标签： Africa

In the semi-autonomous archipelago of Zanzibar, Tanzania, the absence of electricity has long cast a shadow over daily life. For Hamna Silima Nyange and her eight children, the dim glow of smoky oil lamps was the only source of light after sunset. ‘The light was too weak,’ Nyange recalled. ‘And the smoke from the lamp hurt my eyes.’ However, a transformative change arrived when her neighbor, Tatu Omary Hamad, installed solar panels and bulbs, harnessing the abundant sunlight along the Indian Ocean coast. ‘Today we have enough light,’ Nyange said with relief.

Hamad is one of the many ‘solar mamas’ trained by Barefoot College International, a global nonprofit dedicated to bringing light to rural communities while empowering local women. Since its inception in Zanzibar, the program has illuminated 1,845 homes. The initiative focuses on middle-aged women, often with little or no formal education, who are trained over six months to become solar power technicians. These women return to their communities equipped with at least 50 sets of household solar panel kits and the skills to install and maintain them.

Brenda Geofrey, the director of Barefoot College International Zanzibar, emphasized the program’s mission: ‘We want to train women who become change makers.’ The Zanzibar campus, now in its 10th year, has become a beacon of hope. Previously, women were sent to India for training, where the organization was founded. Khazija Gharib Issa, once an unemployed widow, is now a master trainer. ‘I got a job. I got a place to stay. Before, I didn’t have one,’ she shared.

The program’s impact extends beyond lighting homes. It also addresses health concerns by replacing harmful light sources like kerosene, which can irritate eyes, damage lungs, and pose fire hazards. Jacob Dianga, a local healthcare worker, highlighted the importance of clean energy: ‘It helps protect our health.’ Additionally, Barefoot College International offers courses in tailoring, beekeeping, and sustainable agriculture, ensuring women are equipped with diverse skills and health knowledge to share with their communities.

Despite its successes, the program faces challenges. Funding is a persistent issue as major donors reduce foreign aid, and projects compete for limited resources. Resistance within local communities also poses a hurdle, with some husbands preventing their wives from participating. ‘In most African communities, women are pictured as somebody who is just at home,’ Geofrey noted. Yet, the solar mamas are breaking stereotypes and proving their worth. ‘People used to say this work is for men. They were surprised and laughed at me,’ Issa said. ‘But now they see how important my work is. I have become an example.’

Barefoot College International continues to expand across Africa, with campuses in Madagascar and Senegal, and plans to recruit women from the Central African Republic. The organization’s efforts underscore the transformative power of education, clean energy, and gender equality in driving sustainable development.

The much-anticipated opening of Nigeria’s Museum of West African Art (Mowaa) in Benin City has been marred by political disputes and protests, casting a shadow over what was meant to be a celebration of regional creativity. The six-hectare campus, designed by renowned British-Ghanaian architect Sir David Adjaye, was envisioned as a cultural hub to honor the legacy of the Benin Bronzes and foster contemporary African art. However, tensions escalated when the Edo state government revoked the museum’s land use rights, citing a name change from ‘Edo Museum of West African Art’ to simply ‘Mowaa.’ This decision followed protests demanding the museum be renamed the Benin Royal Museum and placed under the control of the local traditional ruler, Oba Ewuare II. The controversy highlights deeper political rivalries, with the new governor’s administration seeking greater influence over the project, which was championed by the previous governor, Godwin Obaseki. The museum, a $25 million initiative funded by international donors and the Edo state government, aims to create over 30,000 jobs and contribute $80 million annually to the regional creative economy. Despite its ambitious goals, the absence of the Benin Bronzes—looted by British soldiers in 1897 and now scattered across Western museums—remains a contentious issue. Mowaa’s executive director, Phillip Ihenacho, emphasized the museum’s broader vision to inspire contemporary African creativity across various art forms, rather than focusing solely on historical artifacts. As the government works to resolve the dispute, Mowaa’s staff remain committed to redefining the role of a modern African museum, even in the face of political and logistical challenges.

Dubai is taking a monumental leap towards becoming a pedestrian-friendly, future-ready city with its ambitious Future Loop project. Launched as part of the Dubai Walk Master Plan in December 2024, this initiative aims to transform urban mobility by connecting iconic landmarks and easing traffic congestion. The Future Loop, a 2km elevated pathway, will be implemented in the Museum of the Future area, offering a climate-controlled walkway for year-round pedestrian use. This innovative project will link 10 key locations, including the Dubai World Trade Centre, Emirates Towers, and the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), while integrating seamlessly with Dubai’s existing transport network, including metro and tram stations, cycling tracks, and future transportation systems. The pathway will feature 30,000 square metres of air-conditioned spaces, shaded structures, and green areas designed to enhance comfort and reduce temperatures. Additionally, the Future Loop will include commercial spaces developed through public-private partnerships, further enriching the urban experience. This project is a cornerstone of Dubai’s 20-Minute City goal, which aims to enable 80% of residents to access essential services within a 20-minute commute. By prioritizing pedestrian safety, connectivity, and sustainability, the Future Loop aligns with Dubai’s Quality of Life Strategy 2033, making the city more liveable and people-centred. The project is already underway, with active progress reviewed by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, as part of the emirate’s major infrastructure initiatives.