Living in Africa
The Essential Expatriate Resources
| Africa is a huge and diverse continent with a wealth of natural resources and great cultural diversity. But after centuries of economic exploitation from colonial powers, most African countries still struggle to achieve political, economic and social stability. Rebel groups operate in many countries, and ethnic and religious conflict is widespread. This makes African countries a difficult destination for expatriates, but there are notable exceptions.
Botswana, for example, has been a stable democracy since its independence in 1966. It is a country with a rapidly growing economy, and low inflation. Angola ended its 27-year civil war in 2002, and has embarked on s slow course of recovery. South Africa has shown strong economic growth and political stability since the end of apartheid. As Africa's wealthiest and most developed nation, South Africa attracts international business, expatriates and students. And soccer fans will enjoy hearing that in 2010 South Africa will host the biggest international event ever to take place on African soil: the Fifa World Cup soccer tournament–a sure sign that the international community is beginning to recognize that some countries in Africa are on a steady path toward stability and prosperity.
According to the Association of American Residents Overseas (AARO), which relies on figures from the U.S. government among other sources, there are currently about 90,000 Americans living in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Due to the fact that the African continent attracts only a small number of expatriates from Europe and North America, we currently only offer specific country information for Egypt and South Africa.
TransitionsAbroad.com has compiled the best resources about Africa for current expatriates and those who dream of moving and living abroad. Most of the listed resources have separate sections for many African countries. —Living Abroad Contributing Editor Volker Poelzl |
| Featured Articles on Living, Working, Studying, Traveling and Volunteering in Africa |
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| Living and Working in Africa by Volker Poelzl |
| Teaching English in Africa: Volunteer Opportunities Abound for Young and Old by B. Susan Bauer |
| The Real Peace Corps by Matt Brown |
| Volunteer in South Africa’s Lion and Safari Park by Sergio and Pat Pastore |
| Volunteer Effectively in Nigeria: The Key is Thinking Grassroots by Lola Akinmade |
| Aluminum
Recollections in Nigeria by Elizabeth Bernays |
| Interview with Seun Kuti of Nigeria |
| Market
Hopping Around Lagos by Lola Akinmade |
| A Glimpse into Nigerian Culture on the International Stage by Lola Akinmade |
| Sensible Rules for Safe Travel in South Africa: Tips to Enjoy a Culturally Varied and Naturally Beautiful Country by Pearl Harris |
| 24 Hours in Dakar, Senegal by Irene Abdou |
| Volunteering to Teach in Ghana with Global Volunteers by Carole Katz |
| Volunteering in Zambia: Sharing Knowledge With Local Farmers and Learning From a New Culture by Marianne Stamm |
| Kidnapped in Rwanda: How to Be a Responsible Travel Activist by Robert Powell Sangster |
| Traveling Responsibly in West Africa: For Those Who Seek Raw Adventure Writ Large by Jason Motlagh |
| Independent West Africa Travel Planner by Terry Redding |
| The Fulani of Burkina Faso and Niger: The Heart of a Nomadic People by Irene Abdou |
| Lost in Marrakesh, Morocco by Kevin Dimetres |
| Food Markets in Rabat, Morocco by Beebe Bahrami |
| Feasting
in Fez by Beebe Bahrami |
| A Diary in Tunisia in Words and Images by Irene Abdou |
| Education
from the Streets of Giza by Alexander Breimann |
| Coffee Bay: Discovering the Culture of the Xhosa People of South Africa's Wild Coast by Tanya Linnegar |
| A Visit to Soweto, South Africa by Lucy Corne |
| Study French and Wolof in Dakar, Senegal by Katie Krueger |
| Study Abroad in South Africa by Adam Karlin |
| Study Abroad Living and in Ghana by Isabel Dickinson |
| Study Abroad in Tanzania: On Borders, Bananas, and Being Back by Danae Roumis |
| Studying and Living in Cairo and Traveling in the Desert Dunes of Egypt by Rachel Tobias |
| A High School Summer in Egypt Studying Arabic by Connie Ip |
| Life Lessons in Ghana by Lauren Elliott |
| Ethiopia And Eritrea: Wonders of the Horn by Chris Shinn |
| Finding Community at a Tomb Unveiling: A Sacred Zulu Ritual in South Africa by Amanda Penn |
| An Exorcism in Zambia: Working Together to Solve a Problem...and Celebrate Life by Guy William Volk |
| A Report from Northern Uganda: Excerpt from Traveling Fellowship Update by Kristin Anne Fleshner |
| Living in Nampula, Mozambique: Just Left of Paradise by Caroline Cowan |
| An
Exorcism in Zambia by Guy William Volk |
| A
Report from Northern Uganda by Kristin Anne Fleshner |
| The
Timkat Coffee Club by Joanna Griffin |
| A
Return to the Smallest Country in Africa by Miranda
Paul |
| Coffee:
A Universal Language by Jenny Williams |
| From
an Ethnic to an African Island by Sandra Jackson-Opoku |
| A Review of the Book "Choosing Africa" written by B.Susan Bauer by Volker Poelzl |
| Mouth
to Mouth by Kristianne Huntsberger |
| Letter from Ethiopia: Visitors to Africa’s “Best-Kept Secret” Receive Rich Rewards by Clay and Joanna Hubbs |
| Facts and Information on Africa |
BBC News provides country profiles on history, politics, economic background, and recent news in its Africa Section.
The CIA World Factbook contains country profiles with basic information, including all countries in Africa.
The Consular Information Sheets by the U.S. Department of State, provide useful information for travelers and expatriates on all African countries, with Travel Warnings, Travel Publications (general travel advice), and much more.
Nations Online Project is a destination guide to countries of the world. The Africa Section provides links to all African countries.
The U.S. Department of State publishes Country Background Notes, with facts about the land, people, history, government, political conditions, economy, and foreign relations, with separate sections for North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia, provides useful articles and information about Africa in general, with links to specific countries.
| Expatriate Websites and Resources for Africa |
Expat.com is a worldwide directory of blogs related to expatriate life, with listings for several countries in Africa.
Africa.com provides "carefully selected news," articles, guides and other resources about the African continent, including country-by-country guides.
AllAfrica distributes over 2000 news and information items daily from over 130 African news organizations as well as their own reporters to an African global public.
BBC News Africa is a daily updated news source covering Africa by one of the most prominent news organizations in the world.
| Recommended Reading on Africa |
| Lonely
Planet Africa by Gemma Pitcher, David Andrew,
Kate Armstrong, and James Bainbridge |
| Lonely
Planet Africa on a Shoestring by Kevin Anglin,
Becca Blond, and Jean-Bernard Carillet |
| Lonely
Planet Healthy Travel Africa (Lonely Planet Healthy Travel Guides Africa) by
Isabelle Young |
| Lonely
Planet West Africa by Anthony Ham and James
Bainbridge |
| Lonely
Planet East Africa by Mary Fitzpatrick and
Tom Parkinson |
| Lonely
Planet Southern Africa by Alan Murphy, Kate
Armstrong, Matthew Firestone, and Mary Fitzpatrick |
| Lonely
Planet Trekking in East Africa by Matt Fletcher,
David Wenk, and Mary Fitzpatrick |
| Africa
(Rough Guide 25s) by Rough Guides |
| The
Rough Guide to West Africa by Richard Trillo |
| Fodor's
African Safari, 1st Edition: From Budget to Big Spending Where and How to Find the Best Big Game Adventure In Southern and Eastern Africa by
Fodor's |
| Africa:
A Biography of the Continent by John Reader |
| History
of Africa by Kevin Shillington |
| Africa:
A Modern History by Guy Arnold |
| The
Trouble with Africa: Why Foreign Aid Isn't Working by
Robert Calderisi |
| Fate
of Africa: A History of Fifty Years of Independence by
Martin Meredith |
| Africa
Unchained: The Blueprint for Africa's Future by
George B.N. Ayittey |
| Africa
Overland: 4x4-Motorbike-Bicycle-Truck by Sian
Pritchard-Jones and Bob Gibbons. |
| Travel Information for Africa |
Lonely Planet Worldguide provides a lot of useful travel information about Africa in its Explore Africa section, including most countries in Africa.
Rough Guides Destinations offers a lot of useful travel advice and information for most countries, with a section on Africa, including several African countries.
Morocco-Guide offers information for visitors about many destinations in the country and help using the variety of languages.
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