Find the Best Online Universities

October 1st, 2005

The continent of Africa is the second-most populated in the world and has 53 countries within its border. Yet despite both its diversity and enormity, the African continent remains one of the least studied by American students.

In an attempt to provide students, laymen, and educators with a single resource from which they can begin their own exploration of the richness and diversity of Africa, we have compiled a list of what we consider to be the 50 best blogs to learn about African culture, news, politics, and viewpoints. Blogs are an excellent way to learn about nations and cultures due to the passion, diversity of perspective and honesty of the writing, which you won’t often find in textbooks. We have categorized these top 50 blogs as follows: Politics and Human Rights, News, Culture & Art, Technology and Entrepreneurship, and Viewpoints from many of the African Countries.

Politics and Human Rights

These blogs provide a glimpse into African politics as the bloggers span across the continent.

1. African Politics Portal This student studying in the US and traveling in Africa posts news stories and more about the political climate in Africa. Posts show strong criticism of both African leaders and International Organizations.

2. George Ngwane This political activist and writer blogs about politics, art, and culture as they pertain to the freedom and evolution of the African people. These articles make good reading for students of Africa studies, Development studies, Politics and Culture.

3. My heart’s in Accra Human rights, politics, poverty, and more are featured in this blog written by Ethan Zuckerman. Also gives a good take on international development and hacking the media.

4. Black Looks This blog targets several aspects of life in Africa. The main focus is on human rights and the treatment of women.

5. The Bearded Man Dedicated to the country of Zimbabwe. Posts are on politics with a chief interest on the current dictatorship and its impact on the people.

6. Max Siollun’s Website Provides complete coverage of Nigerian politics. Recent stories include results of British colonialism and a speech about the economic progress of Nigeria.

7. Enset With articles from the arrest of the first woman leader in a major political party to the importance of the respect of elders in Ethiopia, the politics in this blog cover all territories.

8. Making Sense of Darfur Covers politics and socioeconomic issues in an attempt to make sense of the upheaval occurring in Darfur. Political unrest and human rights violations are just some of the topics covered.

9. Black Kush Editorials on political issues and news stories occurring in Sudan. Get the latest news as it relates to the politics taking place.

10. ethiopundit Discusses the politics in Ethiopia especially as they relate to other world powers including the US and Great Britain. Provides plenty of insight into the reality of politics in Ethiopia.

News

Stay on top of your studies of news coming out of Africa with these blogs that post on a variety of topics across many different countries.

11. Africa News This news aggregate reports from over 100 African news sources. There are also many other sources to provide news events all across Africa.

12. Living Zimbabwe From hunger to the Red Cross in Zimbabwe, the posts here aim to bring recognition to all the leading news. This blog brings attention to the corrupt leadership occurring in this country.

13. Nigerian Village Square Smart articles about Nigerian economy and news updates. This blog mainly focuses on the country of Nigeria.

14. Friends of Ethiopia This blog is a news aggregator with a particular focus on eco-friendly news stories that relate to Ethiopian economy. Dedicated to bringing peace and prosperity to the people of Ethiopia through a democratic process.

15. Sudan Watch Get the latest news as it relates to the politics taking place in Sudan. It is also a place for people to share views and opinions on stopping the genocide in Darfur.

16. KenyaImagine A community-based effort, this blog centers on analysis of current news in Kenya. Also there are many interesting posts about life in Kenya as well.

17. Reuters Africa Blog Frequent commentary on up to the minute news for the continent of Africa. Topics include business, lifestyle and politics.

18. Sociolingo’s Africa Posting a collection of news, images, and various other details pertaining to Africa, this blog covers a wide range not concentrated on just one geographic area.

19. Africa Now! This weekly radio show from Washington DC posts topics from the show. Their blog cover issues affecting the entire continent.

20. Africa Matters Find plenty of news about Africa on this blog. Get bilingual (English and French) news stories from all around Africa.

Culture and Art

Africa is home to stunning art and unique culture. These blogs capture the spirit and make you feel like you are experiencing things first hand.

21. halftribe With a heavy emphasis on the written word, this blog shares art, literature, and more. Posts reflect the past and present African culture.

22. A Romanian in Africa This student is traveling through Africa as a part of his education and posts about African culture and more. He also writes African Politics Portal about politics in Africa.

23. BetumiBlog Writing from the US, this blogger shares an amazing amount of information about African foods, their history, and more.

24. I am thinking about Nigeria The posts here offer a very real sense of what it’s like to live as a Nigerian. With topics including life, culture, and the economy you can gain respect for the continent.

25. AfricanLoft With culture, lifestyle, opinions, and more, this blog provides a purely African perspective on society. Get a close up look at life in some of the countries of Africa.

26. African Architecture and Design This blog brings the best examples of modern African architecture and design. There is great focus on eco-building, sustainability, and local materials.

27. The Face of AfriKa Focuses on positive aspects of Africa not often shown in the world news. Includes inspirational posts, information about events, and more.

28. laspapi Offers bits of arts and culture through photographs and posts from other sources. A great source of knowledge on African art and pottery.

29. Kwani Trust Promoting Kenyan culture, this blog features literature, photos, cultural events, and more from the country. Learn about ancient traditions in Kenyan history.

30. Zimbabwe Absurdity As this blogger waits for the loss of his own business in Zimbabwe, he writes about the dollarization and a nation of traders trying to survive. He also shares insight on the culture and past glory of the nation.

Technology & Entrepreneurship

Business and technology are growing rapidly across Africa. These blogs document the trend with topics for those interested in technology, entrepreneurship, banking, sustainable development, and more.

31. White African This blog features tech topics with an African viewpoint. Covers topics such as Google in Africa, African technology used worldwide, and co working space.

32. Timbuktu Chronicles Written by Meek Orator, an entrepreneur in New York, this blog covers technology, science, and entrepreneurship as it relates to Africa.

33. Nubian Cheetah This blog focuses on technology, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development in Africa. Seeks to inform those who have an interest in Africa’s sustainable development with regards to technology and business.

34. Apprica Get your daily dose of African IT industry news and culture from this blog. Facilitates, mentors and incubates entrepreneurs in software in East Africa and Uganda.

35. Africa Unchained Discussion focuses on issues raised by George Ayittey’s book Africa Unchained. Read passages from the book and find out how this is in direct relation to the problems they are having today.

36. e-Luminations Formed as a part of the Khanya project, which brought technology to teachers in South Africa. Provides technology updates and new happening on the continent of Africa.

37. Bankelele Business and banking are the main topics of this blog. Written by a Nairobi banker who voices his opinions and experiences on a number of business issues.

38. Afromusing Technology, innovation, renewable energy, and some of the subjects that catch the thoughts of this blogger. Originally from Kenya but living in Chicago, the writer is very vocal in expressions her visions for Africa.

39. Nigerian Entrepreneur Get a look at what the entrepreneurs working in Nigeria experience with important and honest information. There are also helpful tips available in this blog for new entrepreneurs trying to get started.

40. Startup Africa This blogs commentary is more on social media and technology. Posts seem to have a strong South African presence.

Viewpoints from many of the African Countries

These blogs offer a peek into life in many different countries throughout Africa from Ghana to Zambia to Tanzania.

41. Oluniyi David Ajao This blogger, born in Nigeria and living in Ghana, shares his experiences to help others notice Africa as the grand continent it is. Posts relate his heartfelt love for his country.

42. Reluctant Memsahib Written by a third-generation Celt in Tanzania. This woman’s emotional passages share her life in Africa as a mother, and as a part of the Earth.

43. Under the Acacias Shows life among the Fulani in Burkina Faso. Combining photographs with written blog posts, the articles here are instilled with a sharp sense of humanism.

44. Zambian Economist Learn about the economic state of Zambia. This is a non-political blog about the perils facing Africa today.

45. Scarlett Lion: Liberia Shares this bloggers knowledge and growth as she lives her life in Liberia. Get an outsiders viewpoint and striking photographs of the country of Liberia.

46. Palapye.com News Blog These articles bring light to business, culture, and news. Their main interest is on Botswana and Palapye.

47. Koranteng’s Toli An accumulation of writing on many issues in Ghana. With a captivating mixture of culture and editorial, this blog brings a special understanding of Ghana to readers.

48. louder than swahili This blog contains beautiful photographs of the people and the region of Tanzia. Get a peek of the culture and life of the Tanzian people through thoughtful commentary.

49. The Trials & Tribulations of a Freshly-Arrived Denizen…of Ghana Actually, this blogger has been journaling his experience in Accra for four years now. He offers insight through the written word and photography.

50. GhanaConscious blogs. Advocates for human rights and equality. These blogs are a part of the GhanaConscious kinship that gives a voice to the society of Ghana.

While war and poverty are a part of Africa, so is busy cities, technology, and a rare culture found nowhere else. We hope these blogs can be a great resource for strengthening your knowledge of this beautiful continent.

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