Author Archives: Paul Ndiho

ASHARA ART EXHIBITION

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Ethiopian Visual Artists Collective Debuts in Alexandria, Virginia

By Paul Ndiho

The Dr. Oswald Durant Center in Alexandria, Virginia, was vibrant from September 5 to 7, 2025, as the collective ARTIST’S ASHARA, comprised of Ethiopian visual artists based in North America and around the world, made its impactful debut.

ASHARA symbolizes heritage and belonging, bringing together more than 30 artists from across the United States, Qatar, and beyond for a weekend of diverse artistic expressions, including painting, sculpture, architecture, literature, photography, and digital art. The show was as much a manifesto as an exhibition, offering a bold celebration of identity, resilience, and unity.

Among those featured was Tessema Temtime, who traveled from Qatar with three new works. “As an Ethiopian and a global artist, it’s my responsibility to empower personalities who inspire the new generation,” he said, explaining that his pieces honor African scientists. “Art is not only for beauty—it has psychotherapy. It restores you. When you live with a painting, it gives you different messages, it relaxes you, it heals you.”

Seattle-based artist Serkalem Makonin shared paintings that reimagine Axumite architecture and the Ge’ez alphabet. “Our alphabet carries deep meaning and wisdom. I want the new generation to know that. These symbols hold knowledge we risk forgetting,” she said, pointing to his depiction of Ethiopia’s ancient history.

Sculptor Daniel Kebede presented photographs and more minor works inspired by traditional Ethiopian household tools. “These items aren’t just tools,” he explained. “They carry stories, songs, and medicine. If they could talk, they would tell the wisdom of our ancestors.”

Organizers say the debut marks only the beginning. “We started with Zoom meetings in late 2024 and now we’re a nonprofit with more than 50 members,” said organizer Mekbib Gebretsadik. “Thirty artists came together for this first show, working like one family. This is just the beginning—we want this to be an annual festival.” His own experimental work, created using only air, gravity, and water, reflected on global warming and the need to heal the natural world.

For me, the highlight came when a local artist based in Silver Spring, Maryland, stopped me, snapped a quick picture, and then painted my portrait within minutes. Watching the lines and colors emerge in real time was unforgettable—it captured the energy of the festival itself, where art wasn’t just displayed but lived, shared, and deeply personal.

Should AI Be Regulated in Africa?

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By Ndiho Media

The rise of artificial intelligence is sparking debates worldwide, and Africa is no exception. Governments, businesses, and citizens are asking whether AI should be regulated—and if so, how it should be regulated. For Gbenga Sesan, executive director of Paradigm Initiative in Lagos, the answer is clear: regulation is necessary, but it must not come from fear or ignorance.
“Regulation has always been a tool to create standards so that society can benefit from any new thing,” Sesan told Ndiho Media. “But you can never regulate something before it starts. If you regulate something before it starts, then you kill it.”
Across the continent, many governments have taken a reactionary approach to new technologies. Nigeria’s ban on cryptocurrency is one example. Citizens quickly found ways around it, and the government eventually introduced its own digital currency. Sesan argues that this approach shows a lack of understanding. “The people who are deploying emerging technologies are still learning. Regulators cannot just come in and ban something they don’t understand.”
Instead, he suggests a four-step process: first, ask what the technology is; second, ask how it benefits people and the economy; third, create standards that build trust instead of seeking control; and finally, provide ways for citizens to seek redress if harm occurs. “If something goes wrong, how do people seek redress? That’s how you build trust,” he said.


Governments often legislate out of fear, using regulations to silence opposition or control citizens. Sesan warns that this approach is dangerous. “Whatever standards you create now to punish others, when you lose elections, those tools will be turned against you. That’s the law of reciprocity.” He believes the solution is openness—public hearings, consultation with experts, and engaging stakeholders, including young people who are already driving innovation.
Africa’s youth are using technology to build startups, create jobs, and attract investment. “Young people are solving the unemployment problem of Africa by using new technology,” Sesan explained. “It’s high time governments listen to them and use regulation to support innovation instead of killing it.”
While fears about AI taking jobs are real, Sesan says history shows the benefits outweigh the losses. Typists lost their jobs when computers arrived, but new opportunities emerged for those who adapted to the latest technology. The same principle applies to AI. “It is true AI will end some jobs, but it will create new ones. The net gain is what matters. Governments must work with citizens to reskill and prepare for this future.”
From precision agriculture to telemedicine and digital classrooms, AI presents Africa with an opportunity to leapfrog into a new era. Sesan believes the continent must embrace this moment with wisdom. “This is a brilliant and bright future. We must learn, embrace, and adapt to change. Regulation should support innovation, not stifle it.”

CAN AI AND BIG DATA DRIVE GROWTH IN AFRICA

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By Ndiho Media

Artificial Intelligence and Big Data are no longer buzzwords reserved for Silicon Valley. They’re reshaping industries everywhere—from healthcare and finance to education and agriculture. For the continent of Africa, they represent more than just new technology; they are an opportunity to leapfrog development hurdles and carve out a competitive niche in the global economy. Few people understand this potential better than Dr. Momar Dieng, Dean of the School of Business at the African Leadership University in Kigali, Rwanda. A mathematician by training, with a PhD from the University of California at Davis, Dieng also spends summers lecturing at Harvard University on African politics, election statistics, and quantitative methods. His passion lies in helping Africa harness data and technology to address its most pressing challenges.

Speaking to Ndiho Media, Dieng explained how generative AI is already changing the world. “The emergence of generative AI tools like Bard, from Google, and ChatGPT from OpenAI, backed by companies like Microsoft, has changed the way we think about AI in many ways,” he said. “These tools, especially for young people, are essential to master, as they are going to revolutionize the world and the way we work.”

However, while these tools offer enormous promise, Dieng cautioned that Africa has considerable ground to make up, as most AI systems rely on vast amounts of data. Most of what’s available online originates from Western sources. That leaves African languages, cultures, and knowledge poorly represented. “One of the things where Africa will have to really invest more energy is to make sure that we have more content online,” he noted. “Most African languages are not well represented, which creates a natural bias. We need to document and catalog our indigenous knowledge so it can contribute to the global corpus of knowledge that’s going to find its way into these generative models.”

The challenge, in his view, is not only technical but cultural. Many African societies rely heavily on oral traditions, meaning that vital knowledge in areas such as medicine, agriculture, and history often goes unrecorded. For AI to work for Africa, that must change. Digitizing local languages, encouraging research and publishing, and investing in content creation across disciplines are all crucial steps.

At the same time, the rise of AI is expected to shake up the job market. Some professions may vanish, while others will be completely redefined. Dieng says we should not be worried but prepared. “AI will free people from repetitive tasks so they can focus on higher-level, creative work. The key is retraining and upskilling our workforce.” He pointed out that tasks like summarizing information or drafting basic reports—once standard training exercises in schools—are quickly being taken over by machines. The question for African educators is straightforward: what should young people be taught instead?

For Dieng, the answer lies in creativity, innovation, and critical thinking. “We are going into a world where being average is not going to cut it anymore,” he said. “AI models will be able to do everything average before. That’s why innovation and excellence must become the standard.” At the African Leadership University, he and his colleagues are developing programs to prepare students for careers in data science, programming, and AI—fields that will remain essential even as technology continues to evolve.

Policy and regulation, Dieng added, are just as important as education. He pointed to elections as one area where AI could be both transformative and dangerous. Chatbots, for example, can help political parties stay connected to voters at a fraction of the cost of traditional campaigning. But the same tools can also spread misinformation and create realistic deepfakes that threaten democracy. “AI tools are going to revolutionize how politics is done—not just in Africa, but everywhere,” he said. “But we must also guard against risks like disinformation and deepfakes, which could inflame conflicts in fragile societies. Regulation is not optional—it’s essential.”

That regulation, he argued, cannot be left to individual countries alone. Most African states are too small to influence global technology companies independently. “Individual countries are still small markets with limited bargaining power,” he said. “To influence global platforms and technology providers, Africa must speak with one voice through regional or continental frameworks.”

Despite the challenges, Dieng is profoundly optimistic. Africa has the world’s youngest population, a growing talent pool, and an opportunity to leapfrog into the future. “With this fourth industrial revolution, we have a chance to reset the clock,” he said. “Young Africans no longer need to leave the continent to access world-class knowledge. With focus, ambition, and investment in education, we can leapfrog and compete globally. The next 20 to 30 years will be critical—and I strongly believe this century can be Africa’s century.”

Ghana’s Chief Justice Dismissed

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By Ndiho Media

Ghana’s Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo, has been removed from office, marking the first time a sitting Chief Justice of Ghana has been ousted following a formal investigation. This announcement by the President’s office has sparked a spirited debate across Ghana.
Mrs Torkornoo was suspended in April after three petitions of misconduct were brought against her. A presidential committee, which reviewed over 10,000 pages of evidence, considered “stated misbehavior” and suggested that she be removed. The accusations included misusing public funds for personal trips involving family and meddling in judicial appointments. Mrs Torkornoo has denied all allegations, describing the process as politically motivated.
Recently, Ndiho Media spoke with Justice Akpadie, a civic education expert and a sympathizer of the ruling party, who passionately justified the President’s action.


“This is what the law prescribes. It’s constitutional through and through. If she had any decency, she’d have stepped aside quietly.”
Akpadie dismissed claims of political interference:
“This is part of the President’s agenda to rebalance Ghana. You cannot clean house without involving the judiciary. These are constitutional instruments—not political instruments.”
Critics disagree. Former Deputy Attorney General Alfred Tuah-Yeboah warned it sets a “dangerous precedent.” Civil society leaders, such as William Nyarko, argue that the law lacks clarity and needs to be reformed. Torkornoo’s demand for a public trial was also denied. Ghanaians are asking themselves these questions: Is this accountability—or executive overreach?”

Destination Africa U S Deports Foreign Criminals to Rwanda

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By Ndiho Media
Rwanda has received the first group of seven migrants deported from the United States—part of a controversial agreement that could see up to 250 people resettled in Kigali. The Rwandan government confirmed the mid-August arrival but withheld nationalities. Four deportees will remain in Rwanda, while three opted to return to their home countries.
Rights groups warn that deporting people to “third countries” where they have no ties could breach international law, especially if those countries lack strong human rights protections.
Gatebuke’s Warning: “Commodifying Human Beings”

Claude Gatebuke, a survivor of the 1994 Rwandan genocide and executive director of the African Great Lakes Action Network, told Ndiho Media that Rwanda’s role in such agreements fits a troubling pattern.
“Rwanda has been used as a partner in deals where unwanted migrants or asylum seekers are sent not back to their home countries, but to Rwanda,” he said. Gatebuke called the practice “legalized human trafficking,” arguing that it commodifies people while lining the pockets of Rwanda’s ruling elite.
He pointed to past deals with Israel and the UK that he says left deportees vulnerable to extortion and abuse. “It’s less about humanitarianism and more about money and political protection,” he added.
Szlavik’s Defense: “Not a New Precedent”
Joseph Szlavik, Partner at Scribe Strategies & Advisors and a participant in negotiations, rejects Gatebuke’s characterization.
“This isn’t the first time the United States has deported people to a third host country,” Szlavik told Ndiho Media. “There are preexisting treaties and policies—like ‘Safe Third Nation’ agreements with Canada and Mexico. President Trump is not setting a new precedent here.”
Szlavik stressed that the deportees are not ordinary migrants but “hardened criminals—people convicted of murder, rape, and other serious crimes.” He argues the deal is both lawful and diplomatic: “It demonstrates Africa rising as an international partner and taking part in solution-oriented approaches beyond aid.”
Monda’s Rebuttal: “A Dumping Ground for America’s Rejects”
David O. Monda, a journalist and professor at CUNY–Guttman Community College, disagrees sharply.

“All three countries—Rwanda, South Sudan, and Eswatini—are small, landlocked, and poor, with unstable political systems and human rights concerns,” Monda said. “It’s an elephant-and-ant situation where the U.S. holds all the leverage.”
Monda warned that deporting people with no ties to Africa risks turning the continent into “a dumping ground for America’s rejects.” He pointed out that larger African states such as Kenya and Nigeria have rejected similar proposals, suggesting that the burden falls on nations least able to push back.
The Legal Gray Zone
International law permits transfers to third countries only if the destination is considered safe and individuals can contest their removal. In 2023, the UK’s Supreme Court blocked the UK’s Rwanda plan due to concerns about safety. And here in the U.S., a district court temporarily halted an Africa-bound deportation flight in May, before the Supreme Court allowed it to proceed without ruling whether South Sudan was “safe.”
What This Means for Rwanda—and Africa
Supporters argue that Rwanda is seizing an opportunity to raise its diplomatic profile. Critics say the deal reinforces damaging stereotypes of Africa as a convenient solution for Western problems.
Gatebuke’s bottom line: “Development money does not erase repression. What Africa needs is justice and accountability—not to be treated as a convenient destination for those the West doesn’t want.”
Szlavik sees pragmatic diplomacy. Monda sees exploitation. Rwanda’s role in this debate is likely to shape not only its image, but also Africa’s place in the broader conversation on migration, sovereignty, and human rights.

Shaping the Narrative: Africa’s Debate on AI and Democracy

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Halfway through 2025, it is another critical election year in Africa. At least ten countries, such as Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Malawi, and Tanzania, are scheduled to conduct presidential or general elections. Gabon held its elections in April. While the calendar is lighter than in 2024, when nineteen countries went to the polls, this year will test how new technologies, especially Artificial Intelligence (AI), are reshaping African democracy.

Across the continent, AI is quietly making its way into election management and political campaigns. It is being used to register voters, verify identities, analyze data, and detect cyber threats. At the same time, political actors are experimenting with AI to push targeted messages, generate disinformation, and even create deepfakes. The result is a double-edged sword: AI could help elections become more efficient and credible—or undermine trust in already fragile systems.

How AI Is Being Used

There is no single record of how many African countries employ AI in elections, since most adoption happens quietly and varies in scope. But recent studies and reports, including work by Yiaga Africa and International IDEA, point to several notable cases:

  • Nigeria used Automated Fingerprint Identification in 2023 to prevent duplicate registrations and now applies AI to counter cyber threats and misinformation.
  • Ghana introduced facial recognition technology for voter verification in its 2024 elections.
  • Kenya utilized natural language processing under the Umati project in 2022 to monitor online hate speech, while its electoral commission launched WhatsApp chatbots for voter education.
  • South Africa relied on AI for voter verification in the 2024 elections, but campaigns also used it to spread disinformation and deepfakes.
  • Eswatini and Madagascar reported using AI tools for voter authentication and automated chatbots.
  • Senegal sparked controversy after deploying AI in its “parrainage” system to screen presidential aspirants’ endorsements.

Yiaga Africa’s 2024 survey of 22 electoral commissions shows that only a handful are actively experimenting with AI. Most remain cautious, citing high costs, weak regulation, and fears of bias or misuse.

Promise and Risk

AI’s role in elections generally falls into two areas. On one hand, it helps electoral management bodies with voter registration, biometric verification, and detecting fraud or irregularities. On the other hand, political campaigns utilize it to target voters with customized messages—sometimes crossing the line into misinformation or manipulation.

International IDEA notes that AI can make elections more inclusive and transparent, but warns it is not a cure-all. Through its AI for Electoral Actors program, IDEA is collaborating with election officials, civil society organizations, and the media in cities such as Dakar and Johannesburg to enhance literacy and capacity in the use of AI in politics.

Expert Perspectives

For Zeph Shamba, Chairman of the International Political Campaigns Expo, Africa cannot afford to ignore AI.

“Africa doesn’t want to be left out … it’s a wave that’s coming. We can’t avoid it. Gone are the days when a leader was limited in reaching out to voters—AI speeds up processes. But it also poses risks. That’s why we need open, informed debate.”

Cape Town-based campaign strategist Glen Mpani agrees that AI is transforming politics, but highlights the dangers of its misuse.

“Technology is now at the center of all political campaigns. With mobile penetration, citizens can be reached directly on their phones. That changes everything. But if these tools fall into the wrong hands, they spread disinformation. Every tool is both an opportunity and a threat.” Mpani argues that regulation must reflect African realities.”We can’t just copy rules from the West.

Challenges Ahead  

The integration of advanced technologies presents a range of challenges, despite its significant advantages. Throughout Africa, the implementation of these technologies remains quite limited. Several electoral bodies lack sufficient funding to support these systems. Furthermore, there are growing concerns among citizens regarding issues such as privacy breaches, surveillance, and biases in algorithms..Few countries have established regulatory frameworks for AI in elections, and the opacity of some tools raises additional concerns.

Civil society networks, such as Yiaga Africa, AfEONet, and ELOG, are pushing for broader conversations. Supported by the Luminate Group, they convened election officials and observers from 22 countries to weigh opportunities and risks. The consensus is that AI can improve elections, but without transparency and accountability, it may actually deepen mistrust.

Analysts say AI is not a silver bullet. It may help close gaps in voter verification or fraud detection, but it will not solve the structural and political challenges facing African elections. What matters most is how the technology is introduced—fairly, inclusively, and transparently.

Africa and the A.I Revolution: An Interview with Dr. Atif Mohammad

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By Ndiho Media

For more than ten years, I have traveled across Africa showcasing stories on innovation and entrepreneurship. Since 2013, I have interviewed over 300 startup founders and CEOs—from emerging founders of small innovation hubs to CEOs of Africa’s maiden unicorn, Jumia. I have, in the process, noticed how life at the grassroots has been revolutionized by digital technologies: digital payments in FinTech, digital platforms in EduTech, HealthTech interventions, and now rising generative AI.

It has provided me with a front-row seat to Africa’s tech revolution. Every interview has been distinct, and every CEO has had something to impart about resilience, creativity, or problem-solving that I had not known prior. Different Perspectives is a companion project in which I publish some of those memorable interviews. These interviews speak to me and, I hope, to audiences seeking insight into the future of tech.

One of those interviews was with Dr. Atif Farid Mohammad, Global Head of GenAI and Chief Data Officer at Global Technology Solutions Inc. Dr. Mohammad is among today’s leading spokespeople for artificial intelligence, and he described the subject in a manner both uncomplicated and powerful.

“When you talk about artificial intelligence, you are technically about machines that are making an effort to speak back with us,” he explained to me. “You and I are holding a two-way discussion. A machine, however, learns from information and provides us with a response in a language we could understand.”

He made a distinct line between AI and generative AI:

“If data are the passengers in a train, then generative AI is the engine. Big language models, like ChatGPT, take in data, create something new, and output it in a human-consumable format.”

Where others are concerned about the dangers of AI, Dr. Mohammad feels much of that is misplaced worry.

“The real worry is fear of missing out,” he added. “Ethical standards and regulations are called for, but the tech in itself holds tremendous potential, ranging from accelerated vaccine development to novel prospects in healthcare.”

South African Migrants Shut Out of Healthcare

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By Ndiho Media
South Africa’s public health system has become the battleground of a growing national conflict. Operation Dudula, a vigilante movement, has been accused of blocking foreign nationals from public clinics and hospitals. Members claim undocumented migrants are draining scarce resources, while human rights organizations argue the campaign is unconstitutional, xenophobic, and risks sparking a wider health crisis.
Ndiho Media spoke to Dr. Maropeng Mpya, a legal and political analyst based in Johannesburg, to unpack these tensions. He reminded us that migration into South Africa is not new. “Migration started in the 1800s during the gold rush. Mozambicans, Zimbabweans, and Swazis came in, and it has always been tied to South Africa’s labor market,” Mpya explained.
Operation Dudula insists it is targeting undocumented migrants, not all foreign nationals. But Mpya questioned their approach. “The people whom the Dudula movement is primarily chasing away are illegal foreigners. But asking for IDs at clinics is not dignified. That should be the role of the state, not vigilantes.”
On the question of whether foreigners showing up at a clinic or hospital is criminal, he was clear: “It is not the action of an undocumented foreigner to go to a criminal hospital. The Constitution provides for them to get medical care. You heal them first, because person first — then you can deal with their immigration status.”
He warned of the dangers of denying care to the vulnerable. “I put myself in the position of a young mother in labor pains, being told I must go away, where I cannot even get help. What type of uncivilized behavior is that?”
While acknowledging frustrations, Mpya said the real problem lies elsewhere. “Youth unemployment is around 40%. People feel the system is failing them. But blaming migrants is not the solution. The real problem is government incompetence and failure to manage borders.”
For Mpya, the way forward is clear: “Chasing people away in pain will never solve our problems. The solution lies in better governance, stronger regional cooperation, and respecting the dignity of every person who seeks help.”

Galamsey in Ghana: Threatens Environmental and Economic Catastrophe

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By Ndiho Media
Ghana mourns after eight people — amongst them the Defence Minister and the Environment Minister — died after a military Z9 chopper crashed in the Ashanti Region last week. The helicopter, which had been bound from Accra to Obuasi, had gone missing from radar and had crashed in remote areas.
The ministers were headed to Obuasi, today’s epicenter of illicit small-scale gold mining, or galamsey — an activity losing Ghana billions in forgone revenue as it ravages farmland, forests, and rivers.
Ghana’s gold industry is thriving, generating more than $5.1 billion during the first few months of 2025, with artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) generating around $4 billion, as reported by the Ghana Gold Board. However, illegal galamsey mining is destroying cocoa plantations, poisoning rivers with mercury, and denuding forest reserves. Shortly before he was sworn in for the second term, Ndiho Media spoke with Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama about illegal mining commonly known as galamsey.
“The first is to stop mining in forest reserves — where the rivers get their catchment area,” said Mahama. “Second is to clean up the rivers and stop people pouring effluent into them. We will engage the Minerals Commission and Environmental Protection Agency to ensure they implement the law.”
Mahama also stressed that small-scale mining itself is not the enemy.
“Small-scale mining is legal, and there are ways of doing it without destroying the environment. It’s done in Canada, Australia, and the United States. The technology exists — so why don’t we bring that technology here and train our people to do it in a way that’s safe for the environment?” he further said.

U.S.–Africa Deportation Deals Balancing Strategic Diplomacy and International Law

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By Ndiho Media
The Trump administration’s agreements with Rwanda, South Sudan, and Eswatini to accept deportees labeled as dangerous criminals have drawn both praise and criticism. Supporters see them as a diplomatic breakthrough that strengthens U.S.–Africa ties, while critics warn they raise serious legal and ethical questions under international law.
Joseph Szlavik, Partner at Scribe Strategies & Advisors and a key figure in behind-the-scenes negotiations with these African governments, says the arrangements are rooted in long-standing policy.
“This isn’t the first time the United States has deported people to a third host country. There are preexisting treaties and policies—like the ‘Safe Third Nation’ agreements we have with Canada and Mexico. President Trump is not setting a new precedent here,” Szlavik told Ndiho Media.
Szlavik explains his program as fixing a logistical issue: some countries of origin will not repatriate citizens, especially at moments of strained diplomatic relations, like with Cuba or Venezuela. He specifies that those being rescreened are “hardened criminals—people convicted of murder, rape, and other serious crimes” and not ordinary migrants.
For Szlavik, they also provide an ample diplomatic opportunity.
“Under President Trump, embassies are quickening their response to U.S. queries. It demonstrates Africa rising as an international partner and taking part in solution-oriented approaches beyond aid,” he said.
However, David O. Monda, who is a journalist as well as a professor at City University of New York – Guttman Community College, does not concur. In his argument, he asserts that arrangements risk violating U.S. constitutional protections, together with the non-refoulement rule at international law, where individuals cannot be transferred to states where they will not enjoy their rights or safety.
“All three countries are small, landlocked, and poor, with unstable political systems and human rights concerns,” Monda said. “It’s an elephant and ant situation—an asymmetrical power dynamic where the U.S. holds all the leverage.”
Monda challenges the morality of dispatching people who have not been to Africa to countries where they do not have connections.
“It creates the perception that Africa is becoming a dumping ground for America’s rejects,” he noted, adding that larger African countries like Kenya and Nigeria have rejected similar proposals.
Though Szlavik points out that the Supreme Court upheld the legality of the program and African governments’ willingness to cooperate, Monda warns against circumventing due process.

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