A Welcome Note

The way the continent is described matters.

Too often, we rely on lazy shortcuts, outdated stereotypes and sweeping generalisations that reduce a complex continent to crisis, conflict, poverty or dependency. Repeated often enough, these words shape perception. They make it harder to see progress and diminish what is actually happening across the continent.

Changing how the continent is described is part of changing how it is understood.

This dictionary reframes some of the most used terms about Africa that are often reductive, misleading or simply inaccurate. We are using language to move from generalisation to specificity, from deficit framing to context, and from stereotype to evidence. Changing the story starts with changing the words we reach for, and choosing language that is more accurate, more responsible, and more aligned with reality.

We are not policing language. Our intention is to leave you with better words and phrases that are more accurate, specific and grounded in evidence. Each entry explains what is problematic about the term, uses evidence where possible to challenge the stereotype, and offers a clearer alternative.

We hope you find it useful.