OkayAfrica15 | Okay Africa

As OkayAfrica marks our 15th anniversary, we're taking a look back at the defining 15 African moments of the past 15 years that deserve to be remembered, and the impact they've had.

Portrait of Jackie Aina with curly hair wearing a white ruffled dress posing against a bold red-patterned background.

Editorial

The Beauty Creators Who Challenged Stereotypes and Blazed the Trail

The work that creators like Jackie Aina, Dimma Umeh, Nyma Tang and several others have done in demanding inclusive and accessible beauty products have helped usher in a vibrant era for the African beauty industry.

Illustration showing D'banj, Snoop Dogg, and Don Jazzy.

Video

Video: D’banj, Snoop Dogg and the Afrobeats Moment that Sparked Change

Fourteen years after D'banj's Snoop Dogg co-sign, Afrobeats has truly gone global. OkayAfrica highlights the major moments in that journey.

Tunisian protesters wave national flags and raise their arms in defiance during the Arab Spring.

OkayAfrica15

The Youth-Led Protests that Continue to Reverberate Across Africa

In 2011, Tunisia ushered the world into a new era of digital activism, referred to as the Arab Spring, creating a blueprint for protest movements in Egypt, Libya, Sudan, South Africa, Nigeria, and most recently, Kenya.

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The Eliud Kipchoge Marathon Run That Proved “No Human Is Limited”

Eliud Kipchoge’s sub-two-hour marathon run in 2019 remains a groundbreaking moment in global sports, and a powerful symbol of African excellence.

The Mati Diop Cannes Win That Amplified African Cinema's Rich Legacy

The French Senegalese filmmaker’s historic Grand Prix win in 2019 marked a milestone in African cinema and inspired a new generation of filmmakers.

Black Panther: The Cultural Bridge That United Black People Everywhere

Ryan Coogler’s film connected Africa and its diaspora, portraying the continent as a sanctuary built on Black unity.

The Beauty Creators Who Challenged Stereotypes and Blazed the Trail

The work that creators like Jackie Aina, Dimma Umeh, Nyma Tang and several others have done in demanding inclusive and accessible beauty products have helped usher in a vibrant era for the African beauty industry.

Video: The Lupita Nyong’o Oscar Win That Opened the Door

Lupita Nyong’o’s 2014 Best Supporting Actress win stands as a landmark moment that opened doors still ajar for actors like her today.

The Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Speech that Became a Feminist Anthem

OkayAfrica reflects on the enduring legacy of ‘We Should All Be Feminists,’ one of the most powerful moments in African feminist thought over the last 15 years.

The Hard-Fought Independence That Has Yet to Bring Peace

In 2011, South Sudanese overwhelmingly voted in favor of seceding from Sudan. OkayAfrica looks back at the journey to independence, and the years, and wars, since.

Video: D’banj, Snoop Dogg and the Afrobeats Moment that Sparked Change

Fourteen years after D'banj's Snoop Dogg co-sign, Afrobeats has truly gone global. OkayAfrica highlights the major moments in that journey.

The Youth-Led Protests that Continue to Reverberate Across Africa

In 2011, Tunisia ushered the world into a new era of digital activism, referred to as the Arab Spring, creating a blueprint for protest movements in Egypt, Libya, Sudan, South Africa, Nigeria, and most recently, Kenya.

The Football Tournament That Showed the World Africa Is Ready

Fifteen years ago, South Africa became the first African country to host the globe’s biggest sporting event – delivering an unforgettable FIFA World Cup, and spreading a love of vuvuzelas.