The African women breaking down tech barriers

(CNN) — When I was doing my degree in computer science in Ghana’s Valley View University 10 years ago, there just were seven girls in the class. After four years, only four graduated and out of that number, just two of us have stayed in technical roles. Today, my little sister’s computer science class has …

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5 reasons technology world needs more geek girls

Every week, African Start-Up follows entrepreneurs in various countries across the continent to see how they are working to make their business dreams become reality. (CNN) — "It was like taking a big leap of faith." That’s how Regina Agyare describes her decision back in 2012 to leave her well-paid job at a major international …

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How to undermine Al-Shabaab

Editor's note: Mohamed Ali is the founder of the Iftiin Foundation, an organization that incubates social entrepreneurs and young leaders to encourage innovation in Somalia. He is also a New Voices Fellow at the Aspen Institute. The views expressed are his own. As new footage emerges of gunmen chatting on cell phones and praying during …

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Voice from a Kenyan slum: Mandela saved my life

Editor’s note: Kennedy Odede is the president and CEO of Shining Hope for Communities, a nonprofit organization that fights gender inequality and extreme poverty in the Kibera slum of Nairobi, Kenya. He is a 2013 New Voices Fellow at the Aspen Institute. (CNN) — I had many conversations with Nelson Mandela, although I had not …

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