Next Africa

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.