Gerbert van der Aa

Gerbert van der Aa is a Dutch historian and journalist specializing in Northern and Western Africa. He writes for a wide range of Dutch magazines and newspapers and appears regularly as an expert commentator on radio and television. His first book, “Nigerian Situations: A Journey Through Africa’s Most Corrupt Country,” was published in 2006 and nominated for the Bob den Uyl Prize. His second book, “Across Sudan: A Friendly Rough State on the Nile,” followed in 2007.

Unlike many Africa correspondents who travel with Western aid organizations and focus on familiar narratives of crisis, Van der Aa seeks out unconventional perspectives. His reporting challenges prevailing assumptions, suggesting that conditions on the continent are often more complex—and sometimes less dire—than commonly portrayed. He has documented how reports of famine are frequently overstated and observed in Nigeria that multinational companies such as Shell may, at times, show greater environmental concern than local communities acknowledge.

Van der Aa is also known for his unorthodox approach to travel. He often journeys on overcrowded buses or rides atop freight trucks loaded with flour or dates. On several occasions, he has driven from the Netherlands to Africa, crossing the Sahara Desert, then sold his vehicle upon arrival to finance the remainder of his travels. The result is a body of reporting that foregrounds voices and stories rarely heard in Western media.