Next Africa

Flying has never been easier. Airlines are competing to offer cheaper fares and more routes across Europe, North America and Asia. But while connections to and from Africa have expanded, travelling within the continent remains difficult and expensive. On this week's Next Africa podcast, Ghana-based reporter Bilal Qureshi discusses his latest feature on why intra-African air travel continues to lag behind the rest of the world. Bloomberg Global Aviation Editor Benedikt Kammel also explains the challenges facing Africa's fragmented aviation sector — and what it will take to make flying across the continent easier and more affordable. For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletterSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The man who helped turn Morocco into a World Cup contender is now being urged to take on an even bigger challenge: becoming the country’s next prime minister. On this week’s Next Africa podcast, we examine the Atlas Lions’ impressive run at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and why two political parties are courting Fouzi Lekjaa to lead them into the next election. Jennifer Zabasajja speaks with Bloomberg North Africa reporter Souhail Karam about football’s growing influence in Moroccan politics, the controversy over the billions being spent to co-host the 2030 World Cup, and whether sporting success can translate into political capital. We also hear from former Morocco international footballer Hassan Kachloul on what the Atlas Lions’ historic campaign has meant to fans back home. For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa NewsletterSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thousands of people joined anti-migrant protests in South Africa on Tuesday, watched over by a massive police contingent that was deployed to prevent violence and intimidation. The rallies, which marked the culmination of weeks of protests that have displaced thousands of mainly African expatriates, were mostly peaceful bar a few isolated incidents.In this week’s Next Africa Podcast, Bloomberg’s Ntando Thukwana gives the latest update on this week’s protests and then Jennifer Zabasajja speaks to Professor Loren Landau, a senior researcher at Witwatersrand University’s African Centre for Migration & Society on the impact these protests could have on the regional economy and South Africa’s standing in the continent.For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletterSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Iran war has put billions of dollars in remittances at risk as conflict disrupts the incomes of migrant workers across the Gulf. For many African economies, where money sent home helps pay for food, healthcare and education, a prolonged slowdown could weigh on growth well beyond the battlefield. On this week's episode, Jennifer Zabasajja speaks with Bloomberg's Prinesha Naidoo about her reporting on the disruption to remittance flows and what's at stake as the ceasefire and peace talks take shape. She is also joined by Onafriq Managing Director Rachel Balsham, who explains where the company is seeing the sharpest declines in cross-border money transfers. Read Bloomberg’s latest report on Remittances here, and subscribe to the Next Africa Newsletter for more stories from the regionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An El Niño weather pattern forming in the Pacific Ocean is expected to bring hotter, drier weather to much of east and southern Africa while increasing flood risks in parts of West Africa, stoking fears of another difficult spell for the continent’s farmers. On this week’s episode, Jennifer Zabasajja talks to Bloomberg weather reporter Lauren Rosenthal about how El Niño is shaping up, and to soft commodities reporter Mumbi Gitau about what it could mean for Africa’s crops, food supplies and rural economies. For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletterSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ethiopia’s ruling party has established a commanding lead in preliminary election results, leaving Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on track to secure another five-year term. On this week’s episode, Tiwa Adebayo speaks with Bloomberg Senior East Africa Reporter Simon Marks and Ethiopia Reporter Fasika Tadesse about why the election outcome was rarely in doubt, the political and security risks that persist, and what Abiy’s renewed mandate means for the Horn of Africa and Ethiopia’s international partners. For more stories from across the continent, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Here's a bonus episode from another Bloomberg podcast we think listeners to Next Africa might enjoy Could Africa’s long-misunderstood population boom become its greatest economic advantage? Economist and author Joe Studwell joins host Merryn Somerset Webb to discuss his book, How Africa Works: Success and Failure on the World's Last Developmental Frontier. He argues that rising population density is already transforming the continent by creating deeper markets, boosting agricultural productivity, supporting urbanization and making manufacturing more viable. While governance, debt and commodity dependence remain risks, he sees a more diverse, locally driven growth story emerging across Africa. Find more episodes from Merryn Talks Money hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 2014-16 Ebola epidemic in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone triggered one of the most severe health-related economic shocks in modern African history. While the current outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo remains a serious concern, analysts expect its economic impact to be far more contained. On today’s Next Africa podcast, Bloomberg Economics Africa Economist Yvonne Mhango joins Jennifer Zabasajja to discuss her latest research on the outbreak, why the West African epidemic dealt such a heavy blow to growth, what makes the situation in Congo different, and the key risks policymakers and investors should still be watching. You can read Yvonne’s analysis on Bloomberg Economic Insights, and for more stories from across the continent, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

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.

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. Correct: This podcast has been updated with a new version to include a response to the claims made by Bobi Wine from a representative of the Ugandan Government. For more stories from the region subscribe to the Next Africa NewsletterSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

As the 35th Africa Cup of Nations reaches the final stages, the organizers are already celebrating a record-breaking tournament.  In this episode, our Nigeria-based reporter Nduka Orjinmo joins Jennifer Zabasajja to talk about the growth of African football, the growing business opportunities for sports on the continent and why changes to the tournament could make it even more attractive to sponsors. For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a year that saw South Africa host the G20, the continent found itself coming to terms with a transformed relationship with America both in terms of trade and access to aid.  In this special episode of the Next Africa Podcast, Bloomberg Opinion columnist Justice Malala joins Jennifer Zabasajja to look at the big moments of the year.  They discuss  the US South Africa Relationship,  the roll back of democracy, and the role Gen Z has in shaping the continent. Then they look ahead to the big moments to watch in 2026  For more stories from the region, you can subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An attempted Coup in Benin has been thwarted after an intervention from its West African neighbors led by Nigeria. The emphatic response from the regional bloc Ecowas this time was a marked change, after the bloc had been criticized for inaction during the string of coups that have struck the region since 2020. On this week’s episode, Jennifer Zabasajja speaks to Bloomberg’s Katarina Hoije, who’s based in West Africa, about how this coup was defeated, why Nigeria led the response, and what the outlook is for further coups in the region. Get more from the Next Africa newsletter, you can subscribe here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

South African financial assets -- stocks, bonds and the rand -- have surged, buoyed by soaring commodity prices and investor optimism that government reforms are reviving South Africa's economy after years in the doldrums. On this week’s episode, Bloomberg Economics Africa Economist Yvonne Mhango joins Tiwa Adebayo to explain what’s fueling this economic turnaround, and whether sustained growth could soon follow. For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While the world’s attention was on South Africa for the G20, thousands of women across the country used the opportunity to protest South Africa’s serious issues with violence against women.  Demonstrators held lie-in protests in cities across the country, including near the G20 summit itself, calling for the government to take action.  According to UN statistics, South Africa’s female murder rate is more than 5 times the global average. On this week’s episode, Government Reporter S’thembile Cela joins Tiwa Adebayo to explain how serious the crisis has become in South Africa, what impact the timing of the protests had and whether declaring violence against women a national disaster in South Africa will lead to any real change on the ground. You can read our full coverage of the G20 here and sign up to the Next Africa newsletter hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Africa is the least electrified continent in the world, where funding major power infrastructure has become far harder, grids are decrepit and state utilities are often broken. The result is that Africa cannot industrialize on a scale anywhere near what’s needed to create jobs for its young population, which by 2050 will nearly double to 2.5 billion, or a quarter of all humanity. On this week’s podcast, our energy reporter Paul Burkhardt joins Jennifer Zabasajja to talk through the data showing the scale of Africa’s energy crisis. Then Jennifer hears from Dr Owen Omogiafo, CEO of Nigerian power giant Transcorp, and one of the speakers at the Bloomberg Africa Business Summit, about what role the private sector has in turning this around.You can read Bloomberg’s Big Take on Africa’s Energy shortage here, and subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At COP30 in Brazil, scientists have warned that the Congo Basin, a region of tropical forest larger than India, is at a point where further damage may rob the world of a crucial bulwark against climate change. On this week’s episode, Jennifer Zabasajja is joined by Senior Africa Reporter Antony Sguazzin and Bloomberg Opinion Climate Columnist Lara Williams to discuss why the Congo Basin is so important to tackling climate change, what support African leaders are calling for and whether this COP summit will actually deliver any substantial action. You can read our coverage of COP30 here, and sign up for the Next Africa Newsletter here.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump has threatened to freeze aid to Nigeria and take military action unless its government stops what he’s called the killing of “very large numbers” of Christians by jihadists. On this week’s episode, Deputy Managing Editor for Middle East and Africa Neil Munshi, and reporter Nduka Orjinmo join Jennifer Zabasajja to explain where this claim comes from, what the reaction has been in Nigeria, and the challenge facing the west African nation’s government as it works out how to respond to President Trump.You can read Neil and Nduka’s piece on Bloomberg now, and you can subscribe to the Next Africa Newsletter here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Election wins for incumbents in Cameroon and Ivory Coast, where key opposition figures were banned from standing, have raised warnings over the state of democracy in a number of African nations. One academic has warned of the rise of ‘democratic dictators’ which could create fertile ground for coups. On this week’s episode, senior reporter Yinka Ibukun joins Jennifer Zabasajja to talk through the latest round of elections across Africa, and how gen z voters frustrated with their lack of choices may respond. For more stories from the region, you can subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chinese tech companies Huawei and DeepSeek are teaming up to offer cloud computing and AI services. And they’re pitching African startups on using their offerings over their Western competitors like OpenAI in a bid to get an early foothold in the African tech scene. In a special episode from Bloomberg’s Big Take and Next Africa podcasts, reporters Loni Prinsloo and Helen Nyambura join hosts Sarah Holder and Jennifer Zabasajja to describe the pitch, how it’s landing and what it could mean for the global AI race. Read more:  DeepSeek’s Surge in Africa Reveals China’s AI Power GrabSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We wanted to bring you one of our favorite episodes from the last few months. Each year, up to 12 million young Africans enter the workforce, but only about three million formal jobs are available. So many Nigerians have left Africa's most populous country in recent years, the Yoruba term "japa" -- or escape -- has become shorthand for young people desperate to put their skills to use. Could the west be doing more to help Africa make the most of it’s talent rather than losing it to places like the UK, US and Canada?Author, journalist and Bloomberg columnist Ciku Kimeria joins Jennifer Zabasajja to talk about her latest piece on the issue, why so many people are choosing to leave and what future she hopes her young daughter will grow in to. For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A spectacular gold-market boom is spurring a push by African nations — where the ground is rich in the precious metal — to extract more revenue.   On this week’s episode, Bloomberg’s precious metals reporter Jack Ryan and our Africa Mining and Metals correspondent William Clowes join Jennifer Zabasajja to explain what’s behind the rising gold price, how African countries are trying to capitalize on the boom and what risks there might be for investors. For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

South Africa and Nigeria are poised to exit a global financial watchdog’s “gray list” as soon as this month, marking a change in fortune for two of the continent’s biggest economies. On this week’s Next Africa podcast, Bloomberg’s Africa Economics and Government Editor Monique Vanek and reporter Ben Bartenstein join Jennifer Zabasajja to explain how the countries ended up on the list in the first place, what they’ve done to improve their systems and what benefits exiting the list could bring to their economies.For more stories from the region, you can subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In parts of Africa, public opinion on China is more favorable than in many other regions, according to an Asia Society survey released this month. That enthusiasm contrasts sharply with Beijing’s standing in the West and some of Asia, where views have soured dramatically. In this week’s episode, Bloomberg’s Asia columnist Karishma Vaswani and Africa Economist Yvonne Mhango join Tiwa Adebayo to discuss just why China is winning the diplomacy war in Africa, and how good the deal is for African economies. You can read Karishma’s column here and for more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ethiopia has inaugurated Africa’s biggest hydroelectric dam, a colossal feat of engineering that could power homes and industries across East Africa. But the dam is also  deepening a years-long dispute with Egypt and Sudan over the flow of the Nile. On this week’s episode of the Next Africa Podcast, Jennifer is joined by Bloomberg’s Ethiopia Reporter Fasika Tadesse and our Cairo based reporter Tarek El-Tablawy to discuss what Ethiopia hopes the dam will achieve economically and how downstream neighbours Egypt and Sudan may respond. For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Botswana became one of the richest countries in Africa because it's the world's biggest producer of diamonds by value -- but with lab-grown gems soaring in popularity, the sparsely-populated desert nation is facing a social and economic existential crisis President Boko has pledged to diversify the economy away from its over-reliance on a single resource, but the changes may have come too late. On this week’s episode, Bloomberg’s Matthew Hill and Botswana-based reporter Mbongeni Mguni join Jennifer Zabasajja to discuss their latest reporting from the region, and what the impact of the diamond slump looks like on the ground in Botswana. For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s the summer festival season, and while Europe and North America are seeing declining sales and smaller tours - Africa’s festival scene is on an upward trend. Eswatini’s Bushfire Festival, and Tanzania’s Sauti Za Busara are growing, bringing jobs, tourism and support for Africa’s music industry. On this week’s episode, Tiwa Adebayo speaks to Maputo based correspondent Tavares Cebola, who’s been reporting on the summer festival season. They discuss whether the African music industry is able to capitalise on its global popularity and how the region's growing younger middle class are fueling the festival industry. Jennifer Zabasajja will return next week. For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter here See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two South African oil workers who had been detained in Equatorial Guinea prisons for two years have spoken to Bloomberg about their ordeal. Peter Huxham and Frik Potgieter were arrested on drug-trafficking charges and detained in short order in February 2023, days after a South African court ordered the seizure of a yacht linked to Equatorial Guinean Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, known as Teodorin.  In this special episode of the Next Africa Podcast they talk about their arrest, what it’s like inside Equatorial Guinean prisons and how they feel now they are back with their families in South Africa.  And Bloomberg’s Energy reporter Paul Burkhardt speaks to Jennifer Zabasajja about the diplomatic relations between South Africa and Equatorial Guinea, the role of the Vice President, and what this means for international investment in OPEC’s smallest member.For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A private island off the coast of Tanzania, where guests pay around $50,000 a night for an exclusive-use villa, catamaran and helicopter transfers within a protected marine reserve is the latest frontier in Africa’s booming luxury hospitality market. Bloomberg’s Prinesha Naidoo joins Jennifer Zabasajja to explain what's behind the boom in ultra luxury tourism, who’s benefiting and whether the economic boost is sustainable. You can read Prinesha Naidoo's piece here, and for more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter here See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Opposition parties are protesting in Abidjan after court rulings blocked key opposition figures from standing in October’s presidential election. The decisions paved the way for 83 year-old President Alassane Ouattara to seek a controversial fourth term. On this week’s episode, Bloomberg’s Abidjan-based reporter Kamailoudini Tagba joins Jennifer Zabasajja and talks about what’s behind the process, how President Ouattara is regarded in Ivory Coast and what hopes there are for fair and peaceful elections in October.For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter here See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Somaliland, which proclaimed independence from Somalia in 1991, is willing to offer the US a military base at the entrance to the Red Sea and critical-minerals deals in its quest for international recognition as a sovereign state. On this week’s episode - Bloomberg’s Simon Marks joins Jennifer Zabasajja to explain the history behind Somaliland and its independence claim, and whether this new plan to try and get US recognition will succeed.For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

African development banks are locked in a dispute with African nations like Ghana and Zambia over deals to restructure their debts.  As the countries finalize debt relief agreements with foreign lenders under the G20’s Common Framework, banks like Afreximbank and TDB are pushing back against deals forcing them to take losses saying it puts the future of African investment at risk.  Bloomberg Reporter Matthew Hill joins Jennifer Zabasajja to explain what’s behind the dispute, what the bank’s leaders have been saying and whether a deal will eventually be doneFor more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.