent “innovative world writing” characterized chiefly by globalized and innovative settings and writing rooted in literary, philosophical and cultural traditions.

Continue reading “Casimir Komenan | Ivory Coast Scholar Conducts Research on Prominent Author as Fulbright Visiting Scholar” →
Video

Donald Trump’s deportation policy and its impact on the African immigrant community
Advertisements

President Donald Trump has launched a blistering removal policy for illegal immigrants. In this video, the Editor-in-Chief of Africans-in-America.com, Ebimo Amungo, and Wuruche Uzoka, a journalist, author, and human rights practitioner examine how Trump’s deportation actions impact the African Immigrant Community.

African Politics, Policy

Africa knew Trump’s ‘America First’ pledge meant it might be last. Then came the freeze on aid
Advertisements

By GERALD IMRAY Associated Press, MOGOMOTSI MAGOME Associated Press, FARAI MUTSAKA Associated Press, and MARK BANCHEREAU Associated Press

Four days after President Donald Trump signed an executive order freezing almost all U.S. foreign aid, an email landed in Claris Madhuku’s inbox in rural Zimbabwe. Stop all activities immediately, it said.The message confirmed Madhuku’s fears that Trump’s return to office might affect his organization’s efforts to save African girls from child marriages.

Many Africans had known that Trump’s “America First” outlook meant their continent was likely to be last among his priorities. But they hadn’t expected the abrupt halt to foreign aid from the world’s largest donor that stops money flowing for wide-ranging projects like disease response, girls’ education and free school lunches.

Continue reading “Africa knew Trump’s ‘America First’ pledge meant it might be last. Then came the freeze on aid” →
Festivals

AfroFuture festival to make U.S. debut in Detroit
Advertisements

By Lee DeVito | Detroit MetroTimes

An African music festival formerly known as “Afrochella” is coming to the U.S., and it’s making its American debut in the Motor City. Now called AfroFuture, the event bills itself as “a premier cultural platform dedicated to celebrating the beauty, creativity, and innovation of Africa and its diaspora.”

It first launched in Ghana in 2017.

Continue reading “AfroFuture festival to make U.S. debut in Detroit” →
Africa

South Africa defends itself against Trump and Musk attacks on land policy
Advertisements

By Reuters

South Africa defended itself against attacks on its land confiscation policy by Donald Trump and his South African-born billionaire backer Elon Musk after the U.S. president said he would cut off funding to the country over the issue. Trump said on Sunday, without citing evidence, that “South Africa is confiscating land” and “certain classes of people” were being treated “very badly.”

“I will be cutting off all future funding to South Africa until a full investigation of this situation has been completed!” he said.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said the government had not confiscated any land, and he looked forward to engaging with Trump to foster a better understanding over the matter.

Continue reading “South Africa defends itself against Trump and Musk attacks on land policy” →
Music

Nigeria’s Tems Wins Grammy In Field Dominated By Afrobeats
Advertisements

By AFP

Nigerian afrobeats star Tems has won her second Grammy with her hit “Love Me JeJe”, seeing off a line-up heavily dominated by Nigerian artists vying for “Best African Musical Performance”.

The song, which beat four others by star afrobeats performers, has notched up some 20 million views on YouTube.

In her acceptance speech at the 67th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles , Tems — whose real name is Temilade Openiyi — paid tribute to her mother.

Continue reading “Nigeria’s Tems Wins Grammy In Field Dominated By Afrobeats” →
Uncategorized

Canadian-Nigerian Doctor Sues Health Authority Over Alleged Discrimination
Advertisements

By Ejiro Edhughoro | News Central

Canadian doctor with Nigerian heritage, Dr Amos Akinbiyi, has taken legal action against the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA), accusing the organisation and some of its employees of intimidation, breach of contract, conspiracy, and defamation.

Akinbiyi, who has been practicing in Saskatchewan since 1996, claimed he was compelled to intervene in a medical emergency to save his daughter’s life while she was in labour at Regina General Hospital, a decision he believes contravened both professional and cultural boundaries.

Continue reading “Canadian-Nigerian Doctor Sues Health Authority Over Alleged Discrimination” →
Culture

7 Must-Visit Museums in the U.S. Honoring Black History, Culture and Resilience
Advertisements

By Recommend Staff | recommend.com

We’ve handpicked a selection of museums across the U.S. that you’ll want to recommend to clients interested in exploring Black history.

National Museum of African American History and Culture, D.C.
In D.C., the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC), part of the Smithsonian Institution, features exhibits on slavery, the Civil Rights Movement, arts, music, sports and more. Highlights include Harriet Tubman’s hymnal; Nat Turner’s bible; a plantation cabin from South Carolina; guard tower from Angola prison; Chuck Berry’s red Cadillac convertible; and works by prolific artists such as Charles Alston, Elizabeth Catlett, Romare Bearden, and Henry O. Tanner.

Continue reading “7 Must-Visit Museums in the U.S. Honoring Black History, Culture and Resilience” →