As African content continues to be ramped up globally, more creative collaborations are emerging not just in Nollywood, but East Africa too.



The African film industry is almost synonymous with Nollywood, produced out of Nigeria.



But East Africa is also playing to the gallery more so now, with its own content and collaborations.



A fact reiterated by entities such as D&amp;R Studios, which has created shows such as The Real Housewives of Nairobi, Sol Family, This Love, Being Bahati, and Young Rich, and Rushlake Media, a network that creates, develops, and scales streaming brands worldwide. The two recently announced a partnership to have more Kenyan TV content streamed internationally.



Eugene Mbugua, CEO of D&amp;R studios, tells FORBES AFRICA it is a game-changer for African storytelling, especially for Kenya. “They open doors, not just for distribution, but for collaboration, co-productions and resource sharing that can elevate the quality and reach of our content. For too long, African stories have either been overlooked or told through a foreign lens. Collaborations like this one ensures that we tell our own stories on our own terms, but with infrastructure to compete and appear globally.”



Philipp Hoffmann, founder and CEO of Rushlake Media, corroborates: “[We have always] focused on African storytelling, [for us] it was kind of an obvious thing to try and reach out and work with them.”



“The partnership gives us access to a wider distribution network, but more importantly, it positions Kenyan TV as a serious contender in the global content space.”



In its Africa Entertainment and Media Outlook 2022-2026 report, PricewaterhouseCoopers states that Kenya&#8217;s TV subscription revenue was estimated at around $420 million “recording an all-time high” in 2021. The report further says that the film and TV industry in Kenya experienced significant growth in the past two decades, with a focus on producing high-quality content that appeals to both local and international audiences with the film industry being estimated to be worth KES 5.3 billion ($49 million).



In a 2024 interview with FORBES AFRICA, Kenyan actor Sarah Hassan also agreed about the booming entertainment sector in the East African country.



“I would say the film space in Kenya has really grown. Even if you look at TV, we have a lot of different shows,” says Hassan, who has many shows and accolades under her svelte belt. “Looking at what there is, it’s a testament to the growth of the industry… We still have a long way to go, but we are moving in the right direction.”



“In an ideal world, [Kenyan] films can definitely cross into markets or to audiences which are not necessarily [just] African. This can widen the idea, the picture, the image of the African continent,” Hoffmann says. “Of course, we all know the bad stories from the continent, the cruel things [being said] and the bad things happening. But there&#8217;s so much more. There&#8217;s so much more to be seen and be discovered.”



“We&#8217;ve always believed that Kenyan stories deserve a global stage,” Mbugua adds.

Videographer, camera and man filming in studio for photography, production and media. Behind the scenes, backstage and person with stabilizing equipment on set shooting videos, documentary or film

‘Kenyan TV As A Serious Contender In The Global Content Space’

Access to the internet remains a significant barrier for many informal sectors in South Africa.



As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more prevalent, township economies cannot afford to fall behind.



Jo Griffiths, founder of Global Innovation Initiative Group that specializes in funding and fostering innovation across Africa, emphasizes that AI could be a game-changer to revolutionize township economies but acknowledges barriers such as limited infrastructure, lack of internet access and low digital literacy. Lack of awareness is also key.



“Language and context barriers present another hurdle, as most AI models are trained primarily in English, limiting accessibility for those who operate in local languages and dialects,” she says.



So, how can township entrepreneurs fully leverage AI for business growth?



Balabala of TEA says that it comes back to digital literacy. “It’s important that we not only focus on bringing digital trans- formation into these spaces but [that we] also prioritize digital literacy as a key part of the conversation.”



Innovation hubs can play a pivotal role in bridging the digital divide and making AI more accessible to township entrepreneurs, according to Griffiths. These centers also offer shared workspaces with stable internet access, AI-powered software, and access to expert guidance, which can significantly lower the barriers to AI adoption.



“Most importantly, these hubs facilitate collaborations with investors and corporates, unlocking funding opportunities and accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies,” she explains.



“Integrating AI into these innovation hubs can further empower township entrepreneurs by offering AI skills boot camps, hands-on access to AI-driven business tools, and AI-mentored business incubation programs that provide data-driven insights for growth strategies. Encouraging the development of community-led AI solutions tailored to local challenges can also drive sustainable innovation.”

South African Retail Economy And Maponya Mall

AI’s Role In Propelling Township Economies Forward

With Africa continuing its march as a magnet for the world’s tourists, the 2025 Hotel Development Pipeline Report, the definitive study of international hospitality projects across Africa, revealed development activity has been growing impressively in North Africa, which saw a 23% year-on-year increase, compared to a 6% increase in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).



The report, which looks at international hospitality development projects in Africa, showed that overall activity is up 13.3% as there are 577 hotels and resorts, with 104,444 rooms, in the development pipeline. Over the past five years, the hotel development pipeline has grown at an annualized rate of 4% in SSA, 12% in North Africa and 7% overall.



W Hospitality Group, who compiled the study, said that Egypt continues to lead with 143 hotels and 33,926 rooms in the pipeline. Second to that is Morocco with 8,579 rooms in 58 hotels. Despite its clear leadership in the absolute pipeline numbers, Egypt has fewer than 50% of rooms under construction, a significantly lower proportion than second-placed Morocco, with over 72%.



Notably also in the top 10 is Nigeria with 7, 320 rooms in development and Ethiopia and Cape Verde both with over 5,000 rooms in the pipeline. Kenya, South Africa and Tunisia have over 4,000 rooms in development and Tanzania and Ghana have over 3,000. According to the report, international hotel chains have deals signed in 42 of Africa’s 54 countries. %. Of the top 10 countries, Ethiopia has the highest ratio of rooms “on site”, followed by Morocco and Ghana. Cape Verde, Nigeria and Tanzania have some of the lowest percentages.



“However, ‘under construction’ does not necessarily mean that there is activity and progress towards completion and opening–many of the sites in Nigeria and Ghana, for example, have been closed for several years, with hardly a hard hat in sight,” the report reads.



“Despite the various trials that the continent faces, the fact that hotel chains signed 125 new deals last year, with 21,000 rooms, is evidence that opportunities for further development abound,” Trevor Ward, Managing Director of W Hospitality Group, said in a statement. “According to the Global Cities Institute, by the year 2100, 10 of the world’s 16 largest cities will be in Africa, with all but one of them (Cairo) in sub-Saharan Africa. So, one might say that development activity in Africa has barely scratched the surface.” &nbsp;

Royal Rojana Resort, hotel complex, beach, coast, Sharm El-Sheikh, Red Sea, Sinai, Egypt

North Africa Drives 23% Surge in Hotel Developments Across the Continent

South Africa’s music industry is entering a new era of change and transformation.



The country’s local artists doubled their earnings since 2022 by generating R400 million ($21.24 million) in royalties last year. According to music streaming service Spotify’s 2025 Loud &amp; Clear transparency report, the “financial milestone” comes alongside explosive audience growth, with South African artists being discovered by first-time listeners over 1.1 billion times–a 55% increase since 2023.



“We&#8217;re not just supporting South African artists–we&#8217;re revolutionizing how they build sustainable careers,” Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy, Spotify&#8217;s Sub-Saharan Africa Managing Director said in a statement. “Our ecosystem empowers artists to earn equitably from their talent while driving a powerful wave of cultural innovation that resonates globally.”



The report further highlighted that royalties for music performed in indigenous languages have skyrocketed, especially for South African local languages like isiZulu, Sotho, and Afrikaans, which has more than doubled since 2021.



Over 3,000 South African artists are featured on Spotify&#8217;s editorial playlists. The streaming service says it believes a substantial portion of royalties generated by South African artists came from international listeners.



“Global consumption of South African music averages over 600,000 hours daily,” the report reads. “Users have created approximately 220 million playlists featuring South African artists globally.”&nbsp;



Muhutu-Remy also highlighted how South African Grammy award-winning artist, Tyla Laura Seethal, recently surpassed one billion streams on Spotify with her global hit Water. This milestone made her the first African solo artist to achieve this.



“This historic moment cements Tyla’s place as one of the most influential new voices in music, solidifying the growing global impact of African artists,” Muhutu-Remy added.

2024 Billboard Music Awards – Show

South Africa’s Artists Doubled Their Earnings, Report Reveals

Uganda has become the 19th country in Africa to introduce the malaria vaccine into routine immunization.



“Today marks a historic turning point in Uganda’s fight against malaria. By integrating the malaria vaccine into routine immunization, Uganda is taking a bold step to protect its children, save lives, and secure a healthier future. This vaccine is a game-changer, and together, we must ensure that every child receives it,” said&nbsp;Dr Kasonde Mwinga, World Health Organization (WHO) representative to Uganda, in a statement.



Uganda’s Ministry of Health, with support from the Vaccine Alliance Gavi, rolled out the malaria vaccination campaign in Apac District, northern Uganda.



According to a statement released on April 2, this is the largest malaria vaccine roll-out to date in terms of target districts and population.



According to Uganda’s Ministry of Health, the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine is administered in four doses between six, seven, eight, and 18 months with the plan to initially target 1.1 million children aged under two years in 105 high-and moderate-transmission districts across Uganda.



In 2023,&nbsp;Uganda was among the top five African countries with the highest malaria burden, alongside Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, and Mozambique.



“Malaria is the leading cause of illness and death among young children in Uganda, responsible for up to 33% of all outpatient visits, 22% of hospital admissions and 6% of deaths, according to&nbsp;2023 data from WHO,” the statement said.



“With one of the highest malaria incidence rates globally, Uganda faces a relentless battle against this deadly disease that has devastated families and communities for far too long,” Dr Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, said.

Bweyale medical center

Historic Vaccine Milestone In Uganda’s Fight Against Malaria

Last week, the country made history by becoming the only African nation with a female President and Vice President. The government also had 14 ministers sworn in on Friday, eight of which are women.



On Friday, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah was sworn in as Namibia’s new President, becoming the country’s fifth. Following her presentation, the country’s first female head of state pledged to boost investment in the agricultural sector and diversify the resource-focused economy in an attempt to address high unemployment rates.



“Our government is tasked to enhance food security in the country, improve the health of our people, deliver affordable housing, quality education and create job opportunities for thousands of unemployed Namibians,” she said after her inauguration.



“Equally, we have to implement targeted interventions in the priority sectors of agriculture, mining, tourism, sports, and creative industries, among others to accelerate the socio-economic development of our country.”



Lucia Witbooi was also sworn in as Vice President and Ericah Shafudah as Finance Minister.



Dr Esperance Luvindao, FORBES AFRICA 30 Under 30 Class of 2022 listee, was also sworn in as a member of parliament and appointed as the Minister of Health and Social Services in Namibia.



Luvindao is one of eight newly-elected ministers who are women and, according to the medical doctor, it brings a great amount of hope that “a new dispensation has arrived”.



“I don’t think ‘excited’ is quite the word to describe it,” she tells FORBES AFRICA.



“I hope that this becomes the new norm; that headlines like these no longer shock us or feel out of the ordinary, but rather reflect the reality we’ve come to expect. I hope that it becomes standard for a head of state to be a woman, and for cabinets to be predominantly made up of women—appointed on merit, of course.



“We do not believe in assigning positions based solely on gender. But the truth is, some women are skilled, talented, knowledgeable, and experts in their fields. It’s simply time we begin appointing them to their rightful positions to move our countries forward.”



In her first statement as president, Nandi-Ndaitwah said that the day “marks the beginning of the first steps in an important but long five-year journey that we must walk together as a team.”



Other female ministers in the country’s new government include Lucia Iipumbu (Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security), Selma Ashipala-Musavyi (Minister of International Relations and Trade), the Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture is now Sanet Steenkamp, with the Environment and Tourism Minister being Indileni Daniel.



The Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare is Emma Kantema and the newly appointed speaker of the National Assembly is Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila.



Emma Theofelus continues her role as Minister of Information and Communication Technology, a ministry which she was appointed to in 2020, when she was just 23 years old.



“As elected leaders,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said on Friday, “we have an immense responsibility to ensure that we consolidate democracy, peace, stability and good governance in the country, as well as to expedite the delivery of quality public services to all Namibians.”

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of

Namibia Enters a New Female-Led Political Era

The cultural phenomenon that it now is, since launching in 2016, TikTok has rapidly grown as a social media platform with an audience of over 2.1 billion users. About 25% of those users are between 18-24 years old, according to Exploding Topics, which analyzes millions of searches, conversations and mentions across the internet.



This week, TikTok marked yet another milestone by expanding the parental and wellbeing tools designed to support families in fostering healthier digital habits for teens. These updates – part of TikTok’s commitment to online safety – enhance Family Pairing by providing parents with greater oversight while encouraging responsible and mindful screen-time among younger users.



The feature has been designed to ensure the safety of teenagers, but according to Adam Presser, Head of Operations &amp; Trust and Safety at TikTok, it’s also to provide parents with “peace of mind”.



“No teen or family is the same, and whether it&#8217;s during family time, school, at night, or a weekend away, caregivers can use our new Time Away feature to decide when it’s best for their teens to take a break. Parents can also set a reoccurring schedule to best suit their family life. If plans change, teens can request extra time, but parents make the final decision,” Presser said in a statement.



According to Statista, as of February 2025, United States has the largest TikTok audience by far, with almost 135.79 million users engaging. Indonesia followed, with around 107.7 million TikTok users. Brazil came in third, with almost 91.75 million users on TikTok watching short-videos. Reports show that on the Africa continent, Egypt has 37 million TikTok users, the highest in Africa, with Nigeria in second place with 23.84 million users and South Africa with 17 million users.



Senegalese-Italian influencer, Khaby Lame, is the most-followed TikTok creator with over 162.8 followers.



TikTok has designed the additional features to help teens develop balanced long-term habits, and reported that in countries where this has already been piloted, the vast majority of teens decide to keep this reminder on.

In this photo illustration the TikTok logo seen displayed on

New Features On TikTok For Healthier Digital Habits Among Teens

South Africans have responded to the implications of the budget speech while experts have noted the balance between fiscal consolidation and economic growth, though risks remain.



South Africa’s Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana delivered the country’s 2025 Budget Speech on March 12; and strong reactions followed the minister’s announcement of the 0.5% increase to Value Added Tax (VAT) for the current financial year.



Wealth management firm, Citadel’s Chief Economist, Maarten Ackerman, said that the VAT increase of 0.5% in 2025 and another 0.5% in 2026 reflects the government’s urgent revenue needs, balanced against the political negotiations it is locked in with the other political parties in the Government of National Unity (GNU).



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://twitter.com/SimonPGrindrod/status/1899813173848371219
</div></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://twitter.com/BoetBianco/status/1899798041227411735
</div></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">This budget speech really has me thinking , how quickly this economy shift impacts my startup business &amp; proof that we need to PLAN Business owners how are you holding on ? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FNBBudgetSpeech2025?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FNBBudgetSpeech2025</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Budget2025?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Budget2025</a> <a href="https://t.co/fX27siJhNc">pic.twitter.com/fX27siJhNc</a>&mdash; MaSediane (@lehlohonolosed) <a href="https://twitter.com/lehlohonolosed/status/1899822407986131228?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



“Higher taxes could further constrain consumer spending and economic activity. Treasury’s decision not to adjust income tax brackets for inflation will also add to financial strain on households,” Ackerman added.



In a statement by the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA), it said it was deeply concerned by the VAT announcement. The registered non-profit civil action stated that this is a regressive tax that will hit South Africans across all income levels, particularly low- and middle-income households, and is unacceptable.



“Treasury has opted for the easy option of a VAT hike rather than taking bold steps to cut waste, address inefficiencies, and tackle corruption. A VAT hike may be easy to collect, but it disproportionately impacts the poor. Government must focus on cutting waste and ending corruption before reaching into citizens’ pockets,” said OUTA CEO Wayne Duvenage.



Thomas Lobban, Director of Ibex Consulting, a division of Latita Africa, said that the budget speech is bad news for taxpayers especially when looking at the VAT increase. 



“While this move was anticipated, what has come as a shock is the decision to keep personal income tax brackets unchanged for the third consecutive year,” he said.



“With no adjustments for inflation, individual taxpayers will effectively pay more tax in real terms, leading to diminished purchasing power across the board.”



Politicians also noted their concern over the budget speech with the African Transformation Movement’s (ATM) Vuyolwethu Zungula emphasizing that the problem is that government refuses to go after big corporates who are making money in South Africa.



“This does not strike the middle ground,” Zungula told the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).



“Because the real impact will be when it comes to the poor. The poor now already have to be content with an increase in electricity prices, and fuel prices and we already have high interest rates.”



ActionSA’s Athol Trollip added that the economy is already struggling and this is mostly due to corruption. The political party said on X that they firmly reject the proposed 1% increase in VAT– 0.5% this year and 0.5% next year–as well as the hidden tax increase caused by the failure to adjust personal income tax brackets for inflation.



“The economy can’t grow, the minister himself said it’s been staggering for 10 years,” Trollip told reporters after the budget speech. &nbsp;“And because of that we have more and more people on social relief grants and that’s why the budget can’t balance.”



“While there are positive elements in the budget,” Ackerman said, “such as plans for greater public and private infrastructure spending, attempts to stabilize debt, and a seeming willingness to appease opposition partners in the Government of National Unity (GNU) as South Africa’s democracy matures – several underlying risks could derail the government’s projections, especially if execution on ambitious plans to achieve 1.8% gross domestic product (GDP) growth, falters.”

South Africa’s Fractious Coalition Faces Second Budget Reckoning

Citizens And Politicians React To 2025 South Africa Budget

At the 2025 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Awards, held as a glittering gala at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria on Wednesday, March 5, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), took home the 2025 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Lifetime Achievement Award, while the 2025 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Changemaker of the Decade Award was awarded to Arunma Oteh, Chairperson of the 124-year-old Royal African Society.



Known for her illustrious career on the continent and globally, Oteh also holds the position of Executive Residence &amp; Member, Global Leadership Council at the Said Business School, University of Oxford. She was previously Vice President and Treasurer of the World Bank, and Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in Nigeria.



“The award reminds me of strong women who have paved the way for others and continue to inspire me, including past awardees and my big sisters, Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Her Excellency Graça Machel and Madam Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma,” Okonjo-Iweala said in her recorded acceptance speech.


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="694" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Screenshot-2025-03-07-at-21.01.47-1024x694.png" alt="" class="wp-image-64861" style="width:572px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Screenshot-2025-03-07-at-21.01.47-1024x694.png 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Screenshot-2025-03-07-at-21.01.47-300x203.png 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Screenshot-2025-03-07-at-21.01.47-768x520.png 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Screenshot-2025-03-07-at-21.01.47-1536x1041.png 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Screenshot-2025-03-07-at-21.01.47.png 1706w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div>


In 2021, Okonjo-Iweala became the first woman and first African to take on the role of Director-General at the WTO. A global finance expert, economist and international development professional with over 40 years of experience working in Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and North America, she noted in her acceptance speech that young African women inspire her.



“While I&#8217;m proud [to be the first woman and African DG], I always have mixed feelings,” she said. “I always feel there should have been a woman prior and an African, why not? But that being said, I&#8217;m happy that I&#8217;ve been able to break that glass ceiling, and I&#8217;m glad that, as many of us continue to break glass ceilings, young African women will hopefully no longer face as many barriers as those who came before them. I have to say that young African women inspire me.”



The FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Awards uncovers some of Africa’s biggest and brightest personalities who have used the power of their stories to change the discourse of development on the continent.



One of the winners on the night was ‘the Queen of Afrobeats’, Tiwa Savage, who walked home with the 2025 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Media Icon Award. Savage, whose digital cover was revealed during the FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit earlier in the day, is known for her unique blend of Afrobeats, R&amp;B, soul and pop.



“I think a lot of times when people think of music, they think of just being an artist,” she explained in her interview with FORBES AFRICA. “But there are so many aspects to the industry. I want to build a school or scholarship program that teaches that.”



Among the award-winners on the night was 12-year-old Eniola Shokunbi who took home the 2025 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Young Achiever Award. A children’s health advocate and innovator, born in the U.S., and of Nigerian descent, she has been honored by the Martin Luther King Jr. Foundation and is already known for her fight for cleaner air and the installation of air filters in classrooms around the world.



Hephzibah Akinwale, also 12 years old, is a world record-holder for the longest fiction novel written by a child author at the age of 10, in September 2023, with her book, Chronicles of the Time Keepers: Whisked Away, featuring over 58,000 words. On Wednesday, Akinwale won the 2025 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Next Generation Award.



South Africa’s Minnie Dlamini was handed the 2025 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Excellence in Entertainment Award as an entrepreneur behind the lens in South Africa’s entertainment industry. As



an actor, Executive Producer, and TV host, she has over 9.3 million followers both on Instagram and Twitter. Featured as FORBES AFRICA’s digital cover as part of the magazine’s second annual ‘Over 30 Under 50’ list, Dlamini said: “I don’t think I would have been able to handle everything that I’ve handled – good and bad – all the opportunities, the resources that have been afforded to me, the resources that I’ve gone out and gotten myself, had I been younger,” Dlamini said. “[I] needed to go through life, to be older, and to be this 34-year-old woman so that I can fully embrace everything that’s coming my way.”



Other winners of the star-studded event included Kenyan environmentalist Wanjira Mathai who won the 2025 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Social Impact Award, while FORBES AFRICA 30 under 30 list-maker Jessica Mshama took home the 2025 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Technology &amp; Innovation Award.



Nissi Ogulu won the 2025 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Youth Icon Award for her work as a musician, visual artist, and entrepreneur. Dr Adriana Marais, the Director of the Foundation for Space Development Africa and Head of Science for the Foundation’s Africa2Moon Project, received the 2025 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Academic Excellence Award.



The 2025 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Champion of Change Award went to Dr Glenda Gray, who was the first female President and CEO of the South African Medical Research Council, leading the Council for 10 years in this role.



The 2025 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Businesswoman Award was awarded to Rita Zwane, Founder of Imbizo Shisanyama Busy Corner in South Africa. The face of women’s football in Africa, Sue Destombes was handed the 2025 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Sports Award. Her game-changing 30-year career in football has taken her across the continent and to AFCON and CHAN competitions since 2006.



To receive the inaugural 2025 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Visionary Ally Award, former NBA star Luol Deng walked up on stage for his leadership and community work using his platform to promote and support women’s empowerment.



Kenyan actor Sarah Hassan took home the 2025 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Entertainer of the Year Award. Hassan is a multi-award-winning actor, producer, and TV host. The 2025 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Champion of Entertainment Promotion was awarded to celebrity talent manager, Tholsi Pillay. This year, she celebrates a major milestone as her client, Wouter Kellerman, won his third Grammy Award, solidifying his position as a global music icon.



“I have to say that young African women inspire me,” Okonjo-Iweala said. “I see so many of them doing such wonderful things fearlessly, and it gives me a lot of hope. They will take on roles that we have now and more roles we don&#8217;t even know about, and they&#8217;ll do it fearlessly and succeed in ways that we before them never even thought of succeeding.”



The FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Awards were held as part of the 10th edition of the FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit on March 5.

DSC09044

Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Arunma Oteh Win Big At Star-Studded 2025 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Awards In Pretoria

In November last year, Yemi Alade earned her first Grammy nomination in the 2025 Best African Music Performance category. That moment is already a major milestone for her.



“If you had asked me this six [or] seven years ago, I would say that success for me, personally, is when I win the Grammy. Late last year, I got nominated for a Grammy, and that honestly was a chip on my shoulder. It was a sign to continue to be myself, my original self, irrespective of what the world might think. [I need to] continue to shine in my culture, continue to shine in my personality,” she says.



Although 2024 was a memorable year for Alade, she says her journey in the industry has not always been easy. When she compares the experiences at the beginning of her career to now, Alade says the biggest challenge she has had is with herself.



“Challenges will always come up. It doesn’t matter what stage of life you are in. However, the one challenge that has stayed in my face is being consistent. That is waking up every morning and choosing to do this thing called music. It’s a challenge because nothing good comes easy,” she explains.



“In the beginning, when I had nothing but this talent to offer, it seemed to people like I was crazy, because I was waking up in the morning to go out and sing, and in an African community that makes no sense. And now where I am, at this point, comfort also becomes a huge distraction. The minute I succumb to comfort, I would not be waking up in the morning to choose music. I feel like that’s a personal challenge.”



Well-known for her feature on global icon, Beyonce’s song, The Power, Alade was the first African female Afropop artist to hit over 100 million views on YouTube and VEVO with her hit single, Johnny. It is also among Afrobeats’ biggest songs of all time. Alade released her anticipated sixth studio album, and tenth project overall, Rebel Queen, which features five-time Grammy award-winning artist Angélique Kidjo, in July.



Alade told FORBES AFRICA in an interview in 2024 that the album was a homage to her journey so far, which is why a lot of the music on the album is reminiscent of the core of Afrobeats, as she remembers it. Alade says: “I feel like history is actually in the making, and I am one of the few people holding the pen and writing history in my own time. I feel honored and privileged to experience this. To be one of the many who continue to fly the flag of African music and our culture. It’s a good time to be alive.”

Yemi

Over 30 Under 50: “History Is In The Making, And I Am One Of The Few Holding The Pen.” – Nigerian Singer Yemi Alade

With a career that began at a young age and as a woman who is no stranger to being in the limelight, Minnie Dlamini tells FORBES AFRICA that she believes in turning her challenges into opportunities. It’s a lesson that she only truly learned, now, in her 30s.



“I don’t think I would have been able to handle everything that I’ve handled – good and bad – all the opportunities, the resources that have been afforded to me, the resources that I’ve gone out and gotten myself, had I been younger,” Dlamini says.



“[I] needed to go through life, to be older, and to be this 34-year-old woman so that I can fully embrace everything that’s coming my way.” Having hosted a multitude of events and award shows such as the South African Music Awards (SAMAs); the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs); Miss World South Africa and the Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards (AMVCAs), and presented at the cov- eted BET Awards in Los Angeles in the U.S., Dlamini burst onto the scene in 2010 while covering the Youth Day and World Cup celebration shows.



It was not long after that she found herself immersed in the world of sports broadcasting.



“One of the things I wanted to do was to create an environment where watching sports with your male counterparts, be it with your father or significant other, was normal and just redefining how people consume sports in a mainstream entertainment way,” she says.



Her success in the entertainment industry motivated her to start her own production company, Beautiful Day Productions, which pro- duced a pilot series called Becoming Mrs. Jones, a competition reality show called Spirit Of Mzansi, two Showmax movies; Goodbye Gogo and No Love Lost, as well as a viewer-generated content show for Channel O called Own The O.



However, as a woman, being in the public eye has not always been smooth sailing. She notes the comments made about her when she an- nounced her divorce from her husband in 2022.



“The world is not kind to a woman who’s getting divorced, which I think is an incredibly painful narrative. I thought [that] was something completely outdated, but I had no idea that, in this day and age, I’d be ostracized for getting divorced, and that was incredibly painful,” she says.



Dlamini did not let it stop her, as she again turned her lemons into lemonade by taking part in Roast of Minnie Dlamini on Showmax.



“I used that opportunity and we had the Roast; got paid lots of money,” she explains with a smile.



“…but more than anything, I got to use it as an opportunity to laugh at myself, and as a great brand exercise. If we take the finances away, it was an incredible brand exercise for me; it was an incredible career move that was risky, but the risk definitely paid off.”

Minnie

Over 30 Under 50: ‘I Don’t Think I Could Have Handled Everything I’ve Faced – Good And Bad – Had I Been Younger.’/ South African Actor Minnie Dlamini

In 2022, Sheila Atim made her way to South Africa to film a movie that, to this day, has had a profound impact on her.



It would explore themes like racism, gender-based violence, and female oppression, to name a few, and most of which still plague Africa today. It’s a story that Atim believes stands the test of time.



Alongside award-winning actors, Viola Davis and Thuso Mbedu, the film is about a fierce, all-female warrior regiment that protects the African Kingdom of Dahomey in the 1800s.



“There are many other [defining] moments in my career. I don’t just only value the things that get lots of public traction. Things that feel like they’ve genuinely touched people mean a lot [to me]. I know it sounds like a sort of obvious thing to say, but it is the truth.”



Atim was born in Uganda and moved to the United Kingdom with her mother when she was five months old. Growing up in Essex, she was always a creative child, and her mother embraced that about her. “I give a lot of credit to my mum because she was progressive in her thinking at that moment [when I decided I wanted to be in the entertainment industry]. A big part of it [was] about allowing her to understand and experience what I was doing, for herself,” Atim says after recalling the time her mother watched her star in Jesus Christ Superstar at school.



This was after her mother had told her that, as a final-year student, if she was planning on doing her A-levels in drama, she could not do the show.



“I lied, and auditioned for the school show anyway, and I didn’t tell her that that’s what I’ve been doing after school. They were selling tickets to the parents, and I just gave her a letter… I was playing Mary Magdalene so I was very visible,” she recalls with a laugh.



“I remember in the car afterwards, my mom was really proud and really happy. She has always been very supportive of my artistic side.”



Soon after, Atim thought she would be going to medical school to become a doctor. But following a rejection and the subsequent disappointment, she went on to study biomedical science, earning her degree at King’s College London. She continued to pursue music during the time.



“At first I thought I was just going to be a singer and songwriter, and then that ended up expanding into so much more because of the different artistic avenues I was going down while I was studying in London.”



Atim looks back at these moments, excited to be at the forefront of storytelling, especially as an African actor. She also continues to intentionally choose projects that consist of upliftment, growth and truth. Atim sees it as her duty to play a wide array of roles, but to also bring a level of authenticity to every one of those characters.



“Storytelling, whether it’s through song, dance, literal storytelling or the written word, is such a huge and intrinsic part of most African cultures, if not all. And for us to be able to transmute that now into broader avenues of expression, and avenues of expression that have a place on the global stage, is really important. And I feel like it’s something we’re owed.



“Africans, African culture, and the diaspora have been contributing to mainstream culture forever – that’s not a new thing. But to be able to lead the charge on our work and be credited for it directly and reap direct benefits from it as well is a wonderful development.” And on the multifarious opportunities there are, she says: “I think greeting each with curiosity and the attitude that there’s always something new to learn, and what a wonderful thing to be able to apply to your craft in multiple different ways. I think that’s really exciting.”

Sheila

Over 30 Under 50: ‘Africans Have Been Contributing To Mainstream Culture Forever… To Be Credited For It Directly Is A Wonderful Development.’/Ugandan-British actor Sheila Atim

Mitchells Plain, about a 20km-drive from Cape Town’s city center, is a small, densely populated area with its own array of social ills and issues. But for Kiara Scott, it is the place where she first fell in love with the idea of becoming a winemaker.



“I grew up surrounded by – I am trying to find a diplomatic way of saying this – partying and people enjoying beer and hard liquor and all of those things,” Scott laughs, speaking to FORBES AFRICA.



“And I was really interested, I think, in more of the chemistry of wine… that can sometimes have different effects on people… My family was also quite conservative. We were always told to stay away from any alcoholic beverage or drugs&#8230; So, it got me curious.”



Surprisingly, Scott received no pushback from her family when she spoke of her career ambitions – in fact, both her mother and grandmother encouraged her to pursue her passion.



Having graduated from the Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute, in Viticulture and Oenology, in wine town Stellenbosch and with years in the vineyards, the now 32-year-old recently took home the Diner’s Club Winemaker of the Year Award, making her just one of two women in 44 years to win the title. She was South Africa’s youngest female winemaker, when she was appointed by Brookdale Estate in 2019, and is now the head winemaker at Hazendal Wine Estate in Stellenbosch. &nbsp;



The South African wine industry continues to boom. The Western Cape province’s diverse climate and soil types create the ideal condition for winemakers to grow a variety of grapes. According to a report by Wines of South Africa, there are currently 87,848&nbsp;hectares of vines producing wine grapes under cultivation in South Africa over an area of some 800km in length. The report further states that the industry employed 270,363&nbsp;people in 2019, which included farm laborers, those involved in packaging, retailing and wine tourism.



And although this industry is considered male-dominated, according to London-based wine consumer research and insights specialist Wine Intelligence, “the narrative has been shifting, and today, women are not just participating but leading and shaping the future of winemaking”.



“In the earliest records of winemaking history, women&#8217;s roles were often limited to supporting tasks, despite their significant contributions,” the report in Wine Intelligence states. “Today, the landscape looks dramatically different. Women are winemakers, sommeliers, wine business CEOs, and hold numerous other critical positions within the industry. They bring diverse perspectives and innovations to winemaking, from sustainable practices to experimental techniques.”



Scott, one of only a few young colored women in South Africa and globally who is a winemaker, reiterates that is positive news for the industry.



“There are definitely more women today in the wine industry than when I started. At that time, there were probably only two female winemakers that I was aware of.”



Harking back to challenges of climbing up the ladder, Scott can’t help but smile and say, “I try to have a very the-glass-is-half-full approach and stay optimistic and positive. I think in any industry, in any career, there are definitely challenges, particularly with being a woman, [you will find] gender stereotypes. And then on top of that, also being a colored person, or a person of color, I&#8217;ve definitely had some experiences where that has been negative, but I will say, for the most part, it&#8217;s actually been quite positive.”



Her philosophy of minimal intervention and terroir-driven expression aligns with her interest in creating wines that are as technically exacting as they are bold.



“I have a simple and minimal intervention approach to winemaking. I believe that great wines are made in the vineyard. Year on year, I am aiming to better understand our vineyards and soils to make the work in the cellar easier,” Scott adds. “There have been challenges but nothing is not fixable and for me there is nothing else I would rather be doing than this.”

thumbnail_image001aqa

Change In The Cellar: South African Winemaker On Breaking Barriers In A Male-Dominated Industry

It was the biggest night for music, especially for artists like Kendrick Lamar and Beyonce, who took home multiple Recording Academy Awards at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles last night. However the spotlight was once again on Best African Music Performance, which was presented for the first time last year, as the continent’s biggest stars were nominated.



From contenders Yemi Alade (Tomorrow) to Asake and&nbsp; Wizkid (MMS), from Chris Brown Featuring Davido and Lojay (Sensational), and Burna Boy (Higher), it was 29-year-old Temilade Openiyi, known professionally as Tems, who took home the category award, making this her second Grammy. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/67th_Annual_Grammy_Awards"></a>



“My heart is beating so fast. I&#8217;m so sorry – I do work out, but it&#8217;s not showing up right now,” Openiyi, said in her acceptance speech.



Openiyi won for her Afrobeats single Love Me JeJe, which is her remake of the 1997 Nigerian classic by Seyi Sodimu. She performed the song for the first time during her Coachella set in April last year which generated a lot of popularity, ahead of the release of her debut album&nbsp;Born in the Wild&nbsp;in May.



The Nigerian singer first rose to fame after gaining worldwide recognition for her hit singles&nbsp;Mr. Rebel&nbsp;and&nbsp;Try Me, Essence’s success. In 2023, she took home her first Grammy award for Best Melodic Rap PerformanceforWAIT FOR U.



“I had no idea my life was about to change when I did that song,” Openiyi said in an exclusive interview with FORBES AFRICA in 2022 after her feature on Balogun’s 2020 single&nbsp;Essence.&nbsp;“Every day since then is like a dream and I am super thankful for the opportunity I have for people to hear my work on a global scale.”



Last night, the songtress honored her mother for her win, “This is her first Grammy and I just want to thank you mom because she is really done a lot for me and my brother. Happy Birthday mom.”

67th GRAMMY Awards – Premiere Ceremony

Nigerian Singer Tems Takes Home Her Second Grammy

According to a recent report, the creative economy in Africa is thriving; this while the continent’s creatives contribute to growing the industry and bringing the spotlight back home.



The past five years have proven to be very successful for Africa’s entertainment sector for both music and movies – 22-year-old South African, Tyla Laura Seethal took home a Grammy last year and&nbsp; Nigeria’s Temilade Openiyi (Tems) took hers home a year before that.



In addition, Nigerian-British actor, Cynthia Erivo was nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role at this year’s Academy Awards for her role as Elphaba in the cinematic version of the Broadway classic, Wicked; and South African short film, The Last Ranger was short-listed in the 97th Academy Awards in the Best Live Action Short Film category.



If Erivo wins the Oscar in March, the Daytime Emmy, Grammy and Tony Award-winning actress will then receive the coveted EGOT status.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



The newly-released PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Africa Entertainment and Media Outlook for 2024-2028, labeled Resilience and Reinvention, states that the key strongest markets (South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria) saw revenue growth in media and entertainment, ahead of the global average of 5% in 2023.



Growth was the strongest in the West African nation with an average of 15%. South Africa saw growth of 11.7% and Kenya saw an increase of 5.8%. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for Nigeria continues to boast one of the fastest growing E&amp;M industries in the world with an 8.6% CAGR.



South Africa is the most established market in Africa, with projected CAGR of 4.2% through 2028. Most of the country’s future growth is spread across various segments, excluding print media (newspapers, consumer magazines and books). However, PwC also reports that the segment to watch across media and entertainment is video games and esports.



“South Africa’s resilient E&amp;M market will see significant growth in OTT and internet advertising, driven by stable connectivity and 5G adoption, but must adapt to business model reinvention amidst digital ecosystem shifts and Al disruptions,” Alinah Motaung-Tshabalala, PwC Africa Entertainment and Media Leader, adds in the report.



Kenya’s biggest growth point will come from internet advertising; this is primarily due to the growth in mobile services. Nigeria’s growth through to 2028 will be largely due to internet advertising, video games, music and podcasts, to name a few.



“With a youthful population eager to embrace innovation, Nigeria’s entertainment and media industry can harness the power of genAl to capitalize on this disruptive force, unlocking new opportunities for growth and development,”Udochi Muogilim, Technology, Media and Telecommunications Leader at PwC Nigeria, said.



The report also showed that South Africa recorded the largest annual jump in box office revenue of the three countries during 2023 at 33.6%. According to PwC, international blockbusters will help drive the cinema industry in South Africa, which “has been experiencing a challenging few years and is starting to show steady recovery to pre-pandemic revenues by 2027”.



Over the next five years, E&amp;M in these three countries is expected to rise ahead of the global average of 3.9% CAGR. In South Africa, the increase will go from $16.1 billion to $19.8 billion, while revenue is set to reach $4.8 billion in Kenya; this from $3.8 billion in 2023. Nigeria’s growth will go from $9 billion to $13.6 billion in 2028.

Chanel Retief

FORBES AFRICA SOCIAL MEDIA