Next Africa

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.

Katarina Hoije, Bloomberg's West Africa correspondent, shares her insights on the foiled coup in Benin. She details the swift regional intervention led by Nigeria and the timing of ECOWAS's decisive action, contrasting it with previous inaction. Katarina analyzes Nigeria's motivations for military involvement and discusses the rising trend of coups in West Africa since 2020, attributing it to political instability and youth discontent. She also highlights potential future hotspots and the implications for upcoming elections in the region.

Yvonne Mhango, an economist from Bloomberg Economics specializing in Africa, dives into the recent surge in South Africa's financial assets. She explores how soaring commodity prices, government reforms, and global easing have restored investor confidence. Mhango discusses the importance of fiscal consolidation and outlines key milestones for investors to watch by 2026, including budget credibility and local elections. She provides insightful commentary on the gradual recovery expected, with growth projections aiming for 1.8% in coming years.

S'thembile Cela, a dedicated government reporter, dives deep into South Africa's alarming gender-based violence crisis, revealing that the female murder rate is over five times the global average. As protests coincided with the G20, she discusses the motives behind activists' actions and their demands for international attention. Cela also highlights the government's potential declaration of GBV as a national disaster and the complexities involved in making real changes, shedding light on the dire conditions faced by victims and the urgent need for systemic reforms.

In this engaging discussion, Paul Burkhardt, a Bloomberg energy reporter, and Dr. Owen Omojiafo, the CEO of Nigerian energy investor Transcorp, delve into Africa's critical energy crisis. They explore how outdated grids and funding challenges are stifling industrial growth, particularly in Nigeria. Paul highlights the economic impacts of diesel reliance and potential bright spots in renewable energy, while Dr. Omojiafo emphasizes private sector solutions to improve electricity access and drive Africa's industrial revolution. The stakes are high as the continent aims to power a booming population.

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.

Neil Munshi, Deputy Managing Editor at Bloomberg with expertise in Middle East and Africa, shares insights alongside Abuja-based reporter Nduka Orjino. They discuss Trump's alarming threats to Nigeria concerning violence against Christians, tracing the origins of these claims in right-wing circles. The duo explores the diverse realities of violence in Nigeria, analyzes President Tinubu’s cautious response, and examines potential escalations with the U.S. Their conversation sheds light on the challenges Nigeria faces amid international scrutiny.

Yinka Ibukun, a senior reporter at Bloomberg focusing on African politics, dives into the troubling trend of 'no contest' elections in several African nations. He discusses Cameroon and Ivory Coast, where incumbents secured victories amid opposition bans. Yinka raises concerns about 'democratic dictators' and potential coups, while highlighting youth backlash and Gen Z activism in countries like Kenya. He also shares a hopeful note on Senegal, where public protests enabled a generational leadership shift, emphasizing the need for real reform through stronger institutions.

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.