The Initiative Schwarze Menschen in Deutschland (Initiative of Black People in Germany or ISD Bund e.V.) marked the 30th anniversary of its founding early this year. The ISD is the first and the most important group formed by the African diaspora in this country since 1945 for the promotion of its interests. Although Blacks have not attained the level of …

South African legend Hugh Masekela has been awarded this year’s Africa Festival Prize for his lifetime achievement. Visibly moved, the Jazz musician who performed during the festival, which took place on 26-29 May in the Bavarian town of Würzburg, thanked the organisers for the honour done him. About 80,000 visitors made this year’s Africa Festival one of the most successful …

Since 1992, the University for Development Studies in Ghana institution has been helping the rural poor of northern Ghana. Its range of projects is remarkable: from setting up and running agribusinesses to recycling plastics, from building dams to spreading literacy, from preserving water resources to educating parents about the value of keeping their children in school. Our contributing editor Tom …

South Africa’s Public Protector, who famously took on President Jacob Zuma over the use of taxpayers’ money to upgrade his home, has been awarded the prestigious prize for her commitment to fighting corruption. Some have called her a woman of steel. Others say she is the voice of the voiceless. As the public protector, Thuli Madonsela has worked tirelessly to …

In an exclusive interview with The African Courier, Sebastian Kester talks about his company, which is the only African-owned aviation company in Europe, and the opportunities and challenges in African aviation, among other issues.

The African festival in the federal capital of Berlin opens on 2 June with a wide-ranging programme including live concerts, dance workshops, a bazaar and workshops at the popular Alexanderplatz in the city centre. The Festival is visited by around 5,000 people daily! Kenako Afrika Festival, from 2-12 June, parades established and up-and-coming artists, including Wiyaala, the creative artist from …

The annual summer season of African music and culture in Germany has gone into full swing. Here are the Top Festivals promising an unforgettable experience: ———————————————- Afrika Karibik Kultur Festival Starnberg 6 – 10 June / Starnberg, Seepromenade Festival features various international musicians, dancers and groups of African and Caribbean origin.  Plus exotic drinks and wonderfully fresh Caribbean summer cocktails …

African women from across Europe will gather in the western German city of Düsseldorf on 18 June. Organised by African Women in Europe (AWE) Network under the theme Leadership & Integration for Change, the one-day event will feature discussions on issues affecting African women, their career development and the opportunities for professional advancement. Among the speakers billed to speak at …

Humanitas Afrika launched a creative initiative last year to promote positive Africa in the Czech Republic. Around Africa in a Month is a platform of constructive dialogue to discuss serious issues that showcase the various contributions that the African Diaspora communities are making to the development of Africa and Europe. In this first interview in a series, Martha Ronke Ayorinde …

Visitor numbers in The Gambia continue to grow thanks to increasing halal tourist options and a new five-star resort opening outside Banjul. Only six hours from Brussels and with a negligible time difference from mainland Europe, Gambia has been steadily leveraging its golden beaches and excellent birdwatching opportunities to build up a tourist industry that accounts for around 20 per …

In 2010, almost 600 million Africans or 57 per cent of the population had no access to any form of electricity. Africa is experiencing rapid economic growth, with estimates showing growth figures for the continent rising from 4.7 per cent in 2013 to 5.2 per cent in 2014. However, if this growth is to be sustained, renewable energy must have …

The recent inaugural Nigeria Manufacturing Expo in Lagos has been hailed as a great success by the event patrons, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, according to organisers Clarion Events. The event, launched in response to the federal government’s commitment to industrialisation and Nigeria’s need to diversify, welcomed more than 2,600 manufacturing experts over three days in March. The top manufacturing …

One hundred groups meet in Berlin, call for change in the discussion of migration issues They take our jobs. They put pressure on our social services. They bring war, diseases and uncivilised social practices. They degrade our culture and threaten our societies. Everything was better before they arrived… These are just a few of the myths about migrants and refugees …

Nigerian restaurant makes waves in Berlin with delicacies straight from mama’s kitchen   Ebeano, which roughly translates as “the place to be” in the Igbo language, is the name of a Nigerian restaurant in Pohlstrasse, off the popular Potsdamer Strasse in the Tiergarten district of Berlin. Owner and chef Vincent Nnamani, a trained builder (he has a diploma in building …

Dr Daniel Ubani is a constant face at every Nigerian event in Germany. He could be described as a pillar of the community of his countrymen and women in the country.  Dr Ubani actually arrived in Germany in 1966. He studied medicine at Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg from 1966-1972. And from1974-1980, he pursued post-graduate studies which culminated in his qualification …

Noo Saro-Wiwa’s exhilarating offering is travel book, social commentary, history and a projection into Nigeria’s future all rolled into one, writes Michael Nnaji.  Unlike most writers who spend a few weeks or days in a particular country of interest before embarking on an opinionated take in the form of a travel book, Noo Saro-Wiwa’s Looking for Transwonderland – Travels in …

The restoration of democracy with regular elections in the 1990s held the promise of resolving the explosive issue of power succession blamed for the conflicts that devilled post-independent Africa. After independence in the 1960s, most of the ruling parties abolished multiparty democracy and instituted one-party states. The argument for the change was the promotion of stability, as the acrimonious contest …

Naledi Pandor, South Africa’s Minister of Science and Technology, was awarded with the Grand Cross of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany at the residence of the German Ambassador in Pretoria on 22 April. On behalf of the German President, Ambassador Walter Lindner presented the Order to Ms Pandor in front of over 100 high-level guests. The minister has …

Thousands of people attended several funeral events for Congolese music star Papa Wemba on 2-4 April in the country’s capital, Kinshasa. His body laid in the parliamentary building for an official commemoration and later at his family home for the public to view, among other activities giving the super star of African music a fitting departure.  President Joseph Kabila delivered …

Düsseldorf, April 2016 – Ortel Mobile connects people in different countries. To mark its ten-year anniversary, the telecommunications company is now offering a 10-gigabyte Internet flat rate in its range of products. Nowadays, mobile data is more important than ever for staying in contact with loved ones – whether viewing a video from friends or family on Facebook while you’re …