AFRICA YOU NEVER SEE

Forget the usual tired debates about Africa, it's changing – for the better

Lagos, Nigeria

With overseas investment and economic prosperity on the up, and new leaders and entrepreneurs emerging, Africa is rising.
Mobile phones, a barometer of social prosperity, are increasingly ubiquitous on the streets of major African cities such as Abuja.

Abuja Nigeria

Afro-optimism versus Afro-pessimism is a misplaced debate. Africa has changed. The Abuja of my childhood and Lagos where I began my professional career have both changed dramatically. This is evident in the real-estate booms and lengthening traffic jams. Million-dollar deals used to raise eyebrows, but now billion-dollar deals are becoming the norm.

Regardless of social class, almost everyone has a mobile phone, or two or three. Even in remote villages, mobile phones have replaced the bicycle or radio as prized assets. As urbanisation kicks in, the air-conditioned supermarket is fast replacing the local markets, or small convenience store. Political democracy is evident in newspapers and blogs.

A more important shift has been more of my peers assuming political leadership. A new generation of leaders has emerged, with its own ideas on how to run governments, multinational companies and international organisations. It is a key moment in our history of which the international business community has taken note – to the point where, today, the rate of return on foreign investment is higher in Africa than in any other developing region.

The challenge now is to scale up this investment in a way that does not leave ordinary Africans behind. Too many Africans still lack food and, just as importantly, adequate nutrition, without which they will struggle to reach their full potential. They lack access to decent healthcare and education, and are burdened by weak institutions and governance. The leaders taking charge of Africa's destiny need to be aware of the legacy with which they are contending: 50 years ago, when sub-Saharan Africa gained independence, the region was a net exporter of food; today, it is an importer. Being in charge of one's destiny is not enough to guarantee success.

Cairo Egypt

I believe this is understood, just as I believe that the next 50 years in Africa will feel nothing like the past half-century. Young opinion-makers I listen to are increasingly vocal about the end of aid dependence and the need for new development models that are as much concerned with inclusiveness and sustainability as profit. The rise of an indigenous, often brilliant, brand of social entrepreneurialism is increasingly providing local solutions to local problems.

Consequently, instead of debating optimism versus pessimism, we should be debating how Africa can rewrite its future. This is something close to my heart. The difference between African development now and development in the past is that we are in the lead. Agricultural development is helping to restore productivity, bringing employment to thousands and helping to improve our environment. 

Nairobi Kenya

Great strides are being made elsewhere, too. The new generation of leaders in government, business and civil society are making inroads towards establishing new models for responsible mineral development, vibrant new growth sectors such as financial services and ICT, and the infrastructure needed to help us to compete globally.

There is still much work to be done, but transformation is well and truly under way. Who knows what Nigeria and the rest of Africa will look like in 50 years' time?

• Join the change campaign to tell us what changes you want to see in Africa by 2020, and follow us on Twitter @Africans4Change

GHANAIAN EXPRESSIVE DANCE AZONTO

Azonto is an original Ghanaian expressive dance and music

Azonto dance is getting popular and growing worldwide. The African dance form incorporates complex co-ordinated body movement and non-verbal communication in a rhythmic fashion in very few one-two timed steps. Just like most African dances, knee bending and hip movements are rudiments to dancing it. The dance has effectively evolved from a few rudimentary moves to embrace depictions of ironing,washing, driving, boxing, grooming, praying, swimming, and others.

Generally, the dance reflects the creativity and rich sense of humour of the Ghanaian people. The dance, which is usually performed with an accompanying smile, evolved from the combination of several local dance moves that originated from the southern-most part of Ghana during the early 2000s. The dance has evolved with the fast pace dance culture of modern West Africa. It is also true that before the dance became famous, youth in senior high schools of Ghana (especially Tema) had a similar but different way of doing the dance. A modification of that is what we see today. It involved a similar movement of the feet, hands, and hips and, at the end of every move, a gun shot was mimicked with the hand and, if possible, the mouth. Azonto, when taught effectively can be learned within ten minutes.

Just some of the London Azonto dancers brought to you by Press Play Vidz... More to come

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

AFRICAN MANGO DIET

Super Slimming African Mango 

As a kid back in Africa I use to just eat mango cause I enjoyed it, not knowing all the benefits it had until NOW!
African mango super fruit was mentioned and talked about in the popular weight loss show by Dr. Oz. In the Dr. Oz African mango show, it was told that this latest finding from the African continent, had revealed the secret behind the slim and energetic African that takes African mango as

part of their daily diet.

So much has been publicized about African Mango, the wonder fruit from Cameroon that its people have known little about. African population takes this fruit as regular food. Only a small percentage knew about its medicinal properties and the latest discovery revealed that the African Mango is said to have properties that contributes to weight reduction. Now, you just dont believe it, do you? Perhaps youve not been to Cameroon ever and have not tasted this kind of fruit yet. You are not alone questioning does the african mango work.

On the contrary, African Mango is making waves in the slimming industries. Taking its extract in supplement form is becoming to be a trend because of its natural component. When talking of natural, they are all the more safe to take. It has health properties that dieters will strongly favor. It targets the belly fats. It does not only help to increase level of metabolism and energy in the body, it also acts as cleanser and fat-burner. African Mango has evolved to become an incredible herbal drug and a potent ingredient in the making of a weight loss pill.

The major pro it delivers is attributed to raising the amount of Leptin in the body. Leptin is a growth hormone responsible for obesity. The seeds of African mango (scientific name: Irvingia gabonensis) contribute in regulating the Leptin in our bloodstream. The lower the Leptin, the higher you crave for food. Therefore, sufficient intake of African Mango can lessen excess body weight because it acts as Leptin regulator that controls the cravings you are feeling. The tendency is to eat less because you feel full.

Scientific studies also revealed that African Mango helps delay digestion or gastric emptying; it means you will not go hungry so easily because the food will take time before the process of digestion begins. But, it does not necessarily mean foul, this is not a side effect, this is in fact one of the benefits that will aid in your weight reduction. And, speaking of side effects, the wonder fruit is from nature, it is a natural fruit extract. Side effects will only depend on how it is combined with the rest of slimming ingredients. Basically, intake of the fruit itself is 100% side-effect free.
Since African Mango Diet is relatively new in the weight loss market, it has proven to be a wonder weight loss supplement in a short span of time. But the real question is, does the african mango work? Many satisfied users have already shared testimonials of its wide benefits not only for slimming purposes but all the more for health concerns. In Africa where this fruit originated from, it is known to lower cholesterol and regulate blood pressure. Barely had they known about its slimming properties; not until the western culture adapted the use of the fruit to come up with a natural slimming supplement.

African Mango is rich in vitamins and fiber. It is not only looking so sweet from the outside, it is a lot better from the inside with all its benefits. For people more than curious to know that this wonder fruit can produce both a mouthwatering food and an incredible health and weight loss supplement, the question does the african mango work will now be a thing of the past. By itself, there is more than just the fruit.

more:http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/Does-The-African-Mango-Work-To-Suppress-Appetite-Or-To-Boost-Metabolism
Under Creative Commons License: Attribution No Derivatives

BLACKBERRY P9981 HAS ARRIVED !

BlackBerry P'9981 Porsche Design!

Engineered luxury meets

iconic BlackBerry design

The instantly identifiable Porsche Design ID includes a premium forged stainless steel frame, rich, genuine leather backing, wide iconic BlackBerry® QWERTY keyboard and large, luxurious full-touch screen. The Porsche Design P’9981 smartphone from BlackBerry® is engineered luxury at its finest.

Beyonce Holding THe Porsche Design P9981

The power you need

Superior performance and elegant Porsche Design styling place the P'9981 smartphone from BlackBerry in a class of its own. It includes a powerful 1.2 GHz processor, 8 GB of onboard memory, 720p HD video recording, a 5 MP camera, Wi-Fi® connectivity and a replaceable battery.

Elegant simplicity

Experience a luxurious form factor with a fluid full-touch screen and wide BlackBerry QWERTY keyboard, all within a Porsche-infused BlackBerry design.

Enjoy a highly responsive touch experience, smooth rendering, fluid animations and a stunning graphical display thanks to Liquid Graphics™ technology.

BlackBerry 7 OS

The easy-to-use, next generation BlackBerry OS is packed with powerful new features like Liquid Graphics technology, a fast BlackBerry® Browser, Augmented Reality and Near Field Communication (NFC)1 technology. It delivers the smoothest and fastest BlackBerry experience to date.

Learn more about BlackBerry 7

Social networking and productivity apps

Pre-loaded social and productivity apps make collaborating and getting things done quick and easy. Stay in touch with friends and family in real time with BBM and get the latest news and information from your favourite blogs and websites with Social Feeds. Edit presentations, documents and spreadsheets on the go with Documents To Go® Premium, and locate and lock your smartphone if you lose it with BlackBerry® Protect™.

ANKARA GENERATION FASHION REBORN

What is Ankara?

Destiny of the 'once before' cheap Ankara fabrics, have undergone a magical transformation. Elegant creativity of the designers has made it a preferred choice of the rich and famous, fashion couture designers and celebrities the likes of christian dior, louis vuitton, beyonce knowles, Rhianna, Nicki Minaj and the first lady herself Mrs. Michelle Obama, just to mention a few.

Ankara is a fabric that was normally reserved for cultural festivities. People felt that this fabric was too flowery, and too colorful. Formerly referred as Dutch was from Holland; this fabric acquired its current name Ankara when the Turks made a cheaper version of the fabric. Without a glamorous look, the fabric was regarded indigenous.

There was a time, when Ankara textiles were regarded as the fabric of the poor. But today, the fabric has undergone a magic transformation to become a choice of rich and famous. Fabrics which were once considered as out of fashion has changed to become a sizzling fad. Nowadays, Ankara fabric has become an inevitable part of any social functions. Fashion designers have sensed this trend, and are coming up with appealing designs to capture the apparel market.

Ankara fabric is believed to have its origin from a girl named Ankara. This fabric is usually made of 100% cotton and posses good strength when woven tightly. Good apparels tailored from these fabrics are expensive.

Ankara in the Fashion World:

This traditional African fabric has infiltrated the fashion world as well. Blended with other matching fabrics and with a good design, ankara fabrics are the fancy of many people. The appeal of the finished product depends on the creativity, and skills of the designer. Fashion gurus like Lunar, Aimas, Tiffany Amber, Memo, Gloss, and Cranberry have breathed new life into the fabric through their experience and creativity. Available in alluring designs, Ankara graces catwalks and has won laurels. Since it is a cotton fabric with different motifs, this fabric can be used for both office and formal occasions. A printed outfit with small motifs will make a perfect clothing.
This fabric has infinite creative applications like shirts, bags, clothes, dresses etc. Styles, and designs available for this cloth are endless which makes all people; men and women, young, and the aged become glued to it. Ankara has made a come back in a big way with modern patterns, and vibrant colors.

Ankara posses the capabilities of being able to dye faster and did not get stained much. Due to its virtues, this fabric was considered as a competitor of the Western adire cloth. As Nigeria is a fashion savvy part of Africa has taken the fabric, improved them, and has represented it to the world. Nigeria being a big market, offers vast potential for the manufacture and sales of Ankara. But, smuggling, and unfair trade practices in the nation has affected the local production.

Ankara fabrics have been the desired choice of African women. Due to its affordability, this garment was once considered suitable for under privileged. But with the lapse of time, the fabric found favor with contemporary fashion, and modern styles. Ankara has its own virtues, and looks more graceful when tailored in the right way.

Uses for Ankara (African Wax)

Africans are very creative and use these bold, festive fabrics to tell stories, poems and traditional African tales. Depending on the pattern of the design a specific name is given for example you will often hear people refer to the different design names like star, concord, shell, etc.

The cotton fabric used for Ankara is cool and durable and can be worn in various styles. African waxes are commonly worn in parties, weddings and other similar African occasions as aso-ebi. This is a Yoruba phrase for family cloth. The custom in Nigeria was for people from the same family to wear the same cloth to show you belong to a certain family. Now it can be worn as a uniform for the same group of friends in a party or more commonly in African Weddings. The blend of colors in these events makes it vibrant, fun and celebratory.

To wash this fabric it is advisable to hand wash or dry clean.

African Contemporary Dress (Ankara fabric)

We offer special rates for clients who wish to purchase African material (Ankara) as aso-ebi. So please contact us and we will be happy to help.
Woodin is another type of wax material which has become quite popular over the last few years.
Holland wax (Hollandis) is very similar to Ankara but is commonly made in Holland and is a copy of Ankara.  Ankara is gernearly better quality than Holland wax and is more authentic.  African Clothes Store stock both Hollandis and Ankara contact us to find out more.

WOMEN AND THEIR HAIR

HAIR OBSESSION

Celebrities like Beyonce Knowles, Selena Gomez, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, Miley Cyrus, Victoria Beckham and countless others regularly surprise the world with new and different hairstyles -- changing color, style and even the length of their hair -- over the course of just a couple days. Extensions don't only add length. You can choose to add volume instead (or in addition to length), which is perfect for fine, limp or thinning hair. Turn that bob into a mane! If your existing hair is at little as 3 inches long, you can get extensions, although the extent of your transformation may be limited if your hair is very short.

Extensions can be braided in, glued in, woven in, or -- if you only need a follicular boost for a special event -- clipped in.You can also add highlights or color -- with shades ranging from mild to wild -- to your hair with the use of extensions.The process isn't painful, so it shouldn't hurt a bit.
 How do they do it?

 This magic is made possible with the help of hair extensions and a talented stylist.

THE LOOK YOU ALWAYS WANTED

A lot of us have realized that our inner hottie has longer, thicker hair than we were actually graced with. (Consider it the follicle version of penis-envy.) My own muse has wavy hip-length locks... yet the universe taunts with me hair that, while cute, barely brushes my shoulders. And that's why hair extensions are so popular -- and not just in Hollywood! Girls the world 'round just love to realize that it is possible to take your current look and give it a lift and have any style you desire... well, for a few months, anyhow.

HAIR EXTENSIONS: VERSATILITY

When you consider the versatility, then you might just be excused for forgetting all the other pros and cons. Hair extensions are available in a wide range of colors. There are a lot of options available in terms of length and textures as well. They give you the opportunity to change your look, those with plain hair can opt for curls and those with curly hair can opt for straight hair. Moreover, you can try new hairstyles, which were impossible to have with your original hair. Also those who are not sure whether a hair color will suit them or not, they can always try it with hair extensions. Hair extensions thus provide a wide range of pros, to sum it up;
Clip-in and sew-in hair extensions are the cheapest, ranging from $60 to $100 if you do it at home, by yourself. They can also be easily removed without any damage.
Instant  change of style. Stay on for a long time. You can even go for a swim or shower without removing them. Fusion Hair extensions give volume to hair. Works well for someone having short hair. With their flexibility, these extensions provide a variety of hairstyle possibilities. Fusion Hair extensions last longer compared to the other types (up to 3 months)

CONS OF HAIR EXTENTIONs

Hair and Scalp Damage
Hair damage is a drawback which should not be ignored. Your hair can be damaged due to hair extensions. The gluing can lead to weakening of hair. Though our scalp easily carries the weight of our hair, it might take time to adjust to the added weight. Tight braiding done while attaching hair extensions can cause hair to be pulled at the scalp causing breakage of natural hair. The glue used can also lead to scalp burning.

COST: Check out our top selling Dolce & Gabbana Sunglasses at Beauty.com!

You can have hair extensions at a price range of $150 to $2500. The cost varies depending upon the quality of extension and the length. The cost factor also depends on the salon you choose. While you go through the various pros and cons, you will understand that the cost element is of utmost importance. This is because you will be investing a lot if you don't want to damage your natural hair. Quality hair extensions and a good beauty professional are very important for perfect attachment. Now, both these things will surely lead to spending a fortune. Moreover, this will not be a permanent thing. So why not try some fashionable haircut and styling on your natural hair, as this will lend a natural look with zero damage. It will also last for a longer duration and the hair care required will be considerably less.

Perricone MD Skin & Total Body Dietary Supplements, 30 day

The science to maintain youthful, healthy and radiant skin Works from the inside out to help nourish and reveal healthy glowing skin* Provides energy and supports health of joints, bones, hair and nails* Targeted nutritional supplements are an essential part of Dr. Perricone's 3-Tier Approach for a healthy body and beautiful skin.  This perfectly dosed daily program of nutrients is specifically designed to help support a healthy immune system and improve cognitive skills while enhancing the look of your skin.  They support bone and joint function, fight free radical damage and stimulate healthy growth of hair and nails.  They also help diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and give skin a radiant and glowing appearance. Two Perricone Prescription & Super Antioxidant Formula Supplements Omega-3 Supplement Derma-Glo Supplement Rejuvenate Suppleme.

30 Things Every Woman Should Have And Should Know

By 30, you should have ...

1. One old boyfriend you can imagine going back to and one who reminds you of how far you’ve come.

2. A decent piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in your family.

3. Something perfect to wear if the employer or man of your dreams wants to see you in an hour.

4. A purse, a suitcase, and an umbrella you’re not ashamed to be seen carrying.

5. A youth you’re content to move beyond.

6. A past juicy enough that you’re looking forward to retelling it in your old age.

7. The realization that you are actually going to have an old age -- and some money set aside to help fund it.

8. An email address, a voice mailbox, and a bank account -- all of which nobody has access to but you.

9. A résumé that is not even the slightest bit padded.

10. One friend who always makes you laugh and one who lets you cry.

11. A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra.

12. Something ridiculously expensive that you bought for yourself, just because you deserve it.

13. The belief that you deserve it.

14. A skin-care regimen, an exercise routine, and a plan for dealing with those few other facets of life that don’t get better after 30.

15. A solid start on a satisfying career, a satisfying relationship, and all those other facets of life that do get better.

By 30, you should know ...

1. How to fall in love without losing yourself.

2. How you feel about having kids.

3. How to quit a job, break up with a man, and confront a friend without ruining the friendship.

4. When to try harder and when to walk away.

5. How to kiss in a way that communicates perfectly what you would and wouldn’t like to happen next.

6. The names of the secretary of state, your great-grandmothers, and the best tailor in town.

7. How to live alone, even if you don’t like to.

8. Where to go -- be it your best friend’s kitchen table or a yoga mat -- when your soul needs soothing.

9. That you can’t change the length of your legs, the width of your hips, or the nature of your parents.

10. That your childhood may not have been perfect, but it’s over.

11. What you would and wouldn’t do for money or love.

12. That nobody gets away with smoking, drinking, doing drugs, or not flossing for very long.

13. Who you can trust, who you can’t, and why you shouldn’t take it personally.

14. Not to apologize for something that isn’t your fault.

15. Why they say life begins at 30

What's on your personal list of things to have and know -- and possibly do -- before turning 30?

List excerpted from Glamour'sThirty Things Every Woman Should Have and Should Know By The Time She's 30."

GUYS YOU DON'T NEED IN YOUR LIFE

You’ll meet many guys on your path to finding the one who's right for you, but you should avoid a few types at all cost. They might start out as perfectly decent men while they’re trying to get your attention, but once they show their true colors, you may want to head for the hills. Here are a few of the worst offenders.

THE MOOCH

This is the guy who never seems to go anywhere with his wallet after he takes you out once or twice. Whether you're taking in a movie, going out for dinner or just grabbing a slice of pizza, he will always plead poor and ask you to pay. Paying for some things is OK, but if you're with a guy who never has any money (or just has an aversion to spending his own), get out while you can -- or at least before you go broke.

THE LAZY SLOB

This guy may charm you at first with his ambitions and list of projects that he plans, but that will get old fast once you notice that all he ever seems to do is play video games and order takeout. If he never has anything new to report in terms of job hunting or physical activity of any kind, and he always has stains on his clothing, move on or risk becoming his mother.The lazy slob has no motivation or intention of ever getting a real job.

THE OVER ACHIEVER
The complete opposite to the lazy slob is the type A overachiever. While this guy looks great on paper (good job, six-figure income, sweet condo), he will never be around to hang out with you. When he is around, he will talk only about work. He'll sweep you off your feet with expensive dinners and lavish gifts, but as soon as things get serious, he'll go back to focusing solely on his career. Do you really want a guy who pays more attention to his stocks than to you? We didn't think so.

THE BIG KID

Some guys never seem to grow up. As charming as they seem at first, dating someone who is immature can be frustrating. All he wants to do is have fun, which is great (he's adventurous and has great date ideas), but when you settle down and move in together, he'll never want to talk about "boring" things like finances, rent and chores. If you're looking for long-term love, the big kid is not your go-to guy.

SHOCKING BEAUTY TREATMENTS

Women would do anything for beauty. Here are a few of the biggest OMG WTF beauty rituals you might not know about... (and if you have tried one of them, tell us all about it because we haven't found anyone brave enough to try them yet!)

ANT BODY WASH

Japanese use a refreshing and energy-giving wash made purely of Ants because  they contain high levels of formic acid, which is energy-giving. In fact you'll find that in some cultures, ants are part of a daily diet. This body wash will awaken the senses and provide an overall feeling of balance. It's also perfect for people with oily skin or sluggish metabolisms. See those ants marching through your kitchen? They're not the enemy after all. Use them to wash your hair, as a shower scrub or even as a bath soak.

BIRD POOP FACIALS

Japanese use a powder made from songbird feces, which is used by geishas and kabuki actors to wipe the heavy white makeup off their faces. But don't pooh-pooh the doo-doo just yet. Rich in the amino acid guanine, the rarified droppings are said to impart a soft, porcelain-white mien. We don't suggest you try this at home, since the droppings have to be sterilized to remove toxins and then ground into a fine powder.

PORTUGUESE URINE GARGLE

 In Rome to improve the color of their teeth and freshen their breath, Romans imported and swilled Portuguese urine. Apparently, the Portuguese pH was much more divine and manly than mellow Roman yellow. While obviously unpleasant, urine contains several compounds like ammonia and urea that actually kill germs and help fight the gum disease gingivitis. No price listed.

PIG PLACENTA BEAUTY DRINK

Japan Is in a world of it own, who doesn’t know about placenta it's slimy, slippery, bloody and full of fluids, so who would think to drink such a thing? The desire for youth and beauty can be a strong one, which is why people in Japan are currently lining up to drink ground pig placenta. Like menstrual blood, placentas are full of vitamins, nutrients and minerals – everything that an egg or baby feeds on. 

THE TRUTH ABOUT WHAT MEN LOOK FOR

You may think that a man’s mind isn’t that complex in comparison with your own, but sometimes they experience those strange things you women call “emotions,” too. So here, very plain and simple are 10 little things They want from you, but are often too darn stubborn to ask for.

SEX

Admit it -- you saw this one coming. Yes, we want sex. Often. In fact, just about any time and any place. But there's more to it than just sex. We also like other signs of your affection, so hold hands with us or give a spontaneous hug.

HONEST REACTIONS

Don't fake it. We can tell when you do.

COMPLIMENTS

Men want to be complimented just as much as women do. When we look good, tell us.

LAUGHTER

Make us laugh! A sense of humor is a wonderful thing, and a woman with a good one is extremely appealing.

ACCEPTANCE

We want you to accept us as we are, not think of us as someone you can renovate. Yes, they have faults -- but look past them. They want you to accept them for the men they already are and are working to become.

HONESTY

There's no real basis for a relationship without honesty, and it starts when we first meet. If you're truly interested, don't start out playing hard-to-get.

SPACE

Don't crowd us. Men like time and space with their friends, and even time alone. Women who require men to spend every minute with them need to get a life of their own.

COMMUNICATION

Go ahead and express yourself. Your man may not always agree with you, but it probably makes him proud that you can stand up for yourself. Strong women are sexy!

BELIEF

If you love your man, believe in his dreams as much as he believes in yours.

TRUST

If you can't trust each other, the relationship is doomed. Take his word for it and don't constantly check up on him or try to trick him. Trust is respect, and both parties in a relationship deserve to be respected.

Nigerian author wins Caine Prize

Nigerian writer Rotimi Babatunde has won this year’s prestigious Caine Prize for African Writing.

Nigeria’s Rotimi Babatunde wins Caine writing prize

The £10,000 ($15,700) prize was given for his story Bombay’s Republic about Nigerian soldiers who fought in the Burma campaign during World War II.

Caine Prize (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Related articles

• Rotimi Babatunde wins Caine prize for African writing(guardian.co.uk)
• Nigerian author wins Caine Prize with ‘darkly humourous’ prose(edition.cnn.com)

Netflix of Africa' brings Nollywood to world

A poster from popular Nollywood movie, "Fazebook Babes"

(CNN) -- When Jason Njoku graduated from his UK-based university in 2005, he was filled with high hopes of entrepreneurial success.

But after his business endeavors failed to take off for years, Njoku had no option but to move back to his mother's house in London.

Returning home as a penniless 29-year-old was "a harrowing experience" but provided Njoku, a chemist by training, with his Eureka moment -- he realized there's a growing appetite for Nollywood films after noticing how his mother and other relatives had difficulties getting their hands on their beloved movies from Nigeria's booming film industry.

The tech entrepreneur spotted the gap in the market and in 2010 he founded iROKO Partners, an internet company that distributes Nollywood films to viewers across the world.

Described as the "Netflix of Africa," Njoku's company has today grown to have more than 500,000 registered users. It has offices in London, New York and Lagos with some 100 staff and has secured $8 million in funding from U.S.-based hedge fund Tiger Global, early investors in Facebook.

Earlier this week it launched a new internet subscription service which enables viewers to watch exclusive Nollywood films for $5 a month.

CNN's Marketplace Africa spoke to Njoku about entrepreneurship in Africa, Nollywood and his plans for the future.

Related Articles:

Bringing Nollywood to the world

Be The Change For Tomorrow

Be the Change you want to see in the world

When the last iceberg is gone, the last polar bear poisoned, and the last fish dead, we will discover we can't eat oil.

News Africa

NIGERIA SIGNS A $4.5 B DEAL TO BUILD REFINERIES

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — A $4.5 billion deal to build six refineries in Nigeria is set to make Africa’s top oil producer less reliant on exports for oil products, authorities say.

Related articles

• Nigeria agrees $4.5bn oil deal (bbc.co.uk)
• FG signs $4.5bn refinery deal with US energy firm (vanguardngr.com)