Plantain Fufu in three minutes? I imagine my ancestors and people a little stuck in old traditions would find this unsettling. I wonder how the powdered versions of fufu, pounded yam and such have been accepted. That probably took a little more time than the manufacturers anticipated. West Africans are notorious for being very resistant to change so occasionally, knowing the kind of audience I have, I have indulged in a few change management courses. These courses have helped me understand the mindset and implement some of the lessons i’ve learned. I digress! I made this plantain fufu in three…
Author: Montage Africa
South Africa’s G20 Presidency arrives as artificial intelligence (AI) becomes the organising principle of global competitiveness. Across markets, AI is no longer a pilot or a promise; it is moving into core operations and national strategies. The question for South Africa is how we shape this shift to advance the country’s priorities, of growth, jobs, exports and inclusion. Our starting point is strength. AI is already unlocking clear value in the engines of South Africa’s economy. In mining, AI-driven predictive maintenance and safety analytics reduce downtime and improve performance. In manufacturing, machine learning optimises production lines, quality control and energy…
Nigerian singer and actress Tiwa Savage reflected on the growing dominance of African music and culture on the global stage on Tuesday. During a discussion on the power of African music at the Global Africa Business Initiative(GABI), Savage declared that African music has become a permanent fixture, despite numerous challenges. “I don’t know how true this still is, but apparently one in every four black men is like a Nigerian or an African. So we’re not going anywhere. As much as they try to quiet us down, the music is not going anywhere.” Nigerian singer, Tiwa Savage performing on stage. Credit:…
Paris Saint-Germain dominated the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony, with Ousmane Dembele claiming his first-ever award in a tearful moment on stage. Dembélé’s victory was fueled by a tactical masterstroke from manager Luis Enrique, who moved him to a central role mid-season. Following that switch, the French forward scored 30 goals and provided numerous assists, helping PSG secure the treble—Champions League, Ligue 1, and French Cup—and reach the Club World Cup final. PSG also excelled at the awards, with Enrique named coach of the year and five of the team’s players ranked among the top ten. The club was also named Team of…
Angélique Kidjo has made history as the first Black African artist to be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, joining the class of 2026 alongside stars like Miley Cyrus, Demi Moore, and Shaquille O’Neal. The 64-year-old Beninese singer, celebrated globally for her genre-defying sound blending West African rhythms with jazz, funk, and R&B, has spent over four decades shaping the world music scene. With five Grammy Awards, 16 albums, and collaborations with icons like Burna Boy, Sting, and Alicia Keys, Kidjo’s influence is unmatched. She joins Charlize Theron, a white South African actress, as one of the only…
A group of 11 West African migrants deported from the US to Ghana have been controversially sent back to their home countries despite court efforts to stop their removal. The deportees—originating from Nigeria, Togo, Mali, Gambia, and Liberia—had argued they faced risks of torture or persecution if returned. Their lawyer alleges the Ghanaian government hastily deported them over the weekend to circumvent the court case, denying them access to legal counsel. While the US government asserts it has no control over Ghana’s subsequent actions, this incident underscores the increasing use of third countries to handle deportees. The situation remains tense, with reports…
Cameroon’s cocoa industry, the world’s fourth-largest, is facing a compounding crisis that combines disease, insecurity, and corporate pullback. The sector generates over CFA 359 billion (about USD 595 million) from 180,095 tons in the first half of 2024/25 and sustains nearly one million people, but output is under acute pressure. National production, commonly ranging from 250,000 to 290,000 tons, is expected to contract by at least 10% this season, with the South-West region, the supplier of nearly half the crop, being hit hardest. The first blow is biological. Heavy rains since July 2025, topping 2,200 mm in the South-West, have…
By Agencies Uganda’s Electoral Commission has cleared President Yoweri Museveni and opposition leader Bobi Wine to run in the country’s 2026 elections. The announcement sets the stage for a dramatic political showdown between the 81-year-old leader — who has ruled since 1986 — and his 43-year-old rival, a pop star turned politician who commands strong support among young Ugandans. Museveni, one of Africa’s longest-serving presidents, is seeking another five-year term under the National Resistance Movement. He points to economic growth, new infrastructure, and stability as his achievements, and has pledged to focus on wealth creation, education, health and the fight…
By AP Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy faces up to 10 years in prison if a Paris court convicts him of secretly using funds from the Libyan government of late dictator Moammar Gadhafi to finance his presidential campaign in 2007. The verdict is expected on Thursday. If convicted, the 70-year-old Sarkozy would be the first former French president found guilty of accepting illegal foreign funds to win office. Sarkozy, who was elected in 2007 but lost his bid for reelection in 2012, has denied all wrongdoing during a three-month trial earlier this year that also involved 11 co-defendants, including three…
The 2025 Namibia Open Chess Championship recently wrapped up in Windhoek, gathering a diverse field of competitors, including international masters, seasoned campaigners, and promising young talents. Organised by the Namibia Chess Federation (NCF) and sponsored by Bank Windhoek, the event attracted players from Namibia, Zambia, and Botswana, featuring Classical, Rapid, and Blitz formats with dedicated sections for women, juniors, and cadets (U12). “This edition is remembered as one of the strongest and most competitive Namibia Opens to date, filled with surprises, intense rivalries, and inspiring stories of resilience and emerging brilliance,” said NCF President, Berdian Beukes. The Open Classical section,…