🔅 The Conundrum of The Prodigal Elites
The bittersweet journey of Africa's western-educated elite, Djibouti's Friendly Mosquitoes, and Addis Ababa's Transformative Duo.
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Market Mondays
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Cocoa futures in New York edged higher, but trading remained subdued as more market watchers believe this year's historic rally has peaked.
Kenya’s economy grew by 5.6% in 2023, up from a revised 4.9% in the previous year, boosted by robust output in the agriculture sector after abundant rains. Meanwhile, Kenya and U.S. infrastructure investment manager, Everstrong Capital, signed a $3.6 billion agreement to build a 440 km highway between Nairobi and Mombasa. What’s more, Microsoft is partnering with UAE-based AI firm G42 to invest $1 billion in a geothermal-powered data center in Kenya.
Nigeria's headline consumer inflation accelerated to a new 28-year high of 33.69% in April. The central bank has raised interest rates twice this year to contain price pressures.
French energy giant TotalEnergies has struck its first supply deal with Dangote Refinery in Nigeria, which is set to become the largest refinery in Africa and Europe when it reaches full capacity.
*Data accurate as of the close of markets across the continent
Spotlight Stories
From the Halls of the Ivy League to A Return Home: The Bittersweet Journey of Africa's Globally Educated Elite
Picture a group of young, successful Kenyans, fresh out of the world's most prestigious universities, sipping cocktails by the Indian Ocean and discussing the finer points of race politics and the trials and tribulations of being an international jet-setter.Â
It's a scene straight out of a glossy magazine, but beneath the surface lies a complex web of identity, belonging, and the ever-present specter of colonialism.
For these western-educated elites, life in Nairobi is a curious blend of privilege and existential angst. They've got the fancy jobs, the swanky apartments, and the kind of social calendar that would make even the most seasoned socialite blush. But as they brunch their way through the city's trendiest spots, they can't help but feel a nagging sense of displacement.
Take Maria, Nyangie, and Victoria, for example. These three young women studied together in the US, forging a bond over their shared experiences of homesickness and the pressure to succeed. Now, back in Kenya for the holidays, they find themselves navigating the complex landscape of race, class, and identity in a country that simultaneously celebrates and resents their achievements.
With an intriguing write-up on the return of these prodigal children, Carey Baraka takes a closer look at those who have ventured out into the world and come back changed.
Friendly Mosquitoes to Djibouti's Rescue
Djibouti has unleashed an army of genetically modified mosquitoes to combat the spread of malaria. These friendly, non-biting male Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes, developed by the UK-based biotechnology company Oxitec, come equipped with a special gene that kills female offspring before they reach maturity.
Why target the female mosquitoes, you ask?Â
Well, it turns out that only the female mosquitoes bite and transmit malaria and other viral diseases. They're the femme fatales of the insect world, luring unsuspecting victims with their seductive proboscis.Â
By eliminating the female offspring, the scientists hope to put a dent in the mosquito population and, consequently, the spread of malaria.
This isn't the first time genetically modified mosquitoes have been deployed in the fight against disease. Similar technology has been successfully used in Brazil, the Cayman Islands, Panama, and India. In fact, over one billion of these mosquitoes have been released around the world since 2019, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These tiny soldiers are marching to the beat of their genetically modified drums.
Of course, the idea of releasing genetically modified organisms into the environment is not without controversy. Environmental groups and campaigners have warned of potential consequences to ecosystems and existing food chains. However, Oxitec assures that no adverse effects on environmental or human health have been documented in over a decade of releasing these modified mosquitoes.Â
The Rise of the Urban Mosquito
Djibouti's decision to embrace this unconventional approach comes as a response to the rise of the Anopheles stephensi, an invasive species of mosquito first detected in the country in 2012.Â
This "urban mosquito" has outsmarted traditional methods of control, biting both during the day and at night and developing resistance to chemical insecticides.Â
If successful, the Djibouti Friendly Mosquito Program could pave the way for larger field trials and eventual operational deployment of these genetically modified mosquitoes. It's a bold step into the future of disease control, and while it may raise some eyebrows, desperate times call for desperate measures. With malaria claiming the lives of at least 600,000 people every year globally, nine in 10 of which occur in sub-Saharan Africa, it's clear that new solutions are needed.
Transforming Addis Ababa, One Eco-Friendly Art Project at a Time
Meet Elias Sime and Meskerem Assegued, the duo who are single-handedly revolutionizing the art and architecture scene in Addis Ababa. Their latest project, Zoma Village Entoto, is a cultural centre in the mountains that's set to open its doors this autumn. But don't expect your run-of-the-mill, concrete-jungle type of building – this place is all about blending art, ecology, and local building traditions in a way that'll make you go:
"Wow, that's cool!"
Sime's art is everywhere in the centre, from the butterfly-inlaid pavements to the hieroglyphic bird-carved walls. And let's not forget the giant sculpted ducks perched on tall concrete pillars, because who doesn't love a good oversized waterfowl? The buildings themselves are designed to be as eco-friendly as possible, avoiding harm to the local wildlife (hyenas and bees, rejoice!).
Building a Sustainable Future, One Mud Wall at a Time
Sime and Assegued are all about taking things slow and steady, using traditional building methods that stand in stark contrast to the modern high-rises popping up in Addis Ababa. They've studied vernacular architecture from Ethiopia, India, and Mexico, and they're not afraid to use materials like lime, mud, and straw to create environmentally sound and healthy structures.
Their collaboration started way back in the '90s, and they've been going strong ever since. Sime's intricate wall works made from found objects have earned him representation at a top New York gallery, while Assegued has curated shows around the world and served on selection committees for major biennales.
Investing in Art and Culture Amid Challenges
Ethiopia has faced its fair share of challenges in recent years, from Covid-19 and drought to ongoing civil conflicts. Despite these struggles, local authorities have been investing in public spaces like parks, playgrounds, and museums – a decision that's raised some eyebrows given the country's economic and humanitarian woes.
But for Sime and Assegued, creating spaces like Zoma Village Entoto isn't about turning a profit (although they wouldn't mind making a return on their investment someday). It's about providing an enduring, much-needed space for artists and the wider population. As Sime puts it, "It's love."
So there you have it – a tale of two visionaries transforming Addis Ababa, one eco-friendly art project at a time. Who knows what they'll come up with next?
Food for Thought
“It is crooked wood that shows the best sculptor."