Lurking behind Mr Ibrahim's worthy aims is the niggling sense that the money amounts to an annual bribe - a bribe for not accepting bribes - dangled like a fat carrot in front of the continent's elites, in the hope of steering them towards the sort of behaviour that should surely be taken for granted.

BBC: Is Mo Ibrahim's award building or hurting Africa?

The African Union is the first good sign of hope for the continent in generations but it has a very huge task ahead which will take many decades.

BBC: African Union: What are its prospects?

The cardinals' decision to pick a man from a diverse and rapidly rising continent sparked hope amongst many Catholics of a new mindset amongst the powers that be in the Vatican, one that takes emerging powers more seriously.

CNN: Catholics: 5 ways for Francis to move forward

But they're just determined to do their jobs, and I just think that is part of the new news out of Africa that says that there is hope for the continent.

NPR: Gault Book Details 'Africa's Renaissance'

Elsewhere on the continent, I expect turbulence to continue in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo and sadly much against all hope I suspect Boko Haram attacks in Nigeria to continue.

BBC: African Viewpoint: Predictions for 2013