Next Africa

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, Bloombe...

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&rsquo...

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 spec...

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 sus...

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 Presid...

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 recog...

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 jo...

G20 finance ministers met in Zimbali in South Africa this week, but even with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent skipping the event - Donald Trump's trade policy dominated discussions at the expense of President Ramphosa’s agenda.

In this episode Jennifer Zabasajja speaks to South Africa Reserve Bank governor Lesetja Kganyago about the impact of the global trade war, and Bloomberg Economist Yvonne Mhango joins Jennifer to ex...

Demand for coffee is growing globally - but despite much of it being grown on the continent, very little is roasted locally to be sold and drunk there. West African Entrepreneur Hadi Beydoun wants to change that. 

In this week’s special episode of the Next Africa Podcast, Jennifer Zabasajja heads to Abidjan in the Ivory Coast to meet Hadi, the founder of Café Continent, to find out how he’s planning to bring...

The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda have agreed to bring an end to conflict in eastern Congo, where millions of people have died and multitudes have been displaced over the past three decades. But fighting continues and scores of armed groups continue to control parts of the region.

In this week’s episode, Bloomberg’s Congo reporter Michael Kavanagh joins Jennifer Zabasajja to explain how this deal came about no...

Winnie Byanyima, the executive director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS, has told Bloomberg that US cuts to foreign aid have left the global fight against HIV in crisis. 

Bloomberg healthcare reporter Janice Kew joins Jennifer Zabasajja to explain what the reality is on the ground for HIV treatment in Africa, a continent that is home to 75% of all people living with the virus, and where alternativ...

A year since deadly protests against the Kenyan government saw more than 60 people killed, Kenyans are again taking to the streets to protest police brutality. 

These protests, triggered by the death of a kenyan activist in police custody, come as the IMF arrive in the country to assess Kenya's attempts to tackle corruption.

On this week’s episode East Africa Bureau Chief Helen Nyambura joins Jennifer Zabasajja t...

US President Donald Trump is proposing a 3.5% tax on remittances by non-citizens as part of the Republican tax bill currently working through the Senate.  

On today’s episode of the Next Africa podcast we look at why this proposal could have major repercussions for African economies, particularly Nigeria, one of the world’s biggest recipients of remittances. 

Jennifer Zabasajja is joined by  Dr Lydiah Kem...

The return of the Unity Cup after 21 years electrified London’s Brentford Stadium, drawing record crowds and reigniting diasporan pride. With planning already underway for the 2026 edition, the tournament is more than just a celebration of African football. It’s emerging as a catalyst for global connection and economic opportunity.

This week, host Tiw...

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa visited Washington last week to ease tensions amid a barrage of criticism from President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly spread false claims that there’s a genocide against White people in Africa’s most industrialized economy. Ramaphosa was intent on focusing on trade relations — the US is the country’s second-largest trading partner after China — but the US lea...

The future of Africa's economic progress, security and stability has been a key topic at this year's Qatar Economic Forum , an event powered by Bloomberg. How can the continent assert itself on global stage and superchage growth against an uncertain backdrop? 

On this week's episode Jennifer Zabasajja brings you the best of this year's discussions featuring a deep dive into sovereign investment, a look at some of the regio...

Nollywood is bringing a touch of West Africa to the Cannes Film Festival. My Father’s Shadow is making history as the first Nigerian Film to be an Official Selection at the Festival - showing the rising prominence of Nollywood on the world stage. And investors are starting to take notice.

On today’s episode, Jennifer Zabasajja talks to our Nigeria Bureau Chief, Anthony Osae-Brown about the growing popularity of Nollywoo...

Armed drones struck the airport and harbor in Sudan’s main coastal city Port Sudan, escalating a deadly conflict between the North African nation’s army and the Rapid Support Forces militia.

Sudan has accused the UAE of supporting the RSF and has cut off diplomatic ties and withdrawn its ambassador. The UAE firmly denies any involvement. 

On this episode, Bloomberg’s Nairobi based reporter Simon Marks joins J...

With influencer ads and high-profile marketing campaigns, Russia’s global outreach program is operating across Africa, offering young women work-study opportunities in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone. Fliers and promotional materials for the program feature images of smiling young African women working as technicians and waitresses. However, reports in international media suggest that the r...