News

With Africa World Initiative, Chika Okeke-Agulu helms an innovative hub connecting Princeton with Africa’s most creative minds

On Chika Okeke-Agulu’s credenza, leaning against the wall of his office in Princeton’s Green Hall, are two powerful images: the cover of a vintage magazine and a photo that graces the cover of one of his recent books. It might be too easy, though, for a visitor to overlook them. After all, the art history professor’s office is brimming with…

Recent Acquisition | A Major Acquisition of African Modernism

The Princeton University Art Museum has acquired Alphabet No. 1 (1960) by Ibrahim El-Salahi, a pioneering figure in African postcolonial modernism. A founder of the Khartoum School, El-Salahi blended Sudanese cultural motifs with Arabic calligraphy, creating a distinct visual language known as calligraphic modernism. Alphabet No. 1…

Princeton's Happy Buzaaba Tackles AI Challenges for African Languages

Happy Buzaaba, a postdoctoral researcher at Princeton University, is leading a new course aimed at addressing the glaring lack of African language representation in artificial intelligence systems. The course, titled "Teaching Computers to Understand African Languages," co-taught with Mahiri Mwita dives into the technical challenges of making…

Newly Established Global Studies University in Sharjah

Chika Okeke-Agulu, Robert Schirmer Professor of Art & Archaeology, African American Studies and Director of the African World Initiative was among the distinguished attendees at the ceremony marking the launch of Global Studies University in Sharjah on February 5, 2025—the university, established under Emiri Decree No. (57) of 2023, aims to…

AU recognizes female innovators using technology to transform the education sector in Africa

The African Union’s Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA) highlights the transformative role of ICT in empowering youth, particularly women, to drive socio-economic development. The Innovating Education Expo recognizes young African women who are leveraging STEM to address community challenges. Notable innovators include Susannah…

Connecting Africa’s Innovation Dots: AfriLabs Welcomes 18 New Hubs to Its Pan-Afrikan Network

AfriLabs has expanded its Pan-Afrikan network with 18 new innovation-tech hubs, strengthening its mission to foster a dynamic and collaborative innovation ecosystem across Africa. Representing diverse regions, the new hubs include organizations from West, East, Southern, and Central Africa. This expansion brings the total number of hubs in the…

Africa World Initiative: Advancing Africa's Influence in Academia, Policy, and Innovation

The Africa World Initiative (AWI) at Princeton University, established in 2022, is an interdisciplinary center dedicated to enhancing Africa's global presence through academia, policy, and innovation. Led by Professor Chika Okeke-Agulu, AWI focuses on integrating African languages into artificial intelligence, facilitating meaningful…

Kindred Spirits: A Gathering of the Aka Circle of Artists

Kó Artspace is pleased to present Kindred Spirits: A Gathering of the Aka Circle of Artists, showcasing the works of fifteen members of the Aka Circle, a pioneering collective of contemporary Nigerian artists. Founded in 1985 by El Anatsui and Obiora Udechukwu, the Aka Circle was a significant force in Nigeria's art scene, challenging…

MOWAA: Bridging Tradition and Innovation in West African Art and Culture

The Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) in Benin City, Nigeria, opens its first building in November 2024, aiming to democratize access to Nigeria’s heritage. Originally linked to the restitution of the Benin Bronzes, MOWAA now focuses on cultural regeneration, blending local traditions with contemporary art. Its campus includes galleries,…

Making Health Innovations Thrive in Africa

Zipline, is a company revolutionizing healthcare delivery in Africa by using drones to deliver medical supplies to remote and underserved areas. Founded in 2014, Zipline operates in countries like Rwanda, Ghana, and Nigeria, where it provides essential medicines, blood, vaccines, and other critical supplies, reducing delivery times from hours…