This past year, we’ve deepened our commitment to quality, refining our editorial voice, expanding our coverage across the continent and diaspora, and centring creators who challenge convention and inspire change.
By Editorial Board
From day one, Afrocritik’s vision has been clear: to conscientiously explore the length of African and Black culture and to stir up conversations about people of colour globally. To document African stories, to spotlight diverse voices, and to provide fresh perspectives on culture. To celebrate with conviction even as we critique constructively. Simply put, to project Africa.
Today, in a volatile world and with culture constantly evolving globally, this mission feels even more urgent. And as Afrocritik turns four this year, it’s an occasion that demands a moment of reflection on the journey so far and the cultural conversations that we have helped shape across the continent and the African diaspora.
What started as an idea shared by two culture lovers, Co-founders Samson Jikeme and Owanate Max-Harry, has now grown into an essential platform for celebratory and critical engagement with African creativity and thought, with a strong editorial identity and expansive coverage that stretches across Africa.
Whether exploring new frontiers in African music, pushing for growth in African cinema, interrogating the legacy of African literature, spotlighting Black art and fashion, documenting Africa’s place in global sports, situating the continent in the digital age, platforming emerging voices, or giving fiction and poetry a home, Afocritik has stayed committed to nuance, context and the demand for excellence.
As Samson Jikeme, our Co-Founder and Creative Director, puts it: “As Afrocritik turns four, I’m filled with pride at how far we’ve come in redefining the narrative around African artistry. This past year, we’ve deepened our commitment to quality, refining our editorial voice, expanding our coverage across the continent and diaspora, and centring creators who challenge convention and inspire change.”
Indeed, some of our most resonant pieces have stemmed from our willingness to discuss difficult subjects and to embrace underappreciated or lesser-known African creatives who are quietly transforming their fields and pushing the boundaries of what African creativity can be.
In fact, we have experienced significant growth these past four years, and that has only been possible through the support of our readers, contributors, critics, and collaborators. Afrocritik was never intended to be a solo trip; it has always been more of a group tour. As Jikeme says, “This journey has been powered by an incredible team and a loyal audience who believe in our mission. We’re excited for the future—one where even more African stories take their rightful place on the global stage”.
One of our proudest and most popular initiatives is our Annual List of Notable Essays which we started in 2023 as “18 Notable Essays From Nigeria” and expanded in 2024 into “50 Notable Essays from Africa”. With this List, we seek to support the democratisation of the essay form in Africa while also encouraging a culture of essay writing rooted in reflection, criticism, and boundless imagination.
Alongside this, we’ve broadened the scope of our end-of-year editorial coverage to reflect the depth and diversity of African creativity. Our Top 50 African Music Projects list (previously 25), and Top 100 African Songs (up from 50), now spotlight an even wider range of sounds and artistes across the continent. We’ve also introduced new lists such as the Top 25 Remarkable African Films, Top 35 Remarkable African Short Stories, and the Top 20 African Athletes of the Year, further expanding our commitment to curating and celebrating excellence across disciplines.
As our Co-Founder, Owanate Max-Harry notes, “In a world that increasingly demands rigour, authenticity, and cultural accountability, Afrocritik has remained steadfast in its mission: to critique, celebrate, and elevate African and Black art. At four, we’re not just a platform but a growing archive of African creativity and thought.
I’m especially proud of the depth of our cultural commentary, and the boldness with which we engage music, film, literature, and beyond. The need for critical discourse in African entertainment has never been more urgent, and we’re ready to keep leading that charge”.
This past year also saw us launch the Afrocritik Prize for Criticism, with the inaugural edition aimed at fostering critical cultural discourse in African literature. Participants reviewed three books by contemporary West African writers, and winners were selected by an independent jury comprising two Nigerian writers and two Kenyan writers.
We have also re-launched our Newsletter, a weekly publication that is essentially a mini repertoire covering reviews, features, culture commentaries, interviews, and news, as well as music, film and literature recommendations. And “Afrocritik Spaces”, our weekly live podcast on X Spaces continues to grow, both in number and in quality, providing an accessible space for open and honest conversations about African entertainment, with particular focus on music.
Emphasising the Afrocritik spirit and what this milestone means for us, Managing Editor, Emmanuel ‘Waziri’ Okoro reflects, “Afrocritik was born from a shared desire to spotlight African stories, talents, and truths with depth, nuance, and boldness. Today, we stand proudly at that intersection of culture and critique, documenting the evolving pulse within and beyond the continent. I’ve had the honour of witnessing the growth of this platform, not just in reach or recognition, but in the quality of the conversations we shape and the communities we engage in. We’ve challenged stereotypes, celebrated artistry, and held space for voices that often go unheard.
“But the journey is far from over. If anything, these four years have deepened our commitment to meaningful storytelling. We’re doubling down on excellence, experimentation, and impact. From music and film to literature, technology, sports, and fashion, Afrocritik will continue to lead with heart and clarity.
“To every contributor, reader, and critic who has walked with us: thank you. Here’s to continuing the work with even greater purpose”.
And that work surely continues. We intend to do more and to do better. At four years old, Afrocritik is only just getting started. We have a solid foundation. And with every review, every essay, every conversation, every debate sparked, every cultural moment documented, Afrocritik will keep on projecting Africa. Boldly. Thoughtfully. One word, one story at a time.