The Best East African Songs of 2025 OkayAfrica highlights the standout tracks shaping East African music in 2025, with top picks from Tanzania, Burundi, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Somalia, Ethiopia, and the diaspora. music December 11, 2025
‘Whimsy in the City:' What Ngara’s Revival Reveals About Nairobi Creative businesses and new investment are transforming this central Nairobi neighborhood into a trendy hotspot. But who gets to belong when a place is remade? news December 8, 2025
What It's Like To … Build Nairobi's Most Popular Running Club In just three years, Emily Chepkor’s We Run Nairobi has grown into the city’s biggest running club, and it’s still making room for everyone. news December 3, 2025
Can Nairobi Become the World’s Next Great Running City? A growing running culture is transforming Nairobi’s streets. Yet, a lack of infrastructure, persistent safety concerns, and economic inequalities raise questions about its ability to sustain its athletic habits. news November 21, 2025
Ugandan-born Zohran Mamdani Becomes New York City's History-Making New Mayor The former rapper turned assemblymember, also the city’s youngest person in over a century to hold the position, is NYC’s first South Asian and Muslim mayor. news November 5, 2025
What Comes Next for Eliud Kipchoge? After finishing the New York City Marathon this past weekend, the Kenyan Olympian and distance-running legend is entering a new phase of his career – one that may not be about winning, but will always center running. news November 4, 2025
The Best Music From East Africa in October 2025 OkayAfrica rounds up the best new music from Uganda, Kenya, Burundi, Tanzania, and Rwanda, featuring Sheebah, Toxic Lyrikali, Phil Emon, Diamond Platnumz, and more. music October 30, 2025
Tanzania's Tense Elections 2025: Citizens Share Their Hopes and Fears As the nation prepares for a crucial vote, Tanzanians navigate a complex political landscape, balancing aspirations for peace and progress with anxieties over repression and the future of democracy. news October 28, 2025
In Kenya’s Kaloleni Social Hall, Film Finds a Wider Audience With free screenings at the historic venue, the NBO Film Festival is reclaiming public space and expanding access to film for communities often excluded from Nairobi’s cinema culture. film tv October 23, 2025
The End of an Era, the Start of Another: Kenya’s Gen Z Remembers Raila Odinga Once the face of reform and opposition, Raila Odinga’s passing leaves Kenya’s youth considering his leadership and legacy. news October 21, 2025
What It’s Like To … Be A Graffiti Artist in Kenya Nairobi-based Phunk Bantu speaks on transforming Nairobi’s walls into open-air galleries and how public art and graffiti transform urban spaces. news October 15, 2025
5 Unmissable Highlights to Expect From This Year’s NBO Film Festival The sixth edition of Nairobi’s marquee film festival returns Oct 16–26, 2025, showcasing 26 films, world premieres, and the vibrant talent driving African and diasporic cinema. film tv October 14, 2025
Exclusive: Watch the Trailer for ‘How to Build a Library’ Before Its Kenyan Debut at the NBO Film Festival OkayAfrica debuts the exclusive trailer for the acclaimed documentary by Maia Lekow and Christopher King, ahead of its first-ever screening at home at this year’s NBO Film Festival. film tv October 13, 2025
Laeke’s Lawsuit Against Meedo Records Could Reshape Ethiopia’s Music Industry In a civil arbitration case in Ethiopia, the critically acclaimed Ethiopian artist and producer Laeke has accused his former record label of breach of contract, unpaid royalties, and exploitation. music October 13, 2025
Government Response to Madagascar Protests Highlights the Urgency of Youth-Led Movements Across Africa From Morocco to Togo, Kenya, and Madagascar, young people on the continent are taking their grievances with bad governance to the streets, demanding the exit of ineffective leaders and an improvement in the conditions to build their lives. news October 9, 2025
Nyashinski’s Sophomore Album, 'Yariasu,' Marks New Chapter With Sony Music Deal The Kenyan music star shares his journey from Kleptomaniax fame to solo stardom and enters a new phase as he signs with Sony Music East Africa for his new album release. music October 7, 2025
Meklit Honors the Diversity of Ethiopian Folk Music on ‘A Piece of Infinity’ The Ethio-jazz maestro talks to OkayAfrica about leaning into tradition, the consistent evolution of culture, and the profundity of the Tizita. music September 30, 2025
The Top East African Songs Right Now: September 2025 Edition OkayAfrica rounds up the best new music to come out of Burundi, Tanzania, and Kenya. Enjoy the best new East African music below, featuring Diamond Platnumz x Ciara, Nyashinski, Kirikou Akili, Abigail Chams x Harmonize, and more. music September 25, 2025
What It’s Like To … Run Kenya’s Most Popular Music Festival Justine Mbugua reflects on her 13-year journey behind the scenes of Blankets & Wine, from selling tickets as an intern to leading production of East Africa’s most influential festival as it expands globally. news September 24, 2025
Meet Omar Degan, the Somali Italian Visionary Convening Africa's First Architecture Biennale Set to debut in Nairobi in September 2026, the biennale marks the first continent-wide platform where African architects and thinkers reclaim authorship over their built environments and their influence on global design. news September 11, 2025
Nairobi’s Studio Can-V Is the Future of Kenyan Nightlife & Music Get to know the new accessible music studio in Nairobi, gaining lots of buzz, empowering young DJs, and reshaping the future of Kenya’s nightlife scene. music September 9, 2025
