The evolution of science fiction literature from the 19th century to the present has been influenced by various authors and works, including H.G. Wells, Jules Verne, Mary Shelley, Isaac Asimov, and Arthur C. Clarke.

Women and minority authors have made significant contributions to the science fiction genre, including authors such as Octavia E. Butler, Ursula K. Le Guin, and China Miéville [1].

Contemporary science fiction trends often explore the impact of technology on human relationships and society, as seen in works such as Yumi Adejuki's novel and Gabriel Zevin's Tomorrow, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow.

The genre has also been influenced by various scientific and technological advancements, including space travel, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology, as seen in works like 2001: A Space Odyssey and Jurassic Park.

Science fiction literature has been used as a form of social commentary, criticism, or propaganda, often using irony, satire, or disruption to explore themes such as time travel, alien invasion, genetic engineering, and the human condition.

The science fiction genre has expanded to include sub-genres such as hard sci-fi, sci-fi fantasy, dystopian, apocalyptic, and cyberpunk, with notable works including The Forever War, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, The Handmaid's Tale, and Neuromancer.

Indie authors such as J. Dianne Dotson, Mya Duong, and Jennifer Greenhall are contributing to the science fiction genre with their own unique works, including Heliopause: The Questrison Saga and Mindful Things.

The Dartmouth Speculative Fiction Project aims to bring together authors and researchers to collaborate on new speculative fiction work rooted in scientific research, and plans to represent diversity in both background and writing experience.

Gothic literature has influenced the science fiction genre, with authors such as Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker, and Edgar Allan Poe contributing to the development of the genre.

Science fiction literature has witnessed a wide presence in Arab creative writings, with authors such as Tawfiq al-Hakim and Ahmed Saadawi contributing to the genre.

The genre has also been influenced by various philosophical and cultural traditions, including Arabic literature and the works of Avicenna and Ibn Tufayl.

The evolution of science fiction literature from the 19th century to the present has been influenced by various authors and works, including H.G. Wells, Jules Verne, Mary Shelley, Isaac Asimov, and Arthur C. Clarke.

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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.

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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.

What is considered the first true science fiction novel of the modern era, which foreshadowed genetic tinkering?

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

Women and minority authors have made significant contributions to the science fiction genre, including authors such as Octavia E. Butler, Ursula K. Le Guin, and China Miéville [1].

Contemporary science fiction trends often explore the impact of technology on human relationships and society, as seen in works such as Yumi Adejuki's novel and Gabriel Zevin's Tomorrow, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow.

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Content: Chairman of the Board of Directors and Editors
I'm sorry.
Mohamad Elbaz
Chairman of the Board of Directors and Editors
I'm sorry.
Mohamad Elbaz
Attention to technology.
Writers explain the shift in current literature
In a new novel by journalist Yumi Adejuki, an anonymous statement circulating on social media threatens to undermine the burgeoning relationship between a young couple, the novel illustrates all the fears and toxins that social media apps can sow.
Anatomy of the role of contemporary technology
This is not the only work of fiction in recent years that puts aspects of modern technology under the microscope, there are many books that dissect the role of contemporary technology in our lives.
In Gabriel Zevin ’ s Tomorrow, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, he touches on the themes of life, death, reconciliation, and love through the lens of the evolution of video games and online worlds.
A best-selling book like Yellowface looks at race, privilege, power, and the pitfalls of the publishing industry, but it also touches on Twitter.
Technology company scandals
Bookblogger Julian Bonocore told Mashable that she has seen a rise in technology-based fiction in recent times, attributing it to the fact that such books play on the public ’ s concerns, especially regarding real-life tech scandals in Silicon Valley and big tech companies.
Technology-based stories are compelling and interesting, from business diving to personal success and scandals.
Young author Wendy Maas told Mashable: “Twenty-first-century novels are increasingly entangled with the constant evolution of technology and its impact on humans.
For decades, futuristic gadgets like artificial-intelligence-controlled devices and the ability to instantly communicate with anyone around the world have been the exclusive stuff of science fiction writers.
Now, a lot of great technology has become part of our daily lives, so authors of other genres can incorporate it into their stories as well.
The ever-evolving technology
Stories about tech workers have become commonplace.
Many authors have been praised for their accounts of the people behind the big tech companies and the dark side of the industry.
Sometimes, the industry is used as a symbolic story, but more often, as a framework for exploring the undulating consequences of a culture of bustle, freedom, and ambition.
Sophie Vershbow, a writer who previously worked in publishing for 10 years, believes that this kind of fiction exploits our very real and human fears about the ever-evolving technology landscape.
Books containing technology are popular for the same reason dystopian novels were popular during President Trump ’ s presidency, and epidemiological novels were popular during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Imagination is a way to indulge our fears and curiosity across pages.

The genre has also been influenced by various scientific and technological advancements, including space travel, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology, as seen in works like 2001: A Space Odyssey and Jurassic Park.

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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]

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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.

Science fiction literature has been used as a form of social commentary, criticism, or propaganda, often using irony, satire, or disruption to explore themes such as time travel, alien invasion, genetic engineering, and the human condition.

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

The science fiction genre has expanded to include sub-genres such as hard sci-fi, sci-fi fantasy, dystopian, apocalyptic, and cyberpunk, with notable works including The Forever War, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, The Handmaid's Tale, and Neuromancer.

Indie authors such as J. Dianne Dotson, Mya Duong, and Jennifer Greenhall are contributing to the science fiction genre with their own unique works, including Heliopause: The Questrison Saga and Mindful Things.

The Dartmouth Speculative Fiction Project aims to bring together authors and researchers to collaborate on new speculative fiction work rooted in scientific research, and plans to represent diversity in both background and writing experience.

Gothic literature has influenced the science fiction genre, with authors such as Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker, and Edgar Allan Poe contributing to the development of the genre.

Title:

Content: Editor's Note: The below contains spoilers for Season 2 Episode 5 of House of the Dragon.

The Big Picture

  • Gothic literature stems from Romanticism, emphasizing the beauty of nature, extreme emotion, and the macabre in the late 18th-19th centuries.
  • The dark and eerie atmosphere of Gothic literature influences House of the Dragon's haunted castle, Harrenhal, enhancing Daemon's story.
  • Daemon Targaryen faces his inner demons in Harrenhal and experiences haunting visions which lead to significant character development in Season 2.

It should not surprise you that, as a writer, I took some literature classes in college. But my favorite class revolved around Gothic literature. Yes, that's with a capital G. None of the authors wore black lipstick, had black nail polish, or wore skinny black jeans (to my knowledge), but the vibes and the aesthetic of the Gothic certainly have become a part of pop culture. It shouldn't surprise anyone that novels like Frankenstein, Dracula, The Castle of Otranto, and The Portrait of Dorian Gray all fall under this subgenre of literature. Authors like Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker, Emily Brontë, and Edgar Allan Poe all helped pioneer the subgenre, while authors like Shirley Jackson, Anne Rice, and even Stephen King helped it evolve. This is the subgenre that birthed dark and stormy nights and the modern vampire _ and it's clear from this season of House of the Dragon that it inspired the gloomy and eerie design behind Harrenhal, which just makes Daemon's (Matt Smith) storyline at the haunted castle all the better.

What Exactly Is Gothic Literature?

The first thing you need to know about Gothic fiction is that it comes from the larger umbrella of Romanticism. No, this does not refer to romantic books or stories involving romance and love (though it can), but rather the entire Romantic era. At the risk of turning too much into a two-bit college TA, Romanticism was the most prevalent from the late 18th century to the mid-19th century, and it affected not only literature but also art, philosophy, and architecture. It emphasized individualism as a direct reaction to the Enlightenment (a period dominated by rationalism). It embraced an appreciation for the beauty of nature in all aspects, extreme emotion and favoring the senses over intellect, and looking inward to yourself and examining personality and mood, even mental state. This is the era that birthed the Byronic hero, which evolved into what we know as the antihero. It was a time when the rules were ignored and creativity was heralded, the spiritual and imaginary were valued. Interest in folk cultures and the medieval past spiked. More importantly, relating to the Gothic, it was a time when people became curious about the weird, the grotesque, the occult, and even the satanic.

Gothic literature, in particular, embraced this aesthetic. Dark and stormy nights became the norm, mysterious strangers, haunted and dilapidated castles, mysterious dreams and visions, and the use of witchcraft and magic all became embedded into the subgenre. As it evolved and developed, Gothic horror developed into the genre as we know it today. There's a distinct sense of unease, one that is often oppressive, and because of that, the setting of a Gothic tale is vital. The story is often underpinned by a tale about the "battle between humanity and unnatural forces of evil." And while I wouldn't necessarily call what is happening to Daemon at Harrenhal evil, there's something so perfectly spooky about his side quest that it quite literally feels like it is plucked from a book written by Mary Shelley.

Daemon's Stay at Harrenhal Is Peak Gothic Horror

It's hard not to love the character of Daemon Targaryen. He has a rogueish charm that is matched with a bravado and arrogance that borders on the superhuman. If he was a real man, I'd likely hate him and try and stay as far away from him as possible. As a fictional character, he's easily one of the best of the series. When Daemon arrives at the massive castle of Harrenhal, it is out of necessity. Not only has he been essentially cast out after a fight with his queen and wife Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy), but Harrenhal is one of the most important locations in Westeros from a military point of view. It's in the center of the kingdom and the castle is large enough to hold a large host of men.

But right when he arrives, it's clear that this castle is not just a building but a living and breathing thing, and one that doesn't seem to really care that a Targaryen prince (or king consort, or king?) has arrived at its door. Historically, Harrenhal was created by a villainous character in Westeros history. Harren the Black built Harrehal like a vanity project; it took almost 40 years to make and was essentially built on the backs of thousands of men. Yes, even the sacred weirwood trees were cut down in order to help construct it. Harren is not well loved in history, but in a historic twist of irony, not long after his castle was done, Aegon the Conqueror came flying into Westeros and began his conquest with his sister-wives. When Harren the Black refused to bow to Aegon, Aegon blasted the castle with unrelenting dragonfire from his dragon Balerion and killed Harren and his sons on the spot. Since then, the castle has had a reputation for being cursed.

When Daemon lands on Caraxes and stalks the halls of the castle, the set is built in an almost labyrinthian way, as described by the production designers in the docuseries The House That Dragons Built. There are bats everywhere, the rain is bleeding through the castle stone, and there's a howling wind. Hell, the place even has its own resident witch in Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin). In a chilling moment, when Daemon is walking through the halls in Episode 3, he turns a corner and distinctly hears the voice of a young Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock) calling his name. But as with all Gothic stories, the setting is not just a physical location; it plays an integral part in the story.

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Rhaenyra's Biggest Problem in 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 Isn't Daemon

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Every Single Dream and Vision Daemon Suffers Through Gives Me Life

Until now, House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones have rarely left the genre of high fantasy. There's dragons, there's medieval politics, there's a plethora of made-up languages; it's the epitome of the genre. But Harrenhal is a different beast. It's supernatural. Not only does it almost always seem to be creepy and dark in the castle, but it leaves the occupant suffering from vivid nightmares and visions. What really made me fall in love with this segment of Season 2, even if it often feels so removed from the story at large, is how it fully leans into Gothic horror. As described by librarian Amanda Pagan, early novels about Gothic horror featured "discussions of morality, philosophy, and religion, with the evil villains most often acting as metaphors for some sort of human temptation the hero must overcome."

This Harrenhal story uses the Gothic as a vehicle for Daemon's character development and exploration. It looks at the morality and consequences of his actions, the ones he distinctly feels guilty about but won't admit. He is confronted by a young Rhaenyra who guilts him over the events of Blood and Cheese and the killing of Jaehaerys. She is, ghoulishly, sewing the head of a child onto a body. She then rounds on him again in Episode 4 about his ambition to be known as Viserys' (Paddy Considine) heir. Laena (Nanna Blondell) corners him in Episode 5 about his neglect of his daughters, Baela (Bethany Antonia) and Rhaena (Phoebe Campbell). He is even seduced by his own mother, Alyssa (Emmeline Lambert), who praises him as the better son in comparison to his brother. Overwhelmed by the castle, Daemon falls into his temptations and pushes to supplant Rhaenyra in Episode 5, urging men to bow to him and call him king, insisting that when he takes King's Landing, it will be Rhaenyra who must come to him and accept that they will rule together.

To some, this might feel like a lot is being piled on top of Daemon, who, week by week, veers further from the version of his character that exists in Fire & Blood. But to me, this is better than anything I could have dreamed of. Oftentimes, Daemon would do something, such as abandon Rhaenyra in her time of need, ignore his daughters, be cruel to his brother, and we were simply left to accept that "that's just Daemon." He suffers no consequences for his actions because the people who love him repeatedly forgive him. Viserys forgives Daemon for mocking his dead child and dead wife. Rhaenyra proposes to Daemon and asks him to marry her even after he's abandoned her in the past. And his daughters can't really escape the paternal bond and the innate desire to form a connection with a parent.

This trial at Harrenhal is essential to Daemon's character because he has to face his demons in order to either come out stronger or become completely broken by them. If this was a traditional Gothic novel, there's a high likelihood of the latter. But, since this is a TV show and there's still a lot of story to be told, maybe Daemon will survive this baptism by fire.

'House of the Dragon' Season 2 Episode 5 Is a Tipping Point for Daemon

Never has Daemon been in a lower spot than in Episode 5 — and this is coming from a guy who once faced off the Crabfeeder and his army on a suicide run before going home and ending up in the dusty basement of a brothel with a killer hangover. The Daemon of Episode 5 is a tortured man. He's let his ambitions swallow him whole, becoming a tyrant who only is regarded with hatred by the river lords. Not only is he now Rhaenyra's greatest liability, but he's his own worst enemy. Just when we think that his desire for the throne and the crown has swallowed him whole, Laena appears and reminds him of his children.

This hard knock back to reality, along with the river lords accusing him of killing Jaehaerys (something he technically did by proxy) disorients him. By the end of the episode, he's a far cry from the swaggering prince we once knew. We could never have had this drastic of an arc for Daemon if it wasn't for Harrenhal and the magic that's baked into the castle. This inescapably bleak place has forced Daemon to look into the darkest mirror, something he's avoided for years, and that, to me, is simply chef's kiss.

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What is considered the first true science fiction novel of the modern era, which foreshadowed genetic tinkering?

Science fiction literature has witnessed a wide presence in Arab creative writings, with authors such as Tawfiq al-Hakim and Ahmed Saadawi contributing to the genre.

Title:

Content: Monday 27 December 2021
Chairman of the Board of Directors and Editors
I'm sorry.
Mohamad Elbaz
Editor-in-Chief
Wael Lotfy
Chairman of the Board of Directors and Editors
I'm sorry.
Mohamad Elbaz
Editor-in-Chief
Wael Lotfy
“Studies in Scientific Literature. ”
A book that explores the features of science fiction in Arabic works
Science fiction literature has witnessed a wide presence in Arab creative writings despite its emergence and prosperity in the Western world, and despite its creative popularity, it has not received sufficient critical attention. Based on this idea, the Syrian writer and critic Ahmed Ali Mohammed observes the features and features of science fiction in Arabic literature, both ancient and modern, in his book "Studies in Science Literature", recently published in the series of studies by the Arab Writers Union.
The Syrian researcher believes that the Arab criticism has overlooked the literature of science fiction, citing a number of arguments such as the immaturity of this type of writing in the Arab world, and the disregard of his writers for the features of literary writing, as well as the lack of scientific knowledge, which the writer considers weak, especially with the presence of remarkable writings in this field succeeded in setting a firm foot and overcome many shortcomings.
Leadership in scientific literature
Ali points out that the philosophical messages of Avicenna and Ibn Tufayl can be considered as the beginning of the link in ancient Arabic literature between literature and science, as the Arab heritage includes philosophical messages written in successive times that represented the basis of literary thinking based on science fiction, the most prominent of these messages: "The message of Hayy bin Yaqzan" by Avicenna.
Shahabuddeen al-Sahrawardi ’ s “Strange Alienation ” message is inspired by the story of the neighborhood of Ben Yaqzan, and Ibn al-Nafees ’ s“ Perfect Letter ” in which he followed the example of his predecessors.
The author says of the relevance of these letters to science fiction: "These letters draw a narrative basis based on the facts of science, elaborate on the imagination based on thought and knowledge, and depict part of the knowledge of their owners.
The most prominent aspect of these letters is the narrative imager related to the facts of science and the perceptions of philosophy, which confirms the existence of seeds of scientific literature in the Arabs. ”
Science Fiction Poetry
The writer points out that science fiction literature has been associated with narrative forms, was raised with the French writer Jules Verne, who published the first story in science fiction literature in 1863 entitled "Five Weeks in a Balloon" and then wrote another story entitled "Journey to the Hollow of the Earth" and then continued productions, including the novel "Time Machine" by George Wells and others.
Science fiction poetry is rare, including the poem "The Asteroid" by Russian poet Nikolai Glazkov, translated by Al-Azhar University professor Ahmed Shafiq al-Khatib, a poem based on the achievements of science fiction literature in terms of prediction, foresight and time travel.
Criticism of scientific literature
Some of the works of Tawfiq al-Hakim include The Year of One Million (1953), which is dominated by philosophical consideration of life, nature and the universe, and his play Journey to Tomorrow (1958), which involves a forward-looking view of the future related to man ’ s struggle with time, as well as his play “Food for Every Mouth ”." In which he talks about the problem of food that people will suffer from in the future, and his play "The Prayer of Angels", which deals with the impact of science on the happiness of humanity and the provision of its needs.
Political fiction literature
The writer monitors the branches of science fiction literature that not only addressed the problems of the environment, pollution, space and planets, but touched the problems of politics, society and economy through the literature of political fiction, which includes under its banner the literature of utopia and dystopia.
There are a number of writings concerned with depicting Utopia, which means a utopia without trace of corruption, evil or injustice, the most prominent of these writings is Thomas Moore ’ s “Utopia ”, which depicts an ideal world critical of the political, religious and social conditions of his time.
The literature of dystopia comes in contrast to utopia, but they belong under the name of political fiction, which is a branch of science fiction literature, as each deals with political life by storytelling accompanied by fiction, and dystopia means the literature of the corrupt city or the world of bitter reality that depicts a society full of corruption and highlights the phenomena of destruction, murder and destruction and transformation of human beings. A feuding.
The author mentions a number of Western and Arabic writings that have emerged in the field of dystopia, including George Orwell ’ s 1984, Aldous Huxley ’ s Brave New World, and Ray Bradbury ’ s Fahrenheit 451.
At the level of Arabic writings, a number of works can be observed such as the novel "The Front" by Izz al-Din Issa, the novel "The Tale of the Last Arab" by Wassini al-Araj, "Frankenstein in Baghdad" by Ahmed Saadawi, "The Second War of the Dog" by Ibrahim Nasrallah, "Mercury" by Mohammed Rabie, "The Line" by Basma Abdul Aziz, and "Novelist of the First City" by Omar Hazek. And "Orwell in the Southern Suburbs" by Fawzi Thebian.
Literary Studies
In his book, the Syrian critic offers critical readings in a number of works under the banner of science fiction literature, including the novel "Hala al-Nour" by Mohammed al-Ashri, seeking to stand on the aesthetic trend, especially with the departure of literary criticism from the study of the aesthetic aspects of science fiction literature, observing the methods of the novelist mixing the facts of science with the world mythical heritage.
The book provides another analysis of the collection “Behind the Dark Walls ” by the Syrian writer Taleb Omran, which falls within the literature of dystopia, because the stories depict worlds in which savagery, destruction, murder and destruction prevail, and on the other hand it monitors the Syrian storyteller ’ s interest in the method of scientific storytelling and its reliance on astronomical knowledge and geographical information.
The writer also analyzes the elements and features of fantasy in some of the works of Ahmed Khaled Tawfik as one of the most prominent writers in this field, explaining that science fiction is different from fantasy or wonder in the contemporary novel in that it starts from the modern scientific output, and depends on scientific knowledge specialized, while fantasy completely degenerates from logic and depends on the imagination and does not find a trace of laws we know in reality and depends on mythological and form It is in harmony not with the outside world but with its own world according to which it takes place.

The genre has also been influenced by various philosophical and cultural traditions, including Arabic literature and the works of Avicenna and Ibn Tufayl.


Foreign direct investment in Africa reached $45 billion in 2022, returning to pre-epidemic levels.

The total import and export value of Africa reached a new high in 2022, with imports reaching $694.5 billion and exports reaching $661.4 billion.

Egypt received $5.1 billion in foreign direct investments in 2021.

South Africa was the largest recipient of foreign direct investment in 2021 with investments of more than $40.9 billion.

Mozambique attracted nearly $5.1 billion in foreign direct investments in 2021, representing a 68% increase.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is projected to create a single market that will grow to 1.7 billion people and $6.7 trillion in consumer and business spending by 2030.

By 2050, the continent is estimated to be home to 2.5 billion people and a market with a combined business and consumer spending of $16.12 trillion.

Four high-potential sectors that hold lucrative opportunities for companies looking to invest in Africa are automotive, agriculture and agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, and transport and logistics.

The development of the free trade area will require massive investment in logistics and telecommunications infrastructure to reduce the cost of doing business and enable free movement of people, goods and services.

Google has announced plans to invest $1 billion to support digital transformation in Africa, enabling affordable internet access and empowering businesses.

The African Development Bank has committed to providing $5 million in new and renewable energy projects in Africa, with Africa owning 45% of the renewable energy in the world.

Kenya has attracted large investments of up to $21 billion in the field of energy, including oil, gas, and new and renewable energy, with renewable energy representing 85% of the investments in the field of energy.

Foreign direct investment in Africa reached $45 billion in 2022, returning to pre-epidemic levels.

Title:

Content: Japan, Korea and India experience to expand Africa, Taiwan and Africa entrepreneurs association
The “Taiwan-Africa Entrepreneurs Association ”, commissioned by the International Trade Bureau of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, attracted more than 130 enterprises interested in exploring the African market. The exhibition and consultation desk at the representative office showed that our company's desire to expand the African market is very hot.
The theme of the event was “The Key to Success for Foreign Investors (Japan, Korea and India) in Expanding Africa ”. The event was addressed by Wang Ximeng, Secretary General of the Foreign Trade Association, Liu William, Deputy Director of the Bureau of International Trade of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Msibi, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Swaziland, and Chen Shu-fang, President of the Association of Taiwan Commerce. In addition, Hung Sheng Packaging General Manager Tang Jung-hung, Yi Ho Industrial General Manager Fu Yang-li, and Nam Wei Industrial Strategy Director Yang Wei-han analyze the development opportunities in Africa from their practical experience in the packaging, building materials, and textile industries.
Wang Ximeng, secretary general of the Foreign Trade Association, pointed out that in addition to the competition between Europe, America and China over the layout of the African continent, Japan, South Korea, India and other countries in Asia are committed to increasing investment and economic cooperation in Africa.
There are more than 1.3 million people of Indian descent in Africa, such as in East Africa, where more than 60% of the economic lifeline is controlled by Indians.
In addition, 18 of India's 25 newly established embassies and consulates are located in Africa, and India has become the fifth largest investor in Africa, while Japanese automobile manufacturers Toyota, Nissan, and electrical appliance giant Toshiba have already planted flags in Africa; South Korea's Hyundai, Samsung, LG and other large enterprises have also been stationed in Africa.
Through this event, we hope to help our business people to learn from foreign companies such as Japan, Korea and India, as well as African market leaders, and shorten the path to enter the African market.
Liu, deputy director of the International Trade Bureau, said that in recent years, the global economy has continued to be volatile due to changes in the international situation such as Sino-US trade frictions, global inflation, and the Russian-Ukrainian war, but Africa has shown great resilience during this period.
In addition, foreign direct investment in Africa reached US $45 billion in 2022, which has returned to the pre-epidemic level, indicating that confidence in investment in Africa has gradually recovered. In 2022, the total import and export value of Africa reached a new high in recent years, with imports reaching US $694.5 billion, up 14%, and exports reaching US $661.4 billion, up 19%. It is hoped that through the activities of the association, upstream and downstream companies in various industries can learn from each other and share their experiences, and work together to promote Taiwan-Africa economic and trade relations.
The event will be held in conjunction with AGOA, a major textile manufacturer in South China, and the representative offices of African embassies in Taiwan, Africa-related associations, and import and export banks providing trade and financial services. For more information, please visit africa.taiwantrade.com for more information.

The total import and export value of Africa reached a new high in 2022, with imports reaching $694.5 billion and exports reaching $661.4 billion.

Egypt received $5.1 billion in foreign direct investments in 2021.

Title:

Content: AFED: EGYPT RECEIVED $5.1 BILLION INVESTMENTS IN 2021
GDP growth is expected to rise to 4.4% this year
Abdulrahman Abu Al-Enein
6: 52 AM, Wednesday, 31 May 23
Recent data issued by the African Development Bank (AfDB) revealed that Egypt ranked second in terms of foreign direct investment flows in the continent in 2021 and attracted nearly $5.1 billion.
According to the Africa Economies Outlook 2023, South Africa was the largest recipient of foreign direct investment in 2021 with investments of more than $40.9 billion, nearly half of the total inflows to the continent in that year, followed by Egypt and Mozambique, which each attracted nearly $5.1 billion, representing about 6.2% of the total volume.
In the same context, the report expected Egypt ’ s GDP growth rate to decline to 4.4% this year from 6.6% estimated last year, and to rise to 5.1% next year.
The report pointed out that the inflation rate rose from 4.5% in the fiscal year 2020 / 2021 to 8.5% in the fiscal year 2021 / 2022 due to the rise in food and energy prices globally and the devaluation of the pound against the dollar.
He said that the current account deficit shrank to 3.5% of GDP in the fiscal year 2021 / 2022 compared to 4.4% in the previous fiscal year 2020 / 2021 due to the rise of tourism revenues to 10.7 billion dollars against 4.9 billion dollars, respectively.
The African Development Bank pointed out that the banking sector remains profitable and well capitalized, noting that the rate of non-performing loans reached 3.2% in June 2022, explaining that subsidies and social protection programs have reduced the impact of high food and energy prices on vulnerable families.
The Minister of Planning Hala Al-Said said in previous statements that despite the current effects of the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, which is likely to spread over the next year, the Egyptian economy is expected to grow by 4.2% by the end of the current fiscal year 2023-2022.
Al-Saeed said that with the development of inflationary trends in the Egyptian economy and despite the success of the state in curbing it and reducing it from very high levels (25% in 2017-2016) to less than 5% in 2021-2020, the rate increased to about 15% in 2022, and continued to rise, especially after the Russian-Ukrainian crisis.
Foreign direct investment in Mozambique increased by 68% in 2021, the report said, noting that these investments were largely directed to green projects in the energy sector.
Nigeria accounted for 5.8% of FDI inflows to Africa and Ethiopia 5.1% despite economic challenges.
The bulk of foreign direct investment in these countries is increasingly going to clean energy resource projects.
Mauritius and South Africa recorded the largest outflows in 2021, but a few countries recorded net inflows, including Egypt ($18 billion) and Nigeria ($5.9 billion).
The Bank estimates that capital flight through net investment outflows continued in 2022 at around $28 billion, which is close to the 2021 level due to higher interest rates linked to deflationary monetary policies in developed countries.
Official development assistance (ODA) to Africa stabilized at $65 billion in 2021 after the previous 28 percent jump in 2020.
The significant increase in such assistance since 2020 reflected the support provided by the international community to help African governments address the humanitarian, social and economic impacts of the coronavirus epidemic and the difficult global economic conditions.
The African countries that saw the largest increase in ODA in 2021 included Egypt (428%), Equatorial Guinea (115%), Angola (109%), Gabon (82%) and Sudan (60%).
The report pointed out that official development assistance to Egypt during 2021 amounted to about 8.2 billion dollars, Ethiopia 4 billion dollars, Sudan 3.8 billion dollars, the Democratic Republic of the Congo 3.5 billion dollars, Nigeria 3.4 billion dollars, and Kenya 3.1 billion dollars.
African countries need to leverage this external support to address existing vulnerabilities and build more resilient economies, given the risks that advanced economies are reallocating resources for reconstruction and humanitarian assistance in Ukraine at the expense of meeting the continent ’ s official development assistance commitments.
Ukraine received $16.1 billion in net official development assistance (ODA), equivalent to 7.8 percent of the total aid resources provided last year.
It is noteworthy that the report was launched in light of the annual meetings of the African Development Bank Group held under the auspices of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi in Sharm El Sheikh from 22 to 26 May.

Which African countries are driving the venture capital ecosystem?

South Africa was the largest recipient of foreign direct investment in 2021 with investments of more than $40.9 billion.

Mozambique attracted nearly $5.1 billion in foreign direct investments in 2021, representing a 68% increase.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is projected to create a single market that will grow to 1.7 billion people and $6.7 trillion in consumer and business spending by 2030.

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Content: South Africa supports calls for global co-operation to boost trade and address economic challenges and climate change

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Johannesburg, South Africa – 23 January 2023: The 53rd Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, concluded on Friday, 20 January 2023. World leaders and corporate executives expressed hope that the looming recession facing the global economy could be avoided if countries collaborated to boost global trade and investment.

A high-level South African government and business delegation has returned home from the meeting more upbeat than before that the current economic slowdown and rising inflation could be resolved if nations addressed global supply disruptions that are leading to commodity shortages and driving up energy and food prices.

The delegation was led by Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, who was accompanied by leaders of South Africa’s major corporations operating in various sectors of the economy. The delegation also included Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ebrahim Patel; Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Naledi Pandor; and Minister of Human Settlements, Mmamoloko Kubayi.

This year’s WEF Annual Meeting was held under the theme “Cooperation in a Fragmented World” and covered many interconnected topics including the impact of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war on the commodity markets, skyrocketing cost of living caused by rising inflation and monetary policy tightening by central banks, climate change, and the growing impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on workplaces and labour markets.

“The South African delegation did a fantastic job in Davos where it sold our country to global investors as a favourable market to do business and invest in. Notwithstanding the energy supply constraints that our country is currently grappling with, South Africa remains an attractive investment destination given its excellent infrastructure, sophisticated financial markets, and a skilled workforce,” says Sithembile Ntombela, Acting CEO of Brand South Africa.

The South African government is currently implementing structural reforms that have opened the energy sector to private investment to boost energy generation and bring an end to load-shedding that is constraining the economy.

“The structural reforms that are currently being implemented by the government are making progress in removing investment bottlenecks and reducing the cost of doing business. These reforms will enable South Africa, a preferred destination by local investors and global multinationals looking to expand across Africa, to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA),” says Ntombela.

The AfCFTA, which officially launched in 2021, will create the world’s largest free trade area, stimulate intra-African trade, develop regional value chains, and promote industrialisation across the continent.

The AfCFTA Secretariat and WEF revealed in a report unveiled at this year’s Davos meeting that AfCFTA is projected to create single market that will grow to 1.7 billion people and $6.7 trillion in consumer and business spending by 2030.

By 2050, the continent is estimated to be home to 2.5 billion people and a market with a combined business and consumer spending of $16.12 trillion.

The report titled “A New Era for Global Business and Investment in Africa” lists four high-potential sectors that hold lucrative opportunities for companies looking to invest in Africa.

These sectors are automotive, agriculture and agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, and transport and logistics, which are all expected to see rapid growth in terms of production and trade volumes under AfCFTA.

“Given that South Africa is the most industrialised and sophisticated economy in Africa, it is well positioned to take advantage of opportunities presented by AfCFTA. The development of the free trade area will require massive investment in logistics and telecommunications infrastructure to reduce the cost of doing business and enable free movement of people, goods and services,” explains Ntombela.

With the green energy transition and digital transition in full motion around the world, the delegation that represented South Africa at WEF2023 expressed support for calls to reskill and upskill workforces, particularly the youth, to prepare them for future workplaces and to mitigate job losses.

The delegation is impressed by the progress made by the WEF’s Reskilling Revolution; an initiative launched in 2020 to empower 1 billion people. So far, the initiative has reached 350 million people.

Climate change also took centre stage at WEF with world leaders and business executives committing themselves to supporting the implementation of the Paris Agreement, which calls on all countries to cut carbon emissions to limit global warming to around 1.5 degrees celsius and strive towards attaining net zero emissions by 2050.

This commitment requires countries and businesses to move away from using fossil fuel energy sources like coal and crude oil and adopting clean and environmentally friendly energy sources such as wind and solar power.

The launch of the new Coalition of Trade Ministers on Climate, which brings together over 50 countries, was also a highlight of this year’s  WEF annual meeting.

The coalition aims to tackle climate change by promoting trade and investment that encourages adoption of goods, services, and technologies that mitigate climate change in both developed and developing countries.

“However, the global challenges that were highlighted at WEF 2023 cannot be resolved in a fragmented world in which countries are pulling in different directions. These challenges require collaboration and unity by the nations of the world, where counties are working together to find solutions in an integrated global economy,” concludes Ntombela.

Ends/////

Issued by Brand South Africa

Notes to the Editor

Contact: Phindi Mathebula

Email:phindilem@brandsouthafrica.com

Mobile number: +27 64 890 7414

About Brand South Africa

Brand South Africa is the official marketing agency of South Africa, with a mandate to build the country’s brand reputation, to improve its global competitiveness. Its aim is also to build pride and patriotism among South Africans, to contribute to social cohesion and nation brand ambassadorship.

This electronic communication and the attached file(s) are subject to a disclaimer which can be viewed at https://www.brandsouthafrica.com/terms-and-conditions . If you are unable to view the disclaimer, please email info@brandsouthafrica.com for a copy.

Four high-potential sectors that hold lucrative opportunities for companies looking to invest in Africa are automotive, agriculture and agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, and transport and logistics.

The development of the free trade area will require massive investment in logistics and telecommunications infrastructure to reduce the cost of doing business and enable free movement of people, goods and services.

Google has announced plans to invest $1 billion to support digital transformation in Africa, enabling affordable internet access and empowering businesses.

Title:

Content: Optimists talk about Africa as the next economic frontier

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BY DELIA DE VILLIERS

For years Africa has been shrouded in controversy when it comes to its future potential. The optimists talk about Africa as the next economic frontier, while the sceptics point to a low growth rate, poverty and conflict as key challenges standing in the way of notable development.

Yet, the continent has grown its economy by around 5 percent a year over the past decade, is as urbanised as China and has as many cities as Europe with a population of more than one million, according to Future Agenda.

The World Bank reports that sub-Saharan Africa is “home to more than 1 billion people, half of whom will be under 25 years old by 2050”, suggesting that the workforce of the future is based here. They go on to say that Africa is a “diverse continent offering human and natural resources that have the potential to yield inclusive growth and eradicate poverty”.

While potential is not a measure of performance, what is productive is to consider the motivations of businesses opting either to enter the African market or expand operations on the continent. And that’s notwithstanding the challenges, or as Shaw Mabuto, partner at private equity firm Spear Capital, puts it: “While there are undoubtedly risks in Africa, they are well known and understood. Investors can mitigate for them.”

Spear Capital is particularly excited about the opportunities in the ESG (environmental, social, governance) space in Africa. “There are many businesses that have been able to thrive in spite of the prevailing environment and lack of government support. With the right backing, companies across the continent can grow successfully while at the same time making the world a better place and providing returns to their investors,” Mabuto says.

Google’s recent announcement of plans to invest $1 billion (R15.6bn) to support digital transformation in Africa is another very positive indicator of the potential of the continent. The investment, which was announced in October 2021, will be used to enable affordable internet access and building helpful products, for investments in entrepreneurship and technology, as well as to empower businesses as they continue or embark on their digital transformation.

This positive sentiment about Africa’s potential is echoed by a number of businesses who have chosen to expand their operations on the continent.

Picking your next market is key

When SweepSouth decided to scale their business across the African continent in 2020, they chose Kenya as the first territory to launch their on-demand home services model outside of South Africa’s borders. Three months ago they started operations in Nigeria, and plans are now afoot to expand further into Africa.

“There are so many factors that go into choosing a new market, so we decided to look at countries where people experience the same sort of home-care needs South Africans required when SweepSouth was started,” says Aisha Pandor, SweepSouth chief executive.

Kenya and Nigeria were obvious choices, representing big-market regions with a high growth opportunity, ever-increasing internet penetration and digital literacy, and the potential for positive impact on employment, education and economic growth via smart, scalable technology solutions.

“Kenya appealed to us because it felt like an in-between in terms of culture, market segment and dynamics, and also smartphone and internet penetration when compared with West Africa. And Nigeria is a really exciting new venture that we hope will serve as a base for further expansion into the West African region,” says Pandor.

West Africa, too, is increasingly recognised as an area of economic and growth interest for businesses looking to get a foothold on the continent.

Integrated PR and marketing agency Irvine Partners recently opened an office in Ghana in response to an increasing number of their global clients needing support there. The agency already has wholly owned offices in South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria, and has realised the potential of this West African country.

“Most of our clients’ interest in the region stems from Ghana’s position as a tech hub within sub-Saharan Africa and its growing financial services industry, but we’re also seeing many other industries looking to invest in and expand into the country. Strategically, it makes a lot of sense for us to have a presence in the country and we’re optimistic about its potential,” says managing director Hayley van der Woude.

Beyond the obvious

Importantly, the interest in Africa extends beyond the traditionally popular economic areas such as Lagos, Nairobi and Accra, with Mauritius serving as a prime example of potential beyond the obvious. It is currently the top-ranked economy in sub-Saharan Africa, according to the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Index and is recognised for offering a sound political and economic environment that strongly encourages investment thanks to a sophisticated banking system, a favourable tax regime and low inflation.

These are among the main reasons.

The Business Exchange (TBE), a South African-launched serviced office offering, not only expanded operations to Mauritius but also designed an investment opportunity for others with their sectional title shared office investment that offers a safe and affordable way to get into this bustling market.

“Mauritius, in our view, is fast becoming one of the hottest investment hubs on the continent. Major international brands, including Samsung, Broll, Expedia and NBA (North America’s National Basketball Association), are based at our serviced office space there, which speaks to the interest in the location and offers an indication of its dynamism as a business destination,” says David Seinker, the founder and chief executive of TBE.

Embracing innovation

Lastly, but certainly very significantly, when it comes to businesses where customer-centricity is key, such as banking and telecoms, African players compete more effectively than their international counterparts, according to a finding in the Boston Consulting Group’s digital maturity index.

“It’s also hardly surprising that these are two sectors where Africa has led the world when it comes to technology-led innovation,” says Ngadi Job Goshi, the general manager at Liferay Africa. “Ultimately, while Africa may be less digitally mature than other markets, there can be no doubt that businesses on the continent are unafraid to embrace technology and innovation. And, in the customer-centric ways in which they’ve done so, despite facing adversity and strong headwinds, there are lessons for the rest of the world in the tenacity and ingenuity birthed and nurtured in the African soil.”

Delia de Villiers is the senior account manager, Irvine Partners.

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Content: ECONOMY
Mulla: International partnerships in Africa will enable technology transfer and connect local partners
Thank you for reading the news about Al Mulla: International partnerships in Africa will enable technology transfer and connect local partners.
Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek El-Molla said that talking about the exploitation of energy in the African continent should include energy of all kinds and integration, especially as the African continent has various natural resources that can be exploited to diversify the appropriate energy mix that meets the needs of the continent's peoples while reducing emissions.
This came during the session “Moving Forward in Support of Low-Carbon Development Pathways in Africa and Developing Countries ” during the Day of Decarbonization at the Cop27 Climate Summit.
With regard to the development of the energy sector in African countries, the minister pointed to the Egyptian experience in transforming the challenges of the energy sector over 7 years into success stories based on the state ’ s provision of the appropriate investment climate to attract new investments and build confidence in investment in Egypt with international partners, which led to balanced partnerships with international energy partners.
He added that international partnerships in Africa will allow the transfer of technology and link local partners to it, stressing the importance of building a good work system in all fields such as oil, gas, electricity and renewable energy.
He pointed to the importance of African countries providing incentives to partners because some policies do not include the necessary incentives to attract investments and we must attract them to our countries and allow the participation of the private sector, Al-Mulla concluded that there are great challenges but we have the advantages in Africa to build our future through cooperation and partnership to prosper the continent.
African Development Bank President Akinwumi Adesina praised the Egyptian effort in organizing the conference, pointing out that the African Bank is committed to providing $5 million in new and renewable energy projects where Africa owns 45% of the renewable energy in the world, which makes it eligible to establish giant solar energy projects. He cited the experience of Kenya, where we managed to attract large investments of up to 21 billion dollars in the field of energy, whether oil, gas or new and renewable energy in a short time because we paved the way and worked to change policies and renewable energy represents 85% of the investments in the field of energy and we also use natural gas.
Egyptian industries are promising industries that can catch up with China, but they need to increase funding and encourage investment, and we should focus on the African market in directing industrial activities to achieve the best use of natural resources, especially relying on clean energy.
Helmet von Stroff, CEO of Siemens Middle East, said that this year ’ s conference provided an opportunity to discuss challenges and opportunities towards decarbonization and finding sustainable solutions, stressing the importance of supporting African countries towards a low-carbon economy and providing the necessary technical support, especially for developing countries.
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