Next Africa

The swift collapse of Bashar Al-Assad’s regime in Syria threatens a key Russian airbase in the country that Moscow has depended on to project influence throughout Africa. On this week’s episode, Bloomberg’s Simon Marks and Katarina Hoije join Jennifer Zabasajja to explain why these bases are so crucial to operations in Africa - and whether the regimes they are supporting have a plan B, if russia leaves them behind For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  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. After President Biden’s visit to Angola celebrating infrastructure investment - 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 here    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2024 has seen elections all across the continent of Africa, but incumbents lost or saw their majorities shrink -- as in Botswana, Mauritius, Senegal and South Africa -- in a sign of growing disillusionment with leaders around the continent.  Political commentator, author and Bloomberg columnist Justice Malala described this year of elections as ‘hard to watch’. On this episode he joins Jennifer Zabasajja to explain why he found it so hard, and if there’s any signs of hope for Democracy on the continent   For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter here See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Resolute Mining CEO Terry Holohan and two other employees have been released from detention in Mali, just days after the gold mining company agreed to pay about $160 million to resolve a tax dispute with the government. On this week’s episode, our West Africa reporter Katarina Höije, and our Africa mining and metals reporter William Clowes join Jennifer Zabasajja with the story Subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bitcoin notched another record high this week, climbing above $93,000 for the first time, with traders exuberant over President-elect Donald Trump’s rhetorical support for crypto. In Africa governments are looking nervously at the growing numbers of young people trading and investing in the token. Bloomberg reporters Bella Genga in Nairobi and Emele Onu in Lagos join Jennifer Zabasajja to discuss how Bitcoin is being used across the continent, and why regulators want more control. You can follow stories from the region with the Next Africa newsletter, you can subscribe hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What would YOU like to hear about on Bloomberg? Help make shows like ours even better by taking our Bloomberg audience survey.Your morning briefing, the business news you need in just 15 minutes.Donald Trump has been elected president of the United States for the second time -- but with an American First agenda, and trade wars on the horizon, what could his presidency mean for US/Africa relations, a continent already far from the top of the US’s strategic priorities? Deputy Managing Editor for Africa Neil Munshi and Africa and Middle East Reporter Peter Martin join Jennifer Zabasajja, to assess what this second Trump presidency could mean for Africa.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What would YOU like to hear about on Bloomberg? Help make shows like ours even better by taking our Bloomberg audience survey.Gautam Adani, the indian billionaire, is investing billions in East African infrastructure projects, from powerlines and ports to to airports - but in Kenya, his deals have been suspended by a court, as protesters are worried about what the takeovers might mean for jobs.  So?  P R Sanjai, a senior Bloomberg reporter in Mumbai, and Helen Nyambura, our East Africa bureau chief joins Jennifer Zabasajja to explain exactly who is Gautam Adani, and why East Africa is such an important region for one of India’s richest people.   You can follow stories from the region with the Next Africa podcast, you can subscribe hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What would YOU like to hear about on Bloomberg? Help make shows like ours even better by taking our Bloomberg audience survey.As Russia’s BRICS summit in Kazan comes to end, the Kremlin was keen to demonstrate that attempts to isolate Putin after the invasion of Ukraine have failed. On this week’s episode, Senior Reporter Henry Meyer, and Government Reporter S’thembile Cele join Jennifer Zabasajja to discuss the summit and Russia’s relationship with Africa - and what Russia and African leaders want and need from each other. You can follow stories from the region with the Next Africa podcast, you can subscribe hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The worlds youngest country, South Sudan, depends on its oil revenue to fund the country, but a blocked pipeline in war torn Sudan to it’s north - has stopped the flow oil and the ability of much of the country to function. Simon Marks joins Jennifer Zabasajja to talk through his reporting from the region, and the despair from South Sudanese citizens feeling abandoned when’s the worlds attention is elsewhere, You can catch up on all the latest stories in the region in the Next Africa newsletter. Sign up for it here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three months after deadly protests on the streets of Kenya, the country is facing more political instability. Deputy president  Rigathi Gachagua faces being removed from office by lawmakers, after being accused of violating the constitution and formenting division in the country. East Africa Bureau chief Helen Nyambura joins Jennifer Zabasajja to explain how Kenyans are reacting to this latest crisis, and why the country continues to face instability    You can catch up on all the latest stories in the region in the Next Africa newsletter. Sign up for it here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Catastrophic weather events from floods and storms to extreme heat are becoming more common as the climate continues to change, but the impacts are being felt worse among disadvantaged communities. A new report from the World Bank has shown that South Africa's townships are on average 6 to 8 degrees celcius hotter than wealthier suburbs in the same cities. Ntando Thukwana joins Jennifer Zabasajja to talk about her reporting on this story - and what the South African government needs to do to try and help You can follow more stories from across the continent with the Next Africa News letter - you can subscribe hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 As his new refinery begins gasoline production in Nigeria, Africa’s richest person, Aliko Dangote spoke exclusively to Bloomberg news. On this week’s podcast, Nduka Orjinmo joins Jennefier Zabasajja to look at who Dangote is, how he built his wealth - and why he thinks his gigantic refinery could help end the country's reliance on fuel subsidies.You can watch the full interview here and read more of Nduka’s Nigeria coverage here. - and you can subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter for even more:https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-09-24/dangote-s-monster-refinery-fuels-fight-over-gasoline-subsidiesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coffee prices are continuing to rise as weather events continue to hit supply. In Uganda farmers are receiving as much as 7000 shillings ($1.89) per kilo - but the windfall is also attracting an unprecedented crime wave.   On this episode of the Next Africa podcast, Soft Commodities reporter Mumbi Gitau joins Jennifer Zabasajja to explain what’s behind the rising prices, and why it’s not all good news for the region’s farmers.   You can read more on the rise in crime on Uganda’s coffee farms here - and you can subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter for moreSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Bloomberg revealed this week, the Turkish government is in talks with Somalia over a potential rocket launch site in East Africa. So why is Africa attractive to the Space Industry and what’s holding the continent back from making the most of the space sector to boost its economies? Jennifer Zabasajja is joined by Bloomberg reporter Bruce Einhorn, from the Business of Space newsletter, and our Johannesburg based technology reporter Loni Prinsloo to find out whether the African space economy is really ready for launch. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the 9th Forum on China and Africa gets underway in Beijing, African leaders could find a partner that's less willing to open the checkbook than before.  Bloomberg's Neil Munshi and Peter Martin join Jennifer Zabasajja to explain what China wants from African investment and how a struggling economy at home means it wants bigger returns on investment - which may end up saddling countries on the continent with more unaffordable debt.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two weeks since the Mpox outbreak was declared a global health emergency, cases have already been seen far beyond Africa. Scientists and public health officials are now asking whether this could have been avoided - and why we need to look again at how we treat tropical disease in Africa. Janice Kew joins Jennifer Zabasajja to give the latest on the response, what’s happening with vaccines and why children, who account for most of the deaths, will have to wait longer for a vaccine.   Read all the latest coverage on Mpox on Bloomberg NewsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The price of gold has hit another record high, partly driven by demand from central banks that see it as a way of protecting themselves from economic and geopolitical turbulence. Africa's central bankers have been among the buyers, as they see the precious metal as a valuable shield in an uncertain world. Bloomberg’s Ray Ndlovu joins Jennifer Zabasajja to explain the renewed interest in gold, and how long the trend might last.  Read Ray's reporting on Bloomberg hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A mutated strain of Mpox in Central Africa has been declared a public health emergency of international by the World Health Organisation. About 15,000 cases have been reported so far in the DRC - but at least 6 other African countries have reported cases - and Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda have reported their first ever Mpox cases. Bloomberg Healthcare reporter Janice Kew joins Jennifer Zabasajja with the latest updates, and whether the international community is doing enough to support African countries in containing the outbreakSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ability to prove your ID for a bank account or for public services may be taken for granted in much of the world - but many countries still lack this basic infrastructure. It’s seen as so important - that it’s part of the UN’s sustainable development goals - but this push for biometric ID systems has also opened the door to corruption. An investigation by Lighthouse Reports in partnership with Bloomberg has shown how money intended to create ID cards in the Democratic Republic of Congo may have been leveraged via shell companies to benefit a handful of the country's elite - and the Hypnose shopping centre in Lubumbashi is a product of the inequality and corruption that has long troubled the vast central African nation Reporter Tomas Statius joins Jeneifer Zabasajja to talk about his investigation into the ID schemes and explain why one of the poorest countries in the world has one of the most expensive passports.  You can read the full story on Bloomberg now.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It should be Africa’s powerhouse, with major oil reserves and the continent's largest population. But Nigeria is facing the worse economic crisis in a generation. President Bola Tinubu has responded with radical reforms but, whilst seen by economists as the right thing to do, the measures are for now exacerbating the pain from the economic crisis and, one year into his term, Tinubu faces growing protests.  So what’s gone wrong in Nigeria and does the government have the political will to fix it? Bloomberg’s Nduka Orjinmo in Abuja joins Jennifer Zabasajja with the latest from NigeriaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It may have taken an intervention from a Hollywood star - but the Michelin Guide is slowly starting to recognise the rise of African cuisine in the fancy world of fine dining.  Jennifer Zabasajja leaves the Johannesburg studio to visit Akoko - a  West African restaurant hitting the big time in London’s West End, and finds out who has more power: Will Poutler or the Michelin Guide. Plus Bloomberg’s food editor Kate Krader tells Jennifer why African restaurants are suddenly having a moment.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the 'Here's Why' podcast:  -  on Apple: https://apple.co/3Lg3RGn  -  on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LiIX9q  -  or Anywhere: https://bit.ly/3xYsHHy.     Each episode of 'Here's Why' uses experts at Bloomberg to explain one news story in just a few minutes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Energies companies from across the world are rushing to exploit huge oil discoveries off the coast of Namibia. Total, Shell and Galp all have plans for projects - which could start as early as this year - transforming the southern African state into a global energy power.  Bloomberg’s Paul Burkhardt joins Jennifer Zabasajja to explain what the discovery could mean for Namibia. You can read the story now on Bloomberg: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-07-18/african-outpost-gets-ready-to-become-world-s-newest-oil-hotspotSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Paul Kagame is likely to win reelection in Rwanda on Monday: he rarely wins less than 95% of the vote. But despite opposition figures being barred from standing against him, and human rights bodies raising concerns about the country - Kagame remains a key ally for western leaders. Neil Munshi and Simon Marks join Jennifer Zabasajja to talk about their latest profile of Kagame, and the how opposition within the country is trying to organise - and ask whether 30 years after the genocide if the country's impressive economic recovery comes at the cost of a free and fair democracy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

South Arica's growing fruit exports have been a rare bright spot in a stagnant economy. Now they are in peril as well. The near-collapse of the state rail and ports company means 20-hour truck trips are needed to get fruit to export markets before they spoil. Ntando Thukwana joins Jennifer Zabasajja to discuss the threat to an industry that's one of the country's biggest employers.     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kenya’s President made a surprise U-turn and withdrew his controversial finance bill which would have raised more than $2bn in taxes. Widespread protests led to the storming of parliament leaving some killed and many more injured - so why have Gen Z been leading the protests - and what does this mean for the future of President Ruto - who put so much capital on bringing down Kenya’s debt. Bloomberg’s Bella  Genga  updates us from Nairobi on a tumultuous week for KenyaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Countries all across Africa have some of the most potential for solar power in the world, receiving high levels of sunshine all year round. But costs and delays mean very few have been able to benefit from it. Will solar power remain just an expensive way for the rich to avoid the unreliable energy grid, or will it hope to increase access to power - and become a valuable natural resource for countries like Namibia and Morocco. Bloomberg’s South Africa based energy reporter Paul Burkhardt tells us whether the sun is the bright future for Africa’s energy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the price of copper hovering around record highs thanks to the demand for the green transition - Zambia and the DRC want to seize an opportunity to capitalize on this and rebuild their economies.At DRC Mining week in Lubumbashi, copper is high on the agenda - and Bloomberg’s William Clowes speaks to us from the conference. Plus Matthew Hill in Zambia explains why President Hakainde Hichilema is betting big on copper. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The internet plays a central role in modern life, so much so that living without it is unfathomable for some. But that's been the reality for a number of Africans this year as several countries on the continent battle to stay connected despite damage to crucial cables. This week, host Jennifer Zabasajja and reporters Ramah Nyang in Nairobi and Loni Prinsloo in Johannesburg dig into the problem's roots and examine potential solutions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It is its worst performance since Nelson Mandela led the ANC to power in 1994. In South Africa, the African National Congress has lost its majority in parliament. The party has begun talks with rivals to form a government. In this special episode of the Next Africa Podcast, host Jennifer Zabasajja and Bloomberg Government reporter S’thembile Cele discuss what this means for the future of the country.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

South Africa’s ruling party looks set to fall short of securing a parliamentary majority for the first time since surging to power at the end of apartheid three decades ago, ushering in a period of uncertainty with a coalition partner needed to retain control. The African National Congress is on course to win 42% of the votes cast in Wednesday’s national election, according to projections based on early results. That would be a massive 15.5 percentage point drop from the last vote five years ago.    In this week’s special episode, The Big Take host Sarah Holder is joined by Johannesburg-based economic and government affairs reporter Ntando Thukwana to discuss why voters are seemingly souring on the ANC.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Ghana, the Supreme Court has started hearing suits against a bill that seeks to punish people who identify as LGBTQ. The proposed legislation could threaten funding support from the World Bank and the IMF who have non-discrimination standards. It could also set back a $20 billion debt restructuring deal the country is still negotiating. This week, on the Next Africa podcast, Jennifer Zabasajja and Bloomberg Senior reporter Yinka Ibukun discuss the potential social and financial implications on Ghana and beyond if the bill is passed.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Naira, Nigeria's currency has been devalued twice since June 2023. Despite a gain in March 2024, the pressure on the economy is increasing. This week on the Next Africa Podcast, Jennifer Zabasajja and Bloomberg's Nigeria Bureau Chief Anthony Osae-Brown discuss how this currency's roller coaster has been affecting consumers and businesses. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi militants have disturbed global trade with attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea. One African country has been playing a major role in Western allies efforts to contain those attacks. This week on the Next Africa Podcast Jennifer Zabasajja and Simon Marks discuss why Djibouti's strategic importance in the region is providing the country with an economic boost.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Crypto mining is an energy-intensive process. So miners are always on the lookout for the best place to operate. The United States and Hong Kong are known hosts for mining. But lately another country stands out: Ethiopia.On this week’s Next Africa Podcast, host Jennifer Zabasajja speaks with Bloomberg’s reporter Fasika Tadesse about how Ethiopia is now seen as a growth market in the crypto industry - especially for Chinese miners. A move that is not welcomed by everyone in the country.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the Next Africa podcast we look at the recent introduction of a new currency in Zimbabwe, the ZiG. This is the country's sixth attempt to have a functional local currency since 2008 when inflation crossing 231 million percent left it worthless. Bloomberg's Harare based reporter Ray Ndlovu joins host Jennifer Zabasajja to discuss if Zimbabwe may have finally struck gold with the ZiG.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1994 apartheid in South Africa ended and Nelson Mandela led the ANC to a historic democratic victory. Thirty years on, the party which has ruled the country ever since, could be about to lose it's grip on power. Our South Africa Government Reporter S'thembile Cele joins host Jennifer Zabasajja to discuss how decades of scandals, corruption and internal fights have eroded support for a party which was once the default option for many.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the past few weeks, cocoa prices have jumped to reach unprecedent levels. On the first episode of the Next Africa podcast, Bloomberg's Jennifer Zabasajja and Mumbi Gitau look into the reasons behind the surge and what it means for African farmers, the chocolate industry and the consumers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.