🔅 Toyota in Africa: From warlords to peacekeepers to corrupt politicians to humanitarian workers
🔅 Toyota in Africa: From warlords to peacekeepers to corrupt politicians to humanitarian workers
Tackling Skin Cancer & Turkey's Africa Ambitions
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Toyota's Takeover: How Japan's Finest Became Africa's Obsession
In Africa, Toyotas are the stuff of legends, shaping politics, deciding wars, and even signaling when a big shot is about to change mistresses.
Gone are the days when Land Rovers ruled the African roads. Toyota has swooped in and stolen the show, with its Hilux being the bestseller in over 30 markets across the continent.
And let's not forget the fifth generation of the Land Cruiser Prado, which sold nearly 1,000 units in just two months in South Africa, despite its starting price of $73,000.
But how did Toyota become the king of the African road?
Well, it all started with a series of unfortunate events. The liberation wars in southern and West Africa, the global oil crisis of the 1970s, and the incompetence of one-party civilian and military regimes left Africa in need of a hardy yet versatile vehicle. Enter Toyota, with its lower consumption and maintenance costs.
Over the decades, Toyota's premium has only risen. With economic booms, rapid urbanization, and skyscrapers popping up like mushrooms, the low-riding Mercedes Benz just wouldn't cut it anymore. The big men and women needed something more robust, and the Toyota Land Cruiser fit the bill perfectly.
But it's not just about prestige. Toyota has become a symbol of power, with politicians misappropriating millions to splurge on luxury items, including high-end Toyotas. And let's not forget the unspoken rule: when a newly powerful African man upgrades his lifestyle, a new wife or mistress is a must. And with that comes a new Land Cruiser 300 Series.
Even in the midst of the devastating Sudan war, Toyotas are at the center of the action. The wealthy Rapid Support Forces have splashed out on over 1,000 Toyotas, frequently converting them into deadly "technicals."
Who would have thought that when Kiichiro Toyoda founded Toyota in 1937, his cars would one day shape the fate of a continent 10,820 kilometers away? From warlords to peacekeepers, corrupt politicians to humanitarian workers, Toyota has become the vehicle of choice for anyone who wants to make a statement in Africa. And with the new Prado flying off the shelves, it looks like Toyota's reign is far from over.
Acclaimed journalist, Charles Onyango-Obbo, has more on this.
Heman Bekele: The Teen Genius Tackling Skin Cancer
There’s a world where treating skin cancer is as simple as lathering up with a bar of soap. Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, not if 15-year-old Heman Bekele has anything to say about it!
This Ethiopian-born, Virginia-raised science prodigy has developed a groundbreaking bar soap that could revolutionize the way we prevent and treat multiple forms of skin cancer. And he's not just talking the talk – Bekele walked away with $25,000 grant after pitching his invention to a panel of judges at the 3M Young Scientist Challenge last October.
But what inspired this teenage Einstein to take on such a formidable foe? Growing up in Ethiopia, Bekele witnessed firsthand the harsh realities of life under the scorching sun. He saw people working long hours with little to no protection, and it left a lasting impression on him.
Today, Bekele's curiosity and keen observation skills have led him to create SCTS – that's "skin cancer treating soap" for those not in the know. This miracle bar harnesses the power of imiquimod, a tried-and-true skin cancer cream, and combines it with a carefully crafted blend of salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and tretinoin. The result is a soap that reactivates the skin's dendritic cells, boosting the immune response and giving skin cancer a run for its money.
But Bekele's mission goes beyond just finding a cure – he wants to make skin cancer treatment accessible and affordable for all. With the average cost of a skin cancer operation clocking in at $40,000, Bekele knew he had to think outside the box. "I was devastated by the idea of people having to choose between treatment and putting food on the table for their families," he shared.
And his hard work hasn't gone unnoticed – Bekele recently earned the title of TIME's Kid of the Year for 2024, a testament to the popularity and potential of his creation. But this young innovator isn't resting on his laurels. He's determined to refine SCTS and make it market-ready by 2028, all while juggling the demands of high school.
Turkey's Africa Ambitions Lead to Uranium and Oil Hunt
Next stop for Turkey in Africa: Somalia, where it already has its biggest overseas military base.
They're not just there for the beaches… they're after the real treasure – black gold. The potential rewards are substantial, with some geo-seismic studies suggesting that Somalia’s coast could possess at least 30 billion barrels of oil and gas reserves.
The two countries already have a well-established relationship. Turkish companies currently operate both the port and airport in Mogadishu, Somalia's capital city. This existing economic involvement provides a foundation for further cooperation and investment.
Which is why Turkey has also held talks about setting up a site to test-fire missiles and space rockets from Somalia, which is perfectly situated for this kind of exercise. The country’s proximity to the equator also makes it a suitable site for a space port.
However, Turkey's African interests extend beyond Somalia.
The country is also on a uranium shopping spree, and Niger's the hottest spot on their list.
A high-powered Turkish delegation, including the foreign, defense, and energy ministers (plus their top spy chief, because why not?), jetted off to Niger recently, their mission to secure access to the West African nation's juicy uranium deposits.
Why the sudden interest in Niger's radioactive riches? Well, Turkey's got big plans for its nuclear power industry, and they need that sweet, sweet uranium to fuel it. It's like trying to run a car without gasoline – you need the right stuff to make it go!
Niger's currently under military rule after a coup last year. They've been busy kicking out Canadian and French companies from their uranium mines, claiming companies weren’t developing projects fast enough, and the terms of engagement weren’t fair.
While Turkey’s eyeing Niger's uranium, Russia's also been sniffing around.
Turkey's President Erdogan has been trying to cozy up to African countries for a while now. From launching TV channels to selling drones, he's been working that charm offensive. And now, with this uranium deal, he's hoping to hit the jackpot.
Food for Thought
“Advice is like fire: it has to be obtained from others.”
— Zimbabwe Proverb