Sudanese Lessons in Optimism and Endurance Amid the War In 2025, the Sudanese people, suffering in what is widely considered to be Africa’s worst war, show powerful lessons on preserving hope, faith, kindness, and humor. news December 16, 2025
The Best North African Songs of 2025 From Algerian raï and Egyptian rap to Moroccan lo-fi tracks, discover the songs and hits defining North Africa’s fast-growing music scene in 2025. music December 10, 2025
When Your Older Sibling Is the Spark for Your Music Career Egyptian songstress Felukah, Sudanese rapper Montiyago, and Palestinian pop diva Amira Jazeera have one common superpower: their older sibling. In interviews with OkayAfrica, they discuss their siblings’ influence on their art and the difficulties that come with having a creative family business. music December 1, 2025
Suzannah Mirghani’s Debut Film 'Cotton Queen’ is a Powerful Reflection on Sudan’s Colonial Past and Future The Sudanese Russian director tells OkayAfrica about the difficulties and rewards of tracing this story on cotton farming, British colonization, and the trauma that comes with Sudanese womanhood. film tv November 28, 2025
50 Years of Western Sahara's Occupation: Sahrawi Voices on Morocco & The Ongoing Struggle Half a century after Spain’s 1975 exit, Morocco continues to occupy Western Sahara. Sahrawi activist Najla Mohamed-Lamin shares struggles, abuses, and the stalled referendum, shedding light on a people long ignored by the world. news November 25, 2025
Manal Opens Up on Motherhood, Music & Her New Song, ‘Carta Rouge’ The Moroccan singer talks about her love for raï music, the women who inspire her creative journey, and how motherhood has influenced her artistic practice. music November 21, 2025
What It’s Like To … Be a Couples Therapist in Egypt Eman Onsy shares 15 years of guiding couples through stigma, burnout, and evolving expectations, offering insights on second marriages, family therapy, and relationship trends. news November 14, 2025
Op-Ed: The 'Real Egyptian' Debate Misses The Point: Stop Erasing Modern Egyptians’ Link To Their Past After the Grand Egyptian Museum’s opening ceremony, members of the African diaspora took to social media to claim that modern Egyptians are mere colonizers of a stolen history. arts culture November 14, 2025
Exiled Filmmaker Tarik Saleh Dares to Name Egypt's President in 'Eagles of the Republic’ The Swedish Egyptian filmmaker discusses his latest political satire, ‘Eagles of the Republic,’ why he was 'forced' to include President el-Sisi, and the personal cost of telling Egyptian stories about institutional control. film tv November 11, 2025
Get to Know 'Way-Way,' a New Sub-Genre of Algeria's Rai Music The Moroccan producer-artist Zouj tells OkayAfrica about the Algerian raï genre he studied with Moroccan elders, fell in love with, and turned into an experimental mixtape. music November 4, 2025
Listen to the North African Songs Making Waves This October 2025 This October, North African musicians are conveying introspective lyrics and nostalgia over danceable rhythms. This list features a bunch of unexpected club bangers. music October 29, 2025
As El Fasher Falls to the Rapid Support Forces, Mass Killings Usher in Yet Another Genocide in Sudan On October 27, the Rapid Support Forces took over the Sudanese Armed Forces’ last stronghold in West Darfur, worsening the humanitarian crisis they have been manufacturing for the past 18 months. news October 27, 2025
How Abir Ibrahim’s Photo Book “Love Letters to Sudan” Celebrates Sudan’s Culture and Strength From all 18 states, the Sudanese-American historian showcases Sudan’s beauty and strength in her book, challenging decades of negative perceptions. arts culture October 24, 2025
The Moroccan Rappers Proving Darija Is a Global Language of Hip-Hop Moroccan music was slept on for too long because of its unique Arabic dialect Darija, but once it crossed borders, it became an international force to be reckoned with. music October 22, 2025
From Discord to the Streets: the Unique, but Interconnected Case of Morocco’s Gen Z Protests After two weeks of nationwide protests, the growing movement is changing its tactics, learning from veteran activists, and planning for long-term impact that is specific to the Moroccan context. news October 17, 2025
Voices of Change: Morocco’s GenZ 212 and the Fight for a Just Future Morocco's youth-led protest movement demands democracy, human rights, and sustainability, striving for a future where national progress and social welfare are not at odds. news October 16, 2025
The Enduring Legacies of Egypt’s Early 2000s Pop Divas Two decades after Ruby, Sherine, and Ranin ushered in an era of unapologetic dancing and tight clothes, millennials continue to celebrate the Egyptian pop icons who helped them craft unconventional identities. music October 16, 2025
Award-Winning Sudanese Filmmaker Mai Elgizouli Moved to New York and Discovered That Making Music Is the Most Intimate of Art Forms Elgizouli made her stage debut at New York City’s Habibi Festival and performed unreleased music from her upcoming album. music October 13, 2025
Saha Gnawa’s New Album Fuses Moroccan Gnawa With NYC Jazz The ensemble honors Moroccan tradition and North African futurism on their self-titled debut album. music October 10, 2025
Montiyago is Creating His Own Reference for Sudanese Rap The emerging Sudanese rapper’s new EP, Morphine, is an answer to his newly found responsibilities and is intended as a gift to the next generation of Sudanese musicians. music October 7, 2025
The Top North African Songs Right Now: September 2025 Edition This month’s music list features North Africa’s best rap, pop, and unexpected fusions from Marwan Moussa, ABIR, and Youssra El Hawary. music September 30, 2025
