Best Afropolitan Central Podcasts (2025)

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EP15: "The garment of the present is always stitched by cloths and threads from a variety of elsewheres" – Nkata with John Akomfrah 58:18

7M ago58:18

58:18

Send us a text In this thought-provoking episode, host Emeka Okereke sits down with the visionary Ghanaian-born British artist and filmmaker John Akomfrah. Akomfrah is renowned for his groundbreaking contributions to contemporary art and film, where his work poignantly explores themes of memory, post-colonialism, and the lived experiences of migran…

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EP14: "Move one foot in front of the other, and you will find your road". Nkata with Jide Adeniyi-Jones 1:21:39

2y ago1:21:39

1:21:39

Send us a text Jide Adeniyi-Jones (b. Lagos, 1952) is a Nigerian documentary photographer based in Lagos and Washington, DC. He credits the English photographer John Vickers for paving his way into photography in 1972. Since then, he has worked across various sectors of the discipline, including advertising, private media, civic service, and contem…

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Ep13: "When I use the term Afropolitanism, it refers to the "becoming planetary" of our predicament." Nkata with Achille Mbembe. 1:13:27

2y ago1:13:27

1:13:27

Send us a text Achille Mbembe is no doubt one of the most influential philosophers of the 21st century. Born in Cameroun in 1957, the year that ushered in a ricochet of the independence of African nations – also known as the year of Kwame Nkrumah – in many ways, his work and disposition could be summarised as an embodiment of the spirit of the futu…

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EP12: "We are workers of the Spirit". Nkata with Koyo Kouoh 1:42:22

2+ y ago1:42:22

1:42:22

Send us a text The 12th episode of Nkata Podcast: Art & Processes features a conversation with Koyo Kouoh. Koyo Kouoh is a Cameroonian-born curator. She is a leading figure in the Contemporary art world. More specifically, she is one of the pioneers who helped shape and articulate contemporary art practices from the African continent and beyond. He…

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EP11: "We were brought up to strive for Eloquence". Nkata with Olu Oguibe 2:04:58

3y ago2:04:58

2:04:58

Send us a text Olu Oguibe (b.1964, Aba) is a Nigerian artist and academic living and working in the United States of America. He is one of the foremost scholars of his generation whose work constitutes a pillar of what we now know as Contemporary African art and post-colonial studies. Since 1988, he has saddled a rigorous and prolific artistic prac…

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EP10: We are trying to remember the future and rewrite the past. Nkata with Qudus Onikeku 1:43:45

3+ y ago1:43:45

1:43:45

Send us a text In episode 10 of Nkata: Art & Processes, Emeka Okereke is in Conversation with Qudus Onikeku (b. 1984, Lagos), a Nigerian contemporary dancer, performer and Choreographer. He has been active and consistently prolific since 2004, so much that one cannot knowledgeably talk about the practice and evolution of contemporary dance in the 2…

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EP09: "Water will always find its crack". Nkata with Ahmet Öğüt 1:20:36

3+ y ago1:20:36

1:20:36

Send us a text Ahmet Öğüt (b.1981, Diyarbakir, Turkey) is a conceptual artist living and working in Amsterdam, Netherlands. He works with a broad range of media including video, photography, installation, drawing and printed media (Wikipedia) In the 9th Episode of Nkata: Art & Processes, Emeka Okereke and Öğüt discuss the concepts and thought proce…

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EP08: "If I write for them, it means I am removing myself from my source". Nkata with Niq Mhlongo 1:43:30

4+ y ago1:43:30

1:43:30

Send us a text Niq Mhlongo (b. 1973, Soweto) is a South African writer born in Johannesburg. Today, he is considered "one of the most high-spirited, irreverent voices of post-apartheid South African literary scene". So far, he has four novels and two short stories to his name: Dog Eat Dog (2004), After Tears (2007), Way Back Home (2013), Affluenza …

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EP07: "Our subalterns have not sold out; our youngsters have not sold out". Nkata with Shahidul Alam 1:39:11

4+ y ago1:39:11

1:39:11

Send us a text Shahidul Alam (b.1955) is a Bangladeshi photojournalist, teacher and social activist. He has been a photographer for more than 40 years. His life and work can invariably be summarised as a service to society, culture and humanity. In 2014, he was awarded the Shilpakala Padak by the President of Bangladesh. In 2018 he received the Hum…

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EP06: "My father always told me that only Love is above the law" Nkata with Uche James Iroha 1:12:28

5y ago1:12:28

1:12:28

Send us a text One cannot exhaustively and informatively review the history of contemporary Nigerian photography without frequently returning to the name Uche James Iroha (B.1972, Enugu). Since 1999, Uche’s ideology, activities and support for younger photographers, have paved the way for the flourishing of Nigerian photography in no small measure.…

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EP05: "Not only are we ahead of time, we are classic" Nkata with Nontsikelelo Veleko 1:33:22

5y ago1:33:22

1:33:22

Send us a text Nontsikelelo Veleko (b. 1977) is a South African photographer most notably recognised for her depiction of black identity, urbanisation and fashion in post-apartheid South Africa. Veleko studied photography at the Market Theatre Photo Workshop(1999–2004). In 2006, her photographs were part of the group exhibition, Snap Judgments: New…

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EP04: "My mother said to me: I have dreamt of you in colours" Nkata with Otobong Nkanga 1:56:32

5y ago1:56:32

1:56:32

Send us a text Otobong Nkanga (b. 1974, Kano, Nigeria) is a visual and performance artist whose artistic practice spans almost two decades. She began her studies at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife Nigeria and continued at the National Fine Arts School of Paris. She obtained a Masters degree in performing arts from DasArts, Amsterdam, The Ne…

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EP03: "No Thank You – I Will Live Up To The Consequences" Nkata with Jihan El-Tahri 2:15:40

5+ y ago2:15:40

2:15:40

Send us a text For our third episode, Emeka Okereke is in conversation with Jihan El-Tahri, an Egyptian filmmaker, producer, and visual artist. Jihan El-Tahri began her career as a foreign correspondent covering Middle East politics for the Financial Times, Washington Post, and US News & World Reports. El-Tahri has since produced and directed sever…

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S2 Ep 14 (Finale)- Would you want your parents' marriage? 1:31:53

5+ y ago1:31:53

1:31:53

Hey guys, we’re so excited to bring you yet another Afropolitan Central episode! In light of Omolayo’s impending nuptials, we thought it only fitting to discuss all things love, relationships and marriage in this last episode of the season (we know, the time has really flown by!) We ponder on the following questions and more--Is dating with the int…

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S2 Ep 13: China Did What Now? Myths and Facts About The China-Africa Relations 1:36:34

6y ago1:36:34

1:36:34

From alarming headlines about land grabs to debt traps all amidst bold claims of an ongoing bid to neo-colonise Africa, we have all been witness to China’s increasing presence and investment in various African countries. But what are the facts vs overly blown out myths? Should we be more alarmed than we already are? To help us navigate this subject…

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S2 12- What's the move for summer 2019? 32:25

6y ago32:25

32:25

Hey guys, we’re excited back with you after our little unscheduled break! We start this episode’s chit chat on the topic of #cancel culture. It’s so easy to join social media movements to cancel brands like HM or Gucci when they show their behinds or even celebs that make questionable remarks, we’re looking at you Maya Jama. But how easy is it to a…

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EP02: "What have you, or what have I paid into that Trust?" NKATA with Bonaventure Soh Bejeng Ndikung. 1:51:12

6y ago1:51:12

1:51:12

Send us a text Episode two of NKATA sees Emeka Okereke in conversation with Bonaventure Soh Bejeng Ndikung. Ndikung (b.1977, Yaoundé) is an independent curator, art critic, author and biotechnologist from Cameroon, who lives and works from out of Berlin. He studied food biotechnology in Berlin, received his doctorate in medical biotechnology and st…

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S2 Ep 11 - Wait, was that racist or sexist?! 39:54

6y ago39:54

39:54

Episode 11: Wait, Was That Sexist or Racist?! Hey guys, we’re excited to bring you yet another episode of Afropolitan Central! This week, we’re chit chatting about some of the maddening experiences we’ve had in the workplace and in academia that makes us go hmmm, was that because I’m woman, because I’m black or both! Which discrimination is it? Oh …

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S2 Ep 10 - Mizizi: A Recipe for Diaspora Entrepreneurs? 54:36

6y ago54:36

54:36

Hi guys, thanks for tuning in to another episode of Afropolitan Central. We’re super excited to bring you our conversation with Paakow Essandoh, the founder and CEO of Mizizi, the fashion brand that’s making it cool and exciting for members of the African continent and diaspora to rep our heritage.Our conversation with the 24 year old Ghanaian Amer…

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S2 Ep 9- Pan African to Afropolitan, are they too elite? 1:00:08

6y ago1:00:08

1:00:08

Hello everyone, thanks for joining us for another episode of Afropolitan Central! We’ve heard the arguments made about the term Afropolitan being too elite much like its predecessor of sorts, Pan African. But is that such a bad thing after all?Why is the portrayal of Africans as rich and economically mobile often hotly contested?Is there merit in t…

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EP01: "I wonder as I wander" Nkata with Akinbode Akinbiyi 1:33:44

6y ago1:33:44

1:33:44

Send us a text In this debut episode of NKATA, Emeka Okereke is in conversation with Akinbode Akinbiyi. Akinbiyi (b.1946) is a Berlin-based Nigerian photographer, writer, curator and educator who has been working in the art world/ creative field for over four decades. This conversation touches on several aspects of his life and practice beginning w…

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EP00: Introduction of NKATA by EMEKA OKEREKE 2:30

6y ago2:30

2:30

Send us a text In this intro episode, Emeka Okereke – the host of the program – introduces himself as well as the podcast series. He gave some pointers as to what the podcast program will be all about. Watch out for episode 1 Support the show Hi, amazing listeners! Emeka Okereke here. I am the founder and host of this show. If you’ve enjoyed the st…

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S2 Ep 8 - We moving back or nah? 1:31:47

6y ago1:31:47

1:31:47

Hey guys, we’re excited to bring you yet another episode of Afropolitan Central! This time, we’re joined by returning guest, Nicole Magabo, who was featured on our Children of Blood and Bone episodes, to discuss the topic of moving back to the African continent to the various places we call home. This topic has received increased attention in recen…

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S2 Ep 7 - Where are our friends? 1:05:15

6y ago1:05:15

1:05:15

Hey guys, we’re so excited to be back with another episode and this time we’re talking all about friendships! From pondering the art of maintaining long distance friendships as Afropolitans, “cancelling” toxic friends, figuring out why the “black head nod” doesn’t seem to be a thing in these London streets to highlighting how the definition of home…

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S2 Ep 6: Should we all be feminists? 1:21:33

6y ago1:21:33

1:21:33

Episode 6: Should we all be Feminists?Happy New year folks! This episode, we’re exploring feminism in the African context. We’ve had so many offline conversations on this topic so it’s only right that we finally brought it to the Afropolitan Central table for discussion. Along with our special guest Rafe, a writer and documentary maker based in Abu…

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S2 Ep 5: And issa wrap- what did 2018 teach us?! 58:01

6y ago58:01

58:01

Y'all, we say this every time but it really feels like this year flew by! Guided by a list of questions, we take a look back at 2018. From friendship wahalas to a fainting spell at the Nigerian border among others, we reflect on the highs, lows and funny (you decide for yourself) moments that 2018 brought us and share some gems (again you decide fo…

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S2 Ep 4- How do we move our communities forward? 1:10:24

6y ago1:10:24

1:10:24

On this episode of Afropolitan Central, we dive into several facets of the Afropolitan experience: from gathering as a community at events like TedxEuston, to holding on to our traditions and histories through the stories of our elders, to building our collective and individual futures. To start off, we reflect on our experience volunteering at Ted…

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S2 Ep3- Is Africa ready for the return of her stolen art? 47:13

6+ y ago47:13

47:13

Earlier this year, French President Emmanuel Macron declared that “African heritage can’t just be in European private collections and museums” and commissioned for a report that would inform the temporary or permanent repatriation of looted African art currently held in French museums. On this episode of Afropolitan Central, we give our 2 cents on …

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S2 Ep 2: Dear Afropolitan, how are you really doing? 1:23:47

6+ y ago1:23:47

1:23:47

On this episode of Afropolitan Central, we're joined by our lovely friend and licensed therapist, Kobe Campbell from the Healing Circle, to have an insightful, vulnerable and honest conversation about our mental health as Afropolitans. We start by sharing the perceptions and misconceptions we held growing up in African households, the shifts that h…

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S2 Ep 1: What's Afropolitan Anyway? 47:33

6+ y ago47:33

47:33

And just like that, we’re back again and so excited to bring you the 2nd season of Afropolitan Central! This first episode is a laid back conversation where we re-introduce ourselves and catch you up on all our latest updates including Omolayo’s recent move to London, Nana’s travels to Thailand among others. Then, we explore the word “Afropolitan” …

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Episode 6 Part 2- Children Of Blood And Bone Review 47:37

6+ y ago47:37

47:37

On our latest Afropolitan Central episode, we're discussing the highly buzzed about debut novel, "Children of Blood and Bone" by 24 year old Nigerian American author, Tomi Adeyemi. Described by Tomi as "Black Panther with magic" this epic fantasy takes us on a wild ride in a fantasy Nigerian/ African world as we follow our heroine, Zelie, along wit…

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Episode 6 Part 1- Children Of Blood And Bone Review 43:56

6+ y ago43:56

43:56

On our latest Afropolitan Central episode, we're discussing the highly buzzed about debut novel, "Children of Blood and Bone" by 24 year old Nigerian American author, Tomi Adeyemi. Described by Tomi as "Black Panther with magic" this epic fantasy takes us on a wild ride in a fantasy Nigerian/ African world as we follow our heroine, Zelie, along wit…

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Episode 5 Part 2 - Music: Across time & cultures 34:24

6+ y ago34:24

34:24

In this 2 part episode, we're putting a spotlight on music emanating from various African countries and the larger African diaspora with our special guest, Chineme. In this second episode, we discuss the rise of the Afrobeats on the global stage, the effects of technology on our local music industries in regards to monetisation and copyright infrin…

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Episode 5 Part 1 - Music: The Fabric of our Societies 42:07

6+ y ago42:07

42:07

In this 2 part episode, we're putting a spotlight on music emanating from various African countries and the larger African diaspora with our special guest, Chineme. In this first episode, we start by examining the evolution of Ghanaian music over the decades, revisiting our own love affairs with music from the continent and then spotlight some of o…

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Episode 4- Growing Up African 47:03

6+ y ago47:03

47:03

This week on Afropolitan Central, we're taking a walk down memory lane and discussing all the things that came with the territory of growing up in an African household! We revisit our fondest childhood memories, classic tales of getting in trouble and getting whooped to our relationship with our parents and how those dynamics continue to change as …

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Episode 3- #TravelAfrica 43:25

7y ago43:25

43:25

On this episode of Afropolitan Central, we're talking about all things travel as they relate to the African continent. We dive into the cultural, societal and economic factors and barriers that we believe have influenced how we as Africans explore our continent. Next, we dive into recent travel trends we've observed through social media and some of…

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Episode 2- Fashion Forward: The Rise of "African Fashion" On The Global Stage 37:13

7y ago37:13

37:13

On this episode of the Afropolitan Central podcast, we’re shining the spotlight on “African Fashion”. We’re exploring the evolution of our personal relationships with our local, traditional prints, sharing some of our funny tailor/ seamstress stories and then turning the lens on the increasing visibility of our local prints on the global stage with…

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An Intro to the Afropolitan Central podcast 21:09

7y ago21:09

21:09

We're so excited to bring you the very first episode of the Afropolitan Central podcast! On this intro podcast, we talk about our Nigerian and Ghanaian backgrounds, our experiences navigating the challenges of the "single story" of the African continent and highlight our motivation for starting the Afropolitan Central podcast. We aim to build Afrop…

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Episode 1- Black Panther And Reflections On African Development 53:15

7y ago53:15

53:15

On this episode of the Afropolitan Central podcast, we're talking about the record breaking film, Black Panther and examining the wider topic of African development. Honing in on the varied themes development represented in Wakanda, we explore what this representation means to us, the complex role colonialism among others has played in the reality …

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