Segenet Kelemu's research has taken her all over the world -- from her home country of Ethiopia to China.
Andre Hartman struggles to walk. But every day he dreams of going back to the ocean.
It's 06:30am and the sun has just risen over the bustling gardens of Mbuyoni elementary school, in the coastal city of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
South African Andre Hartman on diving with sharks and starting his own business.
From spearfishing to free diving, Andre Hartman has always been drawn to oceanic activities.
Qabaniso 'Q' Malewizi explains how him and his friends are helping poetry grow in Malawi.
Qabaniso 'Q' Malewizi reflects on pursuing a career in poetry after moving back to Malawi almost a decade ago.
Malawian poet Qabaniso 'Q' Malewizi realized his gift for words was truly fulfilled as a poet.
In a country where bleaching creams are frequently used to chemically lighten skin tone, one savvy entrepreneur is fighting against the disfiguring practice.
Ghanaian businessman Alhaji Mustapha Oti Boateng on building schools for Ghana's youth.
After trying his hands at a variety of jobs, Ghanaian Alhaji Mustapha Oti Boateng ventured into herbal cosmetics in 2003.
Ghanaian businessman Alhaji Mustapha Oti Boateng reflects on his humble upbringing in Ghana.
If 21st century Africa is a story struggling for equality in the global community of stories, to paraphrase Africa's most famous novelist, Chinua Achebe, then Bob Geldof, Bono, and international aid and charity organizations are not the only actors seeking a space in that narrative. Continental Africa too is seeking a space in her own story -- the first step in telling and owning her own story. Eventually. For Western actors in the Mercy Industrial Complex, there is a story; for Africans, there are stories.
Olajumoke Adenowo's life is one of numbers.
From a young age Nigerian architect Olajumoke Adenowo wanted to craft structures that were functional and beautiful.
When Nigerian architect Olajumoke Adenowo isn't designing buildings, she hosts a regular radio show to mentor women.
Elson Kambalu doesn't like to be shoehorned as an artist.
Elson Kambalu on creating an art space on the outskirts of Malawi's capital city Lilongwe.
Elson Kambalu, one of Malawi's leading abstract artists, has created a kids art studio which is open to the public.
Elson Kambalu discovered his passion for art after graduating from university with a degree in business.
Meet Amos Wekesa who has built one of the largest tourism companies in Uganda despite being born into a poor family.
A Zimbabwean woman has received the Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Social Courage after being profiled in the film "Beatrice Mtetwa and the Rule of Law."
Solid Africa founder Isabelle Kamariza describes her plan to help even more people.
Isabelle Kamariza's desire to feed the homeless eventually morphed into creating non-profit organization Solid Africa.
Kenyans took to the streets of Nairobi on Monday to send a message to men: Stop attacking women because of the way they dress.
Rwandan Isabelle Kamariza hopes to encourage others to take action and change the world.
It's an entirely preventable disease, and when diagnosed early, it's easily treatable. Yet Malaria still claims hundreds of thousands of lives each year.
It was in a New York cab. That's when Grammy Award-winning signer Angelique Kidjo realized the extent that "fear-bola" had spread.
Professor Francisca Okeke on striking the right balance between a busy career and family life.
Nigerian professor Francisca Okeke on breaking down barriers and predicting the weather.
Internationally acclaimed Francisca Okeke is the first woman to serve as Dean of Physical Sciences at University of Nigeria.
Privacy is vital to my sense of self. It is as important as breathing; each breath may be my last.
Amos Wekesa has seen a lot of changes in his country. Today, the self-made mogul oversees Great Lakes Safaris, one of the largest tour operators in Uganda. He has made millions introducing his clients to the splendor of his country, whether taking them on elephant treks in Queen Elizabeth National Park, or giving them an opportunity to get close to the local chimps at Murchison Falls.
South African entrepreneur Ashley Uys has created an app allowing parents to test their kids for drugs.
Biotechnologist Ashley Uys opens up about his strengths and weaknesses after losing a court case over intellectual property.
South African biotechnologist Ashley Uys has created medical innovations being used across the African continent.
Amos Wekesa explains how the Internet helps his business connect with potential customers around the world.
Businessman Amos Wekesa explains how an unexpected phone call helped his company turn a profit.
There is no word more reviled in America than "Ebola," especially since the death of Thomas Eric Duncan, the Liberian national who had traveled to Dallas. But as Ebola has spread, it has become increasingly clear that if there is to be any chance of stopping the disease -- not only here in America, but across the world -- then the United States must lead through inspiring example.
African Voices meets businessman Stanley Kamau who wants to help rural communities in his home country of Kenya.
One of the most debilitating medical conditions in sub-Saharan Africa isn't fatal. In fact, it's easily curable. The culprit is small, but its impact is big. The chigoe flea, more commonly known as a jigger, typically burrows itself into the feet and hands. It prevents millions of children from attending school, stops farmers from working their land, and makes walking all but unbearable.
Businessman Stanley Kamau on bringing medical services into hard-to-reach areas in Kenya.
Kenyan businessman Stanley Kamau on helping those who suffer the same affliction he battled as a child.
A photo series capturing the moments of terror faced by Westgate shoppers has won a Kenyan journalist the top honors at this year's CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Awards.
Conservationist Madeleine Niyratuza talks to CNN about the importance of protecting Rwanda's forests.
Eco-guards patrol the forests for illegal activities and educate the local community in the importance of conservation.
Conservationist Madeleine Nyiratuza visits schools to communicate her passion of the welfare of the forests.
A young woman stands against a crisp black backdrop. The photographer walks forward and gently turns her away from the camera. Today the focus is not on her face but on the delicate architectural feat that sits atop her head. It seems to almost defy gravity, with light radiating from the hair tower as it spirals upwards in a conical shape.
Starting a business is never easy, but in Tanzania, the obstacles for women can be particularly fierce. Few women hold land titles, and as a result, many don't have the necessary collateral to secure funding from a bank.
Former veterinary doctor Victoria Kisyombe on her passion for giving women a voice in the African economy.
Victoria Kisyombe on transforming the lives of women through one of Tanzania's first micro-credit institutions.
African Voices meets former Tanzanian veterinarian Victoria Kisyombe who changed careers after the loss of her husband.
It's well known the fashion industry is one of the toughest to break into. To conform to the traditional stereotype of a model you need to be skinny, stunning and have legs that go on forever, right?
Former model Refilwe Modiselle reflects on the tough issues she tackles as a talk show host.
Refilwe Modiselle on her big breakthrough which came at the tender age of 13.
Model turned talk show host Refilwe Modiselle on the challenges that came with being Africa's first albino model.
In the largely male-dominated world of the motorsport, South African super bike racer Janine Davies is an anomaly.
Precision Air founder Michael Shirima explains why he built an orphanage in honor of his late father.
Michael Shirima is the founder of Precision Air, Tanzania's largest privately owned airline.
Tanzanian entrepreneur Michael Shirima talks about his childhood and passion for aviation.
You'd expect a conversation with Mulatu Astatke to be about music. He is, after all, the father of a musical genre: Ethio-jazz. But when he talks about the art form, he tends to focus on its scientific merits.
Mulatu Astatke's fusion of Ethiopian music and jazz has captured audiences around the world. CNN's Jim Stenman reports.
Sierra Leone is facing its toughest test to date. The Ebola virus, very deadly and currently without a cure, is fast-spreading throughout the small West African country.
South African superbike racer Janine Davies on the highlight of her career.
Janine Davies is South Africa's first female superbike racer to compete in a national championship.
South African superbike racer Janine Davies reflects on a major accident she suffered in the early stages of her career.
Inside a dilapidated warehouse, underneath scattered clothes hanging from rusty pipes, a young black man is down on his knees. His feet are naked, his trousers rolled up to his knees as he beats his sodden shirt against the ground to remove the dirt from it. Near him, a cluster of men cut desolate figures -- some of them crouching down to wash their worn-out clothes, some standing, naked, trying to clean up their work-wasted bodies.
On May 27, Margaret Awino gave birth to Paul Mukisa with the help of her mother-in-law inside her home in Nabigingo, a small village in eastern Uganda. But instead of joy and jubilation for the birth of her fifth child, the 28-year-old mother was shocked: her newborn son had been born with four legs and four arms.
Neurosurgeon Kachinga Sichizya on his award-winning novel "Uneasy Yoke" which he started writing while in medical school.
Neurosurgeon Kachinga Sichizya talks about caring for newborns and mothers from underprivileged backgrounds.
African Voices meets Kachinga Sichizya who spends his free time making music and writing literature.
Fashion season is once again upon us. Celebrities, trendsetters and buyers across the world will adorn the front rows of countless runways as the sartorially elite reveal their style edicts for the season ahead.
Daniel Ndambuki might today be one of Kenya's top comedians, having the crowd in stitches every time he performs, but things were quite different when he first took to the stage. In fact, Ndambuki's debut performance was so bad that he had to be stopped straight away.
From her home country to the runways of London, Lilly Alfonso creates garments with a uniquely African flavor.
African Voices meets the Malawian designer as she prepares for a fashion show in Nigeria.
Malawian fashion designer on the role of religion in her life and reaching the next generation of fashionistas.
Daniel Ndambuki takes great joy in making others in his home country of Kenya laugh and smile.
Daniel "Churchill" Ndambuki explains how he is changing Kenya's comedy scene.
Daniel Ndambuki on grooming the next generation of talent and what he has learned from U.S. comedian Steve Harvey.
Heaps of trash pile up for miles in Kibera, a district of Nairobi that houses nearly 1 million people and is one of the poorest slums in the world. Aluminum shanties fill the horizon, and an odor of urine cuts through the air. A man trots through the narrow, unpaved streets on a camel.
Mulenga Kapwepwe is passionate about helping young people live up to their potential.
"What are we going to call the country? What is the flag going to look like? What is the currency going to be called?" These are not questions most six-year-olds are concerned with -- unless you are Mulenga Kapwepwe.
Zambian playwright Mulenga Kapwepwe on creating unique libraries designed around activities that engage children.
Mulenga Kapwepwe inspires young people in her country through music, libraries, theater and sports.
When I was doing my degree in computer science in Ghana's Valley View University 10 years ago, there just were seven girls in the class. After four years, only four graduated and out of that number, just two of us have stayed in technical roles. Today, my little sister's computer science class has at least 30% females and a smaller drop-off rate.
A hundred years ago on this day, on August 8th, 1914, the British HMS Asteria and Pegasus protected cruisers bombed Dar-es-Salaam, then the capital of German East Africa, bringing the European so-called "war to end all wars" to the eastern African shores. The day before, Anglo-French forces constituted of Ghanaian, Nigerian, Sierra Leonean, Gambian and Beninese troops had invaded German Togoland in West Africa.
Africa has indeed turned the corner. A continent once synonymous with death, disease and destruction is showing signs of improvement.
Take a moment and think of an African author. Have you got the name in mind? Keep it there for a minute.
Yohannes Gebregeorgis has helped deliver books far and wide in his home country of Ethiopia.
Yohannes Gebregeorgis on his big move to the U.S. and transforming lives back home in Ethiopia.
Ethiopian librarian Yohannes Gebregeorgis on his upbringing and immense love of books.
Shadreck Chikoti uses music to unwind from his busy schedule and is in the process of recording an album.
Shadreck Chikoti on challenging fellow-African writers to explore new themes.
Malawian author Shadreck Chikoti reveals what inspires his work both on paper and in his personal life.
On the banks of river Nile, an old fisherman rests upon his rickety boat under the hot Khartoum sun. His gaze is strict, his chiseled features strong and commanding. Yet, as he slowly moves his scarred right arm to bring a cup of tea to his lips, his withered face softens into a gentle smile.
The long-running Durban International Film Festival is back and this year it's offering cinema lovers a host of must-see movies.
I walked into the Gallery of African Art (GAFRA) on London's Cork Street in Mayfair two weeks ago. Opposite the Burlington Arcade, right at the heart of the art establishment, on gallery row itself, African art formerly seen as a niche interest, now officially playing with the big boys. And the best thing ... GAFRA is owned and run by a woman: Liberian born Bendu Cooper.
African Voices travels to Zanzibar where filmmakers are attending the Zanzibar International Film Festival.
Filmmaker Martin Mhando talks about the benefits of bringing film to rural Africa.
Kenya's national football team may not have made it to the World Cup Finals in Brazil -- but one man will be there for his African nation.
Ugandan businessman Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia on exploring new businesses, including hospitality and real-estate.
Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia on returning to Uganda after a decade abroad and starting his first business venture.
African Voices meets Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia who is known internationally for revolutionizing Uganda's business sector.
Kenya's top football referee Aden Marwa talks about his 3 year-old son and being the best father possible.
Kenya's top football referee Aden Marwa on balancing his day job as a teacher with his side job as a referee.
For Kenya's top referee Aden Marwa football is not just a game, but a chance to pursue his passion.
Ghanaian businessman Seth Dei reflects on setting up a food processing factory where hygiene comes first.
Businessman Seth Dei shows off his impressive art collection in the suburbs of Accra.
Ghanaian entrepreneur, agriculturalist and art collector Seth Dei reflects on his humble beginnings and successful career.
Esther Mbabazi wheels her bag towards the airstairs of the Boeing 737 sitting quietly on the tarmac at Kigali International Airport. Today she'll be flying from Rwanda's capital city to Juba in South Sudan.
Esther Mbabazi on what it's really like to be a female pilot in Rwanda.
Rwanda's first female pilot Esther Mbabazi reflects on the most exciting moment of her career.
Esther Mbabazi reflects on turning her childhood dream into a reality.
What factor has the power to transform individual lives, communities, nations and the world?
In 2010, Ugandan journalist Gladys Kalibala embarked on a mission to bring attention to her country's lost and abandoned children. Using the power of print, she started a newspaper column and more than four years later the award-winning writer has helped many youngsters reunite with their families and overcome a sense of hopelessness.
Gladys Kalibala introduces us to some of the children that have motivated her movement.
Ugandan journalist Gladys Kalibala reflects on her mission to help orphans who have been left behind.
African Voices meets Gladys Kalibala who is using the power of journalism to bring attention to lost and abandoned minors.
Patrick Ngowi on his passion for renewable energy and putting Tanzanians on the power grid, one solar appliance at a time.
Helvetic Solar founder Patrick Ngowi reflects on his company's success and being named one of the 30 Most Promising Young Entrepreneurs in Africa.
African Voices meets Patrick Ngowi who founded his own solar power company in Tanzania at just 22.
It's Ibrahim Hamadto's turn to serve. Holding the bat in his mouth, the Egyptian para-table tennis champion gets the rally going by flicking the ball up high with his right foot. Sinking through the air, the delicate white sphere meets his racket and comes out charging like a bullet with a powerful spin.
As one of Kenya's premier cyclists, David Kinjah crossed the finish line winning medal after medal on several occasions. When he wasn't taking the top spot on the podium, he'd be nurturing local talent, like future Tour de France champion Chris Froome.
African Voices follows David Kinjah as he trains for an upcoming competition where young men are turned into champions.
David Kinjah on training hopefuls from his country, including Tour de France winner Chris Froome.
African Voices meets David Kinjah -- one of Kenya's most successful cyclists who reflects on his incredible career.
The march music stops and the camera screens come to life as 70 small black cannons fire a shower of golden confetti high above the crowds. Tumbling through the air, the shiny plume swirls in a fleeting dance, covering the ground in a sprawling blanket of gold stars.
When I heard last month that the Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board, headquartered in Abuja, had indicated that it would be unable to issue certification for "Half of a Yellow Sun" in time for the film's release date, I naturally assumed, at first, that what we were faced with was nothing more sinister than another instance of the typical, if frustrating, culture of wilful incompetence that we'd grappled with during the making of the film -- while shooting the film in Nigeria two years ago, there were times when we felt ensnared in impenetrable jungles of red tape, when we would be given the go-head by one arm of the government only to find our path blocked by the other arm.
He's smashed world records and revolutionized running during his illustrious career. And yet the name of Filbert Bayi has almost been forgotten.
In the 1970's Filbert Bayi competed in athletics tournaments all over the world. Now he dedicates his life to the next generation.
Tanzanian Olympian, Filbert Bayi talks to CNN about his passion for education and what inspired him to open a school.
Former Commonwealth champion, Filbert Bayi considers his work in education the passion of his lie.
A series of gold-framed pictures cover the wall from left to right inside the working space of Senegalese human rights activist Bineta Diop. Nelson Mandela, Paul Kagame, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Yasser Arafat -- they're all here. This is Diop's wall of memories, reminders of meetings and accomplishments over the years.
Bineta Diop has spent more than a decade spreading peace throughout the most dangerous parts of Africa.
Humanitarian and activist, Bineta Diop travels the world giving a voice to the women of Africa.
Humanitarian and activist Bineta Diop talks to CNN about her passion for women, peace and security in Africa.
As the old adage goes, "If you want it done right, do it yourself" -- and for social activist Rakesh Rajani, those words have become an ethos to live by.
Social entrepreneur Rakesh Rajani reflects on bringing change to Tanzania.
Tanzanian native Rakesh Rajani is the founder of non-profit organization Twaweza, which means "we can make it happen" in Swahili.
Rakesh Rajani on fighting for better education in Tanzania and across East Africa.
Nigerian jeweler Labi Kapo describes a butterfly he created for the Nelson Mandela Foundation in 2012.
It's a sunny April afternoon at the University of Rwanda College of Education in Kigali. Some students huddle in groups conversing in hushed voices; others hurry between buildings carrying books. Exams begin in a week.
They are the world's largest primates and yet the constant threat of poaching, deforestation and human diseases means that soon the world's mountain gorillas could be completely wiped out.
The new Web series "An African City" is fun, trendy and over the top.
Packaging can change how people see things. And when it comes to sex, it could maybe help save lives too.
Over the last 20 years, the narrative on the African continent has shifted from Afro-pessimism to Afro-optimism. The truth lies somewhere in between. Now is the time for Afro-realism: for sound policies based on honest data, aimed at delivering results.
It's a date etched in the minds of every Kenyan -- September 21, 2013. At the upscale Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi, a youth cooking competition was underway, friends laughed as they sipped coffee and families strolled idly through supermarket aisles.
Ending energy poverty is central to my vision of a resurgent Africa.
She started her business with just £100, lugging her beauty bag from door to door, but some 25 years later Grace Amey-Obeng has built a multi-million dollar cosmetics empire that's helping change the perception of beauty for many.