This month, the Academy has been busy.

Not only were we participating in critical conversations, but we’ve also been trying to wrap our heads around the increasing number of conflicts and the eerie resurgence of proxy wars reminiscent of the Cold War. In this déjà vu moment, the same countries are clashing but what’s even more concerning is the complete and swift abandonment of the very democratic values and rule of law that have been drilled into our collective consciousness over the past few decades. These values seem to have collapsed like a cheap deck of cards.

And yes, we are concerned.

The non-tariff barriers imposed by the President of the United States — he who shall not be named — on 15 African countries have only deepened the urgency to make the AfCFTA work. But beyond that, this moment forces us to pause and ask: why do we keep going through the same things over and over again?

Anyway, during a recent panel discussion following our collaboration with ALN Kenya to premiere the documentary produced by Salim Amin, one of our directors, Karim Anjarwalla, encouraged us to channel the hyperventilation over he who shall not be named towards greater mobilisation for a self-sustaining Africa.

With that said, we sincerely hope you’re feeling some FOMO if you didn’t get a chance to participate in all that happened this month at the Academy. Do give us a call — we’d love to collaborate with you.