Not only is Edgar Pieterse (from the African Centre for Cities) a prolific writer (read his recent City Futures, the African Cities Reader and Counter-Currents — these last two as an editor), he’s also a good speaker. This talk at L.S.E. dates from earlier this year. “Pieterse argues for a new way of thinking about African cities to accompany (the) surge of interest (from architects and planners, academics, development agencies and urban think-tanks) and to replace traditional views of African cities as sites of absence and neglect.”–Tom Devriendt.

Further Reading

Trump tariffs and US Imperialism

Trump’s April 2025 tariff blitz ignited market chaos and deepened rifts within his own coalition. Beneath the turmoil lies a battle between technocrats, ultranationalists, and anti-imperial populists, all vying to reshape—or destroy—American global power.

Kenya’s vibe shift

From aesthetic cool to political confusion, a new generation in Kenya is navigating broken promises, borrowed styles, and the blurred lines between irony and ideology.

Africa and the AI race

At summits and in speeches, African leaders promise to harness AI for development. But without investment in power, connectivity, and people, the continent risks replaying old failures in new code.

After the uprising

Years into Cameroon’s Anglophone conflict, the rebellion faces internal fractures, waning support, and military pressure—raising the question of what future, if any, lies ahead for Ambazonian aspirations.