Perhaps you have been asked…or you were the one to ask a ridiculous question about Africa to an African.

Two months ago, Nigerian novelist Chimamanda Adichie faced a similar ordeal. She was asked by a French journalist whether “there are libraries in Nigeria”. Adichie responded, “I think it reflects very poorly on French people that you have to ask me that question.”

It is clear that despite access to information via the internet, alongside the growing opportunity to travel to the continent, there is still widespread misinformation about Africa. The misconceptions are then made apparent through the questions people around the world ask Africans. Below is a short list of the ridiculous ones and why.

1. Do you have libraries/ internet/ phones/ roads/ cars/ post/ shops/ schools/ money in Africa?

Africa has everything other continents around the world have, and definitely many of the above. A look through our platform makes this evident. Although access to resources and tools may not be available to all everywhere, many people enjoy the benefits of contemporary life.

2. Do you have a lion as a pet?

Although the big cats only exist in Asia and Africa, they do not roam the continent like they once did. In fact, many Africans have and will never see a lion in their life. The kings of the jungles are also endangered as poachers, cities, and the environment impede on their habitats in Africa.

3. Do you speak African?

With over 2,000 languages, no one person, however linguistically astute they are, can speak African. In Nigeria only, there are over 500 languages spoken.

4. Wow, you speak English so well. Where did you learn it?

English is the official language in more than a dozen African countries. These countries were former British colonies and English is taught in school, and spoken at school, work, and home.

5. “What is Africa like?”

Africa is the second largest continent by land mass and population. The continent is home to 54 countries. It is impossible for one person to speak on Africa objectively. When an African speaks on Africa then, it may be in the spirit of Pan-Africanism.

6. You don’t look African. Are you mixed with anything?

Because of the media’s representation of Africans as “dark skin with kinky hair”, many around the world believe that there is only one African look. Scientists have however officially declared Africa as the most genetically diverse region in the world. Hence, there is no way all Africans can look alike.

7. Do you have a pet monkey?

Like the lion question, many contemporary Africans hardly encounter monkeys, let alone have them as pets. Many monkeys live in the mountains and rainforests in Africa, and Africans too encounter them only in reserves and zoos.

8. Why are you here?

This question can be insensitive if not asked with the proper context. Africans, like everyone else, have a right to immigrate and travel the world. An African may want to share the reasons for their travel, or may not. Either is okay.

9. When did you move here?

This one is less ridiculous but worth mentioning nonetheless. There are a growing number of Africans born outside of the continent and many hold onto their African identity even if they were born elsewhere. It is worth being mindful about the assumption that all Africans are born in Africa.

10. Are you from Africa?

Finally, yes, we are from Africa. But, Africa is not a country.