Ink & Insight

Africa's consumers are a force to be reckoned with. With over 400 million middle-class consumers, a number that's tripled in just two decades, the continent is experiencing a seismic shift in spending power, digital behavior, and expectations. In cities like Lagos, Nairobi, and Accra, shopping malls are thriving, and smartphones are ubiquitous. Young professionals are making savvy brand choices. Urbanization is driving this growth. By 2030, over 750 million Africans will be urban householders. In Nigeria, the middle class already spends over $80 billion annually on consumer goods. In Kenya, they are splurging on processed foods, outspending their rural counterparts. The consumer base is young, with a median age of just 19. The youths are connected and sophisticated. They're not catching up, they're already ahead. What's striking is how African consumers shop. They're digital natives. Mobile money transactions exceed $500 billion a year, and e-commerce is growing...

Update: A Follow-Up Thought After I shared my earlier post about the Aadi month, someone asked an interesting question: why do some groups seem to follow different rules, and was religion really necessary to explain simple seasonal patterns? That got me thinking. My limited understanding of Hinduism is that it is not just a religion, but a sophisticated system of knowledge shaped by our ancient Rishis and Sages. Much of what we today call “”science”; astronomy, ecology, health, social planning;  was already embedded in their thinking. But they faced a major challenge: how to pass on that wisdom to the masses, especially thousands of years ago when most people were not formally educated. Their solution was clever. Instead of trying to explain the science behind every practice, they used stories, rituals, and symbolic figures. These were not just myths for belief, but tools for mass communication. For example, rather than giving a lecture on the ecological benefits of protecting ...

This post explores a traditional Indian perspective on the Aadi month, sparked by a personal question from my son. While it draws from spiritual and cultural practices, the intention is not to promote any religious belief. Instead, it reflects on how ancient customs often aligned with seasonal, environmental, and social realities — offering insights that remain relevant today This morning my son asked me why the Aadi month is considered inauspicious. Some elders had told him it was a bad time. I knew this was a misconception. There was a logical explanation for avoiding festivals and celebrations during this month, but I couldn't recall the details. After some quick search, I found the reasons behind this "negative" perception of Aadi month and thought it would be helpful to share, in case you also get similar questions from the younger generation.  This is what I found: The Aadi month, which typically falls in July-August, holds fascinating scientific and practical wisdo...

Africa is quietly laying the foundations for its next phase of growth, not just with ideas, but with roads, rail, ports, and power.  The Abidjan to Lagos Highway links five countries and handles most of West Africa’s trade. The Lobito Corridor connects copper mines in Zambia and the DRC to the Atlantic coast by rail. These projects are reshaping how economies connect and driving regional growth.  Ports are expanding fast. Nigeria’s new Lekki Port handles more than 2.7 million containers a year using world-class automation. Durban’s port is being upgraded to handle almost four times its current capacity.  The energy story is just as strong. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is already producing electricity. Solar plants are being rolled out at record speed, powering industries and cities. What makes this different is how everything is being connected – rail lines link to ports, roads lead to trade hubs, and energy projects sit near factories and zones.  With 69 prio...

There were times when I stared at my manuscript for Black Swan, White Swan and felt like throwing in the towel. The writing wasn't flowing, the formatting was a mess, and I wondered if anyone would even care about my story. I stared at my manuscript and wanted to delete the whole thing. The words just weren't flowing, the formatting was a nightmare, and I wasn't sure if anyone would actually care about what I had to say. What kept me going wasn't ego, momentum or motivation. It was purpose. I had committed to setting up an education trust for children who've been left behind. That quiet promise became my anchor. Every time I felt like quitting, I thought of a child in a classroom, made possible, even in a small way, because I finished what I started. This experience taught me something I've witnessed countless times in leadership: when you feel stuck, don't search harder for motivation. Reconnect with your purpose. That's what gets you through the ...

After exploring the continent's rich history, strategic geography, vibrant culture, dynamic youth, and education revolution, it's time to look at how these foundations are translating into economic reality. The numbers tell a compelling story of transformation. Africa's economy has grown remarkably over the past two decades. The continent now boasts a combined GDP of over $2.8 trillion, with several countries consistently ranking among the world's fastest-growing economies. Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Ghana have posted growth rates that would make developed nations envious. But it's not just about size; it's about sophistication. The Lagos Stock Exchange now rivals many emerging markets, while Johannesburg remains Africa's financial hub. The continent has produced genuine multinational corporations: South African banks operate across dozens of countries, Nigerian companies are expanding globally, and Kenyan innovations are being adopted worldwide. The busine...

I received this message today that stopped me in my tracks: "A child who grows up without stories doesn't just miss out on reading—they miss out on learning how to feel for someone else. Books are windows that let us see the world through another's eyes and carry emotions that aren't ours. That's how empathy begins." This captures exactly why I wrote "Black Swan, White Swan." I see a generation losing touch with reading, missing the chance to truly walk in someone else's shoes. They're surrounded by screens and instant content, but they're losing something profound—the ability to sit quietly with complex emotions and develop deep empathy. "Black Swan, White Swan" tells stories through animals' eyes because they offer a universal language of emotion. Animals don't judge—they simply feel, love, fear, and hope. Through their stories, readers can safely explore different perspectives and build understanding. If we want ...

This wasn’t written as a blog post. It was just a note to my cousin,  one of many people who’ve walked with me on this journey. But after rereading it, I realised it says something I hadn’t fully voiced before. So I’m sharing it here, just as I wrote it. Just a quick update - I'm thrilled we've crossed the 100-copy milestone with 104 sales! Thank you all for your incredible support and encouragement. I wanted to share something special that happened during coffee with friends this morning. The conversation turned to my book, and one friend asked which part I enjoyed writing most or found most meaningful. I'd never considered this before, but after a moment of reflection, I told him it was the simple two or three lines I wrote to thank my parents. While the entire book was my imagination, that dedication comes from the deepest part of my heart. I'm grateful I had the presence of mind to put those feelings into words. My parents had never asked anything of me, and as ...

When I first started writing Black Swan, White Swan , I wasn’t sure if the story would resonate beyond my own thoughts and memories. I hoped it would — but you never know. Since releasing Parts 1 & 2 of the series, I’ve been moved by the quiet, thoughtful messages sent back to me by early readers. Some were brief and kind. Others were deeply personal. All reminded me why this story needed to be written—and why it needs to be shared. Here are a few reflections I’m grateful for: “That feeling of being different... I’ve experienced that too. Over time, you realise it’s those differences that shape your strength.” — Early Reader, Singapore “I have no doubt this book will remind many, young and old, that feeling different isn’t something to hide from — but something to grow into.” — Szathia “It’s such an important reminder that we don’t need to blend in to have value. Sometimes it’s our uniqueness that becomes our greatest gift.” “Writing something so personal, especially...

This is the 5th part of the ongoing series on Africa. Several readers suggested I write about education, which felt like a natural next step for the series. I decided to focus on the remarkable advancements in education across the African continent. I have deliberately chosen to highlight the positive developments taking place. While mainstream coverage often plays up the negatives, I believe these articles can offer readers a different, and a more realistic, view of Africa. I hope you find the article informative. Africa’s Education Revolution: Building Tomorrow’s Talent Africa is investing in brains —, and the returns are starting to show. Across the continent, millions of young  people are entering universities, tech bootcamps, and vocational schools at an unprecedented rate. While exact numbers vary, estimates suggest that African universities produce over half a million graduates every year and the number growing fast as more young people gain access to education. This isn’t j...

  "Growing up, I often felt like I didn't quite fit the mold. Different, conspicuous, searching for my place. It's a feeling I think many of us carry,  that sense of not quite belonging, of standing out when sometimes you just want to blend in. Years later, as I watched children navigate their own journeys of self-discovery, I realized how universal this experience is. Every child, at some point, feels different. Maybe they're the only one who loves books in a sports-obsessed family, or the quiet kid in a classroom of extroverts, or the one whose family traditions don't match their classmates'. That's when the idea for Black Swan, White Swan began to take shape." I wanted to create a story that didn't just acknowledge these feelings of being different but celebrated them. Not in a forced, "everyone's special" way, but in a genuine exploration of how our differences, the very things that sometimes make us feel isolated, can become our ...

I’ve quietly been working on something that’s nearly ready to share. It’s a children’s book series called Black Swan, White Swan . At the initial launch, two books from the series will be released. Though written for young readers, the stories ask the kind of questions we all live with: what makes us different, and how do we carry that with courage? I’ll post more details here soon. If you’ve been reading this blog, you’ll be the first to know. [Update, 4 July] The swans are almost ready to take flight. Just a few final feathers being tucked in. Thank you for your patience .