**Summary: The Evolution of Science Fiction Literature**

Science fiction (SF) has long been a genre rooted in exploring "what if?"

and imagining alternatives to the known world.

The genre's evolution reflects changing social, cultural, technological, and political landscapes, as well as an expanding chorus of authorial voices.

**Early Science Fiction (H.G.

Wells-era):**
Classical SF by writers like H.G.

Wells focused on speculative technologies, alien contact, and cautionary tales paralleling anxieties of industrialization, colonialism, and science outpacing ethics.

Wells's "War of the Worlds," for example, channeled both wonder about the cosmos and social critique.

**Mid-20th Century:**
The genre matured with themes of robotics (Isaac Asimov's "I, Robot"), space travel (Ray Bradbury, L. Frank Baum), and post-war anxieties.

SF was often perceived as escapism but began interrogating real-world concerns, acting as both warning and possibility.

**Late 20th Century and Canon Expansion:**
Writers like Ursula K. Le Guin ("The Left Hand of Darkness") brought philosophical depth, questioning gender, sociopolitics, and what society might become.

SF increasingly became a tool for reflecting on contemporary issues, not just speculating fanciful futures.

**Contemporary Voices and Perspectives:**
Authors like N.K.

Jemisin have revolutionized the genre, emphasizing that world-building in SF (and fantasy) reflects conscious choices, both in fiction and reality.

Jemisin and other recent writers (including women and people of color) have opened doors for more nuanced and inclusive worldviews, challenging Eurocentric and patriarchal norms, and responding to global and sociopolitical "grand challenges."

Diverse authors use SF as a lens to question problems, identities, and systems; their works are both personal and universal, blending genres and expectations.

Stories by writers from different backgrounds deepen the genre, making SF a conduit for healing, societal critique, and radical imagination.

**Summary: The Evolution of Science Fiction Literature**

Science fiction (SF) has long been a genre rooted in exploring "what if?"

Title:

Content: Science Fiction and Politics in Literature and the Arts (Symposium, Toulouse)

Science Fiction and Politics in Literature and the Arts

The aim of this symposium run by the LLA-Créatis laboratory at the University of Toulouse Jean-Jaurès is to develop open thinking about “political” questions, in the broad sense of the term, that science fiction narratives allow. Different types of stories can be considered, in different literary genres or in cinema, video series and comics. It can be studied and interrogated from a historical, political and social perspective by involving, where appropriate, the possible contributions of different analyzes (anthropology, semiotics, feminist studies, postcolonial studies, etc.) Diversity of perspectives and questions raised by gender.

The entire twentieth-century period produced works in San Francisco that were marked by ideologies such as capitalism and its “communist” counterpart, but also by threats associated with civilian and/or military nuclear power, religious-related abuses, racism, minority liberation struggles, and pollution. , etc. These perceptions persisted, but in the period from the last 20 years of the 20th century to the first 20 years of the 21st century, other concerns were voiced: ecological pesticides, the climate crisis, demographic crises, resource depletion, or the danger. The scientific and technical potential (transhumanism, “artificial intelligence”, etc.) is being carried away.

The link to the realities of the times (as in the collection “Le Passager Clandestin / Dyschroniques”) can of course depend on one or more authors, take into account a work or compare several (especially in the case of short stories and short films). The broader perspective will consist in considering the basic ideologies, either in relation to the literary prizes awarded, or in relation to the works themselves, the semantics of these presenting themselves from the outset sometimes as criticism, sometimes as propaganda, the two being able to be combined according to modalities that tend to be ironic, Satirical, disruptive, etc.

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In any case, it would be a matter of highlighting the “exploratory potential” in these works, of identifying the “problematic tools” and of making the ideas put forward in fictional form productive from the point of view of political theory. (Y Rambhala).

Of course, it is advisable to include works belonging to different geographical and linguistic fields so that the panorama of this search is sufficiently realistic.

Provisional schedule of courses (date adjustments possible)

Oct 20, 2-4 PM / Nov 17, 2-4 PM / Dec 15, 2-4 PM / Jan 19, 2-4 PM / Feb 9, 2-4 PM / Mar 15, 2-4 PM / May 31 , 2-4 p.m

Contribution proposals must be sent Before October 1, 2023 To the following addresses: frederics[email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

and imagining alternatives to the known world.

Title:

Content: Julia Nagel/Sun Photography Editor

Fantasy author N. K. Jemisin speaks at a Bartels World Affairs Lecture in Klarman Hall on Oct. 4.

8 hours ago

N.K. Jemisin Gives Bartels World Affairs Lecture, Speaks on Building a Better World

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N. K. Jemisin, best-selling science fiction and fantasy author well known for her book trilogy “The Broken Earth,” spoke about building a better world at this year’s Bartels World Affairs Lecture on Wednesday, Oct. 4 at 5:30 p.m. in a packed Rhodes-Rawling Auditorium. Jemisin spoke about how building fictional worlds helps her discuss the reality of our society, and concluded by calling on the audience to make choices in order to build the world they wish to see.

Following her talk, Jemisin joined a panel of Cornell faculty to kickstart the latest Global Grand Challenge: The Future. Global Grand Challenges bring together people and resources to understand and develop solutions to humanity’s most urgent challenges. The first challenge launched in 2019, and this year’s challenge, “The Future,” focuses on how to employ creativity to build a more equitable and sustainable future world.

Supported by the Henry E. and Nancy Horton Bartels World Affairs Fellowship, the Bartels World Affairs Lecture is an annual, signature event hosted by the Mario Einaudi Center for International Studies that brings renowned individuals to Cornell’s campus to speak on international matters with students and faculty.

Seats at the event sold out and an estimated 330 people attended. In-person watch party tickets were made available as well, where attendees live streamed the lecture from an adjacent classroom near the auditorium. More than 270 local, national and international viewers who registered through eCornell also streamed the event live.

Vice Provost for International Affairs Wendy Wolford said that in addition to launching this year’s Global Grand Challenge, this event also fits into Cornell’s academic year theme of Freedom of Expression. Wolford explained that the world building, kindness and empathy in Jemisin’s work encouraged the Einaudi Center to select this event as the launch for the University’s new Global Grand Challenge.

“The theme of this new challenge is fittingly ‘The Future.’ With this challenge, we invite all of you, students, staff and faculty to step back from the immediate questions of your studies, your work and your research, to think about the world you want to live in,” Wolford said. “The Global Grand Challenge calls on us to go beyond the cutting edge… to imagine what the world would look like if we asked not just what can I do, but what do I want? What do we want?”

Jemisin began her lecture by describing her background in higher education, in which she spent 20 years working as a career counselor, academic counselor and director of experiential education before becoming an author. Jemisin writes science fiction and fantasy novels that explore a variety of themes, including power, cultural conflict and systems of subjugation.

“Many of the questions I tend to get are: Why science fiction? Why fantasy? Why would you, an ostensibly intelligent and mature person, write this kid’s stuff? And I tell people the same thing that Octavia Butler has said in interviews, which is in science fiction, I can do anything,” Jemisin said during her lecture.

Jemisin explained how people’s fears in a specific time period are reflected in their writing, especially in science fiction. She cited underlying fears of the sexual revolution displayed in 1960s feminist science fiction as an example.

“There’s another misconception out there that typically happens, which is that people think of science fiction as being about the future. They think of fantasy as being about the past,” Jemisin said. “It’s neither. Science fiction and fantasy are actually about our present world.”

Jemisin also described the process of science fiction worldbuilding on two levels — macro and micro. Macro worldbuilding involves creating the physical world of a story, including planets, continents, climate and ecology. Micro worldbuilding is crafting the society the characters will exist in, which includes species, morphology, racialization and power, among other things.

“The point of this [worldbuilding] exercise is to get people to start questioning their assumptions,” Jemisin said. “Understanding how our society functions is a lot more constructive than they think, so it’s important that I get across that all of this is changeable.”

Jemisin also spoke about how real people build worlds, and how our current world is not arbitrary, but rather the result of a series of choices. She emphasized that different choices remain possible, and that our understanding of ourselves and self-identity is evolving. Jemisin encouraged the audience to consider reasons for both creating and resisting change.

“We are being blasted with a constant firehose of disinformation which is fueled by a whole lot of money,” Jemisin said. “The only thing that we can do in order to resist this is begin to question and push back on how we became the society that we are and begin to recreate that society in our own design.”

Following her lecture, Jemisin joined a panel with Cornell faculty members Prof. Anindita Banerjee, comparative literature and feminist, gender and sexuality studies; Prof. John Albertson, civil and environmental engineering; and Prof. Kaushik Basu, international studies and economics. Each professor took turns briefly speaking about how their field of expertise relates to building a better world, and Jemisin followed with her thoughts.

“We see society now envisioning futures and being bold, making pledges of decarbonizing our energy supplies, decarbonizing our economy and setting ambitious timelines on which to do that,” Albertson said. “It’s relatively straightforward to plan the direct linear path of what you need to do there. But the question is: where are all the other parts of society that are touched by each of these changes?”

Asher Bergmann ’26 said his goal going into his sophomore year was going to more school  events, and was excited to find this lecture as someone who reads a lot of fantasy.

“I think she did a good job of not diving too deep into fantasy to where some people wouldn’t be interested, because while she’s a fantasy author, the point of this lecture wasn’t actually writing fantasy,” Bergmann said. “I think she did a good job of balancing her goal with what other people may have come here to see her speak about.”

Annabel Baniak ’24 decided to attend the event at the encouragement of both her professor  and her mom, whose favorite book is “The Fifth Season” by Jemisin. Baniak said she enjoyed the event and left feeling motivated and inspired to create change in the world.

Jemisin left the audience with a message to continue questioning the current world and to work towards building an ideal society.

“I have been having conversations all day with the students here, and they’re thinking ahead of me. I have to catch up. It is an innate part of youth to question our reality, and if the way that we live makes any sense,” Jemisin said. “I have to retain my own youthful questioning. They are right to question reality, and the rest of us need to keep doing that.”

Grace Liu ’27 is a Sun contributor and can be reached at [email protected].

The genre's evolution reflects changing social, cultural, technological, and political landscapes, as well as an expanding chorus of authorial voices.

**Early Science Fiction (H.G.

Title:

Content: 60 Sci-Fi Books That All Science Fiction Fans Must Read

Are you looking for a new science fiction book to read? Looking to fill up your reading list with journeys to strange new worlds and fast-paced science fiction adventures? You're in luck because we've compiled a list of the best sci-fi books.

Whether you're looking to dive into the great sci-fi classics you missed out on or you're looking to delve into brand new tales from up-and-coming indie authors, you're sure to find something that will spark creativity and excitement for you. Science fiction and fantasy novels provide us with allegories, cautionary tales, and deep dives into the human condition told through the lens of the fantastical and the cutting-edge.

The Best Sci-Fi Origins Books

Where did it all begin? Read these early tales with impossible futures, fascinating creatures, time travel, and alien invasion!

Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein brought us the iconic monster made by Victor Frankenstein. Considered the first true science fiction novel of the modern era, it would foreshadow genetic tinkering stories of the future.

The Blazing World by Margaret Cavendish (also called The Description of a New World, Called the Blazing-World)

Considered to be the first science fiction work, in the 17th century, Duchess of Newcastle Margaret Cavendish wrote of a utopian world.

Ozma of Oz by L. Frank Baum

The third Oz book by L. Frank Baum features Tik-Tok, the wind-up clockwork man Dorothy Gale encounters in the Land of Ev. Tik-Tok is basically one of the first robots in literature. Other wacky features in Ozma of Oz include a sand-sailing boat and lunch pail tree.

The Time Machine by H.G. Wells

A 19th century classic by Wells, depicting time travel and inspiring science fiction tales for over a century.

The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells

The book would go on to inspire a radio program that terrified people into thinking Martians were actually invading Earth. Wells would kickstart first contact stories and alien invasion at the same time, offering up a cautionary tale that touches sci-fi to this day.

The Best Sci-Fi Space Epics Books

Transport yourself across the universe with these pillars of world-building in science fiction, all of which are either now adapted for TV or film or soon will be.

Dune by Frank Herbert

Frank Herbert’s Dune is considered a masterwork of world-building and family intrigue, inspiring other famous series and their respective houses. In the first book, Paul Atreides encounters the resident free people of the planet Arrakis (Dune), the Fremen, and achieves a destiny of messianic proportions. Dune recently graced the big screen in a new adaptation by Denis Villeneuve.

Binti by Nnedi Okorafor

Nnedi Okorafor's Binti novella series begins with Binti, a Hugo-award-winning Africanfuturistic science fiction horror story published by Tor.com. Binti is the first of the Himba people ever to be offered a place at Oomza University, the most exalted institution of higher learning in the galaxy. She faces the choice to accept the offer and give up her place in her family so that she can travel among the stars. Hulu has ordered a pilot for Binti.

Foundation by Isaac Asimov

The beginning of the Foundation series reveals the “psychohistory” developed by mathematician Harry Seldon. Seldon would establish a new empire called Foundation to preserve the culture from societal collapse. Foundation debuted as a TV show on Apple TV in 2021.

Embers of War by Gareth L. Powell

Gareth L. Powell's award-winning trilogy Embers of War follows the war-weary crew of the sentient spaceship Trouble Dog, who after becoming disgusted by her role in war joins the House of Reclamation. Trouble Dog and her captain Sal Konstanz are sent on a rescue mission, which intersects a mission to find missing poet Ona Sundak. The galaxy teeters on the brink of another war, just as an alien presence makes itself known, altering the course of things to come. Now under development for TV.

Rendezvous with Rama by Sir Arthur C. Clarke

A strange spacecraft enters the solar system, and humanity investigates. The secrets within the enormous craft, called Rama, reveal the heritage of an advanced alien civilization. Rendezvous with Rama is in development for a film adaptation with Denis Villeneuve at the helm.

The Best Hard Sci-Fi Books

If you like your science fiction taut with the edginess of battle and the implication of future wars, you must add these books to your collection!

The Forever War by Joe Haldeman

This classic military sci-fi epic details the tragic effects of time dilation on a group of soldiers fighting a seemingly endless war.

Ringworld by Larry Niven

Set in the 29th century, Louis Wu and his companions explore a vast, Earth-orbit-sized, constructed world. Their adventures uncover the alien civilization that built it.

The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu

First set with the backdrop of China’s cultural revolution, this new epic involves secret scientific experiments, alien invasion, challenging moral dilemmas, and impressive world-building.

Old Man’s War by John Scalzi

A man in his 70s is recruited as a soldier in the Colonial Defense Force, and altered physically in unexpected ways. Strong on character development, this kickstarts the Old Man’s War Series.

Starship Troopers by Robert Heinlein

This classic military sci-fi tale follows Johnny Rico and military recruits who become involved in a battle between humans and aliens nicknamed Arachnids or “Bugs.”

If you love Starship Troopers, check out our review of the wisdom of Grand Admiral Thrawn – Michael

The Best Sci-Fi Robot Stories

The future of robots is here and is complex and necessary reading in these sci-fi tales.

I, Robot by Isaac Asimov

Isaac Asimov’s intriguing work introduced the laws of robotics that all robots must adhere to work alongside humans.

All Systems Red by Martha Wells

The first novel in the Murderbot Diaries, All Systems Red, follows a cyborg that goes by the name Murderbot contends with self-awareness in the corporate-dominated future.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

The beginning of the Lunar Chronicles series is a retelling of Cinderella from the point of view of a cyborg.

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K. Dick

Famed for its eventual big-screen adaptation, Blade Runner, this novel recounts a future in which highly realistic artificial fugitives are on the run from bounty hunter Rick Deckard.

The Alchemy of Stone by Ekaterina Sedia

Mattie is an automaton in this steampunk and urban fantasy novel involving gargoyles, Mechanics, and Alchemists.

The Best Sci-Fi Mars Stories

Our neighbor, the red planet Mars, beckons to us. What would it be like to walk on the shifting red sands of Mars? Find out in these Martian classics.

The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury

Ray Bradbury’s mesmerizing prose introduces us to a Mars full of exotic possibility, soon plundered by humanity’s arrival.

Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson

The first in the Mars Trilogy, Red Mars, involves the colonization and terraforming of Mars and the conflicting moral questions that result.

The Martian by Andy Weir

Astronaut Mark Watney is left behind on a Mars mission and must draw upon his skills and ingenuity in order to survive.

Mars by Ben Bova

Navajo geologist Jamie Waterman joins the first expedition of scientists exploring Mars. The grounded approach Bova takes to all the interaction, politics, and bureaucracy help achieve a plausible future story.

Red Rising by Pierce Brown

The first book in the Red Rising Trilogy envisions a future of planetary colonization in which caste systems abound. Darrow must fight against this system of overlords.

The Best Sci-Fi Fantasy Books

Fly high with dragons, roam lands on epic quests, and learn the hearts of true heroes in the fantasy masterpieces.

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien

J.R.R. Tolkien’s magnum opus spans three books, opening up a fantastically detailed and wholly invented universe in Middle Earth that was hinted at in The Hobbit. Considered the ultimate work of fantasy, The Lord of the Rings brings myth, allegory, poetry, song, war, and melancholy to heights of realism and wonder.

A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin

The first novel in The Earthsea Cycle tells the tale of the wizard Ged, and his journey to redeem his reckless past.

A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin

Beginning with A Game of Thrones, Martin’s elaborate, dark fantasy series covers land in which seasons last decades, and a terrible force from the north threatens to bring an icy apocalypse to an area filled with rulers jockeying to take the Iron Throne.

The Dragonriders of Pern Series by Anne McCaffrey

This remarkable series takes place in the world of Pern, where people telepathically bond with dragons. Dragonflight is the first in the series.

The Fifth Season: The Broken Earth, Book 1 by N.K Jemisin

The Fifth Season marks the first book of the award-winning The Broken Earth trilogy. Set against civilization’s collapse and natural disaster, Essun endures great personal tragedy in her quest to rescue her daughter.

The Best Sci-Fi Dystopian & Apocalyptic Books

Set in a nightmare future, these dystopian and apocalyptic legends will keep you up at night.

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

In a totalitarian future America, handmade Offred is forced to bear children to men of a ruling class. The tale follows her harrowing life in a bleak future, and the attempt to escape and bring down the subjugating class to restore rights.

The Stand by Stephen King

A deadly pathogen escapes a military installation, rapidly spreading and bringing civilization essentially to an end. A group of survivors makes its way to a form of a promised land while battling a malevolent group seeking domination.

Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler

In the near future breakdown of the society of Los Angeles, empathic teenager Lauren believes in a better future entailing traveling to other planets. Lauren gathers followers to her belief as she makes her way north.

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

Set in the Great Lakes region of America, a group of nomadic creatives picks up the pieces after the fall of civilization due to pandemic flu. Station Eleven has been adapted for HBO Max.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The first book in the Hunger Games Trilogy follows the immense challenges that Katniss Everdeen faces in the post-apocalyptic version of America called Panem. She takes her sister’s place in the government-sponsored Hunger Games to compete for survival in a no-holds-barred and deadly competition.

The Best Sci-Fi Near Futures Books

The future is here, or nearly so, in these ground-breaking novels set close to our present day.

Contact by Carl Sagan

Scientist Ellie Arroway detects a potential extraterrestrial signal from space, which appears to instruct humanity in how to build a machine. She faces self-doubt amid scrutiny to uncover the mysteries of the discovery.

Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton

This cautionary tale about genetic engineering in which scientists make living, cloned dinosaurs for an amusement park. Mayhem ensues.

2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke

Mysterious monoliths appear across many worlds, seeding life with intelligence. Following the discovery of one such monolith on the moon, Dr. Bowman and a team of scientists investigate the signal it sends to Saturn’s moon Iapetus. The onboard AI begins exhibiting dangerous behavior during the journey.

Flashforward by Robert J. Sawyer

A physics experiment creates an unintended consequence of everyone on earth losing consciousness for two minutes. Each person sees a “flash forward” decades in the future while they are unconscious. The resulting accidents and visions challenge everyone’s ideas of free will.

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

In dystopian 2044, impoverished Wade Watts navigates through the virtual reality world of the OASIS, seeking to reverse his fortune.

The Best Sci-Fi Books for Younger Readers

Take adventures through time and space, no matter your age!

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle

The Murry children and Calvin O’Keefe crosses universes and space-time to try to find their missing father. Their tale is a mind-bending adventure of good vs. evil.

His Dark Materials Trilogy (The Golden Compass/The Subtle Knife/The Amber Spyglass) by Philip Pullman

The Golden Compass/Northern Lights begins this sweeping saga of two children, one born in a parallel universe, one born in our own. In Lyra’s world, people’s souls exist in animal form, called daemons. Her father and mother represent warring factions determined to control all universes. Filled with talking animals, witches, airships, and strange creatures, His Dark Materials packs an emotional punch.

The Apothecary Series by Maile Meloy

Set in the 1950s, The Apothecary starts this highly entertaining, thrilling adventure series in which American Janie Scott meets Benjamin Burrows, the son of an apothecary. After Benjamin’s father is kidnapped, the teenagers uncover a terrifying plot that could result in humanity’s end. They use potions with magical effects to try and stop the impending doom.

The Serpent's Secret (Kiranmala and the Kingdom Beyond #1) by Sayantani DasGupta

The first of the Kiranmala and the Kingdom Beyond series, book one begins with Kiranmala discovering her parents are missing, and there is a demon in her kitchen! Two princes recruited her and sent to another dimension, where she must battle the Serpent King and the Rakkhoshi Queen to rescue her parents and save the Earth.

The Wild Robot by Peter Brown

This delightful middle-grade novel recounts a discarded robot named Roz and her search for love and acceptance.

The Best Sci-Fi Ponderous Books

These mind-bending sci-fi novels will have you thinking for a long time afterward.

Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein

Raised on Mars, Valentine Michael Smith returns to Earth and tries to fit in. His unusual upbringing makes him seem superhuman, but he attempts to help his Earth kin understand things from a different perspective.

The Demolished Man by Alfred Bester

Set in the 24th century when telepaths (“Espers”) are common, and police are telepathic as well. Ben Reich tries to evade the telepathic police for a murder he wants to commit. The story opens up the moral issues of using telepathy, regulated mostly by a guild, but raises concerns about the exclusion of telepaths who run astray as well as psychological intrigue.

Solaris by Stanislaw Lem

Solaris follows humans’ failed attempts to communicate with extraterrestrial intelligence. The sentient planet tests the researchers with their memories and emotions.

Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell

A story spanning time and space and connections between various characters, Cloud Atlas explores the theme of fate with a mind-bending narrative.

The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin

This classic tale follows the journey of Genly Ai on his mission to the planet Gethen. The ambisexual Gethenians present challenges and growth for Ai.

The Best Sci-Fi Cyberpunk Books

If you dream of the future lit by neon, shadowed by noir, and fueled with intrigue, these seminal cyberpunk novels are for you!

Neuromancer by William Gibson

In the first novel of the Sprawl Trilogy, hacker Henry Case is hired to help an AI take over the global network called The Matrix.

All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders

A modern cyberpunk tale is weaving together magic and science, with wit and feeling.

Altered Carbon by Richard K. Morgan

Set in the 25th century, humans have spread through the galaxy and can be preserved after death via cortical stacks, then essentially regenerated or “re-sleeved” into another body. Takeshi Kovacs stumbles upon a vast conspiracy after his latest “sleeve.”

The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester

This early entry into cyberpunk sci-fi follows teleporter Gully Foyle, an outcast considered dangerous.

Synners by Pat Cadigan

The synthesizers, or Synners, are people who can turn mental images into products for consumption. The story is told via various characters’ viewpoints.

The Best Sci-Fi and Fantasy Books by Indie Authors

Discover the latest sci-fi and fantasy stories, while supporting independent authors!

Mindful Things by Mya Duong

Nineteen-year-old Lauren begins to experience visions and uncovers the fact her deceased parents were witches. A madman hungry for power pursues her, and she must embrace her magical heritage to try to stop him.

The Infinite by John W. Akers

The inventor Pax works on a secret project that can revolutionize human cognition. His plans are derailed by a computer virus that could end civilization, so Pax is forced to choose how he can help humanity survive.

Threadwalkers by Joanna Volavka

Miranda Woodward undergoes a discordant series of events following her father’s death. This is a young adult time travel tale.

Resonance by Jennifer Greenhall

In Book One of the Resonance Series, Sophia Walsh uses her psionic abilities for good but finds herself the next target of a killer.

Heliopause: The Questrison Saga®: Book One by J. Dianne Dotson

Heliopause by J. Dianne Dotson kickstarts The Questrison Saga®, a four-book series science fiction and fantasy series. In Heliopause, a mystery at the edge of the solar system reveals a galactic menace. A galactic natural disaster unfolds, aiding the monster in the void. Human Forster and human-looking, ageless Galla-Deia team up with telepaths, galactic mages, aliens, and androids to face the greatest threat to all life in the galaxy. Full of diverse characters and exotic worlds, found and made families, heartbreak, and whimsy, this space opera recalls Star WarsDoctor Who, and Game of Thrones.

At Your Money Geek, we are huge fans of the science fiction genre, everything from military science fiction to novels about space travel, parallel worlds, and fantasy novels. We are always looking for new books to read and exciting sci-fi writers to profile, let us know in the comments what authors you are currently enjoying.

This post was produced and syndicated by Wealth of Geeks.

| Website | + posts

J. Dianne Dotson dreamed up other worlds and their characters as a child in the 1980s in East Tennessee. She formed her own neighborhood astronomy club before age 10, to educate her friends about the universe. In addition to writing stories, she drew and painted her characters, designed their outrageous space fashions, and created travel guides and glossaries for the worlds she invented.

As an adult, Dianne earned a degree in ecology and evolutionary biology, and spent several years working in research. She published Heliopause: The Questrison Saga®: Book One (2018) and its sequels Ephemeris: The Questrison Saga®: Book Two (2019), Accretion: The Questrison Saga®: Book Three (2020) and her last novel in the saga, Luminiferous: The Questrison Saga®: Book Four (2021).

Dianne is also a science writer, content writer and manager, short story writer, watercolorist, and illustrator. She lives with her family.

When did the Duchess of Newcastle Margaret Cavendish write "The Blazing World," considered to be the first work of science fiction?

Wells-era):**
Classical SF by writers like H.G.

Wells focused on speculative technologies, alien contact, and cautionary tales paralleling anxieties of industrialization, colonialism, and science outpacing ethics.

Wells's "War of the Worlds," for example, channeled both wonder about the cosmos and social critique.

**Mid-20th Century:**
The genre matured with themes of robotics (Isaac Asimov's "I, Robot"), space travel (Ray Bradbury, L. Frank Baum), and post-war anxieties.

What time period produced science fiction works that included idealogies such as capitalism, and communism, and also threats of nuclear power, racism, pollution, and more?

Who are considered great masters of the golden age of science fiction?

SF was often perceived as escapism but began interrogating real-world concerns, acting as both warning and possibility.

Title:

Content: Dartmouth Speculative Fiction Project considers next steps for the genre

The project brings together authors and Dartmouth professors to collaborate on new speculative fiction work rooted in scientific research on campus.

by Sophie Chadha | 53 minutes ago

From April 13 to 16, speculative fiction authors from around the country came to Hanover to participate in the Dartmouth Speculative Fiction Project, a series of events which included interdisciplinary activities between visiting authors and Dartmouth faculty, as well as readings and panel discussions open to the public. The project aimed to foster collaboration between authors and Dartmouth faculty – with a focus on designing stories rooted in scientific research – and addressed the present and future of the speculative fiction genre.

The project was co-organized by engineering professor Solomon Diamond, English professor Rebecca Clark, the Design Initiative at Dartmouth program manager Paula Olson, Hugo award-winning speculative fiction editor Liz Gorinsky and author and former visiting film and media studies professor Sharang Biswas Th’13.

According to Hugo and Nebula awards finalist Nibedita Sen, speculative fiction is a general term that provokes valuable questions.

“The term ‘speculative fiction’ … works as an umbrella term: It is fiction which imagines things that do not currently exist, things that may come into being through science or through magic,” Sen said. “It could be advancement, or it could be, ‘What if we went backwards? What if we stepped to the side?’ It could be a different dimension, a different timestream.”

In a Q&A panel on April 15, some authors touched on the exchange of knowledge that occurs between scientific researchers and speculative fiction writers. Author K.M. Szpara said he believes the future of speculative fiction will become increasingly interdisciplinary and collaborative.

Nebula award-winning author Sam J. Miller  said we should reframe one stereotype about fiction — that it is dismissive of reality’s problems — and instead view its creation of a world without societal problems as proof of the possibility that our society could exist without them.

“It is as simple as, ‘ … And then the housing crisis is over … And then all the people standing in the way of progress are gone.’” Miller said.

Calvin George ’24, who attended the Q&A, said he was intrigued by Miller’s concept of speculative fiction as a tool for social change.

“It was really interesting to hear from these authors [about] how imagining worlds where a huge problem like climate change is gone can actually help us solve those problems by giving us a sense of hope that they are not absolute or inevitable,” George said.

Sen said she views fiction as an important lens through which we can better understand the reality of our problems.

“A lot of people view escapism as a form of writing that is less than, but I don't believe in that. Like Tolkien said: Is it not a prisoner's duty to try to escape? Fiction is the spoonful of sugar that helps the truth go down,” Sen said.

Sen said this belief manifested in her own writing following the results of the 2016 presidential election, when she pivoted into the realm of horror as a form of catharsis.

“[In 2016,] people like me were being viewed as monsters, so I decided, ‘Well, I will show you what a monster really is,’” Sen said.

Looking to the future of speculative fiction, teacher, linguist and author Rob Cameron points to the genre’s growth over the past few decades from a niche, isolated faction of enthusiasts to a universal mode of entertainment.

“With the popularization of science fiction through film, especially Marvel, ‘geek culture’ has become much more expansive — you do not have to be a geek to enjoy it,” Cameron said. “At the same time, authors’ expectations of their readers have changed with these new mediums: Are people really going to sit down and read this book? This kind of thinking sparks novel ideas like ‘choose your own adventure’ narratives, comic books, video games and more.”

According to Biswas, the Speculative Fiction Project came to life when pitched the idea of centering speculative fiction around scholarship at Dartmouth to Diamond. When selecting the authors for the panel, Biswas shared that the organizers primarily aimed to represent diversity in both background and writing experience.

“If you’re claiming to do a project that looks at the future of humanity, you need to represent diverse perspectives,” he said.

Biswas added that if the project were to happen again, he hopes it can bring together an even more diverse group of people with more funding.

“In the future, with better channels of funding, we hope to have more geographic diversity and be able to bring in international authors,” Biswas said.

The Speculative Fiction Project will continue as authors workshop their stories with their research partners. These works of fiction will be presented at a Dartmouth symposium in June and will subsequently be synthesized into an anthology in Lightspeed Magazine next year.

According to Clark, students will be invited to submit their own stories and up to four of them will be chosen and featured in the professional collection.

**Late 20th Century and Canon Expansion:**
Writers like Ursula K. Le Guin ("The Left Hand of Darkness") brought philosophical depth, questioning gender, sociopolitics, and what society might become.

What is considered a major breakthrough in science fiction publication?

What time period produced science fiction works that included idealogies such as capitalism, and communism, and also threats of nuclear power, racism, pollution, and more?

SF increasingly became a tool for reflecting on contemporary issues, not just speculating fanciful futures.

What concepts does Ishiguro's literary science fiction novel bring up?

**Contemporary Voices and Perspectives:**
Authors like N.K.

Jemisin have revolutionized the genre, emphasizing that world-building in SF (and fantasy) reflects conscious choices, both in fiction and reality.

Jemisin and other recent writers (including women and people of color) have opened doors for more nuanced and inclusive worldviews, challenging Eurocentric and patriarchal norms, and responding to global and sociopolitical "grand challenges."

What is considered a major breakthrough in science fiction publication?

Diverse authors use SF as a lens to question problems, identities, and systems; their works are both personal and universal, blending genres and expectations.

Stories by writers from different backgrounds deepen the genre, making SF a conduit for healing, societal critique, and radical imagination.


**Summary on Foreign Investment Trends in Africa (Recent Years):**

**1.

Investment Figures and Initiatives:**
- The continent has seen significant foreign investment, particularly in digital and education sectors.

For example, Kenyan students are to benefit from a **KSh 33 billion (approx.

$250 million) grant** from the Mastercard Foundation, aimed at improving digital skills.

- African cities are attracting startup capital, with a highlighted recent **$1.6 million raise for tech-enabled city expansion**.

Main Geographical Destinations:**
- Investment is focused on countries with growing urban centers and stable business environments.

**Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt**, and **Morocco** are top destinations.

- **Special Economic Zones (SEZs)** and **Free Zones** are increasingly seen as catalysts for wealth creation and job opportunities across Africa, attracting foreign manufacturers and service providers.

Targeted Industrial Sectors:**
- **Education and Digital Skills:** Mastercard Foundation schemes and UK/US university partnerships.

- **Legal and Business Services:** Growth in Africa Employer of Record (EOR) services, enabling foreign companies to hire locally while complying with labor regulations.

- **Technology:** Automation, AI, and remote work solutions see increasing investment from both Western and Asian firms.

- **Finance/Banking:** Major summits and international banks are expanding operations in Africa.

- **Defence and Infrastructure:** India’s new partnership focus includes defence, technology, and infrastructure upgrades.

Major Foreign and African Partnerships:**
- **Mastercard Foundation** (Canada/US) collaborates with Kenyan and other African educational bodies.

- **SGS (Switzerland)**: Expansion of digital technology services in Africa.

- **India** has become a strategic investor, pledging to share technology, expertise, and development models, including giving Africa full G20 representation.

**Summary on Foreign Investment Trends in Africa (Recent Years):**

**1.

Title:

Content: Businesses Thriving with Africa Employer of Record Services

      Comments Off on Businesses Thriving with Africa Employer of Record Services

As the global economy continues to evolve, businesses are increasingly looking to expand their operations into new and emerging markets. Africa, with its diverse economies and growing market potential, presents a wealth of opportunities for international businesses. However, expanding into new territories comes with its own set of challenges, particularly when it comes to navigating complex legal and regulatory landscapes. Employer of Record (EOR) services offer a solution to these challenges, enabling businesses to establish a presence in Africa efficiently and compliantly.

Understanding Africa Employer of Record Services

An Employer of Record (EOR) is a third-party organization that serves as the legal employer for a company’s workforce in a foreign country. This arrangement allows businesses to hire employees in a new market without having to establish a legal entity in that location. The EOR takes on the responsibilities and liabilities associated with employment, including payroll processing, tax compliance, benefits administration, and adherence to local labor laws. This enables companies to focus on their core business activities while ensuring legal compliance and mitigating risks.

The primary difference between an EOR and traditional employment is that the EOR becomes the legal employer of the workers, although the client company retains control over their day-to-day activities and job responsibilities. This arrangement provides a seamless and efficient solution for international hiring, particularly in regions with complex regulatory environments.

Key Benefits of Using Africa EOR Services

Using an Africa EOR provides numerous benefits for businesses looking to expand into new markets. These benefits include simplified market entry, cost efficiency, legal compliance, access to a skilled workforce, scalability, and enhanced payroll and tax management. Global EOR providers help global businesses seamlessly hire and pay remote professionals with compliant recruitment solutions.

Simplified Market Entry

One of the primary advantages of using an Africa EOR is the simplified market entry it offers. Setting up a legal entity in a foreign country can be a time-consuming and expensive process, involving extensive paperwork, regulatory approvals, and compliance with local laws. An EOR provider acts as the legal employer for your workforce, allowing you to enter new markets quickly and efficiently without the need to establish a legal entity. This enables businesses to focus on their core activities and strategic goals while the EOR handles all employment-related matters.

Cost Efficiency

Expanding into a new market often involves significant operational costs, including setting up offices, hiring staff, and managing compliance requirements. EOR solutions can help reduce these costs by providing a cost-effective alternative to establishing a legal entity. The EOR provider manages all employment-related expenses, including payroll, taxes, benefits, and compliance, allowing businesses to optimize their resources and allocate funds to other critical areas of their operations. By outsourcing employment management to an EOR provider, businesses can concentrate on their core activities and strategic initiatives, driving growth and profitability.

Legal Compliance

Navigating the complex legal and regulatory landscape of a new country can be challenging. Labor regulations in Africa can vary significantly from one country to another, making it difficult for businesses to stay compliant. EOR providers have in-depth knowledge of local labor laws and ensure that all employment practices adhere to these regulations, reducing the risk of legal issues and penalties. EOR providers are responsible for ensuring that all employment practices comply with local labor laws and regulations. This includes managing employment contracts, handling terminations, and ensuring that employee benefits and entitlements are in line with legal requirements. By partnering with an EOR provider, businesses can mitigate the risks associated with non-compliance and focus on their strategic goals.

Access to a Skilled Workforce

Africa is home to a large and diverse talent pool, with a growing number of skilled professionals in various sectors. The continent’s workforce is young, vibrant, and increasingly educated, making it an attractive destination for businesses looking to tap into new talent pools. EOR providers can help businesses access this talent pool by facilitating the recruitment and hiring of skilled professionals in the target market. By hiring local talent, businesses can benefit from the expertise and knowledge of professionals who understand the local market, culture, and business environment. This can lead to better decision-making, improved customer relations, and enhanced business performance. EOR providers can assist with the recruitment and onboarding of local talent, ensuring that businesses have access to the right skills and expertise.

Scalability

One of the key advantages of using an EOR provider is the ability to scale operations up or down quickly and efficiently. Whether a business needs to hire additional staff to meet growing demand or downsize due to changing market conditions, EOR providers offer the flexibility to adjust the workforce as needed. This scalability is particularly valuable in dynamic and rapidly changing markets. EOR providers offer flexible contract terms and conditions, allowing businesses to tailor their employment arrangements to meet their specific needs. This includes options for short-term, long-term, and project-based contracts, as well as the ability to adjust employee benefits and compensation packages. This flexibility enables businesses to respond to market changes and optimize their workforce.

Enhanced Payroll and Tax Management

Managing payroll and taxes in a foreign country can be complex and fraught with risks. EOR providers handle payroll processing, tax withholding, and filing, ensuring accuracy and compliance with local tax laws. This not only reduces the administrative burden on businesses but also minimizes the risk of costly errors and penalties. EOR providers use advanced payroll systems to ensure consistent and accurate payroll calculations, reducing manual intervention and minimizing the risk of errors and discrepancies. These systems are scalable, accommodating growing workforces, which is essential for businesses expanding their operations in Africa.

How EOR Services Help Businesses Thrive

The benefits of using an Africa EOR extend beyond simplified market entry, cost efficiency, legal compliance, access to a skilled workforce, scalability, and enhanced payroll and tax management. EOR services can also help businesses thrive in the African market by providing ongoing support, fostering employee satisfaction and retention, and enabling businesses to adapt to changing market conditions.

Ongoing Support

EOR providers offer ongoing support to ensure that businesses remain compliant with local labor laws and regulations. This includes regular compliance checks, updates on regulatory changes, and ongoing support for payroll and HR management. The EOR provider also works closely with the client to address any concerns or issues that may arise, providing businesses with peace of mind and allowing them to focus on their core activities.

Employee Satisfaction and Retention

Attracting and retaining top talent requires offering competitive employee benefits. EOR providers can help businesses design and manage comprehensive benefits packages that meet local market standards and employee expectations. This includes health insurance, retirement plans, paid leave, and other perks that enhance employee satisfaction and retention. By ensuring that employees receive competitive benefits and support, businesses can foster a positive work environment and improve employee retention.

Adapting to Changing Market Conditions

As businesses grow and evolve, their employment needs may change. EOR providers offer the flexibility to adapt to these changing needs by providing customized solutions that align with the client’s strategic goals. This includes offering support for new market entry, managing remote teams, and addressing compliance requirements in different countries. By partnering with an EOR provider, businesses can remain agile and responsive to market changes, ensuring long-term success in the African market.

Future Trends in Africa EOR Services

The EOR industry is continually evolving, driven by technological advancements and changing business needs. Future trends to watch for include increased use of automation and AI in payroll processing and HR management, ongoing updates to labor laws and regulations, and growing demand for flexible and scalable EOR solutions to accommodate remote work and global expansion.

Technological Advancements

Increased use of automation and AI in payroll processing and HR management is transforming the EOR industry. Advanced technology enables EOR providers to streamline processes, improve accuracy, and enhance compliance. This includes the use of AI-powered tools for payroll calculations, tax filing, and HR analytics. Cloud-based solutions are also becoming more prevalent, providing real-time access to payroll data and reports, enhancing data security, and ensuring compliance with local regulations.

Regulatory Changes

Ongoing updates to labor laws and regulations require EOR providers to stay agile and informed. As governments in Africa continue to update and revise labor laws, EOR providers must ensure compliance with these changes. This includes staying updated on regulatory developments and providing guidance to clients to ensure ongoing compliance.

Evolving Business Needs

Growing demand for flexible and scalable EOR solutions to accommodate remote work and global expansion is shaping the future of the industry. Businesses are increasingly seeking EOR services that offer flexibility and scalability to adapt to changing market conditions and business needs. Integration of payroll systems with HR and financial management platforms is also becoming more common, enhancing data accuracy, efficiency, and compliance.

Final Thoughts

Expanding into a new market is a significant undertaking that requires careful planning and consideration. Legal compliance, payroll management, and access to a skilled workforce are critical aspects of this process. By leveraging the services of an Africa Employer of Record, businesses can ensure compliance with local laws, reduce legal risks, and focus on their core activities.

As the EOR industry continues to evolve, businesses that stay informed and adapt to new trends will be well-positioned to capitalize on the opportunities Africa has to offer. Whether you are entering a new market or expanding your existing operations, EOR services provide the support and expertise needed to succeed in the diverse and dynamic markets of Africa.

Investment Figures and Initiatives:**
- The continent has seen significant foreign investment, particularly in digital and education sectors.

Title:

Content: The evolution of African legal services

By Carrie Davies

With Africa being a diverse place where no two countries run the same Carrie Davies, Gowling WLG discusses the evolution of the African legal services.

In many parts of Africa, increasing commercial investment, combined with major infrastructure and natural resource-focused developments, have supported the growth of the legal services sector. The speed of development, as well as its multidimensional nature, means that investors and governments increasingly demand complex legal and professional support. Ensuring delivery of advice in an efficient and holistic manner, however, comes down to more than technical legal skills.  Successfully co-ordinating the advice, and the legal advisors involved in giving it, requires excellent management skills.

The legal services sector in the UK has been relatively slow to recognise the importance of management skills in the profession, but a number of law schools are now incorporating management training as a core part of their programmes. This is a direct response both to client demands on firms, and to the requirements of running law firms themselves, in today's fast-paced commercial environment.

Increasingly complex transactions mean that lawyers are expected to go beyond providing technical legal advice, to working alongside clients in various aspects of their businesses. This includes co-ordinating the inputs of other professional services into deals, and demonstrating a comprehensive appreciation of wider macro-economic or industry-specific factors that have a bearing on any legal work. Managers at client businesses expect to be able to engage with their legal advisers on various levels, and for lawyers understand commercial, as well as purely legal, issues.

New entrants into the legal services sector are challenging the traditional structure of law firms. This is resulting in law firms needing to expand their service offerings. Firms are also beginning to recognise that promoting those who are technical experts, or consummate rain-makers, does not necessarily equate to promoting those who are best equipped to develop teams and manage the business of a firm.

In the UK, some firms have been relatively slow to acknowledge the importance of management skills for lawyers. The traditional nature of legal practice means that there is sometimes resistance, particularly among more established lawyers, whose careers have focussed on developing detailed technical knowledge of their particular practice area. This means that there are opportunities for those firms, and individual lawyers, who can combine legal and management skills.

In many jurisdictions in Africa, lack of management skills is a major constraint to business development. For forward-thinking African lawyers looking to differentiate themselves and grow their practice, combining technical expertise and management capability will set them apart.

SEE ALSO:

One way in which firms in Africa might consider developing the lawyer-manager of the future is engaging with law schools to include management training in law programmes. By incorporating management skills as part of an overall training package, these become embedded as a core competency, rather than a 'nice to have', by the time junior lawyers qualify and begin practicing.  This will benefit firms themselves, and their clients.

Training is only part of the solution, however. Experience in the UK shows that lawyers who want to develop their management skills benefit from a range of opportunities requiring them to step out of their technical, legal, comfort zones. This might take the form of client secondments that allow legal professionals to get under the skin of an industry, as well as to develop a closer relationship with a particular client, or pro-bono work that allows junior lawyers to manage a particular matter or case, and thus develop their skills. At the same time, firms might consider adapting their motivation and reward structures to take account of the changing needs of the market. Finally, taking advantage of the offering of training from international partner firms is vital as this can include opportunities for exchange visits; co-working is a great way to develop lawyer-managers, as it offers new scenarios that challenge and strengthen fee earner skills sets.

Law firms in Africa can derive opportunity from clients' challenges that arise from lack of skilled managers. By providing the skills of lawyer-managers, firms have a unique opportunity to get alongside clients and become trusted advisers, securing a lasting and mutually beneficial relationship. This may require lawyers to reconsider their traditional roles, but there are long-term benefits for firms, clients and the lawyers themselves.

For more information on business topics in the Middle East and Africa, please take a look at the latest edition of Business Chief MEA.

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For example, Kenyan students are to benefit from a **KSh 33 billion (approx.

Title:

Content: Kenyan students to benefit from Sh33b Mastercard digital scheme

Kenyan students will be among 10,000 young people from across Africa set to benefit from a $275 million (Sh33 billion) digital transformation investment programme in Africa by the MasterCard Foundation.

The foundation, in partnership with Carnegie Mellon University and the Rwandan government, has announced a partnership deal aimed at scaling up opportunities for young people from economically disadvantaged communities on the continent.

The University of Nairobi is among the universities recently added to the African Engineering and Technology Network (Afretec) and set to benefit from the partnership.

In the deal, the foundation will invest $175 (Sh21 billion) in grants to fund Carnegie Mellon University-Africa (CMU-Africa), based in Rwanda, and another $100.7 (Sh12 billion) to fund CMU-Africa’s Centre for the Inclusive Digital Transformation of Africa.

CMU-Africa, on the other hand, will expand its instructional capacity, grow the annual cohort of students by more than 33 percent and provide additional financial assistance to more students.

Some 300 students will get direct scholarship support.

The university will also run programmes to recruit and provide opportunities for marginalised groups, including women, people with disabilities and the displaced.

In his speech, Mastercard Foundation president and CEO Reeta Roy said scholars and graduates from this programme will be at the forefront of creating technologies and companies that will generate jobs and enhance Africa's economic competitiveness

“We are excited that this initiative will strengthen the role of African universities in developing the continent's scientists, innovators, and problem-solvers, as well as generating knowledge that will benefit society more broadly,” Mr Roy said.

For his part Mr Farnam Jahanian, president of Carnegie Mellon University, said the investment will provide an opportunity to 10,000 young people to gain the skills to compete in the global marketplace, innovate, design new tools that solve regional and global challenges and bring those tools to the market.

“With this new collaboration, we will accelerate our shared mission and provide life-changing educational and career experiences for students across the continent,” Mr Jahanian said.

Among the opportunities for beneficiaries, particularly young women, young people with disabilities and forcibly displaced young people, are financial assistance to enroll at CMU-Africa, research collaborations through the Afretec network of higher learning institutions and pilot programmes for English-language immersions.

They will be offered to undergraduate students from other African universities to help prepare them for graduate study.

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Which African countries are driving the venture capital ecosystem?

$250 million) grant** from the Mastercard Foundation, aimed at improving digital skills.

Which sectors are Chinese investments in Africa focusing on?

- African cities are attracting startup capital, with a highlighted recent **$1.6 million raise for tech-enabled city expansion**.

Title:

Content: 18 NOVEMBER, 2021

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

Good morning ☀

Davido, a renowned Afrobeats singer also known as OBO, raised pre-seed funding of ₦142,000,000 ($338,000) yesterday.

The round was led by angel investors who wrote check sizes starting from ₦1,000,000 ($2,380), some even going as high as ₦5,000,000 ($11,900).

Founded in 1992, the GOAT—known for good music and a charitable attitude—has announced his intention to use the funding to celebrate his founding year and expand his automobile collection.

While money didn’t fall on the GOAT per se, it definitely had no problem falling into his newly-activated Wema bank account.

TechCabal recognizes the opportunity to write a food-for-thought piece on this but we prefer to express our congratulations, and we’re quite grateful that we didn’t have to step in to save the day.

In today’s edition

  • Everything’s up at Jumia, including orders and ambitions
  • Crypto may be coming to Zanzibar
  • Moving into African cities with a $1.6 million raise

EVERYTHING’S UP AT JUMIA

On Tuesday, African e-commerce company, Jumia, released its earnings report for the third quarter of 2021.

Here are the highlights:

  • Jumia’s adjusted EBITDA and operating losses in Q3 2021 went up by 94% and 93% year-over-year to $52.5 million and $64 million, respectively.
  • Sales and advertising expenses reached $24.0 million, up 228% year-over-year, while technology and content expenses increased by 27% to $9.4 million.
  • Orders made on Jumia reached an all-time quarterly high of 8.5 million, representing a 28% year-over-year growth.
  • Annual active consumers reached 7.3 million and its gross merchandise value (GMV) reached $238 million, both up 8% year-over-year.
  • FMCG inventories is the fastest-growing category in terms of items sold while food delivery is second-fastest with over 2 million orders in Q3.
  • Jumia reached a major milestone by recording $1 million revenue from its logistics service. It delivered 2.9 million packages on behalf of 766 clients, this was a 123% increase on the 1.3 million packages that were delivered in Q2 2021.

Big Picture: One interesting part of the report highlights Jumia’s fintech ambition. In Q3, JumiaPay processed 36% of all orders on Jumia. Optimistic about this, the company has shared a roadmap to fintech-dom which includes launching payment cards, savings, insurance, and BNPL options to JumiaPay users.

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CRYPTO MAY BE COMING TO ZANZIBAR

Zanzibar is exploring ways to regulate and adopt cryptocurrency. Last week Zanzibar’s Minister of State for Economy and Investment, Mr Mudrick Soraga, said that the government is, “…seeking views on the matter before deciding whether it is viable or not” and would meet with stakeholders on the matter in the third week of November.

Crypto tourism

The government’s interest in cryptocurrency and blockchain tech could be for its tourism industry. Zanzibar is a premium, world-class, bucket-list travel destination. Its tourism industry raked in an estimated $2.6 billion in revenues in 2019.

There are a number of interesting use cases for crypto and blockchain in tourism. Last month, it was reported that Thailand’s tourism body is seriously considering developing its own digital token aimed at the upwards of 30 million (pre-pandemic) travelers that flock to the leading tourism destination each year.

What about Tanzania?

Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous region of Tanzania.

This means that the island partially governs itself, has its own taxes, and elects its own administration. Zanzibar, however, does not issue its own currency.

That aspect of the island’s economy is run by the Bank of Tanzania (BoT). So, in order to see wide-scale cryptocurrency adoption, Zanzibar’s government will have to work with the central bank to develop a policy framework for crypto adoption. This might not be so difficult. Tanzania’s government has already demonstrated an interest in crypto with President Samia Suluhu Hassan, calling for the BoT to lay the groundwork for cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology back in June.

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MOVING INTO AFRICAN CITIES WITH A $1.6 MILLION RAISE

Shuttlers, a logistics startup headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, has raised $1.6 million in seed funding to expand into African countries.

The investment round was led by VestedWorld, a Chicago-and-Africa-based investment firm, with Interswitch, Rising Tide Africa, Launch Africa, EchoVC, CMC 21 & Alsa, ShEquity, Five35, Consonance Investment, CcHub Syndicate, Sakore, and Nikky Taurus also participating in the raise.

Backstory: In 2016, Damilola Olokesusi founded Shuttlers to tackle the inefficient transportation system in Lagos, Africa’s most populous city. The startup was a tech-enabled bus-sharing company targeted at helping Lagosians commute in comfort at affordable rates.

At the time, Lagos was a city holding 23 million people and 90% of its transport system was road-based, with semi-formal mini buses or danfos accounting for 45% of trips while walking accounted for 40%. According to the Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority, in 2015, the city alone also accounted for 30% of the total number of road vehicles in Nigeria, with a vehicular density of 234 cars per kilometre.

With formal or public transport accounting for only 2.5 of the total network, there was space in the industry for a system that formalized commuting in affordable ways.

Cutting Lagosians Slack

When Shuttler drove into space, it didn’t have an application.

The company’s model at the time was messenger-based, using Slack, email, and WhatsApp to communicate routes and timelines to its customers. But this business model didn’t stop Shuttlers from getting customers on board, one of which was tech-talent sourcing company, Andela.

Read more: With 2 million trips and a $1.6 million raise, Shuttlers is driving past Lagos.

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OPPORTUNITIES

  • The Kofi Annan Global Health Leadership is offering a fully-funded fellowship to public health leaders in Africa. The fellowship is open to citizens of member-states of the African Union (AU) who possess post-graduate degrees and professional experience in public health. Find out more here
  • The 2021 Africa Legal Tech Innovation Awards is open to nominations for individuals championing revolution in Africa’s legal-tech space. Learn more about the awards here.
  • The Commonwealth Shared Scholarships for the 2022/2023 academic year are now open to applications from candidates in commonwealth countries seeking to pursue master’s degrees in selected courses at UK Universities. Accepted candidates will get tuition fees for the duration of their program, airfare, and living expenses of up to £1,390. Find out more here

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Edited by – Kelechi Njoku

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What trends are emerging for African startups in 2022?

Main Geographical Destinations:**
- Investment is focused on countries with growing urban centers and stable business environments.

**Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt**, and **Morocco** are top destinations.

- **Special Economic Zones (SEZs)** and **Free Zones** are increasingly seen as catalysts for wealth creation and job opportunities across Africa, attracting foreign manufacturers and service providers.

Title:

Content: Free zones may be Africa’s best chance to accelerate wealth creation

By Sylvia Brune

Co-founder of AHOY – a flight booking and concierge app – Sylvia Brune discusses why free zones may be Africa’s best chance to accelerate wealth.

Given the demand for goods and services from Africa’s growing middle classes, the continent has huge potential for growth. Over the past year, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into Africa grew by 11%, bucking the global trend and potentially setting a bright precedent for the future.

Whether this upwards trend in FDI will have a positive effect on growth and wealth creation is, however, still unknown. Studies have shown that capital has little impact on an undeveloped foundation. Key components needed to enhance capital’s productivity are infrastructure (not just physical), a stable and transparent legal framework, and skilled labour.

Where these are lacking, investors into the continent have to first ‘build’ the commercial foundation, before commencing their projects. Like spending money on hiring advisors, lawyers, and accountants to navigate the various countries’ economic environments, political systems, and bureaucracy. This adds time and uncertainty to projects, acting as an effective ‘tax’ on any return on investment - meaning only projects with a very high upside will be embarked upon.

Evidence suggests that these key components are indeed lacking across most of Africa, albeit with a small handful of countries on the road to improvement.

Countries, like Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire, have made important strides to improve anti-corruption institutions. Cabo Verde and Gambia have managed to gain local trust with 85% and 84% believing their government is fundamentally sound. And Mauritius and Rwanda have made it into the top 35 countries in the world as measured by economic and personal freedom, with Mauritius marginally beating Norway in the global ranking.

The reality is, however, that corruption continues to undermine the rule of law across most of Africa (which hosts 13 of the globe’s 20 most corrupt countries). Rule of law relates to strong property rights, government integrity, and judicial effectiveness - the basis for a sound investment environment. What is even worse than corruption’s effect on FDI, though, is its effect on retaining and developing talent.

Instability and lack of opportunity continues to result in brain-drain - drawing talent and skill away from the continent. The World Bank estimates one-in-nine Africans with a tertiary education live away from Africa – a 50% growth since the mid-00s.

So, what’s the solution?

Given the long, tough road ahead towards building economically sound environments across Africa, I believe the only solution in the short run, is establishing 100s of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) throughout the continent.

For those unfamiliar with SEZs, they are areas which operate under a different legal framework to the country they inhabit – with investment-friendly laws around commercial transactions, taxes, and the protection of private property. SEZs’ advantage is that you avoid building on top of broken legacy system, instead creating a pre-packaged, investor-ready climate.

These zones have been successfully tested and run in China and the Four Tigers (Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan) to attract considerable FDI, and experience decades of double-digit growth. This format could likewise be used to boost and sustain investor interest in Africa.

SEE ALSO:

SEZs as talent hubs

While SEZs are known mostly as attractive investment environments, with conducive infrastructure and legal frameworks, the secret to their success rate is actually in their ability to attract and retain talent and skilled labour in specialised hubs.

China showed just how powerful an industry focus within SEZs can be. Because they provide a magnetic effect of highly specialised knowledge hubs - comprised of domestic, regional, and international talent.

Capital is like fuel, it’s only effective where there is a flame to throw it on. And that flame is talent.

The potential is clear, and I believe Africa has a burgeoning pool of talent waiting to be tapped into. But whether they are able to put their talents to best use, collaborate, and innovate freely is uncertain, and will determine whether they stay, or search for opportunities elsewhere.

A common hurdle, for example, is work visa rules between African countries, which means it’s easier for talent to find good opportunities outside Africa than within Africa. Talented individuals want to work alongside other talent. Similarly, talent and specialists from outside Africa face considerable barriers when trying to obtain work permits.

For example, Mr. Eazi’s emPawa Masterclass, like many creative undertakings, is dependent on bringing together the best talent. Earlier this year, emPawa struggled to bring artists, producers, and mentors together from across Africa. Due to visa rules and uncertain processing times, some were only provided with visas after the masterclass was already over, some not at all.

Here, again, SEZs are a solution. SEZs are able to receive visa allocations relating to their area of specialisation, which increases the likelihood of collaboration and innovation - which in turn attracts capital.

The Andela example

There’s plenty of evidence that talent wants to stay, provided there are the right conditions to do so. A great example is tech recruitment platform Andela, which proves that when start-ups in Africa have access to the best talent, including a global support network, and then tap into local opportunity, they can raise substantial foreign capital, and the local business community benefits as well.

Andela trains candidates for six months before pairing them with clients, many are the Fortune 500 and a number of Silicon Valley start-ups. So far, more than 90% of Andela’s first batch of alumni are still working in Nigeria.

SEZs would be able to turbocharge the work of companies like Andela. After talent has been developed, they need environments where they can make most use of their skills.

Already, countries like Mauritius, Senegal, and Rwanda have and are in the process of creating SEZs, with the view to building infrastructure, a stable legal framework, and enticing skilled labour – it’s an exciting time and I for one, am eager to see the results as more African countries follow their footsteps.

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Which sectors received the most foreign investment?

Targeted Industrial Sectors:**
- **Education and Digital Skills:** Mastercard Foundation schemes and UK/US university partnerships.

Which European countries lead investment in Africa?

Which countries are actively investing in Africa besides China?

- **Legal and Business Services:** Growth in Africa Employer of Record (EOR) services, enabling foreign companies to hire locally while complying with labor regulations.

Which sectors received the most foreign investment?

- **Technology:** Automation, AI, and remote work solutions see increasing investment from both Western and Asian firms.

- **Finance/Banking:** Major summits and international banks are expanding operations in Africa.

- **Defence and Infrastructure:** India’s new partnership focus includes defence, technology, and infrastructure upgrades.

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Content: / 30 Aug 2023

Modi says Africa is top priority for India

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

In a question and answer session with the Mail & Guardian, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expands on the fast-growing country’s relationship with Africa, and the push for the AU to become a member of the G20.

India has a long history of partnership and solidarity with Africa. How do you see this relationship evolving further?

You are absolutely correct. India and the great nations of Africa are connected through the golden threads of history, bound by a spirit of camaraderie and shared resilience against the shadows of colonialism. There is a deep sense of mutual admiration.

Mahatma Gandhi first fought against colonial oppression and apartheid in Africa and then led India’s freedom struggle. His ideals inspired Nelson Mandela in his struggles as well.

India’s freedom struggle inspired the independence struggles in the global south, especially in Africa.

In earlier times, our bonds were strengthened thanks to this shared struggle against colonial rule. Today, as we stand shoulder to shoulder. It is the shared aspiration for prosperity, and inclusive and sustainable development that lights the path forward, intertwining our futures ever more closely.

In modern times, India has demonstrated its strong commitment to the countries in Africa and has shared its capacities; development experience based on the needs and priorities of the countries of the continent.

I believe that Africa has the capacity and the ability to contribute to the global good. If we listen to their voices and ensure representation, the countries of Africa can make an immense contribution to global growth and development.

When I became the prime minister of India, one of the earliest summits that I hosted was the India-Africa Summit in New Delhi in 2015. It was remarkable that leaders of the 54 countries of Africa had joined. I will always cherish this historic summit.

Not many people know that in 2017, I hosted the meeting of the African Development Bank in Ahmedabad, in the state of Gujarat in India. It was the first time that the bank held such a meeting outside Africa. Our institutions learnt a lot from these exchanges.

After India took over the presidency of the G20, one of the first events we hosted was the Voice of the Global South Summit. Here, 125 partner countries, a large number of them from the African continent, participated and shared their priorities. It was only after that we set the agenda for our presidency.

I have personally taken the initiative to give the African Union full membership of the G20. I remain confident that we will realise this during the forthcoming G20 summit.

We have a strong partnership in various areas of human endeavour that include trade, investment, defence, energy and health, among others. Trade with Africa stands at around $100 billion. Our investments are touching $80 billion.

We have a robust development partnership. Human resource capacity building and skill development programmes have benefited more than 37 000 people in the past decade or so. We have committed over $12 billion in developing capacities in the fields of agriculture, health, education, power generation and infrastructure development, among others. Our development partnership model is unique as it is based on the needs and priority of our partner countries.

The true test of our enduring partnership is that we have stood with each other in the times of need. During the challenging Covid times, we worked together to supply vaccines and essential medicine for the people of Africa.

We have partnered in establishing pan-Africa networks for tele-education and tele-medicine.

This year, in April, we set up the offshore campus of the National Forensic Science University in Uganda. Last month, we set up the offshore campus of the premier Indian Institute of Technology at Zanzibar in Tanzania. These will serve educational needs, especially in the areas of science, technology engineering and innovation of the entire region.

Africa has great potential. Most of the countries are experiencing high rates of growth. India, with her ancient roots and youthful spirit, is ascending on the global stage. Together, we can weave a tapestry of shared aspirations and dreams, destined to illuminate the annals of history with tales of mutual prosperity.

At the Brics Outreach Summit, I had the opportunity to reflect on the future potential of cooperation and collaboration between India and Africa. The sky is the limit.

India is a growing economy and is projected to be the third-largest economy before the end of this decade.  How can Africa benefit from this? Beyond the conventional areas of political relations, trade and commerce, what are the new areas of collaboration that India can offer to Africa?

In the past 10 years, we have moved from being the 10th biggest to being the fifth largest global economy. But, we are not just that. The world over, India is seen as a global bright spot — a nation that can enhance global prosperity.

And, I assure you we are not content with these great jumps — our people are powering India towards becoming the third largest economy in a few years.

India is now considered as the country with the largest population in the world. But not many realise that we are not only the largest in terms of population, we are also young in terms of demography. So, we are a unique combination of being the fastest growing emerging economy with a very young population. This will remain our great strength in the coming times.

We have already seen that our youth has made India a home of digital innovations and solutions. The Indian youth is synonymous with success in information technology, bio-sciences, robotics and informatics.

Last week, our space journey took us to the moon. Our Chandrayaan successfully landed at the South pole of the moon, where no one has ever gone before. What many did not see, was that our young scientists constituted a very strong part of this mission.

Today, India is the third-largest start-up ecosystem in the world. We have over 100 unicorns and nearly 100 000 registered startups. These numbers will grow in the future.

India has the ability to create unique and scalable solutions to problems. The digital public infrastructure, the India Stack, is promoting e-governance, financial inclusion, transparency and efficiency. We have been able to ensure public service delivery to the last mile. We have plugged leakages of billions of dollars.

India is moving ahead on its ambitious programme for 500 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2030. We are working towards increasing solar, wind, biofuels, nuclear, hydrogen and other sources in our energy mix.

Africa is an aspirational continent. We welcome its vision to modernise and industrialise through the ambitious Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.

India is ready for the partnership and will share its capacities with the countries of Africa so that they can realise the potential to be a global economic and technological powerhouse.

Given the shared nature of challenges and the development journey, I strongly believe that the innovations and solutions that are developed in India can be easily replicated in the countries in Africa. These include those in digital, health, renewable, agriculture and other sectors.

India is ready to work on challenges that affect the planet. The initiatives for strengthening food security are a priority for all of us.

Africa has significant land for production of various products. Both sides can build partnerships between the public and private sectors to invest in agriculture production and the agro-industry. It will not only promote food security, but also generate large scale employment. It will bring prosperity to the people and enable the African economies to move up the value chain through the creation of agro-processing facilities.

The 3.5 million Indian diaspora in Africa constitute a strong bond of friendship between India and the region. I am sure that the youth of India would be excited to work with the youth of Africa to forge a partnership that will be a force for the global good.

I would like to reiterate that India shall remain an enduring partner for Africa in its development journey of realising its aspirations.

India assisted Africa during Covid and supported it during the natural calamities it has been facing. What is your perspective on that?

This is what true friends are for. And, it is a part of our Indian value system and that we never leave our friends alone at the time of their needs.

We are proud of our longstanding friendship with the people of Africa and consider it our duty to stand with the people of Africa in meeting their needs for vaccines and medicine during one of the most challenging times of a lifetime.

When regional geopolitical tensions and disruption in supply chains was creating food shortages, we stepped in to supply food grains to several African countries.

We are privileged to have been the first responder in extending humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in times of crisis, including in Mozambique, Madagascar and Malawi.

True friendships are tested during the time of need. And, I am confident that we shall win the test of friendship every single time.

Defence has been a new area of collaboration between India and Africa. How do you see India-Africa defence relations progressing?

India is connected to the East coast of the African continent through the Indian Ocean. Therefore, our defence, security and maritime interests are intertwined.

In 2015, during my visit to Mauritius, I spoke about Sagar — Security and Growth for All in the Region. This vision defines our approach towards defence and maritime security while working with our partners in Africa.

There is mutual desire to further enhance defence cooperation that is driven by common security challenges, threat perceptions, and a collective commitment to work towards the security and stability of the region.

Today, defence cooperation has emerged as an important pillar in India-Africa relations. Two India-Africa defence conclaves have been held in 2020 and 2022. This year, in March, we conducted the first joint Army Chiefs Conclave.

We are cooperating with several countries in the region in providing training and capacity building. We hold joint exercises too.

The Indian Navy has emerged as a security provider in the Western Indian Ocean Region, offering timely delivery of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief during emergencies.

India has contributed to enhancing the defence capabilities of African countries, including by providing reliable and affordable military hardware like patrol craft and light helicopters.

It is not just about supplying equipment. India is committed to empowering African states to indigenously meet their military requirements by sharing expertise and knowledge in defence manufacturing, research, and development. India has assisted countries like Nigeria and Tanzania in setting up defence academies and providing them with instructors and training material.

India is among those few countries that contribute troops in large numbers to the UN peacekeeping operations in Africa. Nearly 5 000 Indian personnel, including women, are serving in these peacekeeping operations. Our troops have also made supreme sacrifices for furthering peace, security and stability in this part of the world.

India is increasingly becoming a space power. What lessons can Africa draw out of it?

I think you are asking this question after the success of India’s Chandrayaan Mission. It has made people all around the world very happy.

I had said in my remarks after the success of the mission that this success is also dedicated to all developing countries around the world. I believe that it will act as a source of inspiration that if India can realise its dreams, the rest of the developing world can also achieve their dreams.

I know many countries in Africa have their aspirations for developing a space programme as part of the AU’s Agenda 2063.

I assure them that India stands ready to share its experience and help in various ways.

As the Chair of G20, where does Africa figure in India’s priority?

Africa is of top priority. In the development journey of the world in this century and beyond, the voice of Africa will be crucial.

Since India assumed the presidency of the G20, we have worked with the motto “One Earth, One Family, One Future”. It has been our priority to bring the concerns, priorities and aspirations of the global south, including the countries of Africa, to the forefront of the G20 agenda.

We believe that we need to hear the voices who are affected the most by the decisions that are taken in the G20.

We started our presidency with the Voice of Global South Summit in January where 47 African countries participated and shared their thoughts. It helped us to frame the agenda of our presidency. We have made a lot of progress in the past nine months and have been able to impress upon our partners within G20 the importance of taking into consideration the priorities of the developing world.

We have strongly advocated for permanent membership for the AU in G20. This stems from our belief that Africa should be given its due. And, I am confident that we will achieve this during our presidency.

Proper representation to Africa in global institutions would help us achieve inclusive sustainable global growth and development.

Major Foreign and African Partnerships:**
- **Mastercard Foundation** (Canada/US) collaborates with Kenyan and other African educational bodies.

Which African countries are driving the venture capital ecosystem?

Which countries are actively investing in Africa besides China?

- **SGS (Switzerland)**: Expansion of digital technology services in Africa.

Which sectors received the most foreign investment?

- **India** has become a strategic investor, pledging to share technology, expertise, and development models, including giving Africa full G20 representation.

What trends are emerging for African startups in 2022?

Which Asian countries are investing in Africa?

Which countries are actively investing in Africa besides China?

Europe, U.S. Japan, South Korea, India
India