An empathetic approach at the governmental level asks what the problems are that we have in society today and who we need to educate to solve those problems? If we do that, case studies and projects in schools will reflect what is going on in those societies. But when we blindly “borrow” an education system, we also inherit examples which are not relatable. Once you learn that you do not have any practical application of what you learn; of course you will end up on the streets
—Ateh Atabong

Ateh Atabong is a Pharmacist, a Business Strategist, a Business Development Manager, Mentor and design thinking enthusiast. He is the co-founder and CEO of SAWA, an agribusiness company based in Norway, that imports highly nutritional and high quality nutritional and medicinal ingredients from Africa to the European market.

There is a social- cultural erosion going on in our cultures today. It's desperately disappointing and a challenge for Africa. If you look at what we define as sustainable architecture, it’s actually about connecting vernacular architecture with a more modern interpretation. I would love to see the built environment begin to embrace vernacular architecture with a modern twist, not in a copy paste way, but integrating technology with our own cultural heritage to make something that belongs to Uganda and the greater African context.
—Jesse Tukacungurwa

Jesse Tukacungurwa is a Registered Architect, with over 15 years of experience in building projects design, project management and supervision. He is the director of design at ONCEPTi Architects in Kampala Uganda; a firm that he started 12 years ago.

African design must be localized— architecture that is being designed for Africa by Africans who understand Africa. That is where we need to get— and we should be able to fuse those two different worlds( design and context). This is where the tension exists.
—Tosin Oshinowo

Tosin Oshinowo is a Nigerian architect, Designer, Creative Entrepreneur, Culture Enthusiast, History Junkie & Mummy. Tosin holds a Bachelor's degree in Architecture from Kingston University, a Masters in Urban Design from the Bartlett School of Architecture London and an Architecture Postgraduate Diploma from the Architecture Association, London.

The State of Design and Architecture at this particular moment is quite optimistic. Unlike many cities in the West which are much older and hence, most project are being renovations, here on the continent, there is much more potential to build our cities, despite there also being some challenges.
—Adengo Doreen

Doreen Adengo is an Architect based in Kampala, Uganda where she runs an architectural firm called Adengo architecture. Much of Doreen’s work is focused on communicating the value of professional design services in African cities.

Afrika with a “K” is a co-created narrative of Africa from the continent...it’s a homegrown idea—dispelling the danger of a single story—a view of Africa from the inside, looking out! We need to expand our understanding of people on the continent—We should add to the discourse of Africa. We need to enrich the narrative with something that is home grown.
—Prof. Mugendi K. M’Rithaa

Prof. Mugendi K. M’Rithaa is a transdisciplinary industrial designer, consultant, educator and researcher. He studied in Kenya, the USA, India and South Africa and holds postgraduate qualifications in Industrial Design, Higher Education, and Universal Design.