This year 17 African countries celebrate 50 years of independence, eight of them in August.

We would like to hear from you if you're from one of these countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo (Brazzaville), Cote D'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), DRC (formerly Zaire), Gabon, Madagascar, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Mauritania, Senegal, Somalia, Togo.

Let us know what has changed in the past 50 years and share your hopes and vision for your country's future. Why not interview any friends and family who may have witnessed the handover of power from colonial rule.

And if you have any images of that time in your family album, upload them and share with us.

The best images and videos will be featured on CNN's Inside Africa show and as part of CNN's Africa 50 coverage.