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SOLE SEARCHERS: The Rise Of The Solopreneurs

Our travel writer Ramdas Iyer explores the ancient, Sunbaked Ksours, Kasbahs and Vernacular mud architecture in the region South of Marrakesh.



Ksours form part of the typical desert landscape in most countries of North Africa. Some of them have become famous thanks to the sci-fi or historical films shot there, for example, Matmata in Tunisia was the site for Star Wars, Ait Benhaddou in Morocco for Kingdom of Heaven and Gladiator, and scores of other productions. In southern Morocco, across the area between the Ziz and Drâa rivers, there are around 600 ksours and more than 400 kasbahs, forming what is known as the Route of 1,000 Kasbahs.



Ksour (qasr in Arabic) are fortified villages including houses, grana- ries, cemeteries and a mosque. Kasbahs are fortified palaces belonging to a single family with their own granaries, water sources, and places of worship. The first ksours were built as early as the 11th century and the indigenous inhabitants of ksour regions are of Berber origin, pri- marily residing in Morocco and Algeria.



My interest in vernacular mud architecture has taken me to many parts of the dry Saharan environment.



The High Atlas Mountain chain divides Morocco into two distinct parts. The area of ample rainfall, bountiful agriculture and placid vil- lage life to the north was historically called bled al-makhzan, the land of imperial governance. To the south, a rocky, sandy and sunbaked expanse stretched into the Sahara. This was bled es-siba, known as the land of disorder.



While most typical Moroccan travel itineraries include the imperial cities of Fes, Meknes and Rabat in the north along with the Mediterranean beaches at Agadir, little attention has been paid to the Saharan south. So, I decided to explore this amazing region south of Marrakesh across the snowcapped High Atlas passing through Ouarzazate, home to the World Heritage site, Ait Benhaddou , all the way to Zagora, home to high dunes where an old sign of dubious origin reads, ‘52 days to Timbuktu’, a journey to be undertaken on a camel.



Abdeslam Mesbahi, my well-informed driver and guide, made this trip a historically-oriented one. His ability to speak in English, French, Arabic and Tamazight (Berber language) with equal ease helped in our frequent interactions with the locals.



Set among the ancient caravan routes that traded goods from sub-Saharan Africa to the Mediterranean coast to cities like Marrakech and Essaouira, kasbahs and ksours dot the main route for over a distance of 150 kilometers. Today, most of the mud buildings are in extremely poor condition due to the emigration of people to the cities. 



Yet, many of them have been restored, including the magnificent Ait Benhaddou; Tamadot Kas- bah, owned by British billionaire-entrepreneur Richard Branson; and the recently-renovated Taourirt Kasbah, a 300-room citadel with a maze of narrow passageways, steeped towers and narrow staircases. I was fortunate to stay in a small kasbah across the street from Taourirt and was given a tour of the compound where many Ber- ber families still live in unrestored, ruined apartments.



Mesbahi gave me a detailed account of the evolution of these amazing mud structures. Ksours are typically medieval towns characteristic of Saharan settlements well-integrated into their natural environment. During medieval times, the local population consisted of two main social groups; nomads making a living through trade and pasturage, and the landowners along with their workers who lived in the oases that dotted the countryside.



While both groups were dependent on each other, conflicts report- edly arose when the nomads engaged in uncontrolled pasturage in the oases, which deprived the inhabitants of harvest. It became the main reason for conflict between the settled tribal and nomad groups, and this meant frequent raids on the granaries. 



One of the ways to prevent such attacks was to build fortified granaries. As attacks could occur quite unexpectedly and last for extended periods, the ksours were prepared for the “normal” life of their inhabitants. Apart from granaries, and spaces for living, they all featured a mosque, markets and schools. Ait Benhaddou is perhaps the most spectacular of all ksours. The walls are built with local mudbricks and the roofs made using the trunks and branches of palm trees make them truly eco-friendly.



Like most vernacular architecture in Africa, the need for stable employment, better living conditions and access to education have emp- tied these structures. Without regular upkeep, they collapse after the rains, and it broke my heart to see the entire region filled with ruined structures running for miles along oasis towns.



Tourism has helped restore some of the major buildings, but many classical structures are being relegated to architectural textbooks. The occasional traveler like me yearns for a glimpse into this ancient world. But alas, it is the Maghreb’s last sigh!

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Earthen Appeal: Exploring The Ingenious Mud Buildings Of Morocco

Artificial intelligence (AI) holds transformative potential for Africa, but harnessing it responsibly is crucial. As AI increasingly integrates into various sectors, standards for robust governance frameworks are essential to ensure its ethical and beneficial use for all Africans. The United Nations University (UNU), recognizing both the potential and the perils of AI, is actively contributing to shaping a future where AI serves as a force for good across the continent.



While AI has the potential to revolutionize sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and education, Africa’s unique challenges— ranging from digital divides to diverse cultural landscapes — demand tailored governance. Developing Africa-centric AI standards rooted in universal principles adapted to local contexts is imperative to address these challenges. This approach aligns with the South African Bureau of



Standards (SABS), which emphasizes the importance of context-specific standards that address regional needs while maintaining global relevance.



Several core principles should guide the development of standards for the ethical AI ecosystem. First, AI systems must be designed with human rights and dignity as their foundation. This principle is reflected in the work of entities such as the



Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), which has developed global standards for AI ethics that emphasize fairness, accountability, and transparency. Additionally, AI systems should respect Africa’s rich cultural and linguistic diversity, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for all.



Second, explainable AI is crucial for building trust, particularly in sectors where AI decisions have far-reaching consequences.



Africa should emphasize transparency aligned with global standards such as those developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), which advocates for clear documentation and accessible information about AI systems and their decision- making processes. Furthermore, lessons from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) highlight the importance of developing explainable AI models that non-experts can understand, ensuring transparency at all levels of society.



Third, establishing clear responsibility for AI outcomes is essential. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) plays a significant role in this, providing guidelines that stress the importance of accountability in AI governance. UNU’s work on AI governance frameworks underscores the necessity for clear lines of accountability and mechanisms to address any adverse consequences of AI deployment.



The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) also offers valuable insights into safety standards and risk management, ensuring that AI systems operate reliably and are held accountable for their outcomes.



Fourth, AI’s benefits must be shared widely, bridging digital divides and preventing technology from exacerbating existing inequalities. This principle is closely aligned with the objectives of standards bodies such as SABS, which advocate for equitable access to AI technologies. The European Union’s AI Act ensures that AI deployment is inclusive, promoting social justice and protecting vulnerable populations.



Fifth, African nations must collaborate to harmonize regulations and share best practices, maximizing AI’s positive impact. UNU’s initiatives in fostering regional cooperation on AI are crucial in promoting such collaboration, ensuring that the benefits of AI are widely shared and that shared values and goals shape the continent’s AI landscape. Drawing lessons from the European Union’s collaborative approach to AI governance, Africa can benefit from a unified strategy that leverages regional strengths while ensuring alignment with global best practices.



Africa’s AI governance must be guided by robust frameworks that consider continental and global perspectives. The African Digital Compact (ADC) and the Continental Artificial Intelligence Strategy (CAIS), recently adopted by the African Union, are pivotal. These initiatives aim to create a cohesive and inclusive digital environment across Africa, ensuring that AI development and deployment align with the continent’s unique needs and aspirations. These frameworks help harmonize AI policies across African nations by setting clear standards and guidelines, fostering regional



cooperation and innovation. The ADC and the CAIS must be aligned with the Global Digital Compact (GDC) and High-Level Advisory Body on AI. The GDC emphasizes the importance of a human-centered approach to digital transformation, advocating for policies prioritizing equity, inclusivity, and sustainability.



The UN High-Level Advisory Body on AI provides strategic guidance on AI-related challenges and opportunities, ensuring that global AI standards are informed by diverse perspectives, including those from Africa. These frameworks collectively support the development of AI governance standards aligned with Africa’s specific context and resonating with global principles. By integrating insights from initiatives like the ADC and the GDC, African nations can ensure their AI policies are locally relevant and globally connected.



In conclusion, Africa stands on the cusp of an AI revolution. By prioritizing robust and ethical governance and leveraging the expertise of institutions like the UNU, the continent can harness this technology to drive sustainable development, reduce inequality, and create a brighter future for all. As AI continues to evolve, ongoing research, collaboration, and adherence to standards will be essential to ensure that this powerful tool truly benefits all African

AI (Artificial Intelligence) concept. Electronic circuit. Communication network.

Expert-Speak: Standards For AI Governance Are Necessary For Africa’s Flourishing Future

Akinwumi Adesina, the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), has been crowned the All Africa Business Leaders Awards’ (AABLA) first-ever ‘African of the Decade’ as he concludes a 10-year tenure marked by several laudable initiatives to improve lives across Africa.



The award recognized Adesina’s efforts to develop the continent and galvanize capital through his High 5 strategic initiatives: Light Up and Power Africa, Feed Africa, Industrialize Africa, Integrate Africa and Improve the lives of the People of Africa. His ambitious collaboration with the World Bank was to provide electricity to 300 million Africans. His term comes to an end next year.



Adesina thanked ABN Group Chairman Rakesh Wahi and his management for the accolade, one of a string that have come since his assumption of the only African financial institution rated AAA by all the three major rating agencies: Moody&#8217;s, S&amp;P and Fitch.



&#8220;God did not make a mistake when he made me an African. I will leave as an African and I will do all I can, to my final breath, for Africa. When I die and it’s time for resurrection, I will ask God for permission to come out with an African flag,’’ Adesina said, accepting the award today while at the Africa Investment Forum in Rabat, Morocco.



“But awards are not just recognition nor are they just for you. They are a recognition for an army of believers who join you to do what you are doing. It allows you to be inspired, to be motivated, to be more dedicated, to be more relentless with the vision that one has. Thank you to the ABN Group.’’



The AABLA, in partnership with CNBC Africa, were established by the ABN Group in 2012 to honor national, industry and business leaders who play pivotal roles in nurturing future generations, and contributing to the development of their organizations, countries and the continent.

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AfDB’s Adesina Crowned African Of The Decade By The All Africa Business Leaders Awards

Zimbabwean striker Peter Ndlovu opened the door for a multitude of talent from the continent to follow in his footsteps and compete in what is regarded as the world’s best club arena.



Peter Ndlovu holds two pieces of English Premier League history no one can take away from him, even if his achievements are now more than three decades old. 



The Zimbabwean striker, widely regarded as the best footballer his country ever produced, was the first African to play in the newly re- branded English League in August 1992, and a couple of weeks later became the first African to score in the Premier League, effectively opening the door for a multitude of talent from the con- tinent to follow in his footsteps and compete in what is regarded as the world’s best club arena.



These days clubs across England are filled with top African talent as the Premier League has become the most sought-after destination for the world’s top footballers.



The jaw-dropping salaries are the major attraction but also the level of competition and the uniquely fiery atmosphere created at the iconic stadiums across the country.



But when Ndlovu was featuring for Coventry City in England’s top flight in 1992, there were not many Africans around.



He was still a teenager when he moved from Bulawayo, having joined Coventry from his hometown club Highland- ers the year before, and when he came on for John Williams in Coventry’s Premier League away victory at Tottenham Hotspur on August 19, 1992, broke new ground for African footballers.



“I’m sure I was told then, ‘do you know that you’re the first African to play in the Premier League?’ I probably just said ‘ok’ and didn’t give it any more thought,” Ndlovu tells FORBES AFRICA.



He then went one better and became the first African to score in the rebranded English top flight, netting for Coventry in a 2-1 win at Sheffield Wednesday on Septem- ber 2, 1992.



In all, Ndlovu scored 34 Premier League goals – which all came for Coventry – and remains the highest-scoring Zimbabwean in English football but he has long since been surpassed in the all-time list of African marksmen.



Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah leads the way on 159 goals and is still scoring. The Egyptian superstar is sure since to have added more to the impressive tally.



Then there are the likes of Senegal’s Sadio Mane, now playing in Saudi Arabia, on 111 and the Ivorian superstar Didier Drogba with 104 league goals for Chelsea.



Ndlovu is only too pleased those who have come after him have succeeded in raising the bar &#8230; and the profile for players from the continent.



“I’m just so proud of all of them that they have made the Premier League better and we can see that many of the big money players [bought] now are Africans.”


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Since Ndlovu made his debut, more than 300 Africans have followed in his footsteps and competed for Premier League clubs, who are watched by hundreds of millions on television around the globe on a weekly basis.



“What I like about all those that have come after me, you can say they’ve even added value and represented the continent very well,” he says.



“You can see how much the standards have gone up compared to the time when I started. It’s a very good league and we support it all the time.



“Also, with the large number of players playing in the Pre- mier League, as well as all over the other leagues, it shows that Africa is the provider of some of the best players in the world.”



Ndlovu’s 12 years of competing in English football makes him among the more consistent imports. He stayed at Coventry until a £1.6-million move to Birmingham City in 1997 and also played at Huddersfield Town and Sheffield United, while representing Zimbabwe’s national team for 16 years.



“Well, when I went there first it was just like, ‘I’m going to play football’. Then I realized how much it had changed my life, changed my perception about the football, changed the way that I would act.



“It made me a better person, it made me understand what success was all about, what football is all about. And when I started concentrating, I became a better person, not only a better footballer, but a better person in life.”



Ndlovu returned to Africa in 2004, joining Mamelodi Sundowns and then once he hung up his boots, took up a post in the club’s administration.



He was a popular team manager for the ‘Brazilians’ as they won the African Champions League in 2016 and began an unbeaten run of success in South Africa’s own Premiership where they have now won seven successive league titles. Now 51, Ndlovu has reflected with pride on his ground-breaking achievements… and a special place in the record books

Soccer – Worthington Cup – Semi Final – First Leg – Sheffield United v Liverpool

The Zimbabwean Game-Changer In English Football

If the thought of robots short-circuiting your career is keeping you awake at night, you might be experiencing FOBO – the fear of becoming obsolete.



This rising form of anxiety is leading many workers to worry about being left gathering dust as their high-tech counterparts advance.



With AI and robotics evolving at lightning speed and taking over roles once occupied by humans, job sec rity is increasingly uncertain.



This fear is not confined to blue-collar jobs – it spans sectors including finance, law, healthcare and education.



In manufacturing, robots are already revolutionizing the industry by efficiently and safely handling repetitive tasks like assembly and packaging.



In a similar situation, customer service representatives are witnessing the rise of AI chatbots and virtual assistants that manage inquiries, resolve issues and provide support without human intervention, potentially reducing demand for traditional customer service roles.



Retail workers are also feeling FOBO, as automated checkout systems and self-service kiosks become more common, handling transactions and managing inventory independently, which could lead to fewer jobs for cashiers and other retail workers.



In the legal field, AI tools are increasingly taking over tasks such as legal research and document reviews that were traditionally carried out by paralegals and junior lawyers.



Financial advisers are concerned as algorithms capable of analyzing market data, managing investments and providing tailored advice become more prevalent.



Robo-advisers could reduce the demand for human planners, making some feel their financial advice could soon be unplugged.



In education, AI-driven platforms are delivering personalized learning experiences that might impact traditional teaching roles, leaving educators worried about being powered down.



The healthcare sector faces potential competition from advanced robotic systems that perform complex surgeries with high precision and fewer complications.



Graphic design and language translation are not immune either as AI tools create basic designs and manage straightforward text translations, potentially impacting entry level roles and leaving some feeling their creativity is being replaced by code.



Overall, it is hard to picture an industry or role escaping the robotic revolution.



The roots of FOBO lie in the rapid pace of technological advancement.



Historically, workers had time to adapt to new technology and gradually learn new skills.



Today, the tech revolution is advancing so quickly that most workers struggle to keep up. It leaves many feeling stuck in neutral while technology zooms ahead, leading them to worry about being left behind in a cloud of robotic dust.



Automation and AI promise increased efficiency and cost savings but also pose significant threats to traditional employment structures.



While millions of traditional jobs are likely to be displaced, millions of new ones are expected to be created as the job market adapts to new technologies.



Although this shift presents opportunities, it is not guaranteed that everyone will transition smoothly-especially in industries where automation takes the lead.



FOBO can also impact one’s sense of self- worth as many people view their careers as



central to their identity.



The idea a machine might perform their job better and without breaks can significantly undermine confidence, leading to chronic stress, anxiety and – in severe cases – mental health issues like depression.



Yet the worry of becoming obsolete does not have to short-circuit motivations to advance in the workplace.



Instead of viewing automation as a threat, consider it an opportunity to reboot your career.



Staying relevant in an automated world requires continuous learning and a robotic commitment to skills development.



Workers should be encouraged to upgrade their abilities, focusing on technical skills like coding and data analysis as well as soft skills such as creativity, emotional intelligence and critical thinking – areas where humans still hold a distinct advantage over machines.



By remaining curious, resilient and ready to reboot the learning process, careers can stay charged and fulfilling.



Embracing this robotic revolution with a proactive mindset will help ensure workers remain not only relevant but indispensable in an ever-evolving job market.



Ultimately, the future of work is not about humans versus machines but about humans and machines working together to create a more efficient, innovative and exciting world. Overcoming FOBO will allow us to move into a future where both humans and robots can work seamlessly in sync – without glitches, short-circuits, or downtime.

A young boy dressed as a businessman wears a paper bag with a happy face on it.

Expert-Speak: Why FOBO Will Force A Massive Career Reboot

You’re working in a large corporation, and you’ve been given two choices.



Choice one guarantees a profit of $1 million in the next 12 months. It’s safe, predictable, and secure.



Choice two, however, gives you the opportunity to make $1 billion. But there’s a catch: your chance of success is only 1%.



Mathematically, the answer seems obvious. One percent of $1 billion is still $10 million; 10 times more than the first choice.



But what would you choose?



This question was posed to me and a bunch of successful entrepreneurs at an event in Los Angeles by Astro Teller, CEO of X, the radical innovation arm and moonshot factory of Alphabet.



They all voted for the second choice. Which, if you are a venture capitalist, I’d expect, as the evidence is clear; extreme bets pay off in the long run.



According to CB Insights, 67% of venture capital (VC)- backed startups fail, which means that great VCs rely on a small percentage of their investments making exponential returns. They quite literally rely on the one in 20 bet, bringing back a 100 or even 1,000-fold or more returns.



The mindset is home runs matter, strikeouts don’t.



Missing out on the next Google or Airbnb is the real failure, not losing on the ones that didn’t work out. For VCs to thrive, therefore, they have to take the 1% bet.



And thrive they do, because as at May 2024, there were over 1,200 unicorns — startups valued at over $1 billion; with a combined value of approximately $3.8 trillion.



This is of course all great if you work in venture capital. But what about, if you, like I used to, work in corporate?



For me, there was no way I would have ever chosen option two. And neither would my peers. It wasn’t because we didn’t understand the math; it was because we were afraid.



Because corporates are structured to focus on certainty.



I wasn’t paid to fail or take radical bets. I was paid to deliver consistent, predictable results.



So, I know from experience just how difficult it is to push for bold, unconventional ideas in large, legacy organizations. The resistance to change can be overwhelming. Those corporate antibodies make any wannabe intrapreneurs, like I once was, feel like outcasts.



Which is why 99% of corporate leaders choose the safe bets, over and over again. It’s about self-preservation and avoiding career-ending mistakes.



All well and good you might say, if it wasn’t for the fact that predictable companies are unlikely to survive the next decade.



If you think this sounds extreme, consider this. In 1974, the average lifespan of a Fortune 500 company was 75 years. Today, only 12% of those companies remain, and the average lifespan has plummeted to just 15.



What’s pushing them out of business? The answer is obviously venture capital.



An industry that has mastered the art of the 1% bet has learned to disrupt corporates that are too scared to take risks. VCs fund innovative startups that move fast, embrace uncertainty, scale quickly and push incumbents to the brink.



So, the reality for corporations today is therefore stark. Playing it safe is the riskiest choice of all. In an era of rapid disruption, certain bets will never create the breakthroughs needed to stay ahead.



Most corporate leaders I think know this, but are simply too afraid to take the 1% bets. It doesn’t matter how much data, research, or logic is applied. Fear of failure drives their decision-making.



But if the evidence is so clear, that corporates need to take more risks to remain relevant, what can be done to encourage their leadership teams to take risker decisions?



One answer is to change the incentives, to reward executives for driving innovation programs within their organizations, in a similar way to how Alphabet has with its X company.



But the paradox here is that this requires a change in mindset from the very people who created the problem in the first place.



The board.



And to get them to change their opinions about incentives and governance can only really happen if you can get them to believe that the company is facing an existential crisis.



Not easy. But boards that realize the adverse risks of being too prudent and therefore work with their executives, to encourage their intrapreneurs to take the 1% bets, are far more likely to survive than those that don’t

Finding the potential to improve their profits

Expert-Speak: The 1% Bet, Are You Afraid To Take It?

With sensors, smart devices, intelligent equipment and data-driven analytics, next generation technologies and virtual training programs are bringing personalized fitness into the lounge, offering elite athletes and home users the same access to exceptional quality training, regardless of location.



Intelligent clothing and accessories, smart dumbbells, interactive interfaces, artificial intelligence (AI) customized training programs and smart sensors are changing the shape of the sports market – and that of their users.



According to Data Bridge Market Research, the Middle East and Africa fitness equipment market is expected to reach $514.87 million by 2031 at a compound annual growth rate (cagr) of 4.60% with South Africa expected to take the lead with innovations around fit- ness equipment that uses next-generation technologies. Joining South Africa in leveraging AI to enhance fitness training and wellbeing, Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya are also paying attention to the value of AI with interest- ing innovations in virtual trainers, online training plat- forms, and real-time physical monitoring tools.



AI has the potential to fix the problems that people create when they are left to do workouts on their own. It can also be used to enhance the training programs used by coaches to train elite athletes thanks to in- depth data and real-time analytics.



“There are two elements that are important to a coach – measuring and monitoring – as these allow you to prescribe the ideal overload and get the timing of the overload,” explains Ian Martin, Endurance Sports Coach at Coach One. “Technology has played a huge role taking this to another level. Instead of spreadsheets and the limited intelligence of the initial heartrate monitors, i can now fine-tune training cycles.”



Metrics such as sleep, nutrition and recovery can benefit from AI which provides coaches with an exten- sive source of data that can even include environmen- tal factors that play a significant role when preparing an athlete. “The technology is providing athletes and coaches with access to exceptional data that allows them to keep their finger on the pulse – pun intended,” says Martin. “Technology has allowed us to deliver the right information in the right format to anyone, regardless of their level of education or accessibility.”



It is also not exclusively the domain of the elite ath- lete. Anyone can benefit from AI-powered accessories and virtual solutions. iGym in Kenya, for example, uses AI to customize workouts and provide nutrition plans for users, the data built on the expertise provided by trained fitness consultants. It enhances this with ac- cess to guides, articles, videos and calculators designed to make fitness easy and accessible. As Joseph Muongi Kamau, Founder of iGym, explains: “We use AI to cre- ate custom workout plans, training content and provide real-time fitness advice. We opted into using AI as it al- lows us to serve more individuals at scale and generate more accurate workouts and wellness plans that meet their needs. We have seen a significant improvement in fitness results, retention and motivation among clients who use the platform.”



This increased engagement is exactly what was found in a recent paper in Ghana. The researchers established that the use of emerging technologies could be used to improve the health and fitness of sedentary groups. The study focused on Ghanian students and it found that the more aware students were of the technologies and how they could be used to improve their physical wellbeing, the more likely they were to use them.



And AI has the potential to reduce injury and im- prove the quality of workouts. Another paper by Mi- chael Deyzel, Computer Vision Engineer at Stellen- bosch-based startup Hawktivity, in collaboration with Dr Rensu Theart, Senior Lecturer at Stellenbosch Uni- versity in South Africa, wanted to find how AI could be used to enhance workouts, virtual coaching and fitness. “Our project started in collaboration with the Sports Science department to find a way if people did their strength and conditioning exercises correctly,” explains Theart. “Athletes would be given instructions but then lose the correct posture over time which could cause injury and it wasn’t feasible for everyone to have a personal trainer. So, we asked what if there was a system that could automatically tell someone if their posture was correct?”



It turns out that yes, AI can be used to develop a system capable of learning how someone moves and provide intelligent feedback and coaching. “The big disadvantage of AI is that it needs a lot of training data and for fitness, a lot of the datasets needed to train the AI don’t exist yet. The idea of this paper was to find out if AI could learn how to do an exercise perfectly with only one example of that exercise,” says Deyzel. Turns out – this is entirely possible and it is also, believes Dey- zel, something that can democratize sports training in Africa. Just not quite yet.



“The system could potentially be used by anyone indefinitely as a way of supporting elite athlete train- ing – it can provide metrics, insights and guidance when there is limited access to a personal trainer,” says Deyzel. “It does democratize access just a bit, but there needs to be funding behind it because these sys- tems cost money to train, run and set up.”



These systems are also evolving at a radical rate on the global stage. Many of the technologies aren’t avail- able on the continent and, if they are, they’re selling at an exorbitant price. The MAGIC mirror uses AI to provide users with live feedback and real-time pos- ture corrections while they workout at home. Boxing, strength training, dancing and soccer training are some of the workouts included in the futuristic, touch-screen mirror that retails for £400 ($531). Then, there’s the ex- plosion of solutions using sensors, AI and the Internet of Things (IoT) to enhance sporting performance in clothing. According to GlobalData’s Technology Fore- sights, more than 76,000 patents have been filed in the past three years. These are aimed at detecting metrics such as environment, speed, acceleration, impact, force and more and the data they generate? This has multiple applications across performance, design, and function- ality.



“AI allows us to coach based on the individual and to personalize the experience for people,” concludes Karen Loader, master franchisor for F45 Training. The company uses a fitness programming algorithm that leverages a content database of several thousand unique training movements to offer new workouts ev- ery day that are accessible globally. “We can provide the same workouts to people anywhere – be they in Cape Town or Nairobi – and use real data to transform their performance or their recovery.”



Is AI going to change the shape of sports? Yes.



Intelligent clothing and accessories may be out of pocket for most people on the continent right now but virtual training programs and platforms are eas- ily available and perfectly attuned to what the African market needs and wants.



This combination of AI and digital brings person- alized fitness into the lounge, offering elite athletes and home users the same access to exceptional quality training, regardless of their location. It is perhaps the era of athletic democratization as local gets the same training flavor as global.

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The Changing Shape Of Sport: How AI Is Playing Fitness Instructor

Speech by Dr Akinwumi A Adesina, President and Chairman of the Board, African Development Bank Group, at the COP29 High-Level Event, on Measuring the Green Wealth of Nations: Natural Capital and Economic Productivity in Africa, on November 13, 2024.



Africa has some of the largest sources of natural capital in the world, including over 40% of the world’s clean energy potential; 65% of the world’s uncultivated arable land; 25% of global biodiversity; and 20% of the world’s tropical rainforest area.



The Congo Basin is the second-largest carbon lung in the world after the Amazon forest. It stretches 314 million hectares with 1.2 million kilometers of primary forest.



The peatlands of the Congo Basin store 29 billion tons of carbon. That is equivalent to three years’ worth of global greenhouse gas emissions. The Congo Basin also absorbs about 1.5 billion tons of carbon dioxide per year.



Africa’s forests account for 26% of all carbon sequestration in forests worldwide.



The continent also holds considerable non-renewable natural resources, accounting for 50% of the world’s reserves of cobalt (used for batteries), 40% of manganese reserves (used in solar and wind farms) and more than 80% of platinum reserves, complemented by rich endowments of nickel, copper, and rare earth minerals. These are crucial for global green energy transition with electric vehicles and battery energy storages systems, whose estimated value is expected to rise from $7.5 trillion to $59 trillion.



Africa is also endowed with abundant renewable energy: an almost unlimited potential of solar capacity (10TW), hydro (350GW), wind (110GW), and geothermal energy sources (15GW), all of which are the backbone of a less carbon-intensive and more sustainable energy system.



Therefore, while Africa contributes significantly to global public good for tackling climate change with its vast resources of natural capital, its vast natural capital has been undervalued. This vast natural capital is not taken into consideration in valuing the GDP of African countries. For example, while the GDP of Africa was estimated at $2.5 trillion in 2018, this was 2.5 times lower than the estimated value of its natural capital, evaluated at $6.2 trillion, which partly includes some valuation of the ecosystem services.



This situation makes Africa to be “green endowed” but “cash poor”.



When Africa’s vast forest and environmental services, and natural capital, are properly valued, the size of its rebased GDP taking this into account will be much higher.



The African Development Bank’s preliminary estimates, based on very conservative assumptions, show that Africa’s nominal GDP in 2022 could have increased by $66.1 billion when adjusted for carbon sequestration only.



That is more than the combined GDP of 42 African countries!



The proper valuation of Africa’s green GDP is where the trillions of dollars for the continent, based on proper valuation, will come from, to boost the wealth and financing of the continent.



The greening of the GDP will also have other benefits, including the development of carbon markets in Africa.



Unfortunately, today, several African countries are giving away their vast amounts of land to carbon credits. While this may generate some short-term financing, it needs to be understood that Africa is a carbon price taker and therefore is short-changed. While the price of carbon in Europe is high and could be as high as $200 per ton because of the strict EU Emission Trading Standards, carbon price in Africa could be as low as $3 to $10 per ton.



The widespread sales of vast areas of Africa’s lands rich in carbon, what I call “carbon grab”, has five consequences, which we must understand.



First, the countries are being underpaid for the carbon, due to the undervaluation of Africa’s carbon sinks.



Second, the sequestered carbon on the lands can no longer be used as part of the nation’s nationally determined contributions.



Third, the countries lose sovereignty over their lands.



Fourth, the carbon sequestered over these lands and forests cannot be used to rebase and revalue the green GDP of the countries.



Fifth, the ongoing carbon grab in Africa is a lose-lose proposition.



The proper valuation of Africa’s green wealth will increase access to financial flows, in part because credit ratings agencies will be able to incorporate the true value of overall asset class, which in turn could improve countries’ risk profile.



Therefore, it is time for Africa’s green environmental assets to be properly priced to allow the continent to turn its massive green assets into wealth, through their inclusion in “green&#8221; GDP for Africa. This will raise massive financial resources for the continent, spur greater green investments and provide better policies for the greening of African economies for sustainable development. The significantly higher revenues that Africa will generate from the proper valuation of its carbon sinks and environmental services will also allow it to be able to service its debts, assuring debt sustainability.



It is time for Africa’s green wealth to be properly measured.



It is time to take Africa’s natural capital into consideration in its GDP.



It is time for Africa to be green rich and cash rich.



I am delighted to inform you that the African Development Bank has produced a report on Measuring the Green Wealth of Nations: Natural Capital and Economic Productivity in Africa. This report sets out key actions to value and integrate natural capital in the measure of Africa’s GDP.



This is a defining moment for Africa.



We need you to succeed.



African Development Bank will work with you to seize this moment.

1st Africa Climate Summit in Kenya

Measuring the Green Wealth of Nations: Natural Capital and Economic Productivity in Africa

WHAT IS IT ABOUT SOUTH AFRICAN BRANDIES that make them so special, yet, why are they underappreciated by the broader population in the country? We speak to the connoisseurs, who raise their glasses for elevating their favorite tipple. 



South Africa, with one of the oldest wine routes outside of France is, unsurprisingly, a producer of top-class wines. And beyond wine, brandy, in particular, is another top-class spirit produced here, a fact most locals are unaware of. Often dismissed as part of brandewyn en coke (brandy and Coke drink combination) culture, South African brandy is actually of such high quality, it regularly cleans up at international awards shows.



When looking at what sets South African brandies apart, there are a few components at play. Firstly, it’s worth noting there are three primary categories of brandy: Pot still or Cape, Vintage and Blended brandy. Pot still/Cape and blended brandies make up the majority of the category. Pot still/Cape brandy is made exclusively from copper pot still distillation and aged for at least three years. This represents the traditional and artisanal style of brandy production, while blended brandy is a mix of at least 30% pot still, and unmatured spirits, designed to be more affordable and versatile, and used for mixers and cocktails.



Secondly, the grapes used to make the base wines for distillation start by being exceptional. Chenin blanc and Colombard are the most common grapes used for brandy production and with South Africa’s prolific wine industry, it’s no surprise that these grapes become excellent wines. South African brandies are also characterized by rigorous production standards, which include the minimum aging period. The country’s regulations require that brandy must be aged for at least three years, surpassing the minimum aging period for cognac, which is two and a half years.



“In practice, many South African brandies are aged far beyond this requirement, developing a depth of flavor that is unmatched,” says John Loomes, CEO of KWV, one of South Africa’s leading wine and spirits producers. “The warmer climate in South Africa allows grapes used in brandy production to reach full ripeness with higher sugar levels, resulting in brandies that exhibit rich, sun- dried fruit notes both on the nose and palate. This warmer climate also accelerates the aging process, enhancing the aromatic intensity and concentration of the brandies.” He continues by saying that this often results in 20-year-old South African brandies developing characteristics that would typically take 35 years in Europe. “This leads to a rich and complex flavor profile that is highly regarded by international connoisseurs,” says Loomes.



With distilleries such as KWV drawing on techniques as far back as 1926, the local brandy industry has long been held to such a high standard. “The quality was high from the beginning and was originally formulated to be enjoyed with a mixer,” says Johan Venter, a renowned master distiller. “Our production methods were prescribed and were different to the rest of the world. We use a pot still, while the rest of the world mainly uses column stills. We use small barrels (smaller than 340 liters) and the minimum age is three years, whereas the rest of the world uses large barrels with little maturation time, roughly six months.” 



Ultimately, the regulations around brandy are what uphold its quality and importance in local spirit production. “The industry adheres to regulations that dictate production methods, aging, and classification,” says Shane Mumba, brand ambassador for the South African Brandy Foundation and member of The Black Cellar Club, or BLACC, a nonprofit focused on education in wines and spirits in the hospitality sector. “We have strict legislation for brandy production. The South African Brandy Foundation established by the industry in 1984 protects the heritage and integrity of South African brandy.”



The nod to heritage here is important in understanding the complexity of brandy, as well as its reception and popularity. It’s believed that the first-recorded brandy distillation took place in 1672, aboard a Dutch ship anchored in Table Bay. “The cook managed to distil 1,000 liters of Cape wine into about 130 liters of brandy and the South African brandy story started,” says Mumba. “The Dutch, and later the French Huguenots, brought with them a wealth of knowledge in viticulture and distillation, laying the foundation for South African brandy.” It would be centuries later until brandy began to develop some traction, but this legacy has culminated in a globally-recognized product. As recently as May, at the 2024 International Spirits Challenge, KWV was one of three local producers to win gold.



Leah van Deventer is an award-winning spirits and drinks writer, judge and consultant and says that these awards underpin the quality of local brandy, but highlights why that doesn’t necessarily translate to popularity at home. “South African brandy is a world leader in the category, and it has double gold medals and best-in-class awards from multiple blind-tasting competitions to prove it,” says Van Deventer. “That said, you can have a brilliant product, and it may still not be to someone’s personal taste, in terms of both their consumer bias and their preferred flavor profile.” Simply put, brandy – even one that systematically wins global accolades – is not everyone’s cup of tea and there’s data to back this up.



KWV’s Loomes says that only an estimated 4% of the African population currently consumes brandy or cognac. He attributes this to brandy’s public perception and how it’s viewed in comparison to other spirits. “Locally, South African brandy often competes with the long-established prestige of cognac, which has become synonymous with luxury in the minds of many consumers, mainly due to its imported status. Despite the world-class quality of our brandies, this perception can sometimes overshadow local appreciation of just how good they are.”



Venter agrees, adding that in the early 1990s, when imported whiskey became too expensive, local whiskey was introduced as a substitute, further taking the spotlight off brandy. “South African whiskey is a fantastic product and at the time it was considered much classier to drink whiskey than brandy,” Venter adds. “But the misuse of brandy in South Africa gave it a very bad reputation.”



This lesser view of brandy, coupled with the rise of interest in cognac, also comes back to the history of the spirit. “Within its home country, brandy is still often seen as a White man’s tipple, with the historical stigma that goes with that,” says Van Deventer. She adds that it is beginning to gain traction within the Black community, thanks to the work of associations like BLACC, but there’s still a lot of work to be done.



Mumba echoes this, saying education is a key driver. “Brandy production is a complex and intricate process. Very few people know how much time and care goes into producing brandy.” He continues by saying that most South Africans simply aren’t aware of their award-winning brandies. “The more South Africans know about the incredible brandies we have and the time it takes to make this golden liquid, the more interested they will be.” Loomes adds that to invigorate interest, there must be continued emphasis on the local brandy’s exceptional quality. 



“And in the case of our pot stills, these are not only on par with but often surpasses cognac in taste and quality.” This is particularly key in emerging markets where the rising costs of cognac present a clear opportunity for local brandies. Mumba also highlights how the reframing of brandy can help with its reception. “The versatility of blended brandy makes it a wonderful choice for mixers and cocktails, but it also calls for greater creativity within the category,” he says. “This presents a great opportunity for entrepreneurs to create ready-to- drink aperitifs to attract a younger and new consumer.”

Young female bartender professionally pours rum or brandy from steel jigger into glass at bar.

What Sets South African Brandy Apart – And Rebranding To Attract New Customers

The boundless journey of the international African American museum and deep curation of a shared history. 



In January 1861, the estate of a deceased landowner called William McKenna was auctioned at the local courthouse in Lancaster County, South Carolina. According to the auction poster, McKenna’s property included 182 ‘Negro Slaves’: toddlers as young as three; a shoemaker aged ‘about 50 years’; a woman named Charlotte and her six children, available for $800 each.



This faded document, ambered in a kind of matter-of-fact horror, belongs to the Internation- al African American Museum (IAAM), opened in 2023 in Charleston at Gadsden’s Wharf, the first destination for 40% of the enslaved Afri- cans who landed in the United States (U.S.). It’s an architectural choice that recognizes both an unflinching apprehension of the site’s tragic his- tory, and its potential as a place of healing for vis- itors whose descendants began their American journey in an exhausted step from the slave ship to the jetty.



Malika N. Pryor is the IAAM’s Chief Learning and Engagement Officer, providing strategic direction for its programs: the cultural history of West and West Central Africa; the “nuanced historical connections throughout the Black Atlantic World”; the memories of the enslaved Africans who worked in South Carolina’s lucrative rice industry; and the Center for Family History, which assists African Americans interested in researching their own ancestry. 



“Our first goal for the Center is to break down the ‘wall of 1870’ – 1870 being the year newly-minted African Americans are included en masse in the U.S. Census,” she says. “Many African Americans find it difficult to trace their ancestry beyond this point. Disembar- kation is an equally critical goal: our researchers have traced African-descended ancestors to the 1600s. And the grand thoroughfares of the more recent past – the civil rights movement, Black Power, or the Great Migration – are the natural aggregation of a million respective decisions. When people know the role their family played in these moments, they can place themselves on the map of humanity.” To that end, the museum has been developing relationships with West African countries as part of a deep curation of a shared history.



“Whether in Sierra Leone, where we are working to secure relics connected to the trans-Atlantic slave trade; Ghana, where we foster knowledge exchange in cultural studies; or by hosting dignitaries from Togo: we are working intently to engage with the African continent,” says Pryor. “While we are not a philosophically pan-African institution, it’s difficult to imagine a museum that frames the African American journey within the context of the larger diaspora without the advocacy of a unified African identity. In many respects, it is the legacy of pan-Africanism that gives way to this idea of an African cultural continuum across the oceans.”



African visitors to the museum have also felt empowered by its affirmation of their own cultural integrity. “They’ve told us IAAM is the first museum where they see themselves: where their stories are prominent and clearly related to Black people in the Americas. That was such important feedback.”



In an era where so many in power push back against the idea of restitution, could the museum have a role to play in an intellectual recalibration of the U.S.’ understanding of African American culture? “South Carolina, for much of its history, was a numerical Black ma- jority,” Pryor says. 



“Enslaved Africans developed the rice economy, constructed much of the architecture that dots the Carolina coast, fought to preserve our democracy, seeded the origins of jazz. The contributions of African Americans are clear, but they are not always evident. Our mission is to honor the untold stories of this journey. If we do that well, the museum’s potential to inspire visitors to become the story-keepers of these incredible narratives is boundless.”

IAAM, photo by Sahar Coston-Hardyv

Cultural Continuum And The Legacy Of Pan-Africanism In The U.S.

From the rainforest to the ocean, artificial intelligence is decoding nature’s most complex data patterns and is proving to be a game-changer in conservation.



For as long as there has been wildlife conservation, there has been a need for data. In order to understand ecosystem health, animal behavior and population trends, you have to be able to measure what’s going on in nature. And while there are many ways to do this, from drones to tracking devices, thermal cameras and even rangers on-foot, satellite imagery and camera traps have made study- ing wildlife movement a little bit easier. Not only can conservationists collect ample data, there’s minimal disturbance to animals. When it comes to analyzing the imagery, all that’s really needed is someone who can recognize an animal and there are many training programs to do just that.



But to really understand ecological trends, there are many creatures that are simply too small to be captured through pictures. “With very big animals like elephants, you can see them using satellite data which is great but a significant portion of the ecosystem is hidden,” says Dr Juan Lavista Ferres, who has worked in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) for over 20 years, and is the Chief Data Scientist of Microsoft’s AI for Good Lab. Luckily, those animals that are undetectable in satel- lite imagery make up for their size with sound, which is where acoustic data comes in – and in the case of ani- mal sounds, bioacoustic data. “From a noise perspec- tive, they are there,” laughs Ferres. “There is no corre- lation between the size of an animal and the sound it makes. Very small animals can make a lot of noise and can do very specific frequencies.”



<h1 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nature-s-silent-signals">Nature’s silent signals</h1>



There’s huge potential in environmental recordings (bio- acoustics are important bioindicators —they are nature’s health signalers) and the good news is that a lot of the data is already available. At the AI for Good Lab, Ferres and his team have continuous surveillance recordings from the Amazon that go back to 1992. The problem is that there are only a handful of scientific experts who can understand what is going on when the data is visualized, and then interpret the frequencies to identify specific animals. “It’s extremely niche. In the case of bioacoustic data, you need a huge level of expertise and there are very few people in the world that can recognize these sounds and frequencies,” adds Ferres.



Another challenge is that going through all of this audio takes time. Ferres says that many of the record- ings he has run non-stop, day and night, for 365 days. “A person would need to be listening to these sounds for a whole year to get through just one year’s worth of data. Now imagine that you have multiple recordings in one forest?” There’s simply too much data for hu- mans to process manually, which is why AI is such a game-changer in conservation – it’s making research a much more efficient process. AI can learn from these experts to automate identifying and classifying animal sounds across large datasets. “We can go through all of the recordings and understand how the health of the ecosystem is changing,” says Ferrers. “Now that we have more compute and better models, we can work with these different types of data, whether it’s images, videos or acoustic data.”



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Under the sea</h1>



One of the AI for Good Lab’s first projects using acoustic data was with endangered beluga whales in Alaska us- ing underwater sensors. “You can capture the sound of these whales, their vocalizations,” says Ferres. Because sounds travel much further than visual cues, with acous- tic data, researchers can detect (and even potentially identify) different types of whales over vast distances in the ocean, far beyond what would be possible with visual observation methods. “There are particular frequencies in the water that will be very difficult to detect without AI,” adds Ferres. “You can’t solve a problem if you can’t measure it. By doing this, we can actually start measuring the problem.”



Working with different industries and partners throughout the world, Ferres’ hope is that now that the information is in these AI models, more people will be able to use them to track animals over time. All the work that comes out of the AI for Good Lab is also open source which means all of the projects are freely available to re- searchers and organizations worldwide. “It’s a complete philanthropic effort. We give up the idea. We publish everything. All the work we do is for the societal good,” he says. “AI is not just the solution, but sometimes it’s the only solution we have.”

Botswana. Woman photographing giraffe in Chobe National Park with tablet.

Work On The Wild Side: How AI Is Helping Conservation In Africa And The Huge Potential Of Environment Recordings

Zimbabwe’s Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Kirsty Coventry is making an historic bid to lead the International Olympic Committee (IOC), hoping to become the first female president of the organization in its 130-year history.



Coventry, 41, is a decorated Olympian herself having won two gold medals, four silver and a bronze in backstroke and medley events in the pool, having shone at the Athens (2004) and Beijing (2008) Games. 



It is the best medal haul of any Olympian from Africa, and since retirement she has turned to politics having been Zimbabwe’s sports minister since 2018.



That experience will come in handy as she bids for the presidency of the IOC, hoping to take over from incumbent Thomas Bach, whose term has come to an end, but she comes up against six strong candidates.



Englishman Sebastian Coe is the president of World Athletics, Juan Antonio Samaranch Salisachs from Spain is the current IOC vice-president, Morinari Watanabe from Japan is president of the International Gymnastics Federation, David Lappartient from France is president of the International Cycling Union, Johan Eliasch of England is president of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation; and Prince Feisal Al Hussein from Jordan is a member of the IOC executive board.



“I really felt it was time for Africa now, time for a woman and just time in general,” Coventry told Zimbabwe Sports Hub. “I think when you get to certain pathways in your career, you have to choose whether or not you are going to keep running the race, move forward or not.



“And for us, for me, for my family, for a lot of support that I have received from my African colleagues, from my IOC colleagues, everything felt like the time is now to throw my hat into the ring and again come back to being an athlete.”



Coventry does have experience of administration within the IOC, she was elected chairperson of the IOC Athletes&#8217; Commission, the body that represents all Olympic athletes worldwide, in 2018. She also serves on the IOC’s executive committee.



The election of a new president will take place at the 144th IOC Session in Athens, Greece, from March 18-21, 2025.

IOC President Bach Brisbane 2032 Media Update

Time For Africa? Decorated Olympian And Zimbabwe Sports Minister In The Race For International Olympic Committee Presidency In 2025

Last year, FORBES AFRICA featured inspiring women in our first-ever ‘Over 30 Under 50’ list, celebrating those excelling in their 30s and 40s. From musicians and actors to business leaders and tech entrepreneurs, we highlighted a dynamic cross-section of female trailblazers, disruptors, and decision-makers across the continent.



We now announce the second annual FORBES AFRICA &#8216;Over 30 Under 50&#8217; list, to be published early 2025, to showcase a new set of formidable leaders in this age group in Africa writing their stories and owning their success.



Know someone who fits the bill? Nominate them today – or apply to share your journey!



<a href="https://forbesafrica.typeform.com/Over30Under50">>>>>>>>Click here to nominate&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;</a>


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Call For Nominations For FORBES AFRICA’s 2025 ‘Over 30 Under 50’ List

There’s nothing like a cross-continental journey or overland adventure &#8211; with social media following along &#8211; to experience the diversity, culture, music, fashion, food and art in Africa. All you need is a trusty vehicle, self-belief and a few good friends that you will definitely make along the way.



An airplane is definitely the quickest way to venture between countries, but more and more travelers are now opting for the scenic route — and taking their time to take it all in.



“With road trips there is the joy of just being able to stop,” explains Pelumi Nubi, whose epic journey across Africa saw her accumulate more than 10,000 kilometers by car. “With other means of transport, like flights, trains, boats, you go from point A to point B and there is very little control. But with road trips, if something catches your attention, you have the power to diverge.”


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="900" height="1024" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image13-1-900x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-63624" style="width:768px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image13-1-900x1024.jpeg 900w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image13-1-264x300.jpeg 264w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image13-1-768x874.jpeg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image13-1.jpeg 1204w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The three doctors, James Weller, Karen Chang and James Spence, by their Toyota Hilux, which almost gave up but didn’t (Image Supplied)</figcaption></figure></div>


The Nigerian-born content creator moved to the United Kingdom when she was 10 years old and has visited over 80 countries worldwide. Yet, it was her 74-day journey from the English capital to her birthplace, in a purple Peugeot 107 that she nick- named Lumi, that made her “the first Black woman to travel solo overland from London to Lagos”.



“I came up with the idea of driving from London to Lagos, connecting my two homes, to showcase Africa as a continent, because a lot of times, it doesn’t get the credit or the storytelling and exposure that I think it deserves.”



“Africa receives less than 5% of global tourism,” reveals the CEO of the African Tourism Association (ATA), Naledi Khabo. “If you’re flooded with news and there’s just negative news stories, that’s what people remember. Unfortunately, I also think people can’t conceptualize the breadth and length that is Africa. And so, anything that happens in one place must be happening across the entire continent.”



“We stayed in some really nice hotels and I guess we didn’t know there was quite so much luxury,” recalls James Weller, who drove from London to Cape Town with fellow doctors, Karen Chang and James Spence.



The three Brits — and their 2010 Toyota Hilux D-4D double cab named Edna — amassed an enormous social media following during their cross-continental journey.



“We never expected it at all,” Weller says of the trio’s Instagram account, @london.2.capetown, garnering almost half a million followers. “We made the account just for this trip, kind of to document it and so that our friends and family could follow along.”



Proving that the people you meet along the way are just as important as the journey itself, the three had a chance encounter with a travel blogger in Morocco doing a similar trip who then posted them on his Insta story. “Before we knew it, we were at 10,000 [followers] and then 20,000 and 50,000. And then it wasn’t long before we were at 100,000, 200,000… Part of it was the mystery of people going, ‘oh, are they going to make it?’ I think that obviously drew a lot of people in as well.”



The short answer to that question is… almost not. With a limited budget, Chang, Spence, and Weller, purchased Edna with the knowledge that she had some rust on the chassis. What they didn’t know, is just how bad it was. The constant cracking— and an out-of-commission airconditioner during 50-degree Celsius weather — meant that the trio spent a significant amount of time in garages and backyard repair shops along the trip.



In the end, though, all four made it to the Mother City, Cape Town.



“People were rooting for her to get to the end. We definitely didn’t want to give up on her.”



Nubi agrees: “[Following a collision with a truck in the Ivory Coast] There was the option of renting a new car and finishing the journey from Abidjan to Lagos. But I just had this strong instinct that, you know, I started with Lumi], I’m going to end with her.”



“I think that the more you travel, the more capacity you have to be able to tolerate unforeseen cumstances when they do arise,” says Cape Town-based clinical psychologist, Yanir Grindler. “When traveling, oftentimes, you have to make use of limited resources. That leads to an incredible amount of resilience and trust in your own abilities and inabilities.”



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Belief in herself is one thing Udoh Ebaide Joy did not forget to pack when she set out on her three- month adventure to become “the first African woman to ride from Kenya to Nigeria on a motorcycle”.



A traumatic car accident at the age of 23 left the Nigerian native with a damaged spinal cord and the inability to walk for eight months. Now 32, Ebaide Joy is determined to live life to the fullest, in the face of fear and constant pain.



“I live with screws and rods holding my spinal cord. People will never truly understand how thrilling it is using a motorcycle, knowing that I am not so whole. I am partly disabled and I’m still using it. It makes me so much more careful, knowing that if anything bad were to happen, it could be really, really bad for me because I already have something. And that makes it even more exciting.” Regardless of having had very little riding experience before embarking on her trip, Ebaide Joy couldn’t imagine traveling any other way. “Motorcyclists never go to the therapist,” she claims. “The motorcycle is enough — it fixes your brain, whatever you are going through, whatever sadness, whatever is stopping you, you get on the motorcycle, you will forget it for that period of time. Even when your thoughts circle back to it, the next move you have to make on the motorcycle will bring your thoughts back to the present.”


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="819" height="1024" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image0-819x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-63614" style="width:667px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image0-819x1024.jpeg 819w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image0-240x300.jpeg 240w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image0-768x960.jpeg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image0-1229x1536.jpeg 1229w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image0-1638x2048.jpeg 1638w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image0-scaled.jpeg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Udoh Ebaide Joy had little riding experience before embarking on the trip (Image Supplied)</figcaption></figure></div>


Another advantage is the global community to which bikers belong.



“The bike enables you to meet different people, different cultures, and make more friends,” notes Sthembiso Mthembu, whose BMW R 1250 GS saw him through 11 countries as he traversed 13,650 kilometers between South Africa’s coastal city of Durban and Kenya.



“It is like a brotherhood or sisterhood, the biking community. Even if it’s the first time you meet, there’s a connection. You can be riding or standing by the road, if a biker passes you, he’ll definitely stop, ask where you’re from, if you need any help. Bikers are like a family.”



Despite it being a solo trip, the thriving motorcycle community throughout Africa ensured that Mthembu never felt truly alone. Following updates on his Facebook page, riders in various countries reached out to offer the South African, accommodation, meals, and company.



“Human connection is a basic need. We are born wanting to connect. The first thing we do as we leave our mother’s womb is try to reconnect and create a bond,” Grindler states. “To tolerate days or months without any social connection can take a real toll.”



For Nubi, solo trips are “empowering”, but she does admit to experiencing bouts of loneliness en route. “I think it was in Mauritania. There was an incredible sunset and I was taking a picture to send to a friend and getting so frustrated because the picture wasn’t capturing the way it looked, you know? So, there are many moments where you just go, ‘ah, I wish I could share this’. Because the thing about a solo trip, it’s great, it’s absolutely incredible, but it’s a memory that only you have. You cannot go and call someone and say, ‘hey, remember the time when we…,’ like, there is none of that. It’s just your memories and you almost have to be extra present in it because if you lose it or if you don’t catch the moment, then it’s gone.”


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="768" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/IMG_6222-1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-63621" style="width:612px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/IMG_6222-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/IMG_6222-300x225.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/IMG_6222-768x576.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/IMG_6222-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/IMG_6222-2048x1536.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pelumi Nubi’s 74-day solo road trip was from the English capital to her birthplace in Nigeria (Image Supplied)</figcaption></figure></div>


Although solo endeavors may be lonesome, traveling with others — even those nearest and dearest— can present its own set of issues, as Weller and his mates discovered.



“Spending three to four months together, in a car, in a tent, was pretty challenging to say the least… even at the best of times, we argue. I think agreeing to disagree is quite important, because you’re always going to disagree about stuff, but you have to evaluate how important it is and whether it really matters who is right or wrong. That said, it is difficult when you have to make so many decisions.”



Grindler believes that traveling in a group can offer the opportunity for personal growth: “It’s about tolerating and being able to negotiate, while also being respectful of each other’s strengths and limits. It’s also about being aware that not everything you decide is the right decision.”



Being alone on such grand adventures also forces one to take extra precautions when it comes to safety. Both Nubi and Ebaide Joy avoided posting social media updates in real time and driving at night; while the doctors regularly consulted the British government’s travel advisory. Mthembu, however, recalls feeling safe enough to hand over his cellphone to random locals in Rwanda to take a picture — something he wouldn’t fathom doing in South Africa.



“I think that in any country, in any city, you need to be aware of your surroundings and act accordingly,” says Khabo. “I also think that when things happen across Africa, they are magnified and similar things can happen in other places, like New York, for example — yet no one stops coming to the United States. You can’t attribute one city’s hotspot to the entire continent and then ask, ‘is the entire continent safe’?”



“There is serious kindness in Africa. If we care to look for it, there is kindness,” Ebaide Joy acknowledges.



“Whilst we were in the Ivory Coast, the car got stuck in the mud in the middle of a forest and we didn’t know how we’d get it out,” Weller recalls. “We tried all night. In the morning, some people came past and we asked them if they could help. They didn’t speak English, we didn’t speak French. But so many of them came to help that we managed to push it out!”



Language barriers are just one of the hurdles that come with crossing various countries. Waiting on travel documents and dealing with border officials can result in numerous delays, additional expenses, and occasionally put a stop to entry altogether.



“We need a borderless Africa,” argues Ebaide Joy. “I am planning a Eurotour next year. I only need one visa to go to all European countries, but I needed a visa for almost every country I traveled as a Black woman in Africa. If there can be a borderless Africa, it will change the narrative significantly. Tourism will thrive better in Africa. It is just wrong that I can travel another continent much, much easier than my own.” According to Khabo, discussions about ease of entry are taking place behind the scenes. “I think governments are hearing and understand why it’s important. You’re seeing more and more governments on an individual level make it easier for travelers to enter their country, either with visas-on-arrival or no-visa policies. And regionally, countries are coming up with solutions so that upon entry into one country, that single visa can be used in neighboring countries. You’re seeing it in East Africa.



“There are always security issues and political issues, but I think that there’s an understanding that ease of entry is a major factor in travel and tourism. And so, you’re seeing a shift. It may be slow, but it’s definitely happening.”


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image17-768x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-63618" style="width:680px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image17-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image17-225x300.jpg 225w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image17.jpg 960w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Sthembiso Mthembu’s journey on a BMW R 1250 GS through 11 countries (Image Supplied)</figcaption></figure></div>


Should such a shift occur, it may result in even more travelers embarking on overland adventures, which will only benefit communities, as Khabo notes: “It offers a unique experience. You’re literally crossing from town to town and seeing the terrain change and supporting the local economies in a way that you wouldn’t ordinarily. It showcases our incredible diversity, our culture, music, fashion, art, food. And the more that you see other people do it, the more people understand that it’s possible.”



“I would get messages from teachers saying, ‘we’ve ditched the school curriculum because my students and I literally just watch your journey in class’. Emails from 70-year-old women who tell me, ‘I literally feel like restarting my life because for so long I had this big adventure within me, but society told me I couldn’t do it. And now seeing you do it just gives me so much hope,’” Nubi reveals.



“As long as you are sure you can do, don’t mind what people say,” Ebaide Joy insists. “Whatever fears they put into you, however much they say you can’t do it, the first person to believe in it is you. If you think you can do it and you believe in a yourself, you should absolutely go for it.”



More times than not, it is ourselves who become obstacles in our own path, as Nubi acknowledges.



“We always wait for the perfect situation, but most of the time we already have the thing that we need to get to that destination. We just, you know, need to be a little bit braver.” People often say that it is not about the destination, but about the journey. Regardless of whether you choose to go fast, far, solo, or together, perhaps the answer is to just… go!

Forbes Africa

FORBES AFRICA SOCIAL MEDIA