They Lied About Africa

One plot of land. Five different buyers. Five families who each believed it was theirs. This is not a horror story — this is what is actively happening to diaspora investors trying to build back home in Senegal right now. In this episode I sat down with Paya, founder of Paya Residence in Almadies, to get the full picture — what documents you need, where to verify ownership, which neighborhoods are actually worth investing in, and exactly how people lose everything before a single brick is laid. If you have ever said "one day I want to build back home" — this episode is your starting point.

In this episode, I sit down with Senegalese stylist and textile exploration artist Marième Mboup to unpack a question that feels simple, but isn’t: is modesty really a choice? Raised in Dakar, where modest dressing is lived, embodied, and culturally rooted, Marième brings a perspective that challenges how global fashion has reframed modesty as a trend, an aesthetic, and a market category. Together, we explore what gets lost when identity becomes content, who benefits from the commercialization of modest fashion, and how African Muslim women are reclaiming authorship in an industry that has long borrowed from them without credit. This is not just a conversation about fashion — it’s about power, narrative control, and redefining what freedom and creativity actually look like.

Apartheid is often taught as a uniquely South African system, but the ideas that shaped it didn’t appear out of nowhere. In this episode of They Lied About Africa, we explore how apartheid was built from systems that already existed across the world, including American Jim Crow segregation, colonial governance structures, and racial classification laws. By looking at the global influences behind apartheid, we uncover how governments study, borrow, and adapt systems of power and control. This episode challenges the narrative that apartheid was simply an African problem and instead places it within a broader history of racial governance. Tune in to rethink what you thought you knew about apartheid and the global systems that helped shape it.

The aid industry didn't just respond to poverty in Africa. It built a system around it. In this episode, we break down how foreign aid became an industry, how that industry shaped the global narrative around an entire continent, and what that framing has cost Africa in capital, sovereignty, and power. This isn't about whether aid helps. It's about what gets built when crisis becomes the dominant story.Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @theyliedaboutafrica for more.

African countries are called “independent” — but independence isn’t just political.In this episode, we break down who really controls African money, why currency matters for development, and how systems created during colonial rule still shape African economies today.Using the CFA franc as a case study, this video essay explains:- What it means to control a currency- Why “stability” is often framed as help- and how economic power outlasts formal independenceThis isn’t conspiracy.It’s structure.If you’ve ever wondered why independence hasn’t meant economic freedom, this episode explains what most conversations leave out.Follow They Lied About Africa on Socials for more:Instagram: @theyliedaboutafricaTikTok: @theyliedaboutafrica

Many people assume Islam is an Arab religion, that Africa encountered it late, borrowed it, or reshaped it incorrectly. In this episode of They Lied About Africa, we challenge that assumption by tracing how Islam actually came to the African continent and why Africa was never on the margins of its history. From the first Hijra to the Kingdom of Axum, to the growth of Islamic scholarship, institutions, and societies across Africa, this episode explores how African Muslims helped protect, shape, and spread Islam from its earliest days. We also confront the uncomfortable realities of power, Arabization, slavery, and colonialism, and how these forces distorted how African Islam is understood today. If you've ever wondered why African Muslims are treated like outsiders in their own faith, this episode provides the historical context behind that question. This is not a simplified or romanticized story - it's the one most people were never taught.Follow They Lied About Africa on Socials for more:Instagram: @theyliedaboutafricaTikTok: @theyliedaboutafrica

In this episode, we sit down with the founders of Kayrafet, a young African-owned jewellery brand handmade in Dakar and built with intention. We talk about their journey into entrepreneurship, why African craftsmanship has never been “primitive,” and what it really means to build a brand rooted in culture, ownership, and real economic impact. This conversation is for anyone in the diaspora who wants to unlearn the narratives we were taught about Africa and see what’s possible when we reinvest back home the right way.Support African craftsmanship by shopping Kayrafet at [www.kayrafet.com] and follow their journey on Instagram [@kayrafet].

Thomas Sankara became president of Burkina Faso at 33 and transformed his country in just four years — before being assassinated and erased from history. This episode unpacks why one of Africa's most visionary leaders never made it into your textbooks. We explore the colonial context that shaped Burkina Faso, Sankara's radical reforms that threatened Western interests, and the forces that led to his murder. From selling government luxury cars to rejecting IMF debt, from championing women's rights to achieving food sovereignty — Sankara proved what African leadership could look like when it prioritized people over profit. His story was deliberately buried. We're digging it back up.

In this episode of They Lied About Africa, I sit down with Isha, the visionary behind Afrique Noire Magazine, to unpack what it really means to build an intentional space for African storytelling. We talk about the experiences that shaped her eye, the moment she realized our stories deserved a different kind of care, and how she turned that conviction into a platform seen by thousands. Isha opens up about the behind-the-scenes realities of creating for a continent and a diaspora— the doubt, the breakthroughs, and the responsibility that comes with representing a culture. We also explore the impact Afrique Noire is having on creatives and how it’s carving out a new visual language for African identity. This episode is about vision, voice, and the power of reclaiming the narrative on our own terms.Afrique Noire Magazain: https://afriquenoirmagazine.com/Afrique Noire Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afriquenoiremagazine/

Sudan is facing one of the worst humanitarian crises of our time, and most of the world still isn’t paying attention. In this episode, I sit down with DarAid — a grassroots initiative working directly with Sudanese refugees on the Chad–Sudan border — to break down what’s happening on the ground, why it matters, and how ordinary people are stepping up to protect lives, rebuild communities, and restore dignity. This conversation goes beyond headlines and gives you the truth from those doing the work every day.DarAid Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dar_aid01?DarAid Email: [email protected] TikTok: tiktok.com/@DarAid01

This episode breaks down the uncomfortable truth behind why so many of us grew up believing Africa was poor, struggling, or in need of saving. These ideas didn’t come from nowhere—they were taught to us through school, media, nonprofits, and the Western lens that shaped our identity long before we understood it. I share how these narratives shaped my own guilt, my desire to “fix” a continent I barely knew, and the moment I realized the story I learned was incomplete. If you want to understand where these beliefs come from, how they impact the diaspora, and what it actually means to reconnect with Africa in an honest and grounded way, this is the episode you need to hear.

Eighty years ago, hundreds of African soldiers who fought for France in World War II were massacred at Camp Thiaroye in Senegal — unarmed, unpaid, and betrayed by the very country they defended. For decades, France called it a “mutiny,” erasing the truth from textbooks and archives. But a new investigation has finally uncovered what really happened , and why it was planned all along.In this episode, I dive deep into the Thiaroye Massacre — France’s hidden WWII crime — connecting it to global patterns of Black betrayal, from African American veterans after WWI to the colonial troops France exploited across West Africa. Through history, truth, and reflection, this story challenges the myths we were taught about “liberation” and reminds the diaspora that reclaiming the African story means reclaiming power.

Cameroon has just re-elected the world’s oldest president, Paul Biya — at 92 years old and over four decades in power. In this episode, I break down how he’s managed to stay in control since 1982, from colonial systems and elite loyalty to Western backing and a frustrated generation of youth demanding change. This isn’t just about one man; it’s about what happens when an entire nation feels trapped in time.

If what’s happening in Sudan wasn’t happening in Africa, would the world care? This episode breaks down Sudan’s ongoing civil war between the army and the Rapid Support Forces, the genocide unfolding in Darfur, and the famine threatening millions. Through history, empathy, and accountability, we uncover how global bias shapes who the world chooses to save—and why we can’t stay silent any longer.

At just 20 years old, Zainabou Thiam turned a suitcase of handmade Senegalese goods into Sunu Body, a thriving brand redefining what it means to build from culture, not against it. In this episode, she opens up about imposter syndrome, cultural pride, and the messy, faith-driven path from side hustle to global recognition. Her story is a powerful reminder that embracing your roots isn’t a setback; it’s your greatest competitive edge.

From the U.S., Idris is building two platforms, one tackling health, the other unlocking tech careers, both in Liberia. This episode breaks the myth that Africa lacks talent and shows why systems, not saviors, will shape its future

She was a broke college kid with $500. Now she’s building a nonprofit in Senegal from the U.S. 🌍This episode with Amy Seck, founder of the Senegal Foundation (SNGL), is about what it really takes for the diaspora to build back home.

We all learned about Rome and Greece in school — but when it came to Africa, the story was silence, slavery, or stereotypes. In this episode of They Lied About Africa, I uncover 5 kingdoms that prove Africa has always been a continent of builders, innovators, and world powers.🌍 What you’ll hear about in this episode:Kush (Sudan): Over 200 pyramids, warrior queens, and an iron industry ahead of its time.Aksum (Ethiopia/Eritrea): A Red Sea superpower that minted coins and adopted Christianity before most of Europe.Mali (West Africa): Mansa Musa’s legendary wealth, Timbuktu’s manuscripts, and universities in the desert.Benin (Nigeria): The Great Walls and the Benin Bronzes — history cast in metal before being stolen.Great Zimbabwe (Southern Africa): Monumental stone cities that Europe once refused to believe Africans built.

In this episode of They Lied About Africa, I sit down with Awa Seck, a 19-year-old photographer from Harlem with Senegalese roots, whose lens bridges identity, heritage, and creativity. From picking up her first camera in London, to rediscovering belonging on a life-changing trip to Dakar, Awa shares what it means to be a second-gen creative balancing art, faith, and family expectations. We talk about: How one trip to Senegal reshaped her identity 🌍The challenges of pursuing art in immigrant communities 🎨Blending Harlem and Dakar into her photography 📸Why her photos are about more than aesthetics, they’re about memory, heritage, and belonging ✨This episode is for anyone in the diaspora who feels torn between worlds but wants to create something lasting and true.

Africa’s borders weren’t drawn in Africa — they were drawn in Berlin in 1884. At the infamous Berlin Conference, European powers sat down to carve the continent into colonies, with rulers and pens, and without a single African in the room.In this episode of They Lied About Africa, I break down how the scramble for resources and power led to Africa being divided into 54 countries. We’ll look at why groups like the Soninké, Wolof, Ewe, and Somali people were split across multiple nations, how the Berlin rules reshaped politics, economies, and communities, and why those colonial borders still define Africa today.This isn’t just history — it’s a story that explains why Africa looks the way it does on the map, and why it still matters for our generation.

How can the diaspora build real wealth back home?In this episode, I share 5 proven ways to build generational wealth in Africa — backed by research and case studies already working across the continent.From solar power to cold storage, retail, healthcare, and housing, these are opportunities tied to Africa’s biggest needs — and the diaspora can’t afford to ignore them.

What if I told you the world map you grew up with was lying to you? 🌍In this episode, we break down how the Mercator projection shrunk Africa, why colonial powers kept it that way, and why the African Union’s new Correct the Map campaign matters. This isn’t just geography — it’s about power, pride, and reclaiming Africa’s story.

Why does it sometimes feel like African parents don’t believe in mental health? In this episode of They Lied About Africa, I unpack the silence many of us grew up with — where “I love you” showed up as a plate of food, therapy was replaced with prayer, and boundaries were seen as disrespect — and trace it back to colonization, immigration, and survival. Together, we’ll explore how ancestral healing practices were erased, why silence became protection, and how reclaiming our voices today is key to building stronger families, communities, and a future for Africa.

At 22, Adja Coumba Gueye is proving that West African fashion and modesty not only coexist, they elevate each other. From Harlem to Senegal, she’s building Sutura to make modesty aspirational, culturally rooted, and impossible to ignore.

Africa is losing its brightest minds to opportunities abroad, and the world barely talks about it. In this episode of They Lied About Africa, I break down why so many talented Africans leave, what it means for the continent’s future, and how even in the West, we can be part of the solution. This is the real story behind Africa’s brain drain, and why it matters to all of us.

The diaspora isn’t at war because of braids... we’re at war because of erasure, colonial residue, and centuries of misunderstanding. In this episode, we unpack how the latest “boycott African businesses” trend is deeper than TikTok and rooted in real, generational pain.

Africa is entering the space race, not for show, but to solve real-world problems. In this episode, we explore how countries like Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana are using satellites to fight climate change, boost farming, expand internet access, and build a future that’s theirs. The future of space might just be African, and it’s already happening.

When President Boakai of Liberia spoke at a recent meeting, Trump interrupted to say, “Such good English. Where did you learn to speak so beautifully?”This episode breaks down why that moment wasn’t just awkward — it was revealing. We unpack the assumptions behind it, spotlight the real Liberia they don’t show you, and talk about what this means for Gen Z Africans navigating language, power, and identity.First episode in the Africa Now series.🔗 Full Source List:→ ⁠https://linktr.ee/theyliedaboutafrica⁠ 🎧 Listen to Full Audio Episodes:Spotify: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/prof...Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...👀 Stay Connected:Instagram: / theyliedaboutafrica TikTok: / theyliedaboutafrica_ Email: [email protected]💬 What shocked you the most about this episode? Drop a comment below!👍🏾 Like, subscribe, and share if you’re ready to reclaim Africa’s story with me.⚠️ Disclaimer:This episode is for educational and storytelling purposes. Research was drawn from publicly available sources listed in the show notes/Linktree. While I’ve done my best to ensure accuracy, I am not a historian, economist, or investment advisor. I encourage you to explore the sources yourself and keep learning. Any investment decisions should be made with qualified professionals.

If you’ve ever gone back to Africa and felt like an outsider in your own culture — this episode is for you.In this episode, I talk about what it’s really like to visit “back home” as part of the African diaspora — the awkwardness, the shame, the micro-comments, the pressure to give, the guilt of not fitting in… all of it.We’re unpacking:– Why the disconnect exists in the first place– How it affects the way we invest and reconnect– What rebuilding actually looks like when you don’t feel fully embraced– And why your in-betweenness might actually be your greatest strength💬 Drop a comment or DM me on IG:→ What part of this episode hit you the hardest?→ Have you ever felt disconnected when going back home?🔗 Full Source List:→ ⁠https://linktr.ee/theyliedaboutafrica⁠ 🎧 Listen to Full Audio Episodes:Spotify: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/prof...Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...👀 Stay Connected:Instagram: / theyliedaboutafrica TikTok: / theyliedaboutafrica_ Email: [email protected]💬 What shocked you the most about this episode? Drop a comment below!👍🏾 Like, subscribe, and share if you’re ready to reclaim Africa’s story with me.⚠️ Disclaimer:This episode is for educational and storytelling purposes. Research was drawn from publicly available sources listed in the show notes/Linktree. While I’ve done my best to ensure accuracy, I am not a historian, economist, or investment advisor. I encourage you to explore the sources yourself and keep learning. Any investment decisions should be made with qualified professionals.

Tired of rent draining your pockets while your dreams stay on pause?In this episode of They Lied About Africa, we break down why Senegal might just be Gen Z’s smartest investment move, and how you can get started with way less than you think.

They told you Africa was poor. But what if Africa is actually the bag, and you’ve been fumbling it this whole time? In this episode, we break down the youth unemployment crisis across the continent, how Gen Z in the diaspora is being misled, and why Africa might be the biggest missed opportunity of our generation. If you’ve ever felt lost, overworked, or like you’re falling behind, this one’s for you. The story isn’t over. Let’s rewrite it.

Africa contributes less than 3% of global emissions, ,but it’s leading some of the world’s boldest climate innovations.From solar tech in Kenya to waste startups in Senegal, this episode unpacks how Africa is solving a crisis it didn’t even cause, and why the diaspora can’t afford to sit this one out.Whether you care about justice, innovation, or just want to know where you fit in — this is the episode you didn’t know you needed.🔗 Full Source List:→ https://linktr.ee/theyliedaboutafrica 👀 Stay Connected:Instagram: / theyliedaboutafrica TikTok: / theyliedaboutafrica_ Email: [email protected]💬 What shocked you the most about this episode? Drop a comment below!👍🏾 Like, subscribe, and share if you’re ready to reclaim Africa’s story with me.⚠️ Disclaimer:This episode is for educational and storytelling purposes. Research was drawn from publicly available sources listed in the show notes/Linktree. While I’ve done my best to ensure accuracy, I am not a historian, economist, or investment advisor. I encourage you to explore the sources yourself and keep learning. Any investment decisions should be made with qualified professionals.

What happens when you can’t speak your language...but everyone expects you to represent your culture? In this episode of They Lied About Africa, we explore the quiet guilt of not knowing your mother tongue, and how colonization, migration, and survival systems made it that way. But this isn’t just about loss. It’s about reconnection, resistance, and reinvestment.Because before we can build anything in Africa, we have to feel like we belong there. And for many of us, that starts with reclaiming the words we were never taught.🔗 Full Source List:→ https://linktr.ee/theyliedaboutafrica 👀 Stay Connected:Instagram: @theyliedaboutafrica TikTok: @theyliedaboutafrica_ Email: [email protected]⚠️ Disclaimer:This episode is for educational and storytelling purposes. Research was drawn from publicly available sources listed in the show notes/Linktree. While I’ve done my best to ensure accuracy, I am not a historian, economist, or investment advisor. I encourage you to explore the sources yourself and keep learning. Any investment decisions should be made with qualified professionals.

Ghana’s wealth story didn’t start with today’s headlines, it started centuries ago, in empires, resistance, and brilliance that’s still shaping the world. This video explores what you need to know before you invest: the roots, the reality, and the responsibility. If you’ve ever wondered ‘what if we went back? This is for you.

What do you really know about Africa? For decades, we’ve been fed one narrative: poverty, struggle, crisis. But there’s so much more to the story, and it’s time we tell it ourselves.In this pilot episode of They Lied About Africa, I unpack the hidden reasons behind Africa’s global image:The role of colonization and media biasHow the diaspora has internalized false narrativesWhy Africa’s real power is undeniable, and why its future depends on all of us stepping upPlus: real stats, sharp contradictions, and a blueprint for the diaspora to reconnect and reinvest.Grab the full source list here: https://linktr.ee/theyliedaboutafrica 👀 Stay Connected:Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/theyliedaboutafrica/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theyliedaboutafrica_ Email : [email protected]