What does it mean to be African today? Is it about where you were born, where you live, how you look, or where you feel you belong? With globalisation and ease of travel, cultures are more connected than ever. African Afrobeats play across continents, Asian anime is globally adored, and translation apps let us speak almost any language. In such a mixed and mobile world, what truly defines being African?
At the International University of East Africa (IUEA), we see Africa in its truest form. We are a proud reflection of today’s Africa: diverse, dynamic, and deeply rooted in culture.
In honour of World Africa Day, let’s explore what it really means to be African.
Progress vs Tradition: Can We Embrace Both?
For many, being African means honouring tradition or the values and practices passed down through generations. But tradition is often seen as the opposite of progress, which is about innovation, efficiency, and change. Must we choose between the two?
At IUEA, we don’t believe so. As the Technological University of Choice in Africa, we are committed to innovation and building Africa’s future. But we do this while respecting and celebrating our roots. For us, culture is not a barrier to development, it’s a foundation. Just as a great chef blends traditional recipes to create something new, our students use their diverse cultural experiences to design tomorrow’s solutions.
One inspiring example is our architecture students who are creating modern designs that honour African heritage. They prove that tradition can fuel progress, not slow it down.
Shared Values in a Diverse Continent
As the second largest continent, Africa is home to over a billion people across more than 50 countries, each with distinct languages, traditions, and histories. Yet, we share powerful common values that unite us. These include:
Resilience
Despite facing unique historical challenges, such as colonisation and global underestimation, Africa’s identity has endured. Across the continent, you’ll find proud, resilient people who hold their heads high and strive for better.
Community
Africans are known for valuing togetherness. Whether through family, tribe, or community, relationships matter deeply. Even in business, trust and connection are key. We are a people who care for each other, and it shows.
Resourcefulness
Africa is rich in natural resources, and even richer in human creativity. From traditional inventions to modern tech, Africans have long found innovative, low-cost solutions to complex problems. At IUEA, we see this spirit every day.
More Than a Continent: African Identity Across Borders
Africa is not just a place.
At IUEA, we’ve welcomed students who were born outside Africa but proudly call themselves African. We also see students from non-African backgrounds who have embraced African values and culture.
Across the world, African influence is growing:
- Music: Artists like Davido are global icons.
- Fashion: African prints and designs are celebrated on international runways.
- Cuisine: African dishes are now served in restaurants worldwide.
Africa’s impact proves that being African is not limited to where you were born, it’s about your connection to the culture, values, and people of the continent.
The Future of Africa Is Being Redefined
Africa’s greatest resource is its youth. And nowhere is that more evident than at IUEA. Here, young Africans are not waiting for the future, they are building it. Our students are:
- Creating: From AI and Virtual Reality to LegalTech and Language Translation, IUEA students are building technologies that solve real-world problems.
- Leading: Our alumni are shaping policy and uplifting communities. From working in national governments to global institutions like the United Nations, they are making a difference.
These young leaders are proving that Africans are not only embracing the future but also shaping it.
So, What Does It Mean to Be African?
To be African today is to honour your past while building the future. It’s about innovation with soul, progress with pride, and diversity with unity. It’s not about where you were born, but what you value.
At IUEA, our students are living proof that African identity is powerful, inclusive, and full of possibility. On this World Africa Day, we celebrate African pride within and beyond borders.
Join IUEA and become part of a generation that is shaping a new definition of Africa—one rooted in pride, purpose, and progress.
So we ask you: What does being African mean to you?
