Hello AfriKili Family,

Let’s explore our 3 Pan-African pillars: History, Business and Politics

HISTORY

Exú, the Afro-Brazilian god, wins the title at the Rio carnival

After being cancelled for 2 years due to Covid-19, the Rio Carnival resumed this year in a show that was joyful, committed, and celebrated its African roots, from Wednesday, April 20 to Saturday, April 30, 2022, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Out of the 12 samba schools that took part in the contest, the Grande Rio Samba School won its first title after being crowned the champion of this year’s carnival parade. The samba group used its parade to highlight prejudices against religions of African origin and promote respect for Afro-Brazilian religions such as such as Candomble and Umbanda. Grande Rio featured a song, costume and floats that paid tribute to Exú, a god revered by many African cultures.

Other Samba schools that also took part in the contest, paid tribute to great black personalities from around the world, from Nelson Mandela to Barack Obama, via RuPaul or Beyoncé.

In total, of the six top samba schools in the champions’ parade, five chose themes related to racial injustice or Afro-Brazilian history.

Sources:

• Rio carnival: Tribute to Afro-Brazilian god wins title, 27 April 2022, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-61241879,
• ‘Grande Rio’ wins Rio carnival title with a sparkling message of tolerance, Agence France-Presse, 28 April 2022, https://www.thesouthafrican.com/lifestyle/rio-carnival-title-2022/
• Rio Carnival celebrates its African roots, 23 April 2022, https://www.tellerreport.com/news/2022-04-24-rio-carnival-celebrates-its-african-roots.B1znNd8zr9.html

BUSINESS

Africa remains untapped market for black diaspora businesses

Africa is home to many developing economies that have a higher return of interest than developed economies. The amount of money required to start a business in most African countries is relatively small.

Though investing in Africa can be tough as the continent has a complex business environment, many African countries are trying to make it easier, and several have favorable investment environments. Ghana is the lead example, creating special investment programs that make it easier specifically for African Americans to invest, but Rwanda, South Africa, and Senegal are also countries with favorable conditions and investment protections.

If Black business owners invested in Africa they could take advantage of these programs, gain profits, and help Africa’s entrepreneurs. Since American capital goes much further in Africa than in America, Black business owners can invest in Africa and support many cash strapped entrepreneurs. Many young entrepreneurs in Africa have innovative ideas but not the financial means to carry them out. Therefore, Black business owners already have prospective business partners on the continent who can help orient them on Africa’s business environment. If Black business owners invested their capital into Africa’s entrepreneurs and created joint ventures, they could profit from businesses in Africa without having to physically be present.

While Black businesses are booming in America, they could perform even better in Africa. Africa offers Black business owners more affordable and diverse business opportunities, and a young entrepreneurial population who would make great business partners.

Source: https://www.cfr.org/blog/africa-remains-untapped-market-booming-black-businesses-america

POLITICS

H.E. Hilda Suka-Mafudze, African Union Ambassador to the USA

H.E. Hilda Suka-Mafudze is the African Union (AU) Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United States of America since October 2021. She was nominated by H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, to lead the AU Mission in the USA, the first bilateral diplomatic Mission opened by the AU in 2007. Her core mandate is to enhance and maintain existing bilateral ties.

Prior to coming to the U.S., Ambassador Suka-Mafudze helped lead diplomacy for more than two decades in a variety of top government positions in her home country – Zimbabwe. She is a career diplomat with experience that spans the African continent, representing her country in countries such as Sudan, South Sudan, and the Republic of Malawi.

Ambassador Suka-Mafudze also served as an elected member of Zimbabwe’s Parliament. As one of the few women parliamentarians, she was an influential voice committed to ensuring Zimbabwe’s laws served the interests of the poor and other marginalized groups – women, youth, the elder and children.

Source: H.E. Hilda Suka-Mafudze- African Union Ambassador to the USA, https://au.int/sw/african-union-ambassador-usa#:~:text=Hilda%20Suka%2DMafudze%20is%20the,by%20the%20AU%20in%202007.

LET’S GET INSPIRED

Frantz Fanon on Cognitive Dissonance and Protecting Core Beliefs.

“Sometimes people hold a core belief that is strong. When they are presented with evidence that works against that belief, the new evidence cannot be accepted. It would create a feeling that is extremely uncomfortable called cognitive dissonance. And because it is so important to protect core belief, they rationalize, ignore and even deny anything that doesn’t fit in with the core belief.”(Frantz Omar Fanon, Black Skin, White Masks. Frantz Fanon was a French West Indian psychiatrist, and political philosopher from the French overseas department and island of Martinique).

Source: https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/37728.Frantz_Fanon

Let’s get to work!

AfriKili

Akili ya Kiafrika ya Kuijenga Afrika Mpya!*** African Intelligence to Build a New Africa!*** Intelligence Africaine pour Construire une Nouvelle Afrique!”