African designers have long been promoted by international celebrities, but the global fashion industry is now taking notice. As global demand for African haute couture rises, the 2025 Met Gala will feature a Black fashion history theme, with co-chairs including Colman Domingo and Pharrell Williams. This marks a significant step in celebrating African and Black culture on a global platform.

The $1 billion Kenya-Ethiopia electric highway allows the two countries to share their power and promotes energy security and connectivity on the continent. The project sets Africa up as a potential leader in the global transition to renewable energy.

• Ghanian musician Ebo Taylor, pioneer of Highlife dance music, enjoys a revival at age 90.
• Africa has a wealth of celebrated writers, yet it can be hard for Africans to get a hold of their books. The Guardian documents growing efforts to make African literature more accessible to African readers.
• Benin is undertaking a €550 million investment to process locally grown cotton into finished T-shirts within the country. This “farm to fashion” strategy aims to capture the entire value chain, adding significant value and fostering economic transformation.
• Rwanda is making significant strides in the sports arena, with ambitions to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix and investments in major European soccer clubs. The country is also set to host the upcoming world bicycle road racing championships, reflecting its commitment to leveraging sports for development.

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Image: Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe with Thebe Magugu and Fastrack Competition finalists during AFI Cape Town Fashion 2019. 13 April 2019. Photo credit: Thulig, CC BY-SA 4.0.

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