It's a Continent
Africa is a continent, and we’re here to prove it. Join hosts Chinny and Astrid as we uncover key moments in African history that have shaped the continent, one nation at a time. Our episodes are bite-sized, perfect for history lovers and curious minds. As featured on BBC, The Guardian and proud winners of Independent Podcast of the Year, we're making African history accessible to all. Follow us on IG: @itsacontinentpod, X: @itsacontinent, and explore more at itsacontinent.com. Love what you hear? Support us at Buy Me a Coffee
Episodes
June 23, 2025 • 35 mins
Here’s a great episode from the archives of the wonderful Trapped History podcast – where hosts, Oswin and Carla, share hidden stories of unsung heroes.
In this episode, they introduce us to one of the most important – and most overlooked – cultural icons of the last 60 years: John La Rose. Helping to forge a Black British identity, John set up dozens of political, cultural and community organisations and campaigned for justice for...
Mark as Played
June 17, 2025 • 33 mins
We sit down with journalist, historian and speaker Paula Akpan to explore her debut book When We Ruled—an illuminating retelling of twelve pre-colonial African queens and warriors whose reigns spanned Nigeria, Rwanda, Madagascar, South Africa and beyond. Driven by a passion to fill the silences of mainstream history, Paula takes us through her research journey—navigating fragmentary archives, oral traditions and the toughest chapte...
Mark as Played
May 24, 2025 • 31 mins
Gabon should be a model of prosperity—yet its oil riches were siphoned into offshore mansions and luxury fleets by the Bongo kleptocracy. From Omar Bongo’s 42-year dynasty to Ali Bongo’s rigged re-elections and the 2023 palace coup, we trace how pipedreams of development gave way to pipelines—and ask whether Brice Oligui Nguema can finally reclaim Gabon’s stolen promise.
Spend Abacha's Loot
Sources:
Gabon’s Bongo family enrich...
Mark as Played
May 6, 2025 • 28 mins
In this episode, we journey to South Africa to explore the life and legacy of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela — a woman who became a symbol of resistance and resilience. Known to many as the “Mother of the Nation,” Winnie’s story is one of fierce activism, personal sacrifice, and deep complexity.
We are LIVE @ Hay Festival on June 1st! You can get tickets HERE
Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod and Twitter: itsacontinent. It's a Cont...
Mark as Played
April 14, 2025 • 28 mins
Andrée Blouin fought ardently for her belief in independence from imperial power. We look at her life, legacy and how colonial law impacted her experiences: from growing up in an orphanage, to losing her son from a treatable illness. Blouin used her experiences to advocate for women's rights both against traditional customs and European imperialism. How did she end up on the periphery of post-independent African history?
This epis...
Mark as Played
February 17, 2025 • 25 mins
Mauritius is often seen as a paradise island, known for its stunning beaches and luxury resorts. But beneath this idyllic image lies a history shaped by colonisation, enslavement, and deep-rooted social inequalities. In this episode, we uncover the 1999 Mauritius Riots—an eruption of inter-ethnic violence following the death of beloved Creole seggae singer, Kaya, in police custody.
How did a musician’s death ignite nationwide unres...
Mark as Played
February 3, 2025 • 29 mins
During Belgium’s colonial rule, mixed-heritage children were branded a 'problem' by the authorities, taken from their families, and forced into an uncertain future. This episode explores their experiences, the lasting impact of these policies, and the ongoing fight for recognition and reparations.
Sources For Further Reading
https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2021/2/3/the-children-colonial-belgium-stole-from-africa
King Leopold’...
Mark as Played
January 21, 2025 • 29 mins
We're exploring the life of Asantehene Prempeh I, the exiled king of the Asante Empire (modern-day Ghana). From his rise to power, supported by his mother Nana Yaa Kyaa, to his defiance of British colonial demands, Prempeh’s leadership threatened imperial ambitions, ultimately leading to his exile in the Seychelles for 28 years.
Prempeh’s resilience, diplomacy, and modernisation efforts shaped the Asante Kingdom’s history, even i...
Mark as Played
December 16, 2024 • 35 mins
With China scaling back its African investments, the UAE has stepped in, becoming the fourth-largest investing bloc on the continent. The UAE's expanding influence on the African continent has left investment, geopolitics, and conflict in its wake. From renewable energy and mining to humanitarian aid and allegations of fueling conflict, the UAE’s actions raise questions about the fine line between opportunity and exploitation.
We ...
Mark as Played
November 22, 2024 • 21 mins
Enjoy this bonus episode: It's A Continent recommends History Daily.
We're treating you to a teaser of this exciting podcast by sharing the episode "The Egyptian Revolution".
February 11, 2011. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak steps down after nearly 30 years, following mass demonstrations that were part of the pro-democracy uprisings known as the Arab Spring.
About History Daily
On History Daily, we do history, daily. Every week...
Mark as Played
October 28, 2024 • 38 mins
Calls for reparations have come at a time where we’ve seen the Head of State be removed in Barbados and the returning of looted items like Benin Bronzes, Patrice Lumumba’s tooth and skulls stolen during the Namibian genocide. In this episode we look at the case for reparations: its definition, political origin and what it could look like.
This episode was originally aired on December 13th 2022.
Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod ...
Mark as Played
October 14, 2024 • 25 mins
90-95% of Africa’s cultural heritage is held overseas, with Benin Bronzes languishing in museum basements all over the world for around 125 years. the British Museum containing over 73,000 items from the continent alone. Asante Royal artefacts sit at the V&A, Met Museum and Royal Family. Germany possesses the skulls of Tanzanian chiefs, upsetting the local community and natural order. We discuss how these items were taken forcefull...
Mark as Played
September 30, 2024 • 55 mins
To recognise Black History month in the UK, we're joined by the academic, activist and author Professor Kehinde Andrews. Kehinde is a professor of Black Studies at Birmingham City University and has written several books, including ‘The New Age of Empire: How Racism and Colonialism Still Rule the World.’ In this episode we discuss black British identity, immigration, and how colonisation has shifted into its current form: benevolen...
Mark as Played
September 2, 2024 • 30 mins
We explore the story of Equatorial Guinea and its first post-independence leader, Francisco Macías Nguema. This small West African nation—the only Spanish-speaking country on the continent, is rich in oil but marred by a legacy of exploitation. From its colonial past as Spanish Guinea to Macías's rise to power, we uncover how he transformed from a court clerk into one of Africa's most brutal dictators.
Follow us on IG: itsacontine...
Mark as Played
August 19, 2024 • 25 mins
This episode was first broadcast on 30th January 2024.
In this episode, we explore the term Black Tax, originating in South Africa, to describe the financial support provided by black individuals to their families. Examining its roots, we navigate its historical context, cultural and emotional burdens, and its ties to imperialism, colonialism, and apartheid.
Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod and Twitter: itsacontinent. It's a Co...
Mark as Played
August 5, 2024 • 29 mins
Miriam Makeba, known as the Empress of African Song, remains a symbol of the movement against colonialism, and Black Power movements in the US and the global Pan African movement. She unified the struggle for those of African descent across the world. We take a look at her story, and how Makeba used her talent to speak out against the apartheid movement in South Africa.
Sources:
Miriam Makeba
Sharpeville massacre
Follow us on IG:...
Mark as Played
June 24, 2024 • 41 mins
*Trigger warning* Torture, human rights abuse and sexual abuse is spoken about frequently in this episode.
The Mau Mau Uprising was a pivotal event in Kenya's independence fight against Britain. British land theft in Kenya and the resulting displacement of various ethnic groups led to oppressive colonial rule. British injustices led to the Mau Mau movement being formed by radical activists, however the disproportionate reaction fr...
Mark as Played
June 10, 2024 • 34 mins
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf made history as Africa's first elected female Head of State. Her story is filled with numerous challenges, including surviving domestic abuse, enduring persecution, and navigating two civil wars. Despite the significant progress made towards peace and development during her presidency, her legacy is a complex blend of achievements and failures.
Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod and Twitter: itsacontinent. It's...
Mark as Played
May 28, 2024 • 33 mins
The African Union (AU) emerged on the global stage in 2002, a pivotal moment in African history. With a vision to create an "integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena,” In this episode, we explore the historical context of the AU's formation, its links to the Pan-African movement, and what the future holds for the continent under the AU.
Follow us on...
Mark as Played
May 13, 2024 • 38 mins
We're joined by Dr Annabel Sowemimo, author of Divided, Racism, Medicine and why we need to decolonise healthcare. Dr Sowemimo is passionate about addressing the colonial history of sexual and reproductive health. We discuss the whitewashing of science, the legacy of colonialism within both healthcare products and providers, and historic mistrust between the black community giving rise to vaccine hesitancy.
https://www.annabelsowem...
Mark as Played
Popular Podcasts
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Football’s funniest family duo — Jason Kelce of the Philadelphia Eagles and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs — team up to provide next-level access to life in the league as it unfolds. The two brothers and Super Bowl champions drop weekly insights about the weekly slate of games and share their INSIDE perspectives on trending NFL news and sports headlines. They also endlessly rag on each other as brothers do, chat the latest in pop culture and welcome some very popular and well-known friends to chat with them. Check out new episodes every Wednesday. Follow New Heights on the Wondery App, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to new episodes early and ad-free, and get exclusive content on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And join our new membership for a unique fan experience by going to the New Heights YouTube channel now!
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Gregg Rosenthal and a rotating crew of elite NFL Media co-hosts, including Patrick Claybon, Colleen Wolfe, Steve Wyche, Nick Shook and Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic get you caught up daily on all the NFL news and analysis you need to be smarter and funnier than your friends.