African Roots Podcast

Packed with historical depth, detail, and anecdotes from across Africa, the African Roots stories get told with a mix of lighthearted musings and history-nerd fascination by the pan-African presenting duo, Laila Johnson-Salami and Cai Nebe. Find the latest episode here. From nation-builder Nelson Mandela to barrier-breaking scientist Cheikh Anta Diop, author Flora Nwapa to revolutionary Thomas Sankara, not to mention a sprinkling of controversial characters from across Africa, African Roots brings you historical facts and analysis - and quite some surprises as well. Join in as Laila and Cai share anecdotes, admiration and fascination, all the while looking at the African continent from a perspective rarely encountered: from those who built it.

Where to find African Roots?

The African Roots podcast is produced by DW, Germany's international broadcaster. It builds on thorough research and consultation with historians that was conducted in a cooperation with the Gerda Henkel Foundation.

Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. 

The hosts

Cai Nebe hails from Namibia and once worked as a comic book scribe. Now, on African Roots, he narrates a cast of real-life superheroes (and occasional villains) and taps into his own history nerd origin story. 

Laila Johnson-Salami is a journalist based in Lagos, Nigeria. From podcasting to investigative reporting, politics to the environment, she has done it all. One constant? Her passion for her African Roots.