Surprising truths about African history, science, and culture — facts you were never taught.
Did you know that Professor Victor Anomah Ngu, a Cameroonian scientist, developed FIDELIS MX, an immunotherapeutic agent for the treatment of HIV/AIDS in the 1990s?
Did you know that the Kingdom of Kush in ancient Nubia (modern-day Sudan) was a major iron producer, possibly even predating ironworking in other regions of the world?
Did you know that Tetteh Quarshie introduced cocoa farming to Ghana in the late 19th century, transforming the country into a leading cocoa producer and a significant economic power in West Africa?
Did you know that the Lebombo bone, discovered in Swaziland, is over 44,000 years old and is believed to be the oldest known mathematical artifact, suggesting that Africans were engaged in mathematical thinking long before other civilizations?
Did you know that Timbuktu, Mali, was a thriving center of learning and scholarship as early as the 12th century, boasting universities with thousands of students and vast libraries?
Did you know that M-Pesa, a mobile money transfer system developed in Kenya in 2007, revolutionized financial inclusion for millions of people across Africa and beyond, allowing them to send and receive money via their mobile phones?
Did you know that evidence suggests that Ancient Egyptians were performing complex surgical procedures, including amputations and dental work, as far back as 2750 BCE?
Did you know that Great Zimbabwe, a medieval city built by ancestors of the Shona people, is an architectural marvel constructed entirely without mortar, showcasing remarkable engineering skills and a deep understanding of structural integrity?
Did you know that Mansa Musa, the 14th-century ruler of the Mali Empire, was so wealthy that his pilgrimage to Mecca caused hyperinflation in Egypt and significantly impacted the gold market across the Mediterranean?
Did you know that Ghana has a burgeoning sci-fi film industry, often creating fantastical narratives with limited resources, showcasing ingenuity and unique perspectives on technology and the future?
Did you know that in 1803, a group of Igbo slaves, upon arriving in Dunbar Creek, Georgia, chose to drown themselves rather than submit to enslavement in an act known as the Igbo Landing?