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  • Talks 459
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1 - 30 of 1285 results

Nnedi Okorafor: Sci-fi stories that imagine a future Africa

"My science fiction has different ancestors -- African ones," says writer Nnedi Okorafor. In between excerpts from her "Binti" series and her novel "Lagoon," Okorafor discusses the inspiration and roots of her work -- and how she opens strange doors through her Afrofuturist writing.
https://www.ted.com/talks/nnedi_okorafor_sci_fi_stories_that_imagine_a_future_africa

Christian Benimana: The next generation of African architects and designers

Christian Benimana wants to build a network of architects who can help Africa's booming cities flourish in sustainable, equitable ways -- balancing growth with values that are uniquely African. From Nigeria to Burkina Faso and beyond, he shares examples of architecture bringing communities together. A pan-African movement of architects, designer...
https://www.ted.com/talks/christian_benimana_the_next_generation_of_african_architects_and_designers

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala: How Africa can keep rising

African growth is a trend, not a fluke, says economist and former Finance Minister of Nigeria Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. In this refreshingly candid and straightforward talk, Okonjo-Iweala describes the positive progress on the continent and outlines eight challenges African nations still need to address in order to create a better future.
https://www.ted.com/talks/ngozi_okonjo_iweala_how_africa_can_keep_rising

Euvin Naidoo: Why invest in Africa

South African investment banker Euvin Naidoo explains why investing in Africa can make great business sense.
https://www.ted.com/talks/euvin_naidoo_why_invest_in_africa

Wanuri Kahiu: Fun, fierce and fantastical African art

We're so used to narratives out of Africa being about war, poverty and devastation, says TED Fellow Wanuri Kahiu. Where's the fun? Introducing "AfroBubbleGum" -- African art that's vibrant, lighthearted and without a political agenda. Rethink the value of all that is unserious as Kahiu explains why we need art that captures the full range of hum...
https://www.ted.com/talks/wanuri_kahiu_fun_fierce_and_fantastical_african_art

Lindiwe Mazibuko: Why the African diaspora is crucial to the continent's future

As the former parliamentary leader of the opposition party, Lindiwe Mazibuko put her fair share of time and effort into South African politics. In this rousing talk, she turns to the African diaspora and makes a case for its members to return to their home countries and devote themselves to public service. "There's nobody waiting in the wings to...
https://www.ted.com/talks/lindiwe_mazibuko_why_the_african_diaspora_is_crucial_to_the_continent_s_future

Ron Eglash: The fractals at the heart of African designs

'I am a mathematician, and I would like to stand on your roof.' That is how Ron Eglash greeted many African families he met while researching the fractal patterns he'd noticed in villages across the continent.
https://www.ted.com/talks/ron_eglash_the_fractals_at_the_heart_of_african_designs

Walé Oyéjidé: Fashion that celebrates African strength and spirit

"To be African is to be inspired by culture and to be filled with undying hope for the future," says designer and TED Fellow Walé Oyéjidé. With his label Ikiré Jones (you'll see their work in Marvel's "Black Panther"), he uses classic design to showcase the elegance and grace of often-marginalized groups, in beautifully cut clothing that tells a...
https://www.ted.com/talks/wale_oyejide_fashion_that_celebrates_african_strength_and_spirit

Saki Mafundikwa: Ingenuity and elegance in ancient African alphabets

From simple alphabets to secret symbolic languages, graphic designer Saki Mafundikwa celebrates the many forms of written communication across the continent of Africa. He highlights the history and legacy that are embodied in written words and symbols, and urges African designers to draw on these graphic forms for fresh inspiration. It's summed ...
https://www.ted.com/talks/saki_mafundikwa_ingenuity_and_elegance_in_ancient_african_alphabets

Dayo Ogunyemi: Visions of Africa's future, from African filmmakers

By expanding boundaries, exploring possibilities and conveying truth, films have helped change Africa's reality (even before "Black Panther"). Dayo Ogunyemi invites us to imagine Africa's future through the lens of inspiring filmmakers from across the continent, showing us how they can inspire Africa to make a hundred-year leap.
https://www.ted.com/talks/dayo_ogunyemi_visions_of_africa_s_future_from_african_filmmakers

Joel Jackson: A vehicle built in Africa, for Africa

Joel Jackson wants to reimagine transportation around the needs of the African consumer. He's designed an SUV that's rugged enough for long stretches of uneven terrain and affordable enough to be within reach of those who need it most. Learn more about the challenges of mobility and manufacturing in Africa -- and what a localized motor industry ...
https://www.ted.com/talks/joel_jackson_a_vehicle_built_in_africa_for_africa

Playlist: Natural wonder (9 talks)

What is nature? Follow the camera's eye to many stunning places on the planet -- from the African veldt to the Amazon rainforest to the teeming world under the Arctic ice.
Curated by TED · 9 talks
http://www.ted.com/playlists/natural_wonder

Andrew Mwenda: Aid for Africa? No thanks.

In this provocative talk, journalist Andrew Mwenda asks us to reframe the "African question" -- to look beyond the media's stories of poverty, civil war and helplessness and see the opportunities for creating wealth and happiness throughout the continent.
https://www.ted.com/talks/andrew_mwenda_aid_for_africa_no_thanks

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala: Want to help Africa? Do business here

We know the negative images of Africa -- famine and disease, conflict and corruption. But, says Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, there's another, less-told story happening in many African nations: one of reform, economic growth and business opportunity.
https://www.ted.com/talks/ngozi_okonjo_iweala_want_to_help_africa_do_business_here

Lisa Janae Bacon: The life, legacy & assassination of an African revolutionary

In 1972, Thomas Sankara was swept into the revolution seeking to wrest control of Madagascar from France's lingering colonial rule. The protests inspired the West African native to read works by socialist leaders and seek wisdom from military strategy. Leaving Madagascar in 1973, he was determined to free his country from its colonial legacy. Li...
https://www.ted.com/talks/lisa_janae_bacon_the_life_legacy_assassination_of_an_african_revolutionary

Touria El Glaoui: Inside Africa's thriving art scene

Art fair curator Touria El Glaoui is on a mission to showcase vital new art from African nations and the diaspora. She shares beautiful, inspiring, thrilling contemporary art that tells powerful stories of African identity and history -- including works by Senegalese photographer Omar Victor Diop, Moroccan artist Hassan Hajjaj and Zimbabwean pai...
https://www.ted.com/talks/touria_el_glaoui_inside_africa_s_thriving_art_scene

Vusi Mahlasela: "Thula Mama"

South African singer-songwriter Vusi Mahlasela dedicates his song, "Thula Mama," to all women -- and especially his grandmother.
https://www.ted.com/talks/vusi_mahlasela_thula_mama

Siyanda Mohutsiwa: How young Africans found a voice on Twitter

What can a young woman with an idea, an Internet connection and a bit of creativity achieve? That's all Siyanda Mohutsiwa needed to unite young African voices in a new way. Hear how Mohutsiwa and other young people across the continent are using social media to overcome borders and circumstance, accessing something they have long had to violentl...
https://www.ted.com/talks/siyanda_mohutsiwa_how_young_africans_found_a_voice_on_twitter

Chika Ezeanya-Esiobu: How Africa can use its traditional knowledge to make progress

Chika Ezeanya-Esiobu wants to see Africans unleash their suppressed creative and innovative energies by acknowledging the significance of their indigenous, authentic knowledge. In this powerful talk, she shares examples of untapped, traditional African knowledge in agriculture and policy-making, calling on Africans to make progress by validating...
https://www.ted.com/talks/chika_ezeanya_esiobu_how_africa_can_use_its_traditional_knowledge_to_make_progress

Jessica Smith: Mansa Musa, one of the wealthiest people who ever lived

Mansa Musa, the 14th century African king of the Mali Empire, is said to have amassed a fortune that possibly made him one of the wealthiest people who ever lived. Jessica Smith tells the story of how Mansa Musa literally put his empire – and himself – on the map. [Directed by Sandro Katamashvili, narrated by Pen-Pen Chen].
https://www.ted.com/talks/jessica_smith_mansa_musa_one_of_the_wealthiest_people_who_ever_lived

Eric Mibuari: Can credit scores be determined by cellphone data?

70% of African households own cellphones but less than 35% have access to credit. Mining non-traditional forms of credit via available technologies, Eric Mibuari asks if this "mobile continent" can use cellphones to access what they need most: loans.
https://www.ted.com/talks/eric_mibuari_can_credit_scores_be_determined_by_cellphone_data

Playlist: Talks for the fiber arts lover (6 talks)

These speakers weave together some of our most interesting talks on the fine arts of knitting, crocheting and fabrics in general.
Curated by TED · 6 talks
http://www.ted.com/playlists/talks_for_the_fiber_arts_lover

Boyd Varty: What I learned from Nelson Mandela

"In the cathedral of the wild, we get to see the best parts of ourselves reflected back to us." Boyd Varty, a wildlife activist, shares stories of animals, humans and their interrelatedness, or "ubuntu" -- defined as, "I am, because of you." And he dedicates the talk to South African leader Nelson Mandela, the human embodiment of that same great...
https://www.ted.com/talks/boyd_varty_what_i_learned_from_nelson_mandela

Jane Goodall: How humans and animals can live together

The legendary chimpanzee researcher Jane Goodall talks about TACARE and her other community projects, which help people in booming African towns live side-by-side with threatened animals.
https://www.ted.com/talks/jane_goodall_how_humans_and_animals_can_live_together

Andrew Youn: What if we supported millions of African farmers in growing more food?

We are what we spend. Social entrepreneur Andrew Youn sees this as an opportunity. His nonprofit, One Acre Fund, helps small farmers lift themselves out of poverty, with incredible results -- and it's grown three-fold in size since receiving investment from The Audacious Project. With cool candor, he imagines what could happen if we put just one...
https://www.ted.com/talks/andrew_youn_what_if_we_supported_millions_of_african_farmers_in_growing_more_food

Sangu Delle: In praise of macro -- yes, macro -- finance in Africa

In this short, provocative talk, financier Sangu Delle questions whether microfinance — small loans to small entrepreneurs -- is the best way to drive growth in developing countries. "We seem to be fixated on this romanticized idea that every poor person in Africa is an entrepreneur,” he says. "Yet, my work has taught me that most people want jo...
https://www.ted.com/talks/sangu_delle_in_praise_of_macro_yes_macro_finance_in_africa

Playlist: Math in unexpected places (9 talks)

These talks are here to set the record straight and illuminate the unexpected ways formulas and fractions influence everything, from love and war to origami and coral reefs.
Curated by TED · 9 talks
http://www.ted.com/playlists/math_in_unexpected_places

Magatte Wade: Why it's too hard to start a business in Africa -- and how to change it

Many African countries are poor for a simple reason, says entrepreneur Magatte Wade: governments have created far too many obstacles to starting and running a business. In this passionate talk, Wade breaks down the challenges of doing business on the continent and offers some solutions of her own -- while calling on leaders to do their part, too.
https://www.ted.com/talks/magatte_wade_why_it_s_too_hard_to_start_a_business_in_africa_and_how_to_change_it

Alexander McLean: Restoring hope and dignity to the justice system

You can learn a lot about the character of a country by its jails. Alexander McLean tells of the subhuman treatment he witnessed in African prisons—conditions so brutal that he founded a distance-learning organization that empowers prisoners to fight for their own rights. But the larger question he asks relates not just to Africa: "If as a socie...
https://www.ted.com/talks/alexander_mclean_restoring_hope_and_dignity_to_the_justice_system

Kala Fleming: Easing water scarcity by understanding when and where it flows

The African continent holds more water than much of the world -- yet most people can't access the rich reserves just below their feet. Kala Fleming and her team in Kenya are creating a system-level solution: "digital aquifers." By putting sensors in wells, monitoring the data from the cloud and opening up business opportunity around it, they're ...
https://www.ted.com/talks/kala_fleming_easing_water_scarcity_by_understanding_when_and_where_it_flows
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