Thursday 18 October 2012

TOP 10 AFRICAN BLOGS


This list has been complied based on the amount of traffic each blogs receive daily.

 

1- Naij.com 

162,179 daily visits

4,865,378 monthly visits

The site showcases news happening in Nigeria

Website: http://www.naij.com

2- Seneweb







149,716 daily visits

4,491,486 monthly visits

The site is all about Senegal

Website: http://www.seneweb.com 


 

3-Bella Naija











148,938 daily visits

4,468,146 monthly visits

Blog about Nigeria music, style, movie and TV.

Website: http://www.bellanaija.com

 

4- Ladun Liadi







111,529 daily visits

3,345,861 monthly visits

Blog about Nigeria news, celebrities, gossips and lifestyle



Website: http://ladunliadi.blogspot.co.uk


 


5-Ivoire Blog

59,838 daily visits

1,795,145 monthly visits

Blog about Francophone Africa

Website: http://www.ivoire-blog.com

 



6- Brighter Monday



 








40,614 daily visits

1,218,430 monthly

Blog about jobs in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda

Website: http://www.brightermonday.com

 

7- Ghafla







23,210 daily visits

696,287 monthly visits

Blog about Kenya entertainment news

Website: http://www.ghafla.co.ke

 

8- Ghana celebrities








19,367 daily visits

580,998 monthly visits

Blog on Ghanaian celebrities

Website: http://www.ghanacelebrities.com

 

9- Linda Ikeji








18,927 daily visits

567,804 monthly visits

Blog about Nigerian news, events, entertainment, and lifestyles.

Website: http://lindaikeji.blogspot.co.ukhttp://lindaikeji.blogspot.co.uk

 

10- Lazy Gamer







17,741 daily visits

532336 monthly visits

South African gaming and console news.

Website: http://www.lazygamer.nethttp://www.lazygamer.net

TOP TEN AFRICAN FOOTBALL CLUBS

1. Al-Alhly (Egypt)
Al-Ahly is an Egyptian sporting club. Founded in April 1907, Al Ahly was named in 2000 by the Confederation of African Football as the African Club of the Century. They have gone on to win the African Champions league a record six times. Al-Ahly has developed into more than a club over the years, but a universe. After Al-Ahly's original club in Gezira (in Zamalek district), Al-Ahly Founded two more clubs, one in Nasr City and one in 6th of October City (still under construction), the three of them continuously produce skilled youth talents day-by-day. Al-Ahly historically formed the first ever TV channel belonging to a cub in Africa, Al-Ahly TV. The channel went through great success since its formation, winning Egyptian sports TV channel of the year 2010 award from AlAhram Newspaper. Al-Ahly also became the first club in Africa (second in Middle-East after Al-Hilal KSA) to form an official store chain, Al-Ahly Official Stores in Nasr City and other locations around Cairo.

 2. Zamalek (Egypt)
Zamalek Sporting Club is an Egyptian sporting club based in Meet Okba, Giza, Egypt that plays in the Egyptian Premier League. The club was inaugurated under the name of “Kasr-El Nil Club“and was first headed by Belgian lawyer Merzbach. The name was changed to Mokhtalat in the year 1913 and was named after King Farouk in 1940, before finally settling as Zamalek after the 1952 Egyptian revolution. Having won 11 league titles, 21 Egyptian cups, 5 CAF Champions League titles, 3 CAF Super Cups and the African Cup Winners' Cup, Zamalek is one of the most successful teams in the history of African football. The club has consistently produced some talents in Egyptian & African football.

 3. Esperance Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia)
Esperance Sportive de Tunis is a sports club based in Tunis, Tunisia. It fields several sport teams in football, handball, volleyball, etc. It is a team from Tunisia that was founded on January 15, 1919. The Stade Olympique d'El Menzah is the club's home stadium. Since the beginning of the new century, the club has not managed to win any African title, but it has often qualified for advanced rounds in the Champions League. Slim Chiboub had to resign for these failures in 2004, even though the team has been Champion of Tunisia uninterruptedly for seven years, since 1997, reaching the magic number of 20 championships in the club history. His replacement at the presidency of the club, Aziz Zouhir, did not manage to be successful on the continent, even though the team reached 3 cup finals in a row, winning 2 cups and 1 championship on the national level. The football team kept changing with a lot of investments to bring the most talented players, even though it lacked stability on the coaching level, but the team managed to win 2 Champions Leagues (CL), one at the Arab level in 2009 and the other at the African level in 2011, both of them against the same finalist: Wydad Athletic Club (WAC), after failing in 2010 to win the CAF CL against Tout Puissant Mazembe (RD Congo).

 4. T P Mazembe (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Tout Puissant Mazembe, formerly known as Engelbert, is a Congolese football club based in Lubumbashi. Their home games are played at Stade TP Mazembe situated in Lubumbashi. Its nickname is Les corbeaux (the ravens) despite having a crocodile with a ball in its mouth on the team crest. In 2010, the club made FIFA Club World Cup history by becoming the first club team from Africa — and from outside the traditional continental powerhouses of Europe and South America — to enter the final after beating CONMEBOL'sInternacional of Brazil 2–0 in the semi-final. TP Mazembe defeated ES Tunis 6-1 on aggregate to win their 4th CAF Champions League Crown in 2010. TP Mazembe has revenue of €14 million and an average attendance of 18,000.

 5. Asante Kotoko (Ghana)
Asante Kotoko Sporting Club, also known as Asante Kotoko, is a professional football club from Kumasi, Ashanti. Based at Kumasi Sports Stadium they are competing in the Ghana Premier League. They have been champions of Ghana a record 22 times, and have won the CAF Champions League twice. The International Federation of Football History and Statistics ranked Asante Kotoko the African club of the 20th century. In July 2011, Asante Kotoko and English Premier League club Sunderland signed a partnership agreement, which will see the Sunderland offering practical support and advice in youth coaching, player development, fitness and medical matters as well as football business strategy to Kotoko.

 6. Asec Mimosa (Ivory Coast)
The Académie Sportive des Employés de Commerce Mimosas, literally Mimosas Commerce Employees' Sporting Academy, is an Ivorian football club based in Abidjan. The club is also known as ASEC Mimosas Abidjan and ASEC Abidjan, especially in international club competitions. Founded in 1948, they are the most successful side in Ivorian football, having won the Ivorian Premier Division 23 times and the 1998 CAF Champions League. In addition, ASEC's Académie MimoSifcom has produced a number of famous players now based in top foreign leagues, including Bonaventure Kalou, Didier Zokora, Emmanuel Eboué, Gervinho, Salomon Kalou, Romaric, Didier Ya Konan, Touré Yaya and Wilfried Zaha, all of whom have played internationally.

 7. Raja Casablanca (Morocco)
Raja Club Athletic (RCA) (Raja meaning 'hope' in Arabic) is a sports club with sections in many different disciplines in Casablanca, Morocco. Raja was founded on March 28, 1949 as part of the political struggle against French rule by nationalists who aimed to create a focus for working-class young Moroccans. The club is most well known outside Morocco for its football team. In Morocco, Raja Casablanca is still regarded as the club of the people. For many years it had a reputation of playing entertaining football without winning many trophies. However Raja has evolved recently into a more professional outfit capable of winning trophies at home and abroad. It has become the most powerful club in Morocco. Raja Casablanca is the only Moroccan club, and the first African and Arabic team to participate in the World Club Cup. They competed in the first edition that took place in 2000 in Brazil.

 8. Sportive Kabylie (Algeria)
Jeunesse Sportive de Kabylie (Tamazight: Ilemẓiyen Inaddalen n Leqbayel), (Arabic: شبيبة القبائل) known as JS Kabylie or JSK , is an Algerian professional association football club based in Tizi Ouzou. It draws its support from Kabyle football fans even outside the city of Tizi Ouzou. It was previously called JS Kawkabi (1974–77) and JE Tizi-Ouzou (1977–89). It is one of the richest and most successful clubs in Africa. Their current budget is approximately 2,500,000 euros. Their home stadium is Stade 1er Novembre. Their average attendance is around 10,000.

 9. Canon Yaoundé (Cameroon)
Canon Sportif de Yaoundé, commonly referred to as Canon Yaoundé, are a Cameroonian football (soccer) club based in Yaoundé. The club was formed in 1930 and play their games at Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo. Their most successful period was in the 1970s and 1980s when they were a dominant force in Cameroonian and African football, winning eight national championships, eight Cameroonian Cups, three African Champions' Cups and one African Cup Winners' Cup. Some past notable players include Francois Omam-Biyik, Jules Onana, Jacques Songo’o and Pierre Wome.

 10. Etoile du Sahel ( Tunisia)
Étoile is one of the two clubs in the world, together with Italy's Juventus F.C., to have won all international club competitions organized by their respective continental confederation and the only one in Africa to have won all CAF club competitions. The Etoile Sportif du Sahel (ESS) (Arabic: النـجـم الرياضي الساحلي‎, often referred to as Etoile du Sahel, Arabic: النـجـم الساحلي‎) is a sports club from Soussein the Sahel region of Tunisia, known primarily for its football team. The club also has sections for handball, volleyball, basketball, judo and wrestling. In English the name means Sport (or Athletic) Star of the Sahel.

Thursday 11 October 2012

TOP TEN FASHION DESIGNERS AFRICA


1. DURO OLOWU (NIGERIA) - The Nigerian-born, lawyer turned fashion designer known by many as the Father of everything ‘Prints’, Duro Olowu is well known for his use of mixed vintage prints, bright colors and well polished cuts. His sharp cuts and prints, give his designs that unique glam that has attracted style icon. . Winner of numerous awards, including the 2005 ‘Designer of the Year’ British Fashion Awards.
Clients include Uma Thurman, Linda Evangelista and  Michelle Obama. Website http://www.duroolowu.com


2. KORTO MOMOLU (LIBERIA) Runner up of the  prestigious Project Runway show. Her vibrant and colorful Spring 2009 collection during New York Fashion Week; made her a  top 5 designers to watch. After Project Runway show,  Korto has been featured in lots of magazine like Essence magazine, LA Times, Ladybrille.com, InStyle.com among others.
Tyson Beckford and Lola Ogunnaike (formerly with CNN) are fans of Korto Momolu. Website : http://www.kortomomolu.com/

3. Lisa Folawiyo (Nigeria) whose brand is known as Jewel by Lisa, designs wide ranges of clothes and jeweled accessories. Her creative ability to revolutionizeAnkara fabric into colorful prints and textures embellished with Swarovski crystals, results in vibrant and fun designs. 
CLIENTS include - Genevieve Nnaji, Solange Knowles, Lala Vasquez, Catt Sadler of E! News; she has appeared on the  BBC, Essence Magazine, Marie Claire amongst others. Winner of the African Fashion International Designer Award in 2011 and she was on of the few selected to showcase at the 2011 ARISE Made in Africa Collective at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York.



4. DAVID TLALE (SOUTH AFRICA) 
The South African designer David Tlale winner of Best new designer of the year 2003  is an international design force with pieces that are unpredictable and exceed expectations. He also won
Mzansi star fashion designer Mzansi Award.  After winning the Elle talent competition and awarded the Best new designer of the year 2003, he exhibited his unique designs on international platforms such as, Paris Fashion Week, De Beers Shining light collection, Arise Fashion week and many more.
Clients include British Supermodel Jourdan Dunn u
website : http://www.davidtlale.com/



DEOLA SAGOE (NIGERIA)
Winner of “Africa Designs” and the MNET/ Anglo Gold African designs 2000 awards for which she was nominated by Andre Leon Tally, US vogue editor. that give women a unique vision. She is indeed a fashion visionary who has gained international fame for her haute couture pieces. She was appointed as UN Designer for UN World Food Programme: CatWalk the world- Fashion for food which goal is to raise money towards halving the number of hungry people in the world, particularly children, by 2015. Deola has participated in major fashion shows alongside Donna Karen, Chanel, Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein. Her designs have been donned by celebrities like Naomi Campbell and Anika Nina Rose;
Her fans include Oprah Winfrey and Will Smith.

website: http://www.deolasagoe.net/




KOFI ANSAH (GHANA)

He his Fashion  leader in Ghana fashion scene and a innovator in Africa.  He his the son of a classical musician and a photographer from Ghana. He his credited with changing the face of Ghana's fashion and . He designed all the costumes for the opening and closing ceremony of the African cup of nation in 2008. His vibrant, creative and edgy collections have helped pushed African Fashion to glorious heights. He has been a major player in the Ghanian fashion industry being founder and past president of the Federation of African Designers, fabric design for theGhana@50 Golden Jubilee Celebrations. He is one of the designers chosen to sell his artful collections on one of the esteemed e-commerce sites- Yoox.com. He created the Federation of African Designers, of which he has also been president

http://kofi-artdress.com/


LANRE DA SILVA AJAYI (LDA) (NIGERIA)

In just seven years of launching, her brand has gained strong international presence. Lanre Da Silva Ajayi produces high class sophisticated clothing for the elegant woman. She combines traditional fabrics, optical prints with a touch of different patterns to her designs. Her label has been the favorite of many celebrities, fashion lovers and top media houses. With a consistent ritual of showcasing six collections every year, LDA has showcased both locally and internationally for shows including ARISE, New York Couture Fashion Week and Mercedez Benz Fashion Week. She has been featured in various magazines such as Vogue Black, WWD, Essence.com, Reuters UK, Fashion Bomb and Centric/BET.
http://lanredasilvaajayi.com/




MATAANO (SOMALIA)

After escaping the civil war inSomalia, the twin sisters relocated toWashingtonDC. Ayaan and Idyl embarked upon their career in the fashion industry by creating a multicultural fashion label-Mataano (which means twins inSomalia) which has gained global recognition form distinguished fashion achievers. Their premier collection debuted in Spring 2009 gained significant buzz throughout the industry. The queen of day-time television, Oprah Winfrey, invited the twins via skype on her show titled “Young Millionaire Moguls”.  This attention definitely brought a huge national buzz to their brand and attracted avid attention from the press including, Vogue Italia, Arise Magazine, Essence Magazine, CNN International and numerous magazines and blogs.
http://www.mataano.com/


TIFFANY AMBER (NIGERIA)

With a vision to revolutionize the Nigerian Fashion Industry, Folake Folarin-Coker launched her brand- Tiffany Amber in 1998. Despite her law background, her passion for fashion gained a higher control. Her dedication and hardwork made her the first African-based designer to be invited to showcase her work two consecutive seasons at the New York Fashion week. Tiffany Amber is no doubt, one of the biggest well known fashion labels inAfrica. Her designs are truly a quintessence of a glamorous, affluent African woman. She continues to stay true to her vision by developing a strong fashion philosophy. Fourteen years after launching her brand, it has become a highly esteemed award winning international label. Folake won designer of the year at the 2009 African Fashion International inJohannesburg, Fashion Brand of the year at the ARISE Magazine Fashion Week 2011 for her AW2011 Fearless Luxury Collection. Recently, she was chosen as one of the designers to sell their collections on the famous e-commerce platform- Yoox.com.
http://www.tiffanyamberng.com/index.php



OZWALD BOATENG (GHANA)
He his on the list of 100 great black brition
Popularly known as the first black tailor (at age 27) to open a store on Savile Row and former creative director of Givenchy, Ozwald continues to be a force to be reckoned with.  His use of vibrant colors and refined fabrics with a twist of contemporary silhouettes offers a unique menswear luxury brand. He has donned celebrities such as Will Smith, Jamie Foxx and Mick Jagger in his well tailored designs.  In 2000, he was awarded ‘Top Menswear designer’ at the British Fashion Awards; awarded an OBE in 2006 by her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for his contributions to the fashion industry, Lifetime Award at the ARISE Fashion Week Lagos 2012 and many more.http://www.ozwaldboateng.co.uk/



Zeddie Lukoe and Sidney Owino of Kenya
This Kenyan design duo, Zeddie Lukoe and Sidney Owino are reinterpreting men’s suiting. Debuting their most recent collection at Africa Fashion Week New York this summer, they sent Masai-plaid inspired suits fit for a dandy down the runway, alongside Ankara printed harem pants with matching blazers.  Zeddie Lukoe and Sidney Owino, the masterminds behind Blackbird Jeans are always looking for new business ventures, tackling global fashion, and looking for ways to expand their blossoming design house

other designers that are not on the list but are a blessing to Africa are  AISHA OBUOBI (GHANA) , MIMI PLANGE (GHANA), DARRYL JAGGA (SOUTH AFRICA)



Tuesday 9 October 2012

IS THE FUTURE OF THE WORLD ECONOMIES IN AFRICA’S HANDS?

Africa is experiencing its longest income boom for 30 years, with GDP growth rates averaging about 50% annually. According to the IMF the world’s fastest growing economies will be in Africa. IMF also forecast that seven of the world’s ten fasten growing economies will be in Africa, with Ethiopia, Mozambique, Tanzania, Congo, Ghana, Zambia and Nigeria topping the list. Zambia is one of the continent’s promising economies growing at 7.6% in 2010 and 6.6% in 2011. Another exemplary example is Kenya were mobile phone bank transfers have revolutionised rural access to cash just two years after the mobile banking system M-Pesa was introduced in 2007, 40% of the Kenyan adult population had become customers. If the middle class is an integral sign of economic growth then the future economic growth for Africa is sanguine, according to an African Development Bank report the projections by 2030 for much of the continent is that it will have a middle class majority and that consumer spending will soar from $680 billion to $2.2 trillion. Already Uganda has shifted from having one university to 30 in over two decades. According to Netherlands – African Business Council (NABC) four reasons stand out as to why Africa’s, Africa is now booming and has considerable discretionary spending power, Africa is poised to have the largest labour force in the world, African workers are better educated than before and Africa can easily become the world’s breadbasket with 60% of the world’s unused cropland. Over the next 40 years, Africa’s population is set to double from one billion to two billion, this may as well enrich the different income portfolios. Africa should still deal with the niggling issue of human rights and slay the four demons of poverty, bad leadership, health and ignorance (education) but the future still looks bright.

TOP TEN NIGHT SPOTS TO VISIT IN AFRICA


TOP TEN  NIGHT SPOTS TO VISIT IN AFRICA

1.     Coconuts Club Maputo Mozambique


 It's a well known nightclub between Mira Mar Beach and Costa do Sol beach, 5 kilometer (10 minutes drive) from the city centre. Entrance cost about 7 USD and include one drink. One beer cost about 4 USD. The place is almost empty before 10 PM. They play rap, beat and Hip-Hop. Some music from Mozambique, but mostly from America. The guests at this place were mainly high class Mozambicans. A couple of them parked their SUV and Mercedes outside the entrance, and gave the keys to the guard.

2.     Black Diamond Westlands Nairobi, Kenya


This place is well, pretty great to be honest. Nairobi boasts perhaps the most developed and enjoyable nightlife scene outside of South Africa and when if you head to the Westlands you’ll be impressed. There are a load of niche like themed lounge bars such as Havana where locals rub shoulder to shoulder with expats. After warming up there the only option you need to consider is right around the corner. It’s name – Black Diamond. It’s one of the best nightclubs we have come across in Africa which combines a nice mix of culture, events and an international crowd.

3.     Gaslight Nightclub in Addis, Ethiopia


If you want to experience the dynamic energy of Addis' consummate night club with a state-of-the-art light and sound system then Gaslight club is the place to be. World music pulsates through the air while cocktails and spirits flow freely at the alluring bars at the Gaslight Night Club.  Sheraton Gaslight is indeed a fancy nightclub resembling that of western clubs and serves the best drinks and you can dance the best music all night long. Memo is a popular nightclub with a spacious dance floor. Bailamos is on top of the Novis building. Bailamos also offers performance on weekends.

4.     K1 club Parklands, Kenya



K1 Klubhouse is a lively Kenyan club in Parklands. making this somewhere to check out if you like funky music and a high energy atmosphere. In addition to the actual club, there are several bars and other attractions at K1 which you should check out; There are several bars; Heaven has a nice environment for socialising and sharing a drink; a sports bar with big screen and a also a hall of pool tables which is popular for a place to hang out.The balcony overlooking the neighbourhood and trees offers somewhere you can enjoy nature from high, while the in-house spin doctors give sounds to match the mood of the moment. Paradise bar is on the ground floor and offers 10,000 volts of party music together with an amazing dance floor where you can boogie on down. 

5.     Aphrodisiac Club, Ghana



Award winning club located at the plush Airport Residential Area, on 48 Patrice Lumumba Road. A place for the young and young at heart. it serves a mix of hip hop and R&B, hip life, garage and techno for your dancing pleasure. Not forgetting the special themes on holidays. 

6.     Aruba Lounge, Johannesburg, South Africa

  

Aruba Lounge is situated in Northriding in the Banbury Cross Shopping Centre. It's not a large venue, but caters for enough of a crowd to make it a proper intimate party. There are two outside terraces with comfy seating. One of the terraces has its own bar. There are also two full bars with an amazing cocktail menu and waiters to serve you. 

7.     Koko Lounge Nigeria



Situated in the e centre (also known as the Domino Centre) in Yaba, Koko Louge is quite a surprise for this part of mainland Lagos. Small, stylish dark club held in black and red with some comfortable sofas and some not so comfortable stools it is a viby place in the evenings with a special comedy night every Wednesday.

8.     Carnivore Nairobi Kenya



The Carnivore is also home of the Simba Saloon, a delicious a la carte restaurant by day and Nairobi's most popular nightclub. The informal indoor/outdoor atmosphere, exceptional snacks and the pulsating rhythms of Africa combine to ensure an exciting ambiance.

9.     Pacha Marakech Morocco.



Possibly Pacha Marrakech is the most exotic of all the Pacha clubs in the world. It is open all day long and from midday on, you may relax laying in the hammacs by the swimming pool while enjoying the dj, the sun, the cocktails, a Sunday Brunch or any of the exclusive restaurants. In Restaurant Jana try their tasty Morrocan recipes, and in Crystal, enjoy the delicious Mediterranean cuisine. When the sun sets, night time starts at Pacha Marrakech with more cocktails, live music and tapas in the elegant Chill-Out, decorated in reds and gold obtaining an always-desired atmosphere, the fusion between eastern and western cultures. Later on, a selection of the best international DJs, the impressive sound system, the lighting and the magical crowd, invoke the Pacha spirit.

10.  The Kololi  Complex, Gambia



The Kololi complex is one of the most popular entertaining facilities in Gambia. Since 1991, the Kololi has offered his guests a wide selection of entertainment, with a restaurant and nightclub. The Kololi complex is situated in the Senegambia area which is the main tourist attraction district.










TOP TEN AFRICAN COMPANIES BY MARKET VALUE

Company
Country
Industry
Market Value ($billions)
Sasol


South Africa
Oil & Gas Operations
15.98
MTN Group


South Africa
Telecommunications
15.97
Standard Bank Group


South Africa
Banking
9.89
Impala Platinum Holdings


South Africa
Materials
7.46
First Rand

South Africa
Banking
6.76
Attijariwafa Bank


Morocco
Banking
5.44
Telkom


South Africa
Telecommunications
5.14
Orascom Construction 


Egypt
Construction
4.16
Orascom Telecom


Egypt
Telecommunications
3.15
Investec


UK/South Africa
Diversified Financials
1.96