Next Africa

Epizódok

• Can African Founders Adapt as AI Boom Redirects Cash? 28.05.2026 17p

  African startups are rewriting their funding playbook as the global artificial intelligence boom channels venture capital toward the US, leaving founders across emerging markets scrambling for capital. As Bloomberg publishes its 2026 list of 25 African Startups to Watch, Bloomberg Senior Technology Reporter Loni Prinsloo joins the podcast to discuss the state of the continent’s startup ecosystem. We also speak to Tendekayi Katsiga, co-founder of Deaftronics, the solar-powered hearing aid company featured on this year’s list, about building a business in a tougher funding environment.You can read the full African Startups to Watch list on Bloomberg.com, and subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter for more stories from across the continent.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Did Aid Cuts Make The Ebola Outbreak Worse? 21.05.2026 18p

  An Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, which has already killed more than 130 people, may have been spreading for months, according to the World Health Organization. On this week’s episode of the Next Africa Podcast, Jennifer Zabasajja is joined by healthcare reporter Janice Kew and Congo Country Director for the Danish Refugee Council, Caitlin Brady who is on the ground in Goma. They discuss how this Ebola outbreak compares with previous ones, the impact of aid cuts and how serious the crisis could get.  For more stories from the region get the Next Africa newsletterSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Bobi Wine On The Battle for Uganda's Future 15.05.2026 17p

  Ugandan lawmakers have passed a contentious new law that imposes steep fines and jail terms for those receiving foreign funding without state approval. On this week's Next Africa podcast opposition leader Bobi Wine, who fled the country earlier this year, speaks to Bloomberg's Jennifer Zabasajja about the legislation and his plans to challenge Uganda’s political status quo after January elections that he says his party won. Bloomberg Senior Editor for the Europe, Middle East and Africa news desk, David Malingha, also discusses what lies ahead for Bobi Wine and Uganda.For more stories from the region subscribe to the Next Africa NewsletterSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Is Xenophobia Risking South Africa’s International Reputation 07.05.2026 20p

  Anti-Migrant protests and violence in South Africa have escalated in recent weeks, leading to condemnation from Governments across the continent. On this week’s Next Africa Podcast, Bloomberg’s government reporter Ntando Thukwana gives the latest on the protests, and then political commentator and Bloomberg Opinion columnist Justice Malala explains what he thinks is behind the problem and how the government should tackle it. For more stories from the region subscribe to the Next Africa NewsletterSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• China’s Growing Grip On Africa’s EV Fast Lane 30.04.2026 18p

  In Ethiopia, the share of electric vehicles on the road has jumped to 6% from just 1% after a 2024 ban on new gasoline-car imports.  Across Africa, EV adoption is now among the fastest-growing globally — with Chinese automakers capturing the lion’s share of the market. On today’s episode, Bloomberg’s Fasika Tadesse joins Jennifer Zabasajja to unpack what this surge looks like on the ground in Addis Ababa, while Asia transport reporter Linda Lew explains why companies like BYD are targeting African markets. For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Could Dangote's Stock Listing Transform African Investing? 24.04.2026 20p

  Aliko Dangote plans to sell about 10% of his oil-refining company on multiple African stock exchanges to help fund the next phase of the tycoon’s business empire.  The IPO comes nearly five decades after a landmark share sale in Asia that went on to mint the continent’s richest person. In 1977, Dhirubhai Ambani sold shares in Reliance to thousands of domestic investors and reshaped equity culture in India. In this special episode of the Next Africa podcast, we ask whether Dangote could spark a similar transformation in Africa. Bloomberg’s Managing Editor for Africa, Arijit Ghosh and our Abuja based reporter Nduka Orjinmo join Jennifer Zabasajja to discuss what we know about the IPO, why Ambani’s IPO in 1977 was such a game changer and what needs to happen if Dangote is to have the same effect. For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Why Starlink Is Dividing South Africa 17.04.2026 13p

  Starlink, SpaceX’s Satellite Internet Service is pushing for changes to South Africa’s equality rules which it says blocks the company from operating in Africa’s most industrialised economy.   South Africa requires companies in some sectors to have at least 30% Black ownership. These laws were introduced after the end of apartheid and they compelled companies in industries including banking, mining and telecommunications to sell stakes to Black people who were systematically excluded from the economy during White-minority rule, but now the governing coalition is split on whether to change this law.  On this week’s episode - Jennifer Zabasajja is joined by Bloomberg’s Senior Technology Reporter Loni Prinsloo and reporter Rivaldo Jantjies, on how Starlink has been growing across Africa, why South Africa is so important to the company, and how likely it is that rules could change. Read our latest reporting on Starlink and South Africa here, and for more stories from the region subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Could Global Turmoil Make Africa A Safer Bet For Investors 10.04.2026 18p

  Global conflicts from the Middle East to Ukraine are reshaping how investors assess risk — and challenging perceptions about Africa.On today’s Next Africa podcast, Tiwa Adebayo, in for Jennifer Zabasajja, speaks with Zain Latif, founder of TLG Capital, about why he believes the continent is increasingly being seen as a more resilient investment destination. He explains why sectors with steady, defensive returns are drawing interest even as global volatility rises. Plus, Emerging Markets reporter Ray Ndlovu discusses why Africa is starting to look more attractive to investors.Read our special feature on investing in Nigeria here, and subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Why Water Is Africa’s Next Precious Commodity 02.04.2026 17p

  Lesotho’s abundant water has become one of the kingdom’s most strategic revenue streams. Its landmark deal to provide water for neighboring South Africa underscores the growing importance of water diplomacy across a continent increasingly strained by scarcity. In this episode of the Next Africa Podcast, Jennifer Zabasajja speaks with Bloomberg’s Andre-Pierre du Plessis about Lesotho’s push to modernize its four-decade-old water agreement for the 21st century, and then speaks with Olivier Cogels, Professor Emeritus of UCLouvain, and advisor to governments across Africa and Asia, to explore how water-sharing deals can adapt to mounting pressure from climate change and rising demand.For more stories from the region you can subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Why the war in Iran Risks a Farming Crisis in Africa 26.03.2026 15p

  The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is causing turmoil in energy markets, and is also hitting the price and supply of crucial fertilizers.   On this week’s episode Bloomberg’s Agnieszka de Sousa and René Vollgraaff join Jennifer Zabasajja to discuss why the Strait of Hormuz is so crucial to fertilizer supplies, and how energy shortages and rising costs could have far reaching effects on Africa’s farmers and the price of food For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Is Somaliland Israel’s New Foothold Against Houthis? 19.03.2026 15p

  After becoming the first UN member to recognise the breakaway territory of Somaliland, Israel is now quietly planning for a potential base at the mouth of the Red Sea from which to strike one of the Iran’s last proxies still operating at full strength: the Houthis of Yemen. On this episode of the Next Africa podcast, Jennifer Zabsajja is joined by Bloomberg’s Simon Marks and our Israel bureau chief Ethan Bronner to discuss why Somaliland is strategically important to to Israel, what Israeli military presence on the horn of Africa could look like, and what impact it could have across the region.You can read Simon Mark’s reporting from Somaliland here and for more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Why Is Africa A US Political Flashpoint? 13.03.2026 16p

  US Lawmakers have called on Nigeria to repeal Sharia law in the country’s north as they probe US President Donald Trump’s unfounded allegations of Christian persecution in the country. This follows previous unfounded claims from the US administration of a white genocide in South Africa. On this week's episode of the Next Africa Podcast Jennifer Zabasajja talks to Bloomberg's Deputy Managing Editor for the Middle East and Africa Neil Munshi and our South Africa government reporter S’thembile Cele about how Nigerian Christians and White South Africans have become a big issue in Washington DC and what impact it’s having on US African relations.  For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Why the Iran War Could Shock African Economies 05.03.2026 16p

  Oil and gas supply routes are coming under pressure as the conflict in Iran intensifies, bringing fears of an energy price shock that could hit many African economies. On this week’s episode, Bloomberg’s Energy Reporter Stephen Stapczynski and Bloomberg Economics Africa Economist Yvonne Mhango join Jennifer Zabasajja to discuss what’s happening to energy prices, and which countries in Africa are most exposed to an oil price shock. For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Can African Farmers Survive Crashing Cocoa Prices 26.02.2026 13p

  Cocoa’s stunning rise and its equally remarkable slump are beginning to shake up the longstanding way of doing business in West Africa, the region that supplies the bulk of the world’s beans. On this week’s episode of the Next Africa Podcast, Bloomberg softcommodities reporter Mumbi Gitau joins Jennifer Zabasajja to discuss why cocoa prices have seen such a dramatic fall, how it’s changing the way cocoa regulators have to operate and why it’s leaving farmers in the world’s biggest cocoa producing countries worried. You can read Mumbi Gitau’s  reporting on cocoa here, and for more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Is Ethiopia On the Brink of War? 19.02.2026 18p

  Ethiopia and Eritrea are deploying troops and military equipment to the northern Tigray region, according to regional diplomats, raising the risk of renewed conflict in the Horn of Africa. On this week’s episode of the Next Africa podcast, Jennifer Zabasajja is joined by Bloomberg’s Simon Marks and Professor Kjetil Tronvoll from Oslo New University College to discuss how tensions have been rising over recent weeks, how likely a conflict could now be, and what repercussions of wider war in the Horn of Africa could look like. You can read Simon’s latest report here, and for more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Will Africa Cash in on the Critical Minerals Boom? 12.02.2026 17p

  The mood at Africa’s biggest mining conference, the Mining Indaba in Cape Town, is buoyant - as increased demand for critical minerals around the world is supporting more investment in projects across the continent.  On this week’s episode — recorded at the Mining Indaba — Jennifer Zabasajja speaks with Bloomberg’s Matthew Hill and William Clowes about who’s attending, why international collaboration is high on the agenda, and how African nations are pushing to avoid being short-changed as global demand for their natural resources grows.For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Will Gold’s Rollercoaster Ride Hit African Investment? 05.02.2026 18p

  Precious metals soared last month in a rally underpinned by speculative momentum, geopolitical upheaval and concerns about the Federal Reserve’s independence. However, market watchers warned that the advances had been too large and too swift. The surge came to a sudden halt at the end of last week, with silver seeing its biggest daily drop on record and gold plunging the most since 2013. On this week’s episode of the Next Africa podcast, Bloomberg Intelligence’s Metals and Minerals analyst Emmanuel Munjeri and Bloomberg Metals and Minerals Reporter Jack Ryan join Jennifer Zabasajja to talk through the last few weeks on the metal markets, whether new African projects could soon be greenlit and what else to look out for in the coming weeks. For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Why Lagos Demolished The Homes Of Thousands Of Poor Residents 30.01.2026 13p

  Nigeria’s biggest city is demolishing two densely populated waterfront communities to make way for urban renewal, displacing thousands of poor residents in the process. On this week’s episode, Tiwa Adebayo, sitting in for Jennifer Zabasajja, is joined by Bloomberg’s Nigeria bureau chief Anthony Osae-Brown and Toni Fola-Alade, the co-founder of Charity DoGood.Africa, who saw their school demolished earlier this year. They discuss what’s happened to the communities impacted, how the Lagos State Government is compensating people and what the future might hold for poorer communities in Lagos. For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Why More African Countries Are Switching To Chinese Yuan 22.01.2026 15p

  Chinese mine operators in Zambia started paying royalties and taxes in yuan in Africa’s second-biggest copper producer, the latest sign of the growing acceptance of the currency on the continent.   On this week’s episode, bloomberg reporter Matthew Hill and Bloomberg Economics Africa Economist Yvonne Mhango join Jennifer Zabasajja to discuss why China wants to boost the use of its currency, what’s in it for African countries, and whether there’s a risk of US retaliation For more stories from the region, you can subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• How The Death of Chimamanda Adichie’s Son Put Nigerian Healthcare Under Scrutiny 15.01.2026 18p

  Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of infant death and medical negligenceCelebrated Nigerian author Chimamanda Adichie has blamed the death of her 21-month old son on medical negligence, sparking a national conversation about healthcare standards in Africa’s most-populous nation. On this week’s episode, Jennifer Zabasajja speaks to Adichie’s sister-in-law, Anthea Esege-Nwandu, who is also a medical doctor. Then senior reporter Yinka Ibukun and healthcare reporter Janice Kew join to discuss the state of healthcare in Nigeria and across Africa, and why so many wealthy Africans are seeking treatment abroad.For more stories from the region, you can subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.