Discover the 10 best hotels in Kinshasa for 2025 from riverside luxury to chic city suites, blending comfort, culture, and Congo River views. Kinshasa doesn’t do quiet it does charisma, chaos, and charm, all in one river-hugging city. But when it’s time to crash, this city’s hotel game delivers everything from suave business luxury to glossy riverside indulgence. Whether you’re here for music, meetings, or the mighty Congo River views, these ten stays (all verified from the 2025 luxury list) prove that Kinshasa knows how to roll out five-star hospitality with a local beat. 1. Pullman Kinshasa Grand Hotel A sleek riverside icon in Gombe, Pullman Kinshasa Grand Hotel nails the business-meets-leisure balance. Expect 369 rooms, a lagoon-style pool, spa, and city views that scream “executive escape.” It’s also home to one of the best breakfast spreads in town croissants, cassava, and all. Live social interaction Pullman Kinshasa Grand Hotel doesn’t just serve stays it serves settings . Its Terrasse Bomengo is where Gombe’s golden hour comes alive, a leafy lounge where cocktails meet Congo River breezes and the city slows down just enough for another round. “La Terrasse Bomengo ambiance chill, cadre raffiné à ciel ouvert ✨ L’endroit rêvé pour un apéro entre amis ou un coucher de soleil magique.” @pullman_kinshasa_grand_hotel English translation: “La Terrasse Bomengo has a relaxed vibe and refined open-air setting ✨ the dream spot for sunset drinks or a magical evening with friends.” Rates in 2025 hover around USD 250+ per night, but the river-view suites justify every franc. Pullman also hosts local art pop-ups and weekend DJ sets, turning the lobby into a low-key party scene. Local tip: request a river-facing room and skip Friday rush hour Gombe traffic moves slower than the Congo itself. 2. Fleuve Congo Hotel by Blazon Hotels Continue Reading Full Article TRAVEL GUIDE 10 Best Places to Stay in Kinshasa (2025) By Neema Asha Mwakalinga Travel & Culture Expert Neema Asha Mwakalinga Home Comment Oct 27, 2025 May 15, 2026 16 min read Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Published Updated: Kinshasa doesn’t do quiet it does charisma, chaos, and charm, all in one river-hugging city. But when it’s time to crash, this city’s hotel game delivers everything from suave business luxury to glossy riverside indulgence. Whether you’re here for music, meetings, or the mighty Congo River views, these ten stays (all verified from the 2025 luxury list) prove that Kinshasa knows how to roll out five-star hospitality with a local beat. 1. Pullman Kinshasa Grand Hotel A sleek riverside icon in Gombe, Pullman Kinshasa Grand Hotel nails the business-meets-leisure balance. Expect 369 rooms, a lagoon-style pool, spa, and city views that scream “executive escape.” It’s also home to one of the best breakfast spreads in town croissants, cassava, and all. Live social interaction Pullman Kinshasa Grand Hotel doesn’t just serve stays it serves settings . Its Terrasse Bomengo is where Gombe’s golden hour comes alive, a leafy lounge where cocktails meet Congo River breezes and the city slows down just enough for another round. “La Terrasse Bomengo ambiance chill, cadre raffiné à ciel ouvert ✨ L’endroit rêvé pour un apéro entre amis ou un coucher de soleil magique.” @pullman_kinshasa_grand_hotel English translation: “La Terrasse Bomengo has a relaxed vibe and refined open-air setting ✨ the dream spot for sunset drinks or a magical evening with friends.” Rates in 2025 hover around USD 250+ per night, but the river-view suites justify every franc. Pullman also hosts local art pop-ups and weekend DJ sets, turning the lobby into a low-key party scene. Local tip: request a river-facing room and skip Friday rush hour Gombe traffic moves slower than the Congo itself. 2. Fleuve Congo Hotel by Blazon Hotels This 5-star riverside gem is practically floating above the Congo. Suites have wraparound windows, a pool terrace feels like an infinity deck, and the lobby’s marble floors are more polished than a diplomat’s shoes. It’s Gombe’s power-stay for visiting officials and conference crowds alike. Fleuve Congo Hotel doesn’t just promise luxury it frames it. From the upper floors, Kinshasa’s skyline stretches to the horizon, glass towers gleaming like polished brass. It’s the kind of view that makes even morning coffee feel like a moment of diplomacy. “Nous vous invitons à découvrir les plus belles chambres de la ville.” @fchbyblazonhotels English translation: “We invite you to discover the most beautiful rooms in the city.” Expect USD 230–350/night rates depending on room type. The on-site Oasis Restaurant remains a culinary magnet, mixing French flair with Congolese spice. Pro tip: hit the terrace bar at golden hour the sunsets here are pure movie scenes. 3. Kin Plaza Arjaan by Rotana Tucked inside the Kin Plaza Mall, Rotana’s Gombe outpost offers 5-star apartments with kitchenettes, perfect for longer stays. The interiors mix slick minimalism with just enough Congolese color to keep things interesting. At Kin Plaza Arjaan by Rotana, even lunch feels like a boardroom upgrade. Their weekday business lunch, Déjeuner d’affaires raffiné , is the city’s sleekest mid-day ritual a three-course meal, soft drink, and glass of wine, all for $30. The kind of deal that makes Gombe’s executives linger long past dessert. ADVERTISEMENT « Un déjeuner d’affaires raffiné pour vos pauses en semaine » @kinplazaarjaan English translation: “A refined business lunch for your weekday breaks.” Prices start at around USD 220+ , and access to the adjoining mall means easy dining, shopping, and banking. Locals love its rooftop lounge for sunset shisha sessions. Insider tip: Book an executive suite for complimentary airport transfers they’re worth their weight in traffic time. 4. Hotel Memling Hotel Memling is old-school Kinshasa elegance at its finest. A Belgian-Congo relic turned modern icon, it’s hosted generations of diplomats, artists, and the occasional pop star. The lobby bar remains a see-and-be-seen haunt where gossip flows smoother than the cocktails. Even Kinshasa’s grand dame of hospitality, Hôtel Memling, has gone gourmet-local. Their Spéciale Congolaise Koba pays tribute to traditional Congolese flavours with the flair of haute cuisine. It’s local soul food dressed in five-star linen exactly the kind of culinary confidence Kinshasa exudes in 2025. « Quand la noblesse du goût congolais s’invite à la table de la haute gastronomie. Au cœur de l’Hôtel Memling Kinshasa, le Koba renaît sublimé par l’art, la rigueur et la sensibilité d’une maison qui élève chaque saveur au rang d’émotion. » @hotel_memling English translation: “When the nobility of Congolese flavour meets fine dining. At Hôtel Memling Kinshasa, the Koba is reborn refined by art, discipline, and sensitivity, turning every taste into emotion.” Rates in 2025 run around USD 190–240 per night. The pool courtyard offers rare city calm, and its central Gombe spot means you’re minutes from both business meetings and nightlife. Pro tip: request a corner room the city views tell Kinshasa’s story in neon. 5. Golden Tulip Kin Oasis Hotel Golden Tulip Kin Oasis is Kinshasa’s freshest luxury arrival sleek, modern, and unapologetically photogenic. Its glass façade mirrors the sunset glow over the city, giving off serious “new capital energy.” This is where contemporary design meets Congolese warmth, and business travelers end up staying for leisure. Real social media interaction “Grateful for the opportunity to photograph the beautiful Golden Tulip Kin Oasis, Kinshasa. A stunning new addition to the city’s hospitality scene.” @ parminder.saggu.photography Rooms start from USD 180–220 , with suites offering private balconies. The restaurant’s buffet fuses local and continental flavours try the grilled tilapia. ADVERTISEMENT Tip: weekends attract locals for brunch, so reserve early if you’re not a fan of waiting (or of missing the last beignet). 6. Hotel Royal Kinshasa Hotel Royal Kinshasa mixes boutique chic with business practicality. Compact, modern rooms, a good gym, and attentive staff make it a local favourite. It’s slightly less flashy than others, but wins for consistency and location. @kisombe_kiaku captured during a relaxed Monday morning at Hotel Royal Kinshasa , proving that sometimes the best luxury is simply taking a pause with a view. At around USD 160–190 a night, it’s a great “under-the-radar” 4-star. Bonus: you’re within walking distance of great Gombe cafés. Tip: try the rooftop for quiet sundowners it’s one of Kinshasa’s best-kept secrets. 7. Hilton Kinshasa The global brand needs no intro. Hilton Kinshasa serves up predictable polish and international comfort in Gombe’s heart. It’s a magnet for corporate travellers, but the rooftop pool and bar give it just enough flair for leisure guests too. Hilton Kinshasa knows how to blend business polish with a little runway energy. The marble corridors and soft lighting have turned more than a few guests into accidental models proof that five-star travel and style can share the same hallway. Expect rates from USD 250+ . Local tip: Join the Hilton Honors program for upgrades and river-view perks. If you’re landing at N’Djili, arrange the hotel’s airport shuttle it’ll save you from the city’s taxi chaos. 8. Sultani Hotel A veteran of Kinshasa’s hospitality scene, Sultani Hotel offers charm and comfort without the overblown price tag. Set in a leafy section of the city near the stadium, it feels more local than corporate. Sultani Hotel isn’t just a place to sleep it’s where ideas, ambition, and national pride often share the same podium. Known for hosting government briefings, NGO roundtables, and diplomatic meet-ups, this Gombe landmark doubles as Kinshasa’s unofficial civic salon. Between conferences and cocktails, it’s where the country’s future sometimes gets its talking points one microphone and one strong espresso at a time. Credit: Photo credit: @beau_chemin_kasongo captured delivering a powerful message to Congolese youth from the podium of Sultani Hotel Kinshasa , proving that this hotel’s halls echo with more than just polite conversation. Trending Now Hyron Andrews Biography: His Rugby Career and Lions Tributes . Biography F1 Will Polish Kagame’s Authoritarian Image” — Kayikwamba Wagner . Justice & Crime Oluku Market Tanker Explosion: Death Toll Still Unconfirmed, 8 Injured . Accident News Fannie Masemola Reinstated as South Africa's Police Chief, Back Monday . Social Service Popular Today Visit DR Congo Maï-Ndombe River: Discover a Hidden Natural Treasure Near Kinshasa . Entertainment Papa Wemba: The Enduring Voice of Congo and His Lasting Legacy . Visit DR Congo Lake Ma Vallée: Kinshasa's Historic Nature Escape . Visit DR Congo Zongo Falls: A Complete Travel Guide to Kongo Central’s Natural Escape . Visit DR Congo Limete Interchange: The Story Behind Kinshasa's Iconic Tower . ADVERTISEMENT Rooms average USD 150–180 per night. The restaurant serves an underrated lunch buffet and killer sambousa. Ask for the suite if you need work space and don’t miss the jazz nights that sometimes unfold in the bar. 9. Hotel Elais Kinshasa Hotel Elais Kinshasa" 2025}Hotel Elais blends contemporary design with calm. It’s a top pick for business travellers who want something quieter than the Gombe giants. The lobby café does great espresso a rare Kinshasa commodity. Hotel Élaïs isn’t just where travelers sleep it’s where cross-border deals wake up. From European trade missions to regional summits, this polished Gombe favorite has become the go-to venue for Kinshasa’s economic and diplomatic gatherings. Between polished floors and PowerPoint slides, Élaïs proves that sometimes the real business of Africa happens over coffee and conference badges. Credit: Photo credit: @nr_sic captured during the Belgian Economic Mission in Congo at Hotel Élaïs Kinshasa , spotlighting the hotel’s growing role in hosting B2B exchanges and international dialogues. Rates hover around USD 180–210 in 2025. It’s also family-friendly, with a pool and open garden spaces. Insider tip: their gym has surprisingly good river views perfect motivation for a treadmill run. 10. Hotel Platinum Hotel Platinum rounds off our list as the new-gen luxury contender. Its golden interiors, marble-clad lobby, and plush suites put it firmly in Kinshasa’s rising-luxe category. Hotel Platinum is the understated new kid on Kinshasa’s luxury block sleek, quiet, and business-class polished. From the crisp linens to the smart-room tech, this spot is built for travellers who want comfort without flash, and Netflix that loads faster than the morning coffee. Credit: Photo credit: @mupepsking inside Hotel Platinum Kinshasa , catching that perfect lazy-morning-in-a-five-star moment. Rooms start at USD 170+ , and it’s popular with a younger, trendier crowd. The rooftop bar offers sweeping views of the skyline and if you’re lucky, a live rumba band. Local tip: Fridays get busy, so book early if you want a good seat with a view. Stay in Gombe if you value proximity, peace, and poshness that’s where most of these hotels cluster. Rates in 2025 are steady, but book early during cultural festivals like Fikin or Amani . And remember: in Kinshasa, “five-star” comes with personality and occasionally a drumbeat from next door. ADVERTISEMENT Related Articles Visit DR Congo Maï-Ndombe River: Discover a Hidden Natural Treasure Near Kinshasa Explore the river's geography, dark waters, local communities and potential for responsible tourism . Entertainment Papa Wemba: The Enduring Voice of Congo and His Lasting Legacy From rumba and SAPE to La Dernière Symphonie, explore Papa Wemba's legacy ten years after his death. . Visit DR Congo Lake Ma Vallée: Kinshasa's Historic Nature Escape Discover the history, activities and environmental importance of this green retreat in Mont-Ngafula . Visit DR Congo Zongo Falls: A Complete Travel Guide to Kongo Central’s Natural Escape Plan a trip to Zongo Falls with routes, accommodation, safety tips and a suggested two-day itinerary . Tags Visit Congo Visit Congo Travel Blog Travel Blog DR.Congo DR.Congo Congolese Foods Congolese Foods Travel & Tourism Travel & Tourism DR Congo's Tourism DR Congo's Tourism Travel Blog Travel Blog

Learn how to check your BVN without visiting a bank using *565*0#, including the ₦20 fee, linked-SIM rule and troubleshooting steps You can retrieve your Bank Verification Number without visiting a bank branch by dialling 565 0# from the mobile number registered to your BVN. The service is operated by the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System, or NIBSS, in collaboration with Nigerian banks. It works without mobile data and costs ₦20 per request, according to NIBSS. Quick answer: Using the phone number linked to your BVN, dial 565 0# . Approve the ₦20 charge and wait for your 11-digit BVN to appear. The service will not return a number if the phone line is linked to more than one BVN. Official Code for Checking Your BVN The official NIBSS code is: 565 0# This code retrieves an existing BVN. It does not create a new BVN, change your personal details or link the number to another bank account. NIBSS describes a BVN as a unique 11-digit number that identifies a person across their Nigerian bank accounts. A customer should have one BVN linked to every account held in their name, not a different BVN for each bank. What You Need Before Dialling the Code Prepare the following: Continue Reading Full Article BANKING AND FINANCE How to Check BVN Without Visiting a Bank By Wilson Munezero Government Services & Opportunities Expert Wilson Munezero Home Comment Aug 20, 2026 Aug 20, 2026 18 min read Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Published Updated: You can retrieve your Bank Verification Number without visiting a bank branch by dialling 565 0# from the mobile number registered to your BVN. The service is operated by the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System, or NIBSS, in collaboration with Nigerian banks. It works without mobile data and costs ₦20 per request, according to NIBSS. Quick answer: Using the phone number linked to your BVN, dial 565 0# . Approve the ₦20 charge and wait for your 11-digit BVN to appear. The service will not return a number if the phone line is linked to more than one BVN. Official Code for Checking Your BVN The official NIBSS code is: 565 0# This code retrieves an existing BVN. It does not create a new BVN, change your personal details or link the number to another bank account. NIBSS describes a BVN as a unique 11-digit number that identifies a person across their Nigerian bank accounts. A customer should have one BVN linked to every account held in their name, not a different BVN for each bank. What You Need Before Dialling the Code Prepare the following: The phone number registered to your BVN. An active SIM with network coverage. At least ₦20 in regular airtime. A private place to copy the 11-digit number. If you have a dual-SIM phone, make sure the request is sent from the correct line. The phone itself does not identify you; the mobile number used for the USSD request does. How to Check Your BVN With 565 0# Step 1: Use the registered phone number Insert or activate the SIM attached to your BVN record. This is usually the number supplied during BVN enrolment or later updated through your bank. Step 2: Open the phone dialler Open the app used for making normal calls. Step 3: Dial the retrieval code Enter: 565 0# Then press the call or send button. Step 4: Confirm the service charge Review the prompt and approve the ₦20 charge. The amount is deducted from airtime, not from the balance in your bank account. Step 5: Copy your BVN Your 11-digit BVN should be displayed during the USSD session or returned in the service response. Write it down carefully and store it securely. Avoid taking a screenshot on a shared device or sending the number through an unprotected group chat. Does the BVN Code Work on Every Network? 565 0# is a NIBSS service designed to work through Nigerian mobile networks in collaboration with banks. Customers commonly use it on: Mobile network BVN retrieval code Fee MTN 565 0# ₦20 Airtel 565 0# ₦20 Glo 565 0# ₦20 9mobile 565 0# ₦20 Temporary network or USSD outages can still affect a request. Use the number recorded against the BVN regardless of which supported network issued the SIM. How to Check Your BVN Through a Banking App Some banks display a customer's BVN or a masked version inside their mobile-banking app or internet-banking profile. This is not a universal NIBSS feature, so the menu and availability depend on the bank. Where your bank provides it: ADVERTISEMENT Open the bank's official app or type the official internet-banking address yourself. Sign in using your normal secure method. Open Profile , Personal details , Account information , KYC or BVN . Complete any one-time-password or biometric check. Copy the BVN only if the bank displays the complete number. Never install a banking app from a link sent by a stranger. Download it from the bank's official website or the verified app-store publisher page. If the app shows only the final few digits, use 565 0# for the full number or contact the bank through an official support channel. Can You Check BVN Online? There is no safe public search page where anyone can enter a name or account number and see a person's full BVN. Access to BVN data is restricted because it is sensitive financial identity information. The NIBSS BVN validation service is different from public retrieval. It is primarily used by authorised institutions to verify information with customer consent. Do not enter your BVN, card information or bank login details into a website simply because it uses “BVN checker” in its name. For personal retrieval without a branch visit, use: 565 0# from the registered phone number; or your own bank's authenticated app or internet-banking service, where the bank supports BVN display. How Much Does It Cost to Check BVN? NIBSS lists a ₦20 service fee for 565 0# . The fee is charged to the mobile line used for the request. Use regular airtime. Bonus airtime may not cover the charge. A failed or timed-out request may require another attempt, so avoid repeated dialling during a network outage. Checking inside a bank app may not attract a retrieval fee, but normal mobile-data charges apply and each bank controls whether the feature is available. BVN Code Not Working? What to Do 1. Confirm the exact code The retrieval code is 565 0# . Do not omit an asterisk, replace the zero with the letter O or add your BVN to the code. 2. Use the number registered to your BVN NIBSS requires the request to come from the phone number attached to the BVN. Another line may belong to you and still return no record. 3. Select the correct SIM On a dual-SIM phone, confirm which line is making the USSD call. Cancel the request if the phone selects the wrong SIM. 4. Add regular airtime Make sure the line has at least ₦20 of usable airtime. A bank-account balance cannot pay for the USSD retrieval. 5. Check the mobile-network signal Move to an area with better reception, restart the phone or try again later if the USSD session times out. 6. Check whether the number is linked to more than one BVN NIBSS states that it will not return a BVN when one phone number is linked to more than one BVN. This can happen when a shared family number was used for different enrolments or when customer records were not properly separated. The affected customers should contact their banks to correct the records. Do not keep paying for repeated USSD requests when the underlying linkage must be fixed. 7. Check the bank app If the linked SIM is temporarily unavailable but you can securely access your bank app, look under Profile, KYC or Account Information. The full number may or may not be shown. 8. Contact official support Use your bank's official phone number, email or in-app support. You can also consult the NIBSS support centre . For security reasons, a support agent may not read the full BVN over an ordinary call. They can explain the approved recovery or record-correction process. ADVERTISEMENT What if You Lost the SIM Linked to Your BVN? Try to recover the same number from the mobile network. This often restores access to BVN retrieval and other account-verification services. Before requesting a SIM replacement: Use only an official network service centre. Take the identification and ownership evidence requested by the operator. Protect the replacement process from SIM-swap fraud. Never give an unknown agent your bank PIN or one-time password. If the phone number cannot be recovered, contact the bank whose branch enrolled or maintains your BVN information. NIBSS says updates to BVN customer information are handled physically at bank branches. This is one situation in which a bank visit may still be necessary. The retrieval code removes the need for a routine branch visit only when the correct registered number remains available. Important 2026 Rule for Changing the BVN Phone Number NIBSS reported that a CBN directive limiting changes to the phone number linked to a BVN to once in a lifetime took effect on 1 May 2026. The measure is intended to reduce SIM-swap and identity fraud. Treat a phone-number change as a serious identity-record update. Recover the original SIM where practical and confirm the bank's current requirements before requesting a modification. Do not ask an agent to change a BVN-linked number remotely. NIBSS's BVN guidance says customer-information updates are performed physically at bank branches. What if One Phone Number Is Linked to Two BVNs? 565 0# will not return either BVN when the line is linked to more than one record, according to NIBSS. The people involved should contact their respective banks and ask for the phone-number linkage to be corrected. Each customer should have: One personal BVN; Their own accurate phone number attached to the record; and The same BVN linked to all bank accounts held in their identity. Do not create another BVN to solve a phone-linkage problem. Duplicate identity records can create serious banking and compliance difficulties. BVN Retrieval and BVN Validation Are Different NIBSS provides two similar-looking codes with different purposes: Service Code Purpose Fee Retrieve your BVN 565 0# Returns the BVN attached to the phone number making the request ₦20 Validate a known BVN 565 1# Confirms a supplied BVN and returns the registered name ₦20 Use 565 0# when you have forgotten your own number. Use of a validation service must respect the customer's consent and privacy. Can Someone Check Your BVN With Your Phone? A person with access to your unlocked phone and registered SIM may be able to dial the retrieval code. Protect the line with a SIM PIN, device passcode and remote-lock features. If your phone or SIM is stolen: Contact the network to block the line. Notify your banks through official channels. Change mobile- and internet-banking passwords where necessary. Review accounts for unfamiliar activity. Recover the SIM only through the network's authorised process. The BVN is not a bank-account password, but it is sensitive identity data and can be misused in social-engineering fraud. BVN Scam and Security Warning Never disclose your BVN in a public post or send it to a social-media account claiming to be a bank. No legitimate BVN retrieval process requires you to give an unknown person your: ATM PIN; internet-banking password; card CVV; one-time password; full debit-card number; mobile-banking PIN; or screen-sharing access. Ignore messages offering BVN “upgrades,” removal from a watchlist or correction through WhatsApp. Use NIBSS and bank-approved channels. Trending Now Hyron Andrews Biography: His Rugby Career and Lions Tributes . Biography F1 Will Polish Kagame’s Authoritarian Image” — Kayikwamba Wagner . Justice & Crime Oluku Market Tanker Explosion: Death Toll Still Unconfirmed, 8 Injured . Accident News Fannie Masemola Reinstated as South Africa's Police Chief, Back Monday . Social Service Popular Today Students Guide How to Check WAEC Results by SMS . Immigration and Visas How to Apply for a Nigerian Passport Online . Students Guide How to Print Your JAMB Admission Letter . Government Services How to Replace a Lost NIN Slip . Government Services How to Update Your Phone Number on Your NIN . ADVERTISEMENT BVN for Nigerians Living Abroad NIBSS operates the Non-Resident Bank Verification Number, or NRBVN, service for eligible Nigerians and other covered persons living outside Nigeria. It supports remote enrolment, account-opening and related services through the official NRBVN platform. NRBVN is mainly for enrolment and non-resident banking access. A person who already has a Nigerian BVN should not apply for a second one simply because they are abroad. For an existing BVN, try the registered Nigerian phone line, an authenticated bank channel or the bank's official diaspora-support process. Frequently Asked Questions What is the official code for checking BVN? Dial 565 0# from the phone number registered to your BVN. How much does it cost? NIBSS lists a ₦20 service fee for each request. How many digits are in a BVN? A BVN contains 11 digits. Can I check my BVN without internet? Yes. The 565 0# USSD service does not require mobile data. Can I check BVN on MTN, Airtel, Glo or 9mobile? The NIBSS code is used through Nigerian mobile networks. The important requirement is using the phone number registered to your BVN. Can I check BVN with another phone number? No. NIBSS requires the number linked to the BVN record. You may place the correct SIM in a different handset, but a different line will not retrieve your BVN. Why did NIBSS not return my BVN? Possible reasons include the wrong phone number, insufficient airtime, a network outage or one phone number being linked to more than one BVN. Can I check BVN through my bank app? Some banks show a full or masked BVN under profile or KYC information. Availability differs by bank. Can I check someone else's BVN? Do not attempt to retrieve another person's BVN. BVN information is protected financial identity data. The validation service is different and should be used only for an authorised purpose with appropriate consent. Can I have more than one BVN? A customer should have one BVN linked across all Nigerian bank accounts held in that identity. Does changing banks change my BVN? No. The BVN provides one identity across the Nigerian banking industry and is not peculiar to a single bank. Can I change the phone number linked to my BVN online? NIBSS says BVN customer-information updates are performed physically at bank branches. A 2026 CBN directive also limits a linked-phone-number change to once in a lifetime. Official Sources and Verification Note This guide was checked on 20 August 2026 against: NIBSS USSD Validation Services — official 565 0# code, linked-phone requirement, ₦20 fee and multiple-BVN restriction. NIBSS BVN overview — BVN purpose, enrolment and customer-information update rules. NIBSS BVN definition — confirmation that a BVN is an 11-digit identifier. Central Bank of Nigeria BVN page — the regulatory purpose and banking-industry use of BVN. NIBSS explanation of the 2026 BVN rules — linked-phone-number change limit and fraud-control context. NIBSS support centre — official help channel. Bank-app menus can change, and not every institution displays a full BVN digitally. The universal verified self-service retrieval method is 565 0# from the registered phone number. ADVERTISEMENT Related Articles Students Guide How to Check WAEC Results by SMS Send WAEC*ExamNo*PIN*ExamYear to 32327 on MTN, Celtel or Glo for N30. . Immigration and Visas How to Apply for a Nigerian Passport Online Start on the NIS portal, verify your NIN, pay, then book biometrics in person . Students Guide How to Print Your JAMB Admission Letter Use e-Facility to pay, enter your exam year and registration number, then print . Government Services How to Replace a Lost NIN Slip Reprint online via NIMC myportal, or reissue at a centre with the N600 fee . Tags Nigeria Gov Services Nigeria Gov Services Nigeria Nigeria

Najib Balala says he is alive and well after false death reports circulated in Kenya. The illness claim attached to the hoax is unsupported NAIROBI, Kenya — Former Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala said on Saturday evening, 5 September 2026, that he is alive and well, directly rejecting false reports of his death that had circulated on social media. Balala's short first-person statement is the decisive evidence. “I am well and in good spirits,” he said in wording carried by The Star and other Kenyan outlets. He described the information as misleading and unfounded. Is Najib Balala dead? No. Najib Balala personally rejected the false death report on 5 September 2026 and said he was well and in good spirits. Kenyan news organisations traced the panic to a fabricated graphic. No reliable evidence supports the illness claim that accompanied the hoax. What Balala actually said Balala acknowledged that people had been contacting him after seeing the report. He thanked friends and former colleagues for their concern and expressed gratitude to God, according to Kenyans.co.ke . The clarification appeared after a graphic designed to resemble a Kenyan newsroom alert spread online. Tuko's report said the image purported to come from Citizen Digital. The outlet also reported that the graphic attached an illness claim to the false death announcement. That illness claim is not confirmed by Balala's statement and should not be repeated as fact. His message addressed the false information without disclosing a diagnosis. Nairobi News likewise reported that Balala personally moved to stop the rumour. XTRAfrica has previously handled similar corrections carefully, including the recent report in which Oburu Oginga said he was recovering at home . In both cases, the person's direct statement carries more weight than anonymous cards or condolence posts. Why the false report spread quickly Balala is a nationally recognised former minister with a long record in tourism and politics. That visibility helped the fake announcement move beyond isolated posts and prompted public figures to react. The Star reported that Philip Etale apologised after sharing the false information and said a mutual friend close to Balala had told him it was untrue. The correction is important because a repost from a familiar public account can give an unsupported claim the appearance of confirmation. Continue Reading Full Article JUSTICE & CRIME Najib Balala Says Death Rumour Is False By Serge Kitoko Tshibanda Political Analyst Serge Kitoko Tshibanda Home Comment Sep 6, 2026 Sep 6, 2026 4 min read Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Published Updated: NAIROBI, Kenya — Former Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala said on Saturday evening, 5 September 2026, that he is alive and well, directly rejecting false reports of his death that had circulated on social media. Balala's short first-person statement is the decisive evidence. “I am well and in good spirits,” he said in wording carried by The Star and other Kenyan outlets. He described the information as misleading and unfounded. Is Najib Balala dead? No. Najib Balala personally rejected the false death report on 5 September 2026 and said he was well and in good spirits. Kenyan news organisations traced the panic to a fabricated graphic. No reliable evidence supports the illness claim that accompanied the hoax. What Balala actually said Balala acknowledged that people had been contacting him after seeing the report. He thanked friends and former colleagues for their concern and expressed gratitude to God, according to Kenyans.co.ke . The clarification appeared after a graphic designed to resemble a Kenyan newsroom alert spread online. Tuko's report said the image purported to come from Citizen Digital. The outlet also reported that the graphic attached an illness claim to the false death announcement. That illness claim is not confirmed by Balala's statement and should not be repeated as fact. His message addressed the false information without disclosing a diagnosis. Nairobi News likewise reported that Balala personally moved to stop the rumour. ADVERTISEMENT XTRAfrica has previously handled similar corrections carefully, including the recent report in which Oburu Oginga said he was recovering at home . In both cases, the person's direct statement carries more weight than anonymous cards or condolence posts. Why the false report spread quickly Balala is a nationally recognised former minister with a long record in tourism and politics. That visibility helped the fake announcement move beyond isolated posts and prompted public figures to react. The Star reported that Philip Etale apologised after sharing the false information and said a mutual friend close to Balala had told him it was untrue. The correction is important because a repost from a familiar public account can give an unsupported claim the appearance of confirmation. The incident also echoes the risks seen when major political news breaks in Kenya. XTRAfrica's coverage of Raila Odinga's death and national mourning shows the level of official and family confirmation required for a genuine death report. A branded image alone does not meet that standard. ADVERTISEMENT Balala remains active in global tourism Balala left Kenya's Cabinet in 2022, but he continues to work in international tourism. The World Travel & Tourism Council announced on 1 May 2026 that he had joined its leadership team as Executive Vice-President for Advocacy, Government Affairs and Research, based in Madrid. WTTC said he would lead global advocacy, government engagement and policy research. The organisation also described him as a former Kenyan Tourism and Wildlife minister with more than 12 years of experience in that portfolio. His public record also includes service as Mvita MP, Mombasa mayor and Cabinet Secretary for Mining. Those roles explain why a false report about him drew rapid national attention. XTRAfrica's older coverage of Kenya's tourism policy provides background on the sector Balala once led. Trending Now Hyron Andrews Biography: His Rugby Career and Lions Tributes . Biography F1 Will Polish Kagame’s Authoritarian Image” — Kayikwamba Wagner . Justice & Crime Oluku Market Tanker Explosion: Death Toll Still Unconfirmed, 8 Injured . Accident News Fannie Masemola Reinstated as South Africa's Police Chief, Back Monday . Social Service Popular Today Accident News Oluku Market Tanker Explosion: Death Toll Still Unconfirmed, 8 Injured . Social Service Fannie Masemola Reinstated as South Africa's Police Chief, Back Monday . Education Nigeria Polytechnic Degree Bill: Who Qualifies and What Happens Next? . Biography Gamal Nkrumah Biography: Journalism, Family and Legacy . Social Media Trends Uganda Charcoal Ban Explained: Parliament Pauses Enforcement . ADVERTISEMENT How to verify similar claims Readers should look for a first-person statement, a family or representative announcement, and reporting from more than one credible newsroom before sharing news of a death. A screenshot should be checked against the supposed publisher's website and official accounts. In this case, the central question is resolved: Balala says he is alive and well. The accompanying illness claim remains unsupported and should not be presented as a fact. ADVERTISEMENT Related Articles Accident News Oluku Market Tanker Explosion: Death Toll Still Unconfirmed, 8 Injured Edo police report eight burn injuries as conflicting accounts leave the final death toll unresolved. . Social Service Fannie Masemola Reinstated as South Africa's Police Chief, Back Monday Ramaphosa lifts the police chief's suspension, with Masemola due back on 19 October 2026. . Education Nigeria Polytechnic Degree Bill: Who Qualifies and What Happens Next? The Senate has backed B.Tech degrees, but legal approval and programme accreditation still matter. . Biography Gamal Nkrumah Biography: Journalism, Family and Legacy The Ghanaian journalist built a career in Cairo while carrying a historic family name. . Tags Breaking News Breaking News Kenya Kenya

President Tshisekedi met U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to advance the U.S.–DRC Strategic Partnership on investment, minerals, and security. Washington, D.C. | February 4, 2026 — President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo held high-level talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, marking a decisive step in deepening the U.S.–DRC Strategic Partnership — with a strong focus on investment, critical minerals, and security cooperation. The meeting capped a full day of intensive diplomatic engagements by the Congolese Head of State with senior U.S. institutions, underscoring Kinshasa’s growing centrality in Washington’s Africa and global supply-chain strategy. From peace to partnership: what Tshisekedi and Rubio discussed According to the U.S. State Department, President Tshisekedi and Secretary Rubio reviewed progress on implementing the U.S.–DRC Strategic Partnership Agreement signed on December 4, 2025. Discussions focused on: expanding U.S. private-sector investment across the DRC, advancing cooperation on critical minerals, particularly copper and cobalt, and reinforcing a broader security partnership, including compliance with the Washington Peace Accords and the December 4 Memorandum of Understanding. Washington reaffirmed its commitment to Congo’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and stability, particularly in the eastern provinces. A full day of high-level U.S. engagement The Rubio meeting came after a series of strategic encounters that illustrate the breadth of the U.S.–Congo reset. Continue Reading Full Article INVESTMENT DEALS Tshisekedi Meets Rubio to Deepen U.S.–DRC Partnership By Serge Kitoko Tshibanda Political Analyst Serge Kitoko Tshibanda Home Comment Feb 5, 2026 May 15, 2026 4 min read Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Published Updated: Washington, D.C. | February 4, 2026 — President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo held high-level talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, marking a decisive step in deepening the U.S.–DRC Strategic Partnership — with a strong focus on investment, critical minerals, and security cooperation. The meeting capped a full day of intensive diplomatic engagements by the Congolese Head of State with senior U.S. institutions, underscoring Kinshasa’s growing centrality in Washington’s Africa and global supply-chain strategy. From peace to partnership: what Tshisekedi and Rubio discussed According to the U.S. State Department, President Tshisekedi and Secretary Rubio reviewed progress on implementing the U.S.–DRC Strategic Partnership Agreement signed on December 4, 2025. Discussions focused on: expanding U.S. private-sector investment across the DRC, advancing cooperation on critical minerals, particularly copper and cobalt, and reinforcing a broader security partnership, including compliance with the Washington Peace Accords and the December 4 Memorandum of Understanding. ADVERTISEMENT Washington reaffirmed its commitment to Congo’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and stability, particularly in the eastern provinces. A full day of high-level U.S. engagement The Rubio meeting came after a series of strategic encounters that illustrate the breadth of the U.S.–Congo reset. Earlier in the day, President Tshisekedi met with the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), alongside Congo’s Deputy Prime Ministers for Economy and Finance. The DFC reiterated its interest in supporting Congo’s development vision by mobilizing public-private investment in priority sectors. The Congolese leader also held talks with U.S. Senators Jim Risch and Jeanne Shaheen, focusing on: security in eastern DRC, civilian protection, implementation and monitoring of peace commitments, and the securing of strategic minerals. ADVERTISEMENT At the House Foreign Affairs Committee, led by Brian Mast and joined by Gregory Meeks, Chris Smith, and Sarah Jacobs, Tshisekedi emphasized the DRC’s central role in the global energy transition, calling for stronger bilateral cooperation anchored in peace and development. A separate meeting with Interior Secretary Doug Burgum explored economic opportunities and mutually beneficial investment, particularly in resource governance and land-linked development. Critical minerals move to the center of U.S. foreign policy The Tshisekedi–Rubio meeting took place against the backdrop of the 2026 Critical Minerals Ministerial, hosted in Washington by Secretary Rubio and attended by delegations from 54 countries, including the DRC. The ministerial marked a clear shift in U.S. strategy: reducing global dependence on highly concentrated mineral supply chains and building secure, diversified, and resilient alternatives. Trending Now Hyron Andrews Biography: His Rugby Career and Lions Tributes . Biography F1 Will Polish Kagame’s Authoritarian Image” — Kayikwamba Wagner . Justice & Crime Oluku Market Tanker Explosion: Death Toll Still Unconfirmed, 8 Injured . Accident News Fannie Masemola Reinstated as South Africa's Police Chief, Back Monday . Social Service Popular Today Justice & Crime F1 Will Polish Kagame’s Authoritarian Image” — Kayikwamba Wagner . Visit DR Congo Maï-Ndombe River: Discover a Hidden Natural Treasure Near Kinshasa . Justice & Crime M23 → AFC → FRN: Has Anything Really Changed? . Biography Jean-Pierre Bemba Biography: Age, ICC Case, Family and Career . Justice & Crime Kagame's Failed Justifications for His Military Presence in the DRC . ADVERTISEMENT The DRC featured prominently. On February 3, a day before the ministerial, the U.S. witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Glencore and the U.S.-backed Orion Critical Mineral Consortium, linked to potential asset acquisitions in Congo. U.S. officials described the move as directly aligned with the U.S.–DRC Strategic Partnership, aimed at ensuring reliable copper and cobalt flows to American industries. Why this meeting matters Taken together, the engagements signal a structural shift in U.S.–Congo relations: from aid to strategic investment, from crisis management to long-term economic alignment, and from indirect engagement to direct partnership on minerals, infrastructure, and security. For Washington, Congo is emerging as a pillar of supply-chain security in an era defined by energy transition, AI, and advanced manufacturing. The DRC is positioning itself not as a peripheral supplier, but as a sovereign partner at the center of global economic and geopolitical recalibration. As implementation of the Strategic Partnership accelerates, the Tshisekedi–Rubio meeting stands as one of the clearest indicators yet that U.S.–DRC relations have entered a new, consequential phase. 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After a woman was shot dead in Kasika, Karisimbi’s youth council calls for protection and rejects claims used to justify the killing. The youth council of Karisimbi commune has called for stronge r protection of civilians and property in Goma after a 54-year-old woman was shot dead at her home in the Kasika neighborhood, witnesses said. The killing, reported to have occurred around 4:00 a.m. on Sunday, January 25, has fueled renewed concern over insecurity in the area as first reported by ACTUALITE.CD . According to accounts cited by local witnesses, armed men wearing military-style fatigues allegedly broke into the home of Madame Chekasana Justine near the chapel of the 8th CEPAC Baraka and shot her at the scene. In its reaction, the Karisimbi youth council condemned what it described as repeated violent incidents and appealed for measures that ensure residents can live safely and retain their property without fear. Council rejects “justifications” circulated after the killing The council also disputed claims circulating about the victim’s identity and behavior, saying some individuals linked to AFC/M23 were attempting to justify the shooting by alleging “without foundation,” in the council’s words that the woman was a thief or a cannabis user. The council described those claims as false and warned against narratives that appear to excuse lethal violence. People also read: Rwanda Admits M23 Collaboration: A Scandal of State‑Sponsored Rebel Rwanda Is Not Protecting Us, It Is Exploiting Us.” Enock Sebineza Why the World Needs Congo for the Green Energy Future? A wider pattern of fear, residents say Continue Reading Full Article JUSTICE & CRIME Karisimbi youth council demands protection after Kasika killing By The Editorial Staff Public Services The Editorial Staff Home Comment Jan 26, 2026 May 15, 2026 3 min read Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Published Updated: The youth council of Karisimbi commune has called for stronge r protection of civilians and property in Goma after a 54-year-old woman was shot dead at her home in the Kasika neighborhood, witnesses said. The killing, reported to have occurred around 4:00 a.m. on Sunday, January 25, has fueled renewed concern over insecurity in the area as first reported by ACTUALITE.CD . According to accounts cited by local witnesses, armed men wearing military-style fatigues allegedly broke into the home of Madame Chekasana Justine near the chapel of the 8th CEPAC Baraka and shot her at the scene. In its reaction, the Karisimbi youth council condemned what it described as repeated violent incidents and appealed for measures that ensure residents can live safely and retain their property without fear. ADVERTISEMENT Council rejects “justifications” circulated after the killing The council also disputed claims circulating about the victim’s identity and behavior, saying some individuals linked to AFC/M23 were attempting to justify the shooting by alleging “without foundation,” in the council’s words that the woman was a thief or a cannabis user. The council described those claims as false and warned against narratives that appear to excuse lethal violence. People also read: Rwanda Admits M23 Collaboration: A Scandal of State‑Sponsored Rebel Rwanda Is Not Protecting Us, It Is Exploiting Us.” Enock Sebineza Why the World Needs Congo for the Green Energy Future? ADVERTISEMENT A wider pattern of fear, residents say The council’s statement comes days after another killing in Goma . The article reports that, on Monday, January 19 , a young man was murdered in the Virunga neighborhood, with responsibility attributed to an element of the AFC/M23 rebellion. While details surrounding both incidents remain limited in the publicly available account, the council said the situation has left many young people feeling exposed to what it called “inhuman and degrading treatment” since AFC/M23 took control of Goma. It urged the armed group to stop what it described as “barbaric acts” and to respect human life. Karisimbi is one of Goma’s communes in North Kivu , a province that has faced persistent instability linked to the broader conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Trending Now Hyron Andrews Biography: His Rugby Career and Lions Tributes . Biography F1 Will Polish Kagame’s Authoritarian Image” — Kayikwamba Wagner . Justice & Crime Oluku Market Tanker Explosion: Death Toll Still Unconfirmed, 8 Injured . 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KIBATI, Democratic Republic of Congo, May 16 - In the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, families gathered near small coffins, mourning the children and others killed in a recent rocket attack. Amid their grief, many directed accusations at the rebels they believe launched the assault. Relatives, holding crosses with the names of the dead, voiced their anger towards Rwanda, the neighboring country they, their government, and the U.N. allege is supporting the M23 insurgents—a claim denied by Kigali. On May 3, at least five rockets struck camps sheltering displaced people around Goma, resulting in the deaths of mostly children and women. At a mass funeral in Kibati, 22 children were laid to rest in small caskets, alongside 13 other victims. "My daughter-in-law was murdered in the Mugunga camp," said Fikiri Mvano. "She was the victim of bombs dropped by Rwanda in support of the M23... She left us her children. She had nine, and three died with her." Rwanda has denied involvement in the attack, stating it is being used as a scapegoat and suggesting that militias loyal to Congo were responsible. Rwanda's government spokesman did not respond to a request for comment on Thursday. Both Congo and the United States have attributed the attacks to forces from Rwandan troops and M23. This ongoing conflict, the most intense M23 offensive since their 2012-2013 insurrection when they seized Goma, has displaced tens of thousands in a region plagued by unrest since Rwanda and Uganda's invasion nearly three decades ago. The M23, named after the March 23, 2009 accord that ended a previous Tutsi-led revolt in eastern Congo, claims that the Congolese government failed to integrate Congolese Tutsis into the army and government as promised. Recently, fighting has neared Goma, a city of around two million people and a critical humanitarian and logistical hub for the region. Residents feel increasingly trapped, expressed by Jules Buturanye, a spokesman for the victims' families who lost his sister in the attack. "If the enemy reaches us in Goma, we have nowhere to go except to drown in the lake or flee to Rwanda to join the enemy," he said. Continue Reading Full Article By Author Name Author Name Home Comment May 16, 2024 May 15, 2026 3 min read Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Published Updated: Mourners weeping on the grave of succumbed victims by Rwanda's M23 KIBATI, Democratic Republic of Congo, May 16 - In the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, families gathered near small coffins, mourning the children and others killed in a recent rocket attack. Amid their grief, many directed accusations at the rebels they believe launched the assault. Relatives, holding crosses with the names of the dead, voiced their anger towards Rwanda, the neighboring country they, their government, and the U.N. allege is supporting the M23 insurgents—a claim denied by Kigali. ADVERTISEMENT On May 3, at least five rockets struck camps sheltering displaced people around Goma, resulting in the deaths of mostly children and women. At a mass funeral in Kibati, 22 children were laid to rest in small caskets, alongside 13 other victims. "My daughter-in-law was murdered in the Mugunga camp," said Fikiri Mvano. "She was the victim of bombs dropped by Rwanda in support of the M23... She left us her children. She had nine, and three died with her." Rwanda has denied involvement in the attack, stating it is being used as a scapegoat and suggesting that militias loyal to Congo were responsible. Rwanda's government spokesman did not respond to a request for comment on Thursday. ADVERTISEMENT Both Congo and the United States have attributed the attacks to forces from Rwandan troops and M23. This ongoing conflict, the most intense M23 offensive since their 2012-2013 insurrection when they seized Goma, has displaced tens of thousands in a region plagued by unrest since Rwanda and Uganda's invasion nearly three decades ago. The M23, named after the March 23, 2009 accord that ended a previous Tutsi-led revolt in eastern Congo, claims that the Congolese government failed to integrate Congolese Tutsis into the army and government as promised. Trending Now Hyron Andrews Biography: His Rugby Career and Lions Tributes . Biography F1 Will Polish Kagame’s Authoritarian Image” — Kayikwamba Wagner . Justice & Crime Oluku Market Tanker Explosion: Death Toll Still Unconfirmed, 8 Injured . Accident News Fannie Masemola Reinstated as South Africa's Police Chief, Back Monday . Social Service Popular Today ADVERTISEMENT Recently, fighting has neared Goma, a city of around two million people and a critical humanitarian and logistical hub for the region. Residents feel increasingly trapped, expressed by Jules Buturanye, a spokesman for the victims' families who lost his sister in the attack. "If the enemy reaches us in Goma, we have nowhere to go except to drown in the lake or flee to Rwanda to join the enemy," he said. ADVERTISEMENT Related Articles Tags

Read Black Sherif’s biography: age, real name, Konongo roots, top songs, Iron Boy album, awards, family facts and 2026 releases. Black Sherif is a Ghanaian singer, rapper and songwriter whose urgent voice carries stories of pressure, faith and survival. Born Mohammed Ismail Sherif in Konongo-Zongo, he moved from “First Sermon” and “Second Sermon” to “Kwaku the Traveller,” then built two albums beyond one breakthrough. His official X profile carries the Blacko identity into a 2026 era led by “PopStar,” “SWAGGA” and “Find A Way.” Who is Black Sherif? Black Sherif is Ghanaian artist Mohammed Ismail Sherif, also called Blacko. Born in Konongo-Zongo on 9 January 2002, he became famous through the “Sermon” songs and “Kwaku the Traveller.” His music blends hip-hop, highlife, reggae, drill and Afropop around intensely personal writing. The “Sermons” and “Kwaku the Traveller” Breakthrough Black Sherif’s national arrival sounded like testimony. “First Sermon,” released in 2021, placed his cracked singing voice over a spare, insistent beat and made struggle feel immediate rather than decorative. “Second Sermon” widened the audience months later. Burna Boy heard the record, joined its remix and connected a young Ghanaian storyteller to listeners far beyond his home market. XTRAfrica’s Burna Boy songs page traces the catalogue of the Nigerian star who helped carry that second sermon outward. The decisive solo moment came on 30 March 2022. “Kwaku the Traveller” admits failure but refuses shame as a final destination. Its mix of apology, defiance and motion became a cross-border language. The UK’s Official Charts Company records a number-two peak and 13 weeks on the Official Afrobeats Chart. The records do not present a flawless hero. They present a traveller who falls, argues with himself and keeps walking. The nickname Blacko became attached to that character, while his physical performance makes the internal drama visible on stage. Konongo-Zongo Heritage and Ghanaian Identity Black Sherif was born in Konongo-Zongo in Ghana’s Ashanti Region. His community is central to his art, but location should not be used to invent an ethnic label for him. Reliable public interviews identify his Ghanaian nationality, Muslim upbringing and Konongo-Zongo roots; they do not provide a clear first-person ethnic identification. The soundscape was already plural. In a 2026 BET interview republished by NYDJ Live , he remembered Quran recitations, gospel music, folk songs and durbar performances sharing a compound-house environment. “Being where I’m from is what has written my DNA,” he said. Continue Reading Full Article AFRICAN CULTURE Black Sherif Biography: Age, Songs, Albums and Career By Witty Pascal Entertainment Editor Witty Pascal Home Comment Aug 14, 2026 Aug 14, 2026 12 min read Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Published Updated: Black Sherif is a Ghanaian singer, rapper and songwriter whose urgent voice carries stories of pressure, faith and survival. Born Mohammed Ismail Sherif in Konongo-Zongo, he moved from “First Sermon” and “Second Sermon” to “Kwaku the Traveller,” then built two albums beyond one breakthrough. His official X profile carries the Blacko identity into a 2026 era led by “PopStar,” “SWAGGA” and “Find A Way.” Who is Black Sherif? Black Sherif is Ghanaian artist Mohammed Ismail Sherif, also called Blacko. Born in Konongo-Zongo on 9 January 2002, he became famous through the “Sermon” songs and “Kwaku the Traveller.” His music blends hip-hop, highlife, reggae, drill and Afropop around intensely personal writing. The “Sermons” and “Kwaku the Traveller” Breakthrough Black Sherif’s national arrival sounded like testimony. “First Sermon,” released in 2021, placed his cracked singing voice over a spare, insistent beat and made struggle feel immediate rather than decorative. “Second Sermon” widened the audience months later. Burna Boy heard the record, joined its remix and connected a young Ghanaian storyteller to listeners far beyond his home market. XTRAfrica’s Burna Boy songs page traces the catalogue of the Nigerian star who helped carry that second sermon outward. The decisive solo moment came on 30 March 2022. “Kwaku the Traveller” admits failure but refuses shame as a final destination. Its mix of apology, defiance and motion became a cross-border language. The UK’s Official Charts Company records a number-two peak and 13 weeks on the Official Afrobeats Chart. The records do not present a flawless hero. They present a traveller who falls, argues with himself and keeps walking. The nickname Blacko became attached to that character, while his physical performance makes the internal drama visible on stage. Konongo-Zongo Heritage and Ghanaian Identity Black Sherif was born in Konongo-Zongo in Ghana’s Ashanti Region. His community is central to his art, but location should not be used to invent an ethnic label for him. Reliable public interviews identify his Ghanaian nationality, Muslim upbringing and Konongo-Zongo roots; they do not provide a clear first-person ethnic identification. The soundscape was already plural. In a 2026 BET interview republished by NYDJ Live , he remembered Quran recitations, gospel music, folk songs and durbar performances sharing a compound-house environment. “Being where I’m from is what has written my DNA,” he said. Twi and English move through his songs alongside Ghanaian street speech. Highlife supplies melodic memory; hip-hop and Asakaa supply attack; reggae offers spiritual weight. His official fan community, Blacko Tribe , confirms his birth date and birthplace while describing the path from Konongo-Zongo to an international stage. Formative Life: Poetry, Performance and the Freedom to Create Before recording was accessible, Mohammed danced at weddings and birthday parties, played football and wrote poems in notebooks. The BET account places the serious turn toward music in his second year of high school. He wanted not only to sing, but to understand instruments, performance and the structure of music itself. His childhood also contained separation. In a 2024 Guardian interview , he said his seamstress mother left to work in Greece when he was ten. He later described the absence of living with his parents for many years as one source of the emotional spaces heard in his work. Those direct statements support the family story; popular claims naming his parents do not meet the same evidentiary standard and are not repeated here. Education continued alongside the early career. By 2024, the Guardian described him as a University of Ghana psychology student, though his professional schedule limited classroom time. He also studied performances and music archives, learning how melody could carry autobiography. ADVERTISEMENT Black Sherif Career Timeline: Key Events Year Event Significance 2019 Begins releasing music professionally Starts the recorded journey before national attention. 2021 Releases “First Sermon” and “Second Sermon” Breaks through in Ghana; Burna Boy later joins the “Second Sermon” remix. 2022 Releases “Kwaku the Traveller” and The Villain I Never Was Converts viral momentum into a hit single and a complete debut album. 2023 Wins Ghana’s Artiste of the Year and BET Best International Flow Earns major recognition at home and abroad. 2025 Releases Iron Boy Expands his sound through a 15-track second album built around resilience and freedom. 2026 Wins five TGMAs and opens the “PopStar” chapter Confirms the album’s impact while pushing toward a broader entertainer identity. Voice, Writing and the Craft of “Drama in a Voice Pipe” Black Sherif’s instrument is instantly recognisable: part cry, part rasp, part melodic rap. He stretches syllables until they feel physically burdened, then snaps into a clipped verse. That contrast allows grief and bravado to occupy the same record. It also makes genre arguments less useful. “Second Sermon” may lean toward drill, “Oil in My Head” carries prayerful highlife warmth, and “So It Goes” with Fireboy DML opens into melodic Afropop, yet the narrator remains unmistakably Blacko. He calls the method “drama in a voice pipe.” Songs such as “Soja,” “45,” “Konongo Zongo,” “January 9th,” “Where Dem Boyz” and “Sacrifice” build scenes rather than merely describing moods. In a 2025 Wonderland interview , he reduced the Iron Boy feeling to “resilience, toughness and freedom.” His collaborations work because the core voice survives them. Burna Boy amplifies the sermon; Sarkodie gives him another Ghanaian rap frame on “Country Side”; Fireboy DML brings compositional softness to “So It Goes”; Seyi Vibez meets his street-rooted intensity on Iron Boy . Black Sherif adapts without becoming anonymous. Albums, Awards and Major Achievements The Villain I Never Was , released on 6 October 2022, gave the breakthrough a world. Across “The Homeless Song,” “Oil in My Head,” “Soja,” “45” and “Konongo Zongo,” it examines pressure, bereavement, ambition and sudden visibility, proving his voice could sustain a long-form project. Iron Boy followed on 3 April 2025. The 15-track album features Fireboy DML and Seyi Vibez and pays homage through its title to highlife elder Amakye Dede, who also comes from the Konongo area. Black Sherif told Wonderland that the second record built upward from the debut’s foundation. The result is still vulnerable, but victory, movement and self-belief occupy more space. Recognition followed the work. Ghana News Agency confirmed his 2023 BET Hip Hop Award for Best International Flow, making him the second Ghanaian winner of that category after Sarkodie. He also won the 2023 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards Artiste of the Year, with “Kwaku the Traveller” taking Most Popular Song and Best Hip-Hop Song. At the 27th Telecel Ghana Music Awards on 9 May 2026, he became Artiste of the Year for a second time. Metro TV’s winners report records four additional victories: Album of the Year for Iron Boy , Songwriter of the Year, Hip-Hop Song of the Year for “Where Dem Boyz” and Afropop Song of the Year for “Sacrifice.” Those five trophies show both breadth and album-level respect. Personal Life, Parents and Privacy Black Sherif’s writing is personal, but his public catalogue should not be mistaken for permission to manufacture private facts. He has spoken about his mother’s work as a seamstress, his parents’ influence and the long separation from living with them. He has not supplied a consistently verified public record for their names, so those names remain unconfirmed here. ADVERTISEMENT The same caution applies to romance. No spouse or partner has been reliably and publicly confirmed as of August 2026. His lyrics often stage intimate conversations, loss and longing, yet they do not prove a current relationship. His height is also absent from credible first-party and major-media profiles. The Guardian also reported his help with food and maternity bills and his honest conversations with younger people about struggle. That instinct aligns with songs that acknowledge hardship without abandoning the listener inside it. Cultural Impact: Making Vulnerability Sound Powerful Black Sherif helped shift the image of the young Ghanaian male star. His music can be aggressive without hiding fear, spiritual without becoming doctrinal and fashionable without separating clothing from character. Younger listeners hear regional speech and local references carried with the scale of international pop. His impact is also practical. In the 2026 BET conversation, he said children in his city now see possibilities in styling, songwriting and dance. He argues for Africa’s musical variety and wants his work to become a kind of literature people can return to for courage. The audience remains measurable without defining the art. A current Music Metrics Vault snapshot , checked on 13 August 2026, reported about 3.0 million Spotify monthly listeners and 813.9 million catalogue streams. The stronger cultural measure is how quickly a confession such as “Kwaku the Traveller” became communal speech. What Comes Next: The 2026 “PopStar” Era The 2026 chapter began with “PopStar,” a lighter, more theatrical record that Black Sherif described as fresh air in his catalogue. “SWAGGA,” produced by longtime collaborator Joker Nharnah, followed with the confidence of earned arrival. “Find A Way” returned to hope and home; XTRAfrica carries both the lyrics and meaning and the artist’s live songs archive . July and August added collaborations: “Amazing Grace” appeared with Davido on ORIADÉ , and “Cry” paired Black Sherif with Llona. The releases arrived after the Iron Boy tour cycle and TGMA sweep, suggesting expansion rather than a reset. XTRAfrica’s report on his Zaama Disco production shows his growing interest in choreography, lighting and complete stage presentation. No third studio album or confirmed release date had been announced by 13 August 2026. The responsible expectation is therefore artistic: the next project may test how far Black Sherif can widen the “PopStar” frame while keeping the Konongo storyteller at its centre. Black Sherif FAQs What is Black Sherif’s real name? His real name is Mohammed Ismail Sherif. He is also widely called Blacko. How old is Black Sherif? Black Sherif was born on 9 January 2002. He is 24 years old as of 13 August 2026. Trending Now Hyron Andrews Biography: His Rugby Career and Lions Tributes . Biography F1 Will Polish Kagame’s Authoritarian Image” — Kayikwamba Wagner . Justice & Crime Oluku Market Tanker Explosion: Death Toll Still Unconfirmed, 8 Injured . Accident News Fannie Masemola Reinstated as South Africa's Police Chief, Back Monday . Social Service Popular Today Biography KiDi Biography: Real Name, Albums, Son and Career . African Culture Kofi Mole Biography: Real Name, Songs, Awards and Career . African Culture Ria Boss Biography: Real Name, Songs, Album and Career . African Culture Black Sherif Biography: Age, Songs, Albums and Career . Entertainment Shatta Wale Explains Burna Boy Friendship Fallout . ADVERTISEMENT Where is Black Sherif from? He is from Konongo-Zongo in Ghana’s Ashanti Region. The community’s mixed religious and musical soundscape strongly shaped his work. What is Black Sherif’s ethnicity? He has not provided a clear, reliable first-person ethnic identification in the sources reviewed. It is accurate to describe him as Ghanaian and from Konongo-Zongo, not to infer ethnicity from birthplace. Who are Black Sherif’s parents? He has spoken publicly about his seamstress mother, his father and years spent away from both parents. Their names are not consistently confirmed by strong first-party or major-media sources. How tall is Black Sherif? His height has not been reliably published by an official profile or major interview. Is Black Sherif married? No marriage or current partner was reliably confirmed in the public record reviewed as of August 2026. Which song made Black Sherif famous? “First Sermon” and “Second Sermon” created his 2021 breakthrough. “Kwaku the Traveller” became his defining international solo hit in 2022. What are Black Sherif’s biggest songs? His best-known songs include “First Sermon,” “Second Sermon,” “Kwaku the Traveller,” “Soja,” “45,” “Oil in My Head,” “Konongo Zongo,” “January 9th,” “Lord I’m Amazed,” “Sacrifice” and “Where Dem Boyz.” How many albums has Black Sherif released? He has released two studio albums: The Villain I Never Was in 2022 and Iron Boy in 2025. What awards has Black Sherif won? His major wins include the 2023 BET Hip Hop Award for Best International Flow and Ghana Music Awards Artiste of the Year in 2023 and 2026. He won five categories at the 2026 ceremony. What is Black Sherif’s latest song? As of 13 August 2026, his newest credited release was Llona’s “Cry” featuring Black Sherif. His latest solo single was “Find A Way.” ADVERTISEMENT Related Articles Biography KiDi Biography: Real Name, Albums, Son and Career Meet Ghana’s KiDi: his age, family, breakthrough, awards and 2026 album . African Culture Kofi Mole Biography: Real Name, Songs, Awards and Career Discover Kofi Mole’s real name, Kumasi roots, university decision, hit songs, awards and 2026 music. . African Culture Ria Boss Biography: Real Name, Songs, Album and Career Explore Ria Boss’s Ghanaian-Burkinabé roots, 11-EP run, REMEMBER album and latest music. . African Culture Black Sherif Biography: Age, Songs, Albums and Career Explore Black Sherif’s age, real name, Konongo roots, songs, albums, awards and 2026 music. . Tags Ghanian Musics Ghanian Musics Ghana Ghana Black Sherif Black Sherif

DJAN denies banning Burna Boy songs after DJ Tunez clash, calls reports false and urges calm as investigations continue The Deejays Association of Nigeria (DJAN) has denied reports claiming it banned Burna Boy ’s songs following a reported altercation involving DJ Tunez, describing the claims as false and misleading. In a statement released on Thursday, DJAN President Prince Akim Edeh said the association had not imposed any restriction on the artist’s music and urged media platforms to avoid spreading unverified information. DJAN emphasized its commitment to professionalism within the entertainment industry, stating that it maintains a strict stance against violence and physical confrontations. The association added that it is closely monitoring ongoing investigations into the incident. The group also condemned the unauthorized use of its official logo in circulating reports, distancing itself from claims suggesting an industry-wide ban on Burna Boy’s songs. According to DJAN, DJ Tunez is not a registered member of the association, further clarifying its non-involvement in any disciplinary action linked to the situation. The controversy reportedly stems from an incident at Obi’s House in Lagos, where DJ Tunez was allegedly assaulted after playing songs by Wizkid instead of Burna Boy. DJAN reiterated its commitment to fostering collaboration between DJs and artists, urging the public to remain calm while authorities handle the matter. Source: The Sun Nigeria Continue Reading Full Article ENTERTAINMENT DJAN Denies Ban on Burna Boy Songs After DJ Tunez Clash By Witty Pascal Entertainment Editor Witty Pascal Home Comment Apr 9, 2026 May 15, 2026 2 min read Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Published Updated: The Deejays Association of Nigeria (DJAN) has denied reports claiming it banned Burna Boy ’s songs following a reported altercation involving DJ Tunez, describing the claims as false and misleading. In a statement released on Thursday, DJAN President Prince Akim Edeh said the association had not imposed any restriction on the artist’s music and urged media platforms to avoid spreading unverified information. DJAN emphasized its commitment to professionalism within the entertainment industry, stating that it maintains a strict stance against violence and physical confrontations. The association added that it is closely monitoring ongoing investigations into the incident. ADVERTISEMENT The group also condemned the unauthorized use of its official logo in circulating reports, distancing itself from claims suggesting an industry-wide ban on Burna Boy’s songs. According to DJAN, DJ Tunez is not a registered member of the association, further clarifying its non-involvement in any disciplinary action linked to the situation. ADVERTISEMENT The controversy reportedly stems from an incident at Obi’s House in Lagos, where DJ Tunez was allegedly assaulted after playing songs by Wizkid instead of Burna Boy. DJAN reiterated its commitment to fostering collaboration between DJs and artists, urging the public to remain calm while authorities handle the matter. Trending Now Hyron Andrews Biography: His Rugby Career and Lions Tributes . Biography F1 Will Polish Kagame’s Authoritarian Image” — Kayikwamba Wagner . Justice & Crime Oluku Market Tanker Explosion: Death Toll Still Unconfirmed, 8 Injured . Accident News Fannie Masemola Reinstated as South Africa's Police Chief, Back Monday . Social Service Popular Today Biography Poco Lee Biography: Age, Real Name, Dance Career and Songs . Biography Eric Omondi Biography: Comedy, Activism and Public Life . Biography Who Is Snit Habteab, Eritrea’s Miss World Trailblazer? . Entertainment Poco Lee UK Case Sparks Consent Debate Among Nigerian Stars . Entertainment FOLA Leads 2026 Headies Nominations Ahead of Toronto . ADVERTISEMENT Source: The Sun Nigeria ADVERTISEMENT Related Articles Biography Poco Lee Biography: Age, Real Name, Dance Career and Songs Inside the Nigerian dancer’s rise from Ojo street shows to Afrobeats stages, music and global fame. . Biography Eric Omondi Biography: Comedy, Activism and Public Life How Eric Omondi rose through Churchill Show and became a prominent Kenyan activist. . Biography Who Is Snit Habteab, Eritrea’s Miss World Trailblazer? The neuroscientist and educator became Eritrea’s first Miss World entrant and reached the Top 6 . Entertainment Poco Lee UK Case Sparks Consent Debate Among Nigerian Stars The dancer faces five sexual offence charges and returns to court on September 15. . Tags Entertainment Entertainment Nigerian Entertainment Nigerian Entertainment Nigeria Nigeria

MrBeast leads Forbes’ 2026 Top Creators list with $300m as creator earnings pass $1bn. MrBeast is still sitting at the top of the internet economy — and the gap between him and everyone else is huge. According to Forbes, Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, ranked number one on the 2026 Forbes Top Creators list after earning an estimated $300 million between March 2025 and March 2026. The annual ranking, updated on July 1, tracks the world’s highest-earning digital creators across YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and other major platforms. This year’s list shows how far the creator business has moved beyond viral videos. Forbes reported that the top 50 creators made a combined $1.02 billion, crossing the billion-dollar mark for the first time. That figure is up from $853 million in 2025 and almost double the amount recorded when the list began in 2022. MrBeast ’ s lead is powered by more than YouTube views. His empire now stretches across Beast Industries, Feastables, Lunchly, Viewstats and his Amazon Prime reality series Beast Games. Forbes also listed his global audience at 873 million followers, making him the biggest name on the ranking by both money and reach. Dhar Mann came second with $65 million, while British entrepreneur and podcast host Steven Bartlett placed third with $52 million. Markiplier followed in fourth place with $38 million, and comedy duo Rhett & Link completed the top five with $37 million. The top 10 also included Codie Sanchez, IShowSpeed, Mark Rober, Ms. Rachel and Jesser. Their presence shows how wide the creator economy has become, covering gaming, education, finance, comedy, children’s content and lifestyle entertainment. For African creators watching from Lagos, Nairobi, Accra, Johannesburg or Kinshasa, the message is clear: digital fame is no longer just about posting consistently. The biggest creators are building companies, selling products, launching shows and turning fan communities into serious businesses. Forbes said the ranking considered estimated gross earnings, audience size, engagement and business ventures. That matters because the most powerful creators are no longer only competing with other influencers. They are now competing with television studios, record labels, media houses and consumer brands. Full Forbes Top 50 Creators 2026 List MrBeast — $300m — 873m followers Continue Reading Full Article ENTERTAINMENT MrBeast Tops Forbes 2026 Top Creators List By Witty Pascal Entertainment Editor Witty Pascal Home Comment Jul 5, 2026 Jul 5, 2026 6 min read Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Published Updated: MrBeast is still sitting at the top of the internet economy — and the gap between him and everyone else is huge. According to Forbes, Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, ranked number one on the 2026 Forbes Top Creators list after earning an estimated $300 million between March 2025 and March 2026. The annual ranking, updated on July 1, tracks the world’s highest-earning digital creators across YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and other major platforms. This year’s list shows how far the creator business has moved beyond viral videos. Forbes reported that the top 50 creators made a combined $1.02 billion, crossing the billion-dollar mark for the first time. That figure is up from $853 million in 2025 and almost double the amount recorded when the list began in 2022. MrBeast ’ s lead is powered by more than YouTube views. His empire now stretches across Beast Industries, Feastables, Lunchly, Viewstats and his Amazon Prime reality series Beast Games. Forbes also listed his global audience at 873 million followers, making him the biggest name on the ranking by both money and reach. Dhar Mann came second with $65 million, while British entrepreneur and podcast host Steven Bartlett placed third with $52 million. Markiplier followed in fourth place with $38 million, and comedy duo Rhett & Link completed the top five with $37 million. The top 10 also included Codie Sanchez, IShowSpeed, Mark Rober, Ms. Rachel and Jesser. Their presence shows how wide the creator economy has become, covering gaming, education, finance, comedy, children’s content and lifestyle entertainment. For African creators watching from Lagos, Nairobi, Accra, Johannesburg or Kinshasa, the message is clear: digital fame is no longer just about posting consistently. The biggest creators are building companies, selling products, launching shows and turning fan communities into serious businesses. Forbes said the ranking considered estimated gross earnings, audience size, engagement and business ventures. That matters because the most powerful creators are no longer only competing with other influencers. They are now competing with television studios, record labels, media houses and consumer brands. Full Forbes Top 50 Creators 2026 List ADVERTISEMENT MrBeast — $300m — 873m followers Dhar Mann — $65m — 171m followers Steven Bartlett — $52m — 38.7m followers Markiplier — $38m — 76.8m followers Rhett & Link — $37m — 45.6m followers Codie Sanchez — $31m — 10m followers IShowSpeed — $30m — 184m followers Mark Rober — $30m — 90.7m followers Ms. Rachel — $26m — 34.2m followers Jesser — $25m — 54.9m followers MrBallen — $24m — 31.4m followers Druski — $20m — 38.5m followers Charli D’Amelio — $18m — 209.8m followers Jacksepticeye — $18m — 48.9m followers Adam W — $17.3m — 67.2m followers Rebecca Zamolo — $15m — 45.3m followers Jake Shane — $14m — 6m followers Nick DiGiovanni — $14m — 65.4m followers ADVERTISEMENT Brent Rivera — $13.7m — 120.8m followers Typical Gamer — $13m — 31.6m followers Jordan The Stallion — $12.4m — 49.1m followers Stokes Twins — $12.4m — 177.5m followers Alix Earle — $12m — 14.5m followers Marques Brownlee — $10.9m — 33.6m followers Alan Chikin Chow — $10.5m — 131.4m followers Ashton Hall — $10m — 38.1m followers Khaby Lame — $9.9m — 252.1m followers James Dumoulin — $9.9m — 23.2m followers Haley Baylee — $9.6m — 37.4m followers Mikayla Nogueira — $9m — 21.8m followers Vivian Tu — $8.2m — 10.7m followers Dani Austin — $8.1m — 3.8m followers Tana Mongeau — $8m — 22.8m followers Nara Smith — $7.5m — 17.3m followers Nurse John — $7.2m — 19.2m followers Trending Now Hyron Andrews Biography: His Rugby Career and Lions Tributes . Biography F1 Will Polish Kagame’s Authoritarian Image” — Kayikwamba Wagner . Justice & Crime Oluku Market Tanker Explosion: Death Toll Still Unconfirmed, 8 Injured . Accident News Fannie Masemola Reinstated as South Africa's Police Chief, Back Monday . Social Service Popular Today Biography Poco Lee Biography: Age, Real Name, Dance Career and Songs . Biography Eric Omondi Biography: Comedy, Activism and Public Life . Biography Who Is Snit Habteab, Eritrea’s Miss World Trailblazer? . Entertainment Poco Lee UK Case Sparks Consent Debate Among Nigerian Stars . Entertainment FOLA Leads 2026 Headies Nominations Ahead of Toronto . ADVERTISEMENT Leah Kateb — $7.1m — 11.4m followers Dixie D’Amelio — $7m — 72.9m followers Erika Kullberg — $6.8m — 21m followers Lexi Rivera — $6.7m — 56.3m followers Josh Richards — $6m — 34.7m followers Hannah Stocking — $5.8m — 74.4m followers Katie Fang — $5.4m — 8.2m followers Brooke Monk — $5.2m — 72.2m followers Anwar Jibawi — $5m — 83.9m followers Anna Sitar — $4.4m — 27.7m followers iJustine — $3.4m — 12.9m followers Tini Younger — $3m — 16.3m followers Drew Afualo — $2.7m — 13.4m followers Steven He — $2m — 29.6m followers Logan Moffitt — $1.3m — 10.6m followers MrBeast’s latest Forbes win confirms what the internet has been building toward for years: creators are no longer just entertainers on social media. At the highest level, they are media companies, product founders and global culture machines. ADVERTISEMENT Related Articles Biography Poco Lee Biography: Age, Real Name, Dance Career and Songs Inside the Nigerian dancer’s rise from Ojo street shows to Afrobeats stages, music and global fame. . Biography Eric Omondi Biography: Comedy, Activism and Public Life How Eric Omondi rose through Churchill Show and became a prominent Kenyan activist. . Biography Who Is Snit Habteab, Eritrea’s Miss World Trailblazer? The neuroscientist and educator became Eritrea’s first Miss World entrant and reached the Top 6 . Entertainment Poco Lee UK Case Sparks Consent Debate Among Nigerian Stars The dancer faces five sexual offence charges and returns to court on September 15. . Tags Entertainment Entertainment United States United States

Go beyond giant tortoises and explore Seychelles’ hidden wildlifefrom rare parrots to fruit bats and carnivorous plants wild, witty, and unforgettable. Seychelles’ giant tortoises get all the fame living dinosaur vibes and 150-year lifespans tend to steal the spotlight. But beyond those slow-moving celebrities, these islands hide a whole cast of quirky, lesser-known creatures. Think stealthy parrots, “vampire” trees, and bats the size of seagulls. This Indian Ocean paradise boasts dozens of endemic species found nowhere else . So slip off that sun lounger and venture into the wild side of Seychelles. From forest canopies to coral reefs, here are eight overlooked wildlife encounters that will earn you serious bragging rights and a newfound love for Seychelles beyond the beach. Ready for a wild island adventure ? Pack your binoculars (and bug spray), embrace your inner Attenborough, and get set to meet the Seychellois critters and curiosities that put the “wild” in wildlife. We’re talking about experiences as unforgettable as any sunset on Beau Vallon. Let’s dive in, one awesome animal (or plant) at a time, with local tips to help you spot each all served with a side of that trademark Time Out sass. 1. Praslin’s “Black” Parrots in a Coco de Mer Forest Moody, mysterious, and only found in Praslin’s primeval palm jungles, the Seychelles Black Parrot is a diva that prefers to stay incognito. Ironically, this national bird isn’t black at all more like a smoky brown, perfectly camouflaged in the Vallée de Mai rainforest . Fewer than a thousand exist, flitting around the palms and letting out the occasional sharp whistle from above. Catching a glimpse is like finding Bigfoot: these shy parrots blend into the shadows of giant Coco de Mer fronds. But if you do hear a sudden peep overhead, pause you might just spot a rare feathery silhouette watching you from the canopy. Like this rare scene from @visitseychelles six elusive Black Parrots caught snacking in a palm tree on Praslin. These sleek island icons are as endemic and as attitude-filled as it gets. And they’re just the beginning. From vampire plants and sky-surfing bats to underwater giants, here’s your guide to Seychelles’ wildest residents you’ve probably never heard of. Where & how: Head to Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve on Praslin, a UNESCO-listed “Garden of Eden” famous for its Coco de Mer palms (and those suggestively shaped nuts). Go at dawn when the forest is hushed; early morning birdwatching tours have the best odds of coaxing out a parrot or two . Continue Reading Full Article Beyond Giant Tortoises: 10 Overlooked Wildlife of Seychelles By Neema Asha Mwakalinga Travel & Culture Expert Neema Asha Mwakalinga Home Comment Oct 22, 2025 May 15, 2026 24 min read Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Published Updated: Seychelles’ giant tortoises get all the fame living dinosaur vibes and 150-year lifespans tend to steal the spotlight. But beyond those slow-moving celebrities, these islands hide a whole cast of quirky, lesser-known creatures. Think stealthy parrots, “vampire” trees, and bats the size of seagulls. This Indian Ocean paradise boasts dozens of endemic species found nowhere else . So slip off that sun lounger and venture into the wild side of Seychelles. From forest canopies to coral reefs, here are eight overlooked wildlife encounters that will earn you serious bragging rights and a newfound love for Seychelles beyond the beach. Ready for a wild island adventure ? Pack your binoculars (and bug spray), embrace your inner Attenborough, and get set to meet the Seychellois critters and curiosities that put the “wild” in wildlife. We’re talking about experiences as unforgettable as any sunset on Beau Vallon. Let’s dive in, one awesome animal (or plant) at a time, with local tips to help you spot each all served with a side of that trademark Time Out sass. 1. Praslin’s “Black” Parrots in a Coco de Mer Forest Moody, mysterious, and only found in Praslin’s primeval palm jungles, the Seychelles Black Parrot is a diva that prefers to stay incognito. Ironically, this national bird isn’t black at all more like a smoky brown, perfectly camouflaged in the Vallée de Mai rainforest . Fewer than a thousand exist, flitting around the palms and letting out the occasional sharp whistle from above. Catching a glimpse is like finding Bigfoot: these shy parrots blend into the shadows of giant Coco de Mer fronds. But if you do hear a sudden peep overhead, pause you might just spot a rare feathery silhouette watching you from the canopy. Like this rare scene from @visitseychelles six elusive Black Parrots caught snacking in a palm tree on Praslin. These sleek island icons are as endemic and as attitude-filled as it gets. And they’re just the beginning. From vampire plants and sky-surfing bats to underwater giants, here’s your guide to Seychelles’ wildest residents you’ve probably never heard of. Where & how: Head to Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve on Praslin, a UNESCO-listed “Garden of Eden” famous for its Coco de Mer palms (and those suggestively shaped nuts). Go at dawn when the forest is hushed; early morning birdwatching tours have the best odds of coaxing out a parrot or two . Entry isn’t cheap at about SCR 450 (≈ $30 ) per adult , but it funds vital conservation. Local tip: hire a knowledgeable guide at the gate (around SCR 100, ~$7) who knows the parrots’ favorite fruit trees. With some patience and a bit of luck you’ll witness Praslin’s “brown” parrots flying free. Trust us, that moment a rare parrot swoops overhead is pure island magic. 2. La Digue’s Widow-Maker: Paradise Flycatchers Serving gothic elegance with a hint of drama, the Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher flaunts a tail longer than its whole body . The locals dub it “Veuve” (widow) because the all-black males look like Victorian widows in mourning albeit widows with ridiculously long tail feathers. These stunners nearly flapped off into extinction (down to maybe 30 birds at one point), but thanks to heroic conservation they’ve bounced back to a few hundred now . Most still haunt the forests of La Digue island, where they flit among takamaka trees and swoop low to snatch insects mid-air. Catching a glimpse of a male flycatcher dancing through sunbeams tail ribbons trailing behind is like spotting a tiny flying goth concert. Where & how: La Digue’s Veuve Nature Reserve is the go-to for a rendezvous with this “widow” bird. This modest patch of woodland sits near La Digue’s L’Union area and protects the flycatcher’s last stronghold. Pop in at sunrise when these divas are most vocal you might hear a raspy tsk-tsk call before seeing them. Bring binoculars and look for a flash of inky black or chestnut (females are brown). Entry is only SCR 150 (~ $10 ) for visitors , which includes a peek at the tiny info center. Pro tip: ask the ranger to point out the flycatchers’ favorite kapok trees. If you’re lucky, you’ll witness a courting pair doing acrobatic loops through the air the fanciest aerial love show in the Seychelles. Not bad for an animal smaller than a soda can! 3. Cousin Island’s Comeback Kid: Seychelles Magpie Robin Meet the bold little songbird that went from nearly zero to national hero. The Seychelles Magpie Robin is a dapper black-and-white bird with a cheeky personality it literally hops around your feet and poses as if it owns the place. Back in 1965, only 16 of these robins were left on Earth, all clinging to one predator-free islet . They call it the “comeback kid” of Seychelles and with good reason. Once down to barely a dozen birds, the Seychelles Magpie Robin has clawed its way back from extinction’s edge. On Fregate Island, this glossy black-and-white songbird now struts through forest trails like it owns the place proof that conservation miracles really do sing. ADVERTISEMENT Now, after intense conservation efforts, over 500 thrive across several islands. Talk about a comeback! On tiny Cousin Island (their main hangout), magpie robins act like your personal welcoming committee: warbling unique songs and following visitors along jungle paths hoping we’ll stir up tasty insects for them. One might even tug your shoelace if you stand still these feathered fellas have zero shame when it comes to begging for bug snacks. Where & how: Cousin Island Special Reserve, just 2 km off Praslin, is the spot to meet these avian celebrities. It’s only accessible by guided tour a 15-minute boat ride brings you to what feels like a lost world of birds. The reserve strictly controls visitor numbers, and there’s a SCR 600 (~ $45 ) conservation fee per head (cash only, so stash those rupees!). A park ranger will lead you around; stick close as they know each robin by “name” (some wear colored bands). You’ll likely see magpie robins hop right up to you on the trail or even land on an outstretched hand with no predators around, they’re utterly fearless. Local tip: wear sturdy shoes and insect repellent (Cousin’s mosquitos are also enthusiastic greeters). By tour’s end, you’ll have a new appreciation for this once-endangered bird and possibly a robin BFF for life. 4. Flying Foxes at Dusk: Seychelles Fruit Bats When twilight falls in the Seychelles, look up those “birds” silhouetted against the pink sky are actually megabats on the move. The Seychelles Flying Fox (a fruit bat) is the islands’ only native mammal, sporting a foxy little face and a 1.2 m wingspan. Basically, picture a golden retriever-size bat gliding overhead like a kite. By day they snooze in treetops, hanging upside down like umbrellas; by night they glide out in squadrons to raid fruit trees. When dusk falls over Seychelles, the real sky show begins and no, it’s not the sunset. Those swooping silhouettes above the palms? Meet the Seychelles fruit bat , a furry, golden-faced pollinator that keeps the islands’ forests blooming. Equal parts adorable and chaotic, these “flying foxes” are the islands’ unsung gardeners just don’t leave your mangoes unattended. Locals have a love-hate thing with these guys: they’re vital pollinators for island plants, but they also help themselves to mangoes and guavas with zero remorse. (Fun fact: fruit bat curry is a traditional dish in Seychelles though these days you’re more likely to shoot them with a camera than see them on a menu .) Where & how: Honestly, almost anywhere at sundown. Park yourself on Beau Vallon beach on Mahé or by a La Digue coconut grove around 6:00 pm cocktail in hand and enjoy the free wildlife show above. You’ll see the bats emerge in twos and threes, flapping lazily across the orange sky. It’s a bit eerie, a bit awe-inspiring, and 100% Seychellois. Cost? Absolutely free (though a cold Seybrew beer at a beach bar will run you ~ SCR 60 / $4 worth it to complete the vibe). If you’re keen to see them up close by day, head to the Victoria Botanical Gardens or any big fig tree; you might spot dozens of furry bat buddies napping in a cluster. Just don’t stand directly under them unless you want a surprise “shower”. 😉 Local tip: These “flying foxes” are harmless they want fruit, not blood, so relax and admire their sunset sky surfing. It’s island life at its finest. 5. Katiti on the Hunt: Seychelles Kestrel This pint-sized predator packs more swagger than a bull eagle ten times its size. The Seychelles Kestrel , known as Katiti in Creole, is the islands’ only native bird of prey . How tiny are we talking? About 20 cm tall small enough to fit in your hand yet this falcon doesn’t let size stop it from ruling the skies. You’ll often see a katiti perched proudly on telephone poles or breadfruit trees, scanning for geckos and skinks to snatch up for dinner . Unlike other kestrels, our island version doesn’t bother with the whole hovering thing; it prefers a swift dive-bomb attack. They even skip building nests, sometimes crashing in on somebody else’s abandoned tree hole or under house eaves like a true millennial. Small bird, big boss energy. Where & how: You’ve got the best chance on Mahé , the largest island. Keep your eyes peeled around the outskirts of Victoria and the forested slopes of Morne Seychellois National Park . Listen for a sharp “kee-kee-kee” call echoing off the granite cliffs that’s a katiti announcing its territory. There’s no fee or tour required for this adventure (Mother Nature doesn’t charge, darling), so you can wander hiking trails or even around your hotel grounds with binoculars on standby. ADVERTISEMENT If you’re a keen birder, consider hiring a local guide (~ SCR 800 or $55 for a half day) who can whistle the kestrel’s call; these curious raptors often swoop in if they think another katiti is intruding. True story: one pair even nested in the Victoria airport rafters, giving a few lucky travelers a wildlife welcome! Local tip: patience . Take a seat by a clearing and watch the treetops spotting this mini falcon on its throne is immensely satisfying, like finding a rare Pokémon in the wild. 6. Gentle Giants of the Reef: Whale Sharks Yes, you read that right the world’s largest fish makes an annual appearance in Seychelles, and surprisingly few visitors know about it. Whale sharks (which are actually colossal, polka-dotted sharks, not whales) cruise through these turquoise waters each year to feed on plankton. Come the peak season around October to December , these gentle behemoths are often spotted near Mahé and the inner islands . As @visitseychelles perfectly captured, few island moments beat spotting a whale shark gliding beneath your boat. Locals call this gentle giant Sagren a plankton-loving leviathan that drifts through Seychelles’ cobalt waters between September and November. One moment you’re snapping selfies on deck, the next you’re staring down a twelve-meter masterpiece of nature, polka-dotted and peaceful, reminding everyone who really rules these waters. Imagine snorkeling and suddenly seeing a 10-meter spotted giant gliding by heart-poundingly thrilling, yet strangely peaceful as they’re filter-feeders that couldn’t care less about puny humans. Seychelles authorities even put out advisories when whale sharks arrive, reminding boaters to go slow and not play bumper cars with our big visitors . It’s basically an open-invite whale shark party in the Indian Ocean, and you’re invited to crash it (respectfully). Where & how: Base yourself on Mahé during whale shark season (October–November is a sure bet ). Beau Vallon Bay on Mahé’s northwest coast is the hub for whale shark excursions, with licensed dive operators heading out almost daily in peak months . Sign up for a snorkeling tour around SCR 1500 –2000 per person (≈ $100–$135 ) for a half-day boat trip with gear. It’s a splurge, but how often do you get to swim alongside a spotted giant? Tours usually start with a briefing on shark etiquette: no touching, no chasing, just gentle observing. If you’d rather stay dry, sometimes you can even spot whale sharks from viewpoints or while ferry-hopping between islands (look for dark shadows near the surface). But nothing beats slipping into the water with them. As you float alongside a whale shark, watching it sweep majestically through the blue, you’ll feel positively tiny and utterly humbled. Local tip: Bring a GoPro or at least an underwater camera (and a buddy to snap your photo) because your friends will demand proof of that time you swam with a 30-foot fish. And always listen to your guide these sharks are harmless, but good ocean manners keep both you and the animals safe . 7. Daytime Nesters: Hawksbill Sea Turtles Many tropical destinations boast about sea turtles, but in Seychelles you might literally share the beach with one. The critically endangered Hawksbill turtle is an island VIP that comes ashore to nest in surprising daylight hours no night-vision goggles needed here. Picture this: you’re lounging on the soft sands of Anse Lazio or wandering a quiet cove, and up waddles a 150-pound mama turtle, flippers flying sand everywhere as she digs a nest. Hawksbills lay eggs on Seychelles’ beaches from roughly September to March (peaking around November-January), and thanks to strict protection, they’re pretty relaxed about human onlookers. It’s a jaw-dropping sight ancient instincts on display and most casual travelers don’t realize it can happen during their afternoon beach picnic! As @ tbo.academy reminds us, Seychelles isn’t just a postcard it’s a full-blown tropical playground. Think snorkelling between coral gardens, hopping from island to island, and watching turtles nest under a pink dusk sky. With easy visa-free entry and a rhythm that runs on island time, it’s little wonder travellers keep falling for this Indian Ocean beauty. Where & how: For the best chance, visit protected sanctuaries or quieter beaches where turtles feel safe. Cousin Island and Curieuse Island (both near Praslin) are turtle nesting hotbeds join a guided excursion to these islands, where wardens will lead you to recent nests and maybe a sighting of a turtle laying eggs or hatchlings scampering to sea. Curieuse has an entry fee of SCR 300 (~ $20 ), often included in island-hopping tours that also stop to see giant tortoises (two wildlife treats in one!). Trending Now Hyron Andrews Biography: His Rugby Career and Lions Tributes . Biography F1 Will Polish Kagame’s Authoritarian Image” — Kayikwamba Wagner . Justice & Crime Oluku Market Tanker Explosion: Death Toll Still Unconfirmed, 8 Injured . Accident News Fannie Masemola Reinstated as South Africa's Police Chief, Back Monday . Social Service Popular Today Beyond Giant Tortoises: 10 Overlooked Wildlife of Seychelles . Top 10 Leisure Activities to Do in Seychelles in 2025 . Top 10 Budget-Friendly Accommodations in Seychelles . Top 10 Hidden Gems of Seychelles . Travel Guide Where to Drink in Paradise: Seychelles’ 10 Best Bars of 2025 . ADVERTISEMENT On Praslin itself, keep an eye on Anse Georgette and Anse Lazio in the early morning or late afternoon . If you spot tracks or a big turtle, give her plenty of space she’s on a mission. Many resorts have turtle liaison programs; ask your hotel if they do turtle-watch calls for guests. Local tip: Never disturb a nesting turtle or her nest. No flash photography at night, no touching hatchlings (no matter how cute!). If you’re lucky to witness a daytime nesting, maintain a respectful distance and savor the natural wonder quietly. And yes, do the turtle a solid by covering up your own sandcastle pits before you leave the beach baby turtles can get trapped in our mess. Seeing a hawksbill up close, in broad daylight, is a once-in-a-lifetime memory that’ll make you forget all about those fame-hogging tortoises. 8. Carnivorous Plants on Copolia Trail Who knew Seychelles had its own little “Little Shop of Horrors” lurking in the mountains? High up on Mahé’s granite peaks grows the Seychelles Pitcher Plant a carnivorous cutie that snacks on insects. That’s right, amid the postcard palms and beaches, the islands hide an Agatha Christie -level plot twist: plants that eat bugs. These endemic pitcher plants (Nepenthes pervillei) sprout tiny mottled green-and-red “pitchers” that fill with digestive juice to trap unsuspecting ants and flies . Hikers often stroll right past them, mistaking them for odd little flowers, until a guide points out the telltale mini “cup” full of yesterday’s bug buffet . It’s equal parts gruesome and cool definitely an overlooked natural wonder in a tropical paradise better known for fauna than flora. As @greengenerationseychelles shows, not everything that bites in Seychelles has teeth. Meet the Seychelles Pitcher Plant , a rare little carnivore that snacks on unsuspecting insects instead of tourists. Endemic to the granite peaks of Mahé and Silhouette, this neon-green trap is part science fiction, part survival story proof that even paradise hides a few hungry secrets. Where & how: The easiest way to meet these insect-eating plants is to hike the Copolia Trail on Mahé. This popular trail (about 45 minutes uphill) winds through jungle to a panoramic rocky summit and it’s here on the exposed granite ledges that pitcher plants bask in the sun . Look down near your hiking boots: those little green cups with lids are the carnivores in question. No park entry fee required; this adventure is on Mother Nature’s house. Just bring water, sunscreen, and decent shoes. A guided hike can be arranged (expect ~ SCR 500 or $35 for a half-day group trek), but if you’re moderately fit, you can DIY the trail is well-marked. As you near the top, move slowly and keep your eyes peeled at ground level so you don’t accidentally step on these rare plants. They tend to cluster in patches, silently gobbling bugs while offering you a great excuse to catch your breath. Local tip: Don’t poke your finger into the liquid (eww, not coconut water!). Instead, crouch and gently lift a pitcher to peek inside you might see a few trapped insects awaiting digestion. Bragging rights unlocked: not many can say they’ve high-fived (figuratively) a carnivorous plant in the wild. Plus, the 360° island view from Copolia is absolutely worth the sweat. Reward yourself after the hike with a fresh coconut or a Seybrew at the trailhead, you’ve earned it. The Takeaway: Wild Encounters > Souvenir T-shirts There you have it eight wild reasons to peel yourself away from the infinity pool and discover the untamed soul of Seychelles. Sure, giant tortoises are awesome, but now you’ve tracked down stealthy parrots, ogled goth-looking birds, chilled with bats, and even said hello to a tree that eats bugs. Not your average beach holiday, huh? The key to these encounters is going a bit beyond the usual tourist trail: hire local guides for the hidden gems, venture to lesser-known islands, and always respect Mother Nature’s ground rules (no petting, feeding or harassing the wildlife even if that Coco de Mer nut really looks like it needs a squeeze). Think like a savvy islander: pack binoculars, wear comfy shoes, and keep a few rupees handy for park fees or post-hike sundowners. Early mornings and late afternoons are your best friend for wildlife spotting (animals have schedules too, you know). And don’t forget to simply slow down Seychelles may be small, but it’s bursting with life if you take the time to look. So next time you’re in this tropical paradise, go beyond the selfie with a tortoise. From making eye contact with a friendly magpie robin to swimming alongside a spotted giant, these are the moments that turn a trip into a story you’ll be telling for years. Trust your local friend here: this beats any cheesy souvenir T-shirt. Happy exploring, and may your Seychelles adventures be wild and wonderful ADVERTISEMENT Related Articles Beyond Giant Tortoises: 10 Overlooked Wildlife of Seychelles Beyond the beach: uncover Seychelles’ secret wildlife stars, from stealthy parrots to vampire plants. . Top 10 Leisure Activities to Do in Seychelles in 2025 From kayaking clear waters to Creole feasts, discover Seychelles’ most exciting 2025 adventures . Top 10 Budget-Friendly Accommodations in Seychelles Proof that paradise doesn’t need to cost a fortune the best Seychelles stays under $150 a night. . Top 10 Hidden Gems of Seychelles Discover Seychelles’ secret beaches, jungles, and wild atolls beyond the typical tourist trail. . Tags Seychelles Seychelles Travel Blog Travel Blog travel abroad travel abroad Travel & Tourism Travel & Tourism Travel Blog Travel Blog Travel Africa Travel Africa

Adama Barrow biography covering his age, education, business career, 2016 victory, presidency, wife, children and 2026 election campaign. Adama Barrow is a Gambian politician, businessman and real-estate developer who has served as the third president of The Gambia since 19 January 2017. Born in Mankamang Kunda in 1965, he worked in commerce, studied real estate in the United Kingdom and founded Majum Real Estate before entering national politics. Barrow became the consensus candidate of an opposition coalition in 2016 and defeated Yahya Jammeh, ending 22 years of authoritarian rule. He won a second term in 2021 and is campaigning again in 2026, with his record now judged against unfinished democratic reforms, economic pressures and public demands for reliable electricity. Who is Adama Barrow? Adama Barrow is the president of The Gambia and leader of the National People’s Party. A former real-estate businessman, he won the historic 2016 election that removed Yahya Jammeh, survived the resulting constitutional crisis and was re-elected in 2021. He is 61 years old as of September 2026. Early Life in Mankamang Kunda Adama Barrow was born on 15 February 1965 in Mankamang Kunda, a village in the Jimara district of The Gambia’s Upper River Region. His birth came three days before the country gained independence from Britain, a coincidence that has often been used in official accounts to connect his life with the modern history of the Gambian state. A separate 2026 presidential archive gives 16 February, but the Office of the President’s published birthday account supports 15 February, the date used here. Barrow grew up far from the political centre of Banjul. The surviving biographical record describes a rural childhood followed by a move toward the capital for further schooling. He attended Koba Kunda Primary School, Crab Island Secondary School and Muslim High School. An Office of the President profile confirms his birthplace and 15 February 1965 birth date, although the page itself is an openly supportive commentary rather than an independent assessment of his presidency. His early life did not resemble the usual path of a future head of state. Barrow was not raised inside a famous political dynasty, did not begin as a senior civil servant and did not first become known through the military. His public identity was shaped by commerce. After school, he joined Alhagie Musa Njie & Sons, a Gambian business, and rose to become a sales manager. The experience introduced him to retail operations, customer relationships and the practical discipline of building a career without inherited national influence. Those beginnings later became central to his political image. In the 2016 campaign, supporters presented him as a calm, ordinary businessman capable of bringing divided opposition groups together. The contrast with Jammeh an army officer who had seized power in a 1994 coup—was one of the campaign’s clearest themes. London, Real-Estate Studies and Majum Real Estate Barrow moved to Europe in the early 2000s. He spent time in the United Kingdom, where he studied toward real-estate qualifications and worked while supporting himself. Contemporary international profiles reported that he worked as a security guard or supervisor at an Argos store in London. The detail became widely known after his election because it captured the distance between his earlier working life and the presidency. Continue Reading Full Article BIOGRAPHY Adama Barrow Biography: From Businessman to Gambia President By Truce Elikia Art & Culture Journalist Truce Elikia Home Comment Sep 9, 2026 Sep 9, 2026 23 min read Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Published Updated: Adama Barrow is a Gambian politician, businessman and real-estate developer who has served as the third president of The Gambia since 19 January 2017. Born in Mankamang Kunda in 1965, he worked in commerce, studied real estate in the United Kingdom and founded Majum Real Estate before entering national politics. Barrow became the consensus candidate of an opposition coalition in 2016 and defeated Yahya Jammeh, ending 22 years of authoritarian rule. He won a second term in 2021 and is campaigning again in 2026, with his record now judged against unfinished democratic reforms, economic pressures and public demands for reliable electricity. Who is Adama Barrow? Adama Barrow is the president of The Gambia and leader of the National People’s Party. A former real-estate businessman, he won the historic 2016 election that removed Yahya Jammeh, survived the resulting constitutional crisis and was re-elected in 2021. He is 61 years old as of September 2026. Early Life in Mankamang Kunda Adama Barrow was born on 15 February 1965 in Mankamang Kunda, a village in the Jimara district of The Gambia’s Upper River Region. His birth came three days before the country gained independence from Britain, a coincidence that has often been used in official accounts to connect his life with the modern history of the Gambian state. A separate 2026 presidential archive gives 16 February, but the Office of the President’s published birthday account supports 15 February, the date used here. Barrow grew up far from the political centre of Banjul. The surviving biographical record describes a rural childhood followed by a move toward the capital for further schooling. He attended Koba Kunda Primary School, Crab Island Secondary School and Muslim High School. An Office of the President profile confirms his birthplace and 15 February 1965 birth date, although the page itself is an openly supportive commentary rather than an independent assessment of his presidency. His early life did not resemble the usual path of a future head of state. Barrow was not raised inside a famous political dynasty, did not begin as a senior civil servant and did not first become known through the military. His public identity was shaped by commerce. After school, he joined Alhagie Musa Njie & Sons, a Gambian business, and rose to become a sales manager. The experience introduced him to retail operations, customer relationships and the practical discipline of building a career without inherited national influence. Those beginnings later became central to his political image. In the 2016 campaign, supporters presented him as a calm, ordinary businessman capable of bringing divided opposition groups together. The contrast with Jammeh an army officer who had seized power in a 1994 coup—was one of the campaign’s clearest themes. London, Real-Estate Studies and Majum Real Estate Barrow moved to Europe in the early 2000s. He spent time in the United Kingdom, where he studied toward real-estate qualifications and worked while supporting himself. Contemporary international profiles reported that he worked as a security guard or supervisor at an Argos store in London. The detail became widely known after his election because it captured the distance between his earlier working life and the presidency. The London years should not be reduced to the novelty of a future president working in retail security. They formed part of a deliberate professional transition. Barrow was studying property while earning a living, then returned to The Gambia with a business plan. In 2006, he founded Majum Real Estate and became its chief executive. Majum placed him in a sector closely connected to land, housing, urban growth and the Gambian diaspora. Property businesses in The Gambia often serve citizens abroad who want to build homes or invest at home, so the work required trust across borders as well as knowledge of local transactions. Barrow ran the company until politics became his full-time occupation in 2016. His commercial record did not make him nationally famous before that campaign. It did, however, give him managerial experience and an independent livelihood at a time when openly opposing Jammeh could carry significant personal risk. Barrow joined the United Democratic Party and eventually served as its treasurer, a role suited to a businessman whose political influence was initially organisational rather than theatrical. From UDP Treasurer to Coalition Candidate The political opening that changed Barrow’s life came during a severe crackdown on the opposition in 2016. UDP leader Ousainou Darboe and other senior party figures were imprisoned after protests over the death in custody of activist Solo Sandeng. With much of the recognised leadership unavailable, Barrow emerged as the UDP’s presidential candidate. His larger breakthrough came when opposition parties and civic groups formed Coalition 2016. On 30 October, the alliance chose Barrow as its standard-bearer. He resigned from the UDP days later so that he could contest as an independent candidate backed by the coalition rather than as the nominee of one party. That arrangement was both his greatest political strength and the source of later conflict. Barrow was chosen because the opposition needed a unifying figure against a deeply entrenched president. The coalition brought together groups with different histories, ideologies and ambitions. Its central agreement was regime change, not a permanent shared programme. During the campaign, Barrow promised democratic reform, an independent judiciary, greater freedom for the media and civil society, security-sector change and renewed engagement with international institutions. He also supported the coalition plan for a transitional presidency lasting three years. The promise would later become one of the most consequential disputes of his first term. The 2016 Election That Ended Jammeh’s Rule Gambians voted on 1 December 2016 using the country’s distinctive marble-and-drum electoral system. The result was historic. The Independent Electoral Commission’s final record shows Barrow with 227,708 votes, or about 43 percent. Jammeh received 208,487, while Mama Kandeh received 89,768. Turnout was about 59 percent. Jammeh initially conceded, creating the expectation of The Gambia’s first transfer of presidential power through the ballot box. He reversed himself days later and challenged the result, setting off a constitutional crisis. Regional leaders insisted that the declared outcome had to stand. Barrow left for Senegal amid security concerns while negotiations continued. On 19 January 2017, the day Jammeh’s term expired, Barrow took the oath at the Gambian embassy in Dakar. Al Jazeera’s contemporaneous account recorded the extraordinary inauguration while Jammeh still refused to leave office. ECOWAS forces entered The Gambia to support the constitutional transfer, although diplomacy remained central to resolving the standoff. Jammeh departed for exile in Equatorial Guinea on 21 January. Barrow returned home on 26 January to crowds, military officials and members of the coalition government. A later inauguration ceremony took place on Gambian soil in February. The transition made Barrow internationally significant before he had governed for a day. He had become the civilian face of an electoral revolt against a ruler who had controlled the country for more than two decades. In an early TIME interview , Barrow presented the change as a return to equal citizenship, responsible government and national unity. ADVERTISEMENT The victory remains the defining achievement of his political life. It also created expectations that no subsequent administration could easily satisfy. Barrow was judged not only on roads, electricity, jobs and public services but on whether he would build institutions strong enough to prevent another presidency from accumulating Jammeh-like power. Opening The Gambia After 22 Years of Authoritarian Rule Barrow’s first years brought an unmistakable expansion of political and civic space. Exiled Gambians returned. Political detainees were released. Opposition activity, private broadcasting and public criticism became more visible than they had been under Jammeh. The government established or supported institutions intended to investigate abuses and rebuild public trust. The Gambia also reversed parts of Jammeh’s diplomatic isolation. It halted withdrawal from the International Criminal Court and rejoined the Commonwealth on 8 February 2018 after almost five years outside the organisation. The Commonwealth’s account of the return says all existing member states backed the application. One of Barrow’s most important promises was a truth process. The Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission began work in 2018 and heard testimony about killings, torture, enforced disappearances, sexual violence and other abuses committed during the Jammeh era. Its public hearings transformed national understanding of how the former system had operated. The commission submitted its final report in 2021 and recommended prosecutions, reparations and institutional reforms. Implementation has been slower than many victims and campaigners wanted, but the process did advance. In December 2024, ECOWAS approved a Special Tribunal for The Gambia to prosecute serious crimes from the former regime. The Point’s report on the decision explains that the tribunal’s jurisdiction covers gross human-rights violations committed between July 1994 and January 2017. Barrow’s record on democratic opening is therefore substantial but incomplete. The country is freer than it was under Jammeh, yet the transition has not produced all the constitutional and accountability safeguards promised in 2016. The Three-Year Promise and the Break With Coalition 2016 The first major rupture came over the length of Barrow’s stay in office. Coalition 2016 had presented its administration as a three-year transition. By 2019, Barrow argued that the constitution gave him a five-year mandate and refused calls to resign after three years. His legal position and his political promise were not the same issue. The 1997 Constitution provided a five-year presidential term, so remaining in office did not by itself violate that term. But critics argued that he had broken the compact that made him the coalition candidate. The Three Years Jotna movement organised demonstrations demanding that he step down. The dispute changed Gambian politics. Former allies became opponents, and Barrow’s relationship with the UDP deteriorated. On 31 December 2019, the Independent Electoral Commission registered the National People’s Party, with Barrow as its leader. The new party gave him a political organisation that answered to his own programme rather than to the coalition that had brought him to power. The formation of the NPP also revealed Barrow’s evolution from compromise candidate to incumbent party leader. He built alliances with politicians from different camps, including figures associated with the former ruling APRC. Supporters called the approach pragmatic and unifying. Critics saw it as a retreat from the clean break with Jammeh-era politics that voters had expected. The argument over the three-year promise remains essential to understanding Barrow. It was the moment when his presidency stopped being viewed simply as the democratic alternative to Jammeh and began to be judged as a power structure of its own. Re-election in 2021 Barrow entered the 2021 election as the candidate of the NPP, no longer an independent unity figure. His principal opponent was Ousainou Darboe, the veteran UDP leader whose imprisonment had helped create the circumstances for Barrow’s rise five years earlier. The Independent Electoral Commission’s 2021 results gave Barrow 457,519 votes, or 53.23 percent. Darboe received 238,253, or 27.72 percent. Turnout exceeded 89 percent, demonstrating both the competitiveness of the election and the intensity of public engagement. Opposition candidates disputed aspects of the process, but the official result stood. The victory gave Barrow a clear popular mandate for a second five-year term. It also weakened the argument that his authority still depended mainly on the 2016 coalition. By 2021, he had won nationally under his own party label. His second term shifted the central political question. The issue was no longer whether The Gambia would move away from Jammeh’s personal rule. It was whether Barrow’s government could convert political stability into durable institutions, stronger public services and economic opportunity. Constitutional Reform: The Largest Unfinished Promise Constitutional reform has been one of the clearest tests of the post-Jammeh transition. A Constitutional Review Commission conducted consultations and produced a draft intended to replace the 1997 Constitution. The proposed charter addressed presidential term limits, executive power and the architecture of public institutions. The first draft failed in the National Assembly in 2020. A later version also encountered strong criticism and parliamentary rejection. The World Bank’s country overview identifies the repeated failure to replace the 1997 Constitution as a major feature of The Gambia’s political transition and notes that the next presidential election is scheduled for December 2026. The term-limit debate is especially sensitive because of Barrow’s original campaign promises and his decision to remain beyond three years. Critics want a constitutional settlement that prevents indefinite presidential tenure and limits executive control over appointments. Government supporters argue that a new constitution must command broad national and parliamentary support rather than merely reproduce the preferences of one political bloc. Whatever the explanation, the outcome is plain: nearly a decade after the 2016 election, The Gambia still operates under the constitution inherited from the Jammeh era. That does not erase other reforms, but it leaves the most important structural promise unfinished. ADVERTISEMENT Economy, Infrastructure and the Development Record Barrow has placed roads, electricity, agriculture, health, education and international investment at the centre of his development message. His administration’s supporters point to major road programmes, new connections to regional power infrastructure, tourism recovery and increased engagement with lenders and development partners. The national economy has shown periods of solid growth. According to the World Bank, growth reached 5.3 percent in 2024, supported by industry and services, especially tourism and construction. The same assessment recorded a decline in extreme poverty to 20.7 percent in 2024 and projected further growth, while warning that public debt remained high and The Gambia continued to face a high risk of debt distress. Those figures explain both the government’s confidence and public frustration. National growth does not automatically create reliable services or affordable living conditions. Many households remain exposed to food prices, unemployment, irregular income and weak infrastructure. Remittances and tourism are important, but they also leave the country vulnerable to international shocks. Electricity has become the sharpest example of the gap between access and reliability. Barrow’s government says national access rose dramatically during his presidency, supported by domestic and regional projects. Yet repeated outages have affected homes, businesses and public confidence. XTRAfrica’s report on the September 2026 blackout protests covers the unrest and the president’s response without turning disputed casualty or arrest claims into fact. In his 8 September 2026 address , Barrow acknowledged failures in planning, generation and maintenance. He said an additional 24-megawatt unit at Brikama Power Station would be commissioned by the end of October and that a contract had been awarded for a separate 50-megawatt solar plant in Soma. He also created a presidential task force expected to issue public updates every two weeks. The commitments now provide measurable tests. Electricity supply should improve by the stated deadline; the Brikama unit and Soma project should be judged separately; and rising access rates should not be confused with uninterrupted power. For voters, these distinctions are more important than broad claims of success or failure. Agriculture remains another development priority in a country where rural livelihoods are vulnerable to poor weather and limited value-chain infrastructure. XTRAfrica has also reported on the African Development Bank’s support for Gambian agriculture , part of the wider effort to improve food production, resilience and rural incomes. Human Rights, Media Freedom and Governance Criticism Any fair assessment of Barrow must compare his government with the Jammeh era without allowing that comparison to become a permanent exemption from criticism. The political environment improved markedly after 2017. Independent media expanded, opposition parties operated openly and citizens exercised freedoms that had been severely restricted. At the same time, journalists and civil-society groups have continued to report pressure, arrests and legal threats. Freedom House’s 2026 assessment classifies The Gambia as “Partly Free.” It credits improvements after Jammeh while citing corruption concerns, pressure on media and civic actors, weaknesses in transparency and shortcomings in the rule of law. The debate over female genital mutilation also tested Barrow’s leadership and the independence of public institutions. In 2024, legislators rejected a bill that would have repealed the country’s ban on FGM. XTRAfrica followed the national debate over the proposed repeal , a dispute involving religious arguments, women’s rights, criminal law and party politics. Barrow’s supporters say his tolerance of criticism, competitive elections and transitional-justice initiatives distinguish his rule fundamentally from Jammeh’s. Critics answer that a post-dictatorship government should be measured against constitutional democracy, not only against the abuses of its predecessor. Both points matter. The opening after 2017 was real. So are the concerns about stalled reform, corruption safeguards, executive influence and restrictions affecting some journalists and protesters. Barrow’s long-term legacy will depend on whether democratic space becomes institutional practice rather than a favour associated with one leader. Adama Barrow’s Political Style Barrow’s public manner has often been described as calm and understated. That style helped him become the 2016 coalition candidate: he was less polarising than several veteran opposition leaders and could serve as a common platform for groups that did not fully trust one another. In office, calmness has coexisted with political adaptability. Barrow survived the collapse of the original coalition, built the NPP, won re-election and formed alliances across old dividing lines. His rise demonstrates a strong instinct for organisation and coalition management, even if he is not generally known as an ideological theorist or charismatic orator. His governing language emphasises peace, stability, national unity and visible development. Critics sometimes interpret those themes as arguments for continuity and caution when more aggressive reform is required. Supporters see them as appropriate for a small country that emerged from an authoritarian crisis without descending into wider violence. Barrow’s business background also shapes his image. He tends to present development as a sequence of practical projects roads, power plants, water systems, schools and investment rather than as an abstract political programme. The success of that approach depends on delivery, maintenance and public accountability. A commissioned project creates value only if citizens can use it reliably. Wife, Family and Children Adama Barrow is Muslim and is publicly reported to have two wives: Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow and Sarjo Mballow-Barrow. The Office of the President identifies Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow as First Lady. She has appeared in official programmes involving health, women, children and education. Barrow’s family entered the international news during the 2017 transition for a tragic reason. His eight-year-old son, Habibou Barrow, died in January 2017 after being bitten by dogs while Barrow was in Senegal amid the constitutional crisis. An AFP report carried by Business Standard described Habibou as one of Barrow’s five children. The family has otherwise kept much of the children’s private lives outside official politics. Trending Now Hyron Andrews Biography: His Rugby Career and Lions Tributes . Biography F1 Will Polish Kagame’s Authoritarian Image” — Kayikwamba Wagner . Justice & Crime Oluku Market Tanker Explosion: Death Toll Still Unconfirmed, 8 Injured . Accident News Fannie Masemola Reinstated as South Africa's Police Chief, Back Monday . Social Service Popular Today Justice & Crime Sanna Manjang Faces Gambia Court Martial for Desertion . Biography Adama Barrow Biography: From Businessman to Gambia President . Protests and Movements Gambia Blackout Protests Push Barrow to Promise Power Boost . Travel Guide The 8 Top Attractions in Kunta Kinteh Island & New Jetty Right Now . The 10 Best Attractions in Gambia Right Now . ADVERTISEMENT This biography does not list the names or personal details of Barrow’s living children. Their existence is relevant to a public biography, but they do not hold elected office and their privacy should be respected. The 2026 Election and the Question of a Third Term Barrow is seeking another term in the presidential election scheduled for 5 December 2026. His campaign platform presents him as the candidate of peace, unity and continued development. The contest will determine whether Gambians still view stability and infrastructure as sufficient grounds for extending his presidency. The election also returns the country to the unresolved issue of term limits. Because a replacement constitution has not been adopted, Barrow’s candidacy is taking place under the existing constitutional framework. Opponents connect his third campaign to the abandoned three-year promise and the failure to complete constitutional reform. His supporters emphasise that he won both previous elections and has the same right as other qualified candidates to seek support under the law in force. The September electricity crisis gives the campaign an immediate public-service test. Barrow’s response is no longer only a political message: it includes deadlines, additional generating capacity and a reporting mechanism. Voters will be able to compare those promises with daily experience before election day. Adama Barrow’s Legacy So Far Adama Barrow’s place in Gambian history is already secure because of 2016. He was the candidate around whom a divided opposition united, and his victory ended one of West Africa’s longest authoritarian presidencies. The transfer also showed the importance of regional institutions: ECOWAS defended the declared result and helped prevent Jammeh’s refusal from becoming permanent. Barrow’s government reopened political space, restored international relationships and created mechanisms to document abuses from the previous era. The truth commission and the ECOWAS-backed tribunal are major parts of that record. His administration has also overseen economic growth, infrastructure investment and a significant expansion of electricity access. The unresolved side of the legacy is equally important. The new constitution has repeatedly failed. The three-year coalition promise was abandoned. Corruption and transparency remain concerns. Journalists, protesters and civil-society organisations still report pressure. Power shortages in 2026 have shown that expanded access means little when generation and maintenance cannot deliver reliable service. Barrow therefore cannot be understood simply as the man who defeated Jammeh or as another incumbent seeking to stay in power. He is both the symbol of The Gambia’s democratic opening and the leader responsible for the transition’s unfinished work. The 2026 election will be a verdict not only on his latest campaign but on whether Gambians believe he remains the safest custodian of the change they voted for ten years earlier. Adama Barrow Timeline Year Event Significance 1965 Born in Mankamang Kunda on 15 February Entered the world three days before Gambian independence Early 2000s Moved to the United Kingdom and studied real estate Built professional experience while working to support himself 2006 Founded Majum Real Estate Established the business career that preceded national politics 2016 Became UDP candidate and then Coalition 2016 standard-bearer United opposition parties behind one presidential challenger 2016 Won the 1 December presidential election Defeated Yahya Jammeh after 22 years of rule 2017 Sworn in at the Gambian embassy in Dakar on 19 January Assumed office during Jammeh’s refusal to leave power 2017 Returned to The Gambia after Jammeh went into exile Completed the country’s first democratic presidential transition 2018 The Gambia rejoined the Commonwealth Marked renewed international engagement after the Jammeh era 2018 Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission began work Opened a national record of abuses under the former government 2019 Refused calls to honour the coalition’s three-year transition pledge Triggered a lasting break with former allies and public protests 2019 National People’s Party was registered on 31 December Gave Barrow his own political organisation 2021 Won re-election with 53.23 percent Secured a second term under the NPP banner 2024 ECOWAS approved a Special Tribunal for The Gambia Advanced the prosecution track recommended after the truth commission 2025 Another constitutional-reform effort failed in parliament Left the 1997 Constitution in force before the 2026 election 2026 Launched campaign for the 5 December presidential election Sought a further term amid a renewed term-limit debate 2026 Addressed nationwide anger over prolonged power cuts Promised improvement by late October and a 24 MW Brikama unit Frequently Asked Questions Who is Adama Barrow? Adama Barrow is a Gambian politician, real-estate developer and the third president of The Gambia. He became president after defeating Yahya Jammeh in the December 2016 election and took office on 19 January 2017. How old is Adama Barrow? Barrow was born on 15 February 1965. He is 61 years old as of 9 September 2026. Where is Adama Barrow from? He was born in Mankamang Kunda in the Jimara district of The Gambia’s Upper River Region. He later studied in Banjul and lived in the United Kingdom before returning home. What did Adama Barrow do before politics? Barrow worked in sales, studied real estate in the United Kingdom and founded Majum Real Estate in 2006. He ran the company before becoming a full-time presidential candidate in 2016. Which political party does Adama Barrow belong to? He leads the National People’s Party. Barrow previously belonged to the United Democratic Party, then contested the 2016 election as an independent candidate supported by Coalition 2016. How did Adama Barrow become president? Opposition parties selected him as their unity candidate in 2016. He won 227,708 votes, defeating incumbent Yahya Jammeh. When Jammeh refused to leave office, ECOWAS backed the election result, and Barrow was sworn in at the Gambian embassy in Senegal. Did Adama Barrow promise to serve only three years? Yes. The 2016 coalition plan called for a three-year transition. Barrow later remained for the full five-year constitutional term, arguing that the constitution governed his mandate. The decision broke his alliance with former coalition partners and prompted protests. Who is Adama Barrow’s wife? Barrow is publicly reported to have two wives, Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow and Sarjo Mballow-Barrow. Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow is officially recognised as First Lady of The Gambia. How many children does Adama Barrow have? Reliable reporting identified Barrow as the father of five children. His eight-year-old son Habibou died in January 2017. Public sources therefore support four living children, whose private details are not included here. Is Adama Barrow running in the 2026 election? Yes. Barrow is campaigning in the presidential election scheduled for 5 December 2026. He is seeking another term under the National People’s Party banner. ADVERTISEMENT Related Articles Justice & Crime Sanna Manjang Faces Gambia Court Martial for Desertion The military case concerns an alleged 2017 desertion and is separate from his High Court proceedings. . Biography Adama Barrow Biography: From Businessman to Gambia President The life, elections, family and contested legacy of the businessman who ended Yahya Jammeh’s rule. . Protests and Movements Gambia Blackout Protests Push Barrow to Promise Power Boost The president says a 24 MW unit should be commissioned by late October after unrest over long outages. . 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Alyn Sano held talks with The Renaissance Orchestra and J Black during the NAMM Show 2026 in the United States. Rwandan artist Alyn Sano has engaged in professional discussions with The Renaissance Orchestra and international musician J Black while attending the NAMM Show 2026 in the United States. The meetings took place in Anaheim, California, where the NAMM Show —one of the world’s leading global music industry events—brings together artists, producers, and music professionals from different regions. According to information from the event, Alyn Sano used her participation to go beyond exhibition attendance by holding structured conversations focused on potential cross-border music collaborations and creative exchange. The Renaissance Orchestra is internationally recognized for blending classical orchestral music with modern genres such as pop, soul, and jazz, while J Black is known for his work in global music production and artist development. Discussions explored possible joint projects, although no official collaboration has yet been announced. Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Alyn Sano said her presence aimed to represent Rwanda on an international stage while opening pathways for future artistic cooperation. As the NAMM Show 2026 continues, Alyn Sano is expected to hold additional meetings with international stakeholders before returning to Rwanda. Source: InyaRwanda.com Continue Reading Full Article ENTERTAINMENT Alyn Sano Meets Renaissance Orchestra, J Black at NAMM 2026 By Witty Pascal Entertainment Editor Witty Pascal Home Comment Jan 25, 2026 May 15, 2026 2 min read Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Published Updated: Rwandan artist Alyn Sano has engaged in professional discussions with The Renaissance Orchestra and international musician J Black while attending the NAMM Show 2026 in the United States. The meetings took place in Anaheim, California, where the NAMM Show —one of the world’s leading global music industry events—brings together artists, producers, and music professionals from different regions. ADVERTISEMENT According to information from the event, Alyn Sano used her participation to go beyond exhibition attendance by holding structured conversations focused on potential cross-border music collaborations and creative exchange. The Renaissance Orchestra is internationally recognized for blending classical orchestral music with modern genres such as pop, soul, and jazz, while J Black is known for his work in global music production and artist development. Discussions explored possible joint projects, although no official collaboration has yet been announced. ADVERTISEMENT Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Alyn Sano said her presence aimed to represent Rwanda on an international stage while opening pathways for future artistic cooperation. As the NAMM Show 2026 continues, Alyn Sano is expected to hold additional meetings with international stakeholders before returning to Rwanda. Trending Now Hyron Andrews Biography: His Rugby Career and Lions Tributes . Biography F1 Will Polish Kagame’s Authoritarian Image” — Kayikwamba Wagner . Justice & Crime Oluku Market Tanker Explosion: Death Toll Still Unconfirmed, 8 Injured . Accident News Fannie Masemola Reinstated as South Africa's Police Chief, Back Monday . Social Service Popular Today Biography Poco Lee Biography: Age, Real Name, Dance Career and Songs . Biography Eric Omondi Biography: Comedy, Activism and Public Life . Biography Who Is Snit Habteab, Eritrea’s Miss World Trailblazer? . Entertainment Poco Lee UK Case Sparks Consent Debate Among Nigerian Stars . Entertainment FOLA Leads 2026 Headies Nominations Ahead of Toronto . ADVERTISEMENT Source: InyaRwanda.com ADVERTISEMENT Related Articles Biography Poco Lee Biography: Age, Real Name, Dance Career and Songs Inside the Nigerian dancer’s rise from Ojo street shows to Afrobeats stages, music and global fame. . Biography Eric Omondi Biography: Comedy, Activism and Public Life How Eric Omondi rose through Churchill Show and became a prominent Kenyan activist. . Biography Who Is Snit Habteab, Eritrea’s Miss World Trailblazer? The neuroscientist and educator became Eritrea’s first Miss World entrant and reached the Top 6 . Entertainment Poco Lee UK Case Sparks Consent Debate Among Nigerian Stars The dancer faces five sexual offence charges and returns to court on September 15. . Tags Entertainment Entertainment Rwandan Entertainment Rwandan Entertainment Rwanda Rwanda