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Next Africa — Places & Travel
Next Africa

Next Africa is a weekly podcast about where Africa is going and why it matters to everyone.

Each episode tells a story from the continent and follows it through real life, business, politics and culture. From electricity and climate to jobs, migration, technology, sport and music, the podcast looks at the forces shaping daily life and how those changes connect to the wider world.

The show covers challenges and breakthroughs side by side. It explains the impact of energy shortages and climate risk, but also the rise of new industries, creative economies and young entrepreneurs. Stories are reported on the ground and told with clarity, combining data, context and lived experience.

Hosted by Jennifer Zabasajja and built on original journalism from reporters on the ground, Next Africa puts local voices at the centre of the story, delivering clear, factual reporting without cliché or assumption.

Whether you live on the continent or want to better understand a region shaping the future, Next Africa offers insight, perspective and stories worth listening to.

Copyright: © 2018 Bloomberg LP

Latest Episodes:

Can Africa’s Economies Survive Global Economic Turmoil Mar 13, 2025

Show notes

Two budgets on different sides of the continent this week show the struggle African countries are facing when it comes to growing their economies. In Ghana, the new administration promised 10% spending cuts plus a higher tax on gold revenue, and in South Africa the much-delayed budget -- and its VAT hike -- still needs to find a way through parliament. With the global economy dealing with multiple conflicts and a chaotic trade war, what’s the outlook for growth in Africa in 2025? Jennifer Zabasajja sits down with Bloomberg Economics Africa Economist Yvonne Mhango to break down the headlines from these key budgets and find out what the global turmoil means for Africa.

For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter here

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 'Disaster' Impact Of USAID Cuts On Africa Mar 06, 2025

Show notes

One of President Trump’s first actions after beginning his second term in office, was to take aim at USAID, which doled out $40 billion in foreign assistance each year. Last week the administration cancelled 90% of its funding awards - the bulk of which are focused on projects in Africa such as tackling HIV and tuberculosis as well as responding to poverty and famine. In this special episode of the Next Africa Podcast we go across the continent as Jennifer Zabasajja speaks to Bloomberg reporters Nduka Orjinmo, Simon Marks and Janice Kew to hear about the impact these cuts are having on the ground and what might fill the gap that the US has left behind.

For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter here

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can Nigeria’s Central Bank Revive The Country’s Dying ATMS? Feb 27, 2025

Show notes

Nigeria’s Central Bank is allowing banks to increase the amount they charge for withdrawals at ATMs in a bid to tackle cash scarcity at lenders in the country. Nigerians are increasingly turning to cash agents who use card terminals to provide cash, for a high commission. On this week’s episode, Bloomberg’s Nduka Orjinmo joins Jennifer Zabasajja to explain why these cash agents are so popular and whether the moves by the Central Bank will actually make any difference on the ground. You can read Nduka’s reporting here.
For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter here

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can South Africa’s G20 Stand Up To President Trump Feb 20, 2025

Show notes

The first G20 summit on African soil has started in Johannesburg this weekend, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio refusing to attend the foreign ministers meeting. With President Trump’s new administration picking fights with allies and bringing Russia back in from the diplomatic cold, is multilaterialism still alive and will the G20 presidency meet South Africa’s ambitious goals? Bloomberg senior reporter Antony Sguazzin joins Jennifer Zabasajja to outline what’s at stake, and what role other players like China and the EU have if the US steps back from Africa.

For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter here

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can Africa Profit From Soaring Gold? Feb 13, 2025

Show notes

With global tensions high amid a growing trade war, investors have been continuing to push gold to record high prices, pushing towards the $3,000 mark. With Africa producing a quarter of the world’s supply, will the demand for the precious metal see some of that wealth reach the continent?

In this episode, Jennifer Zabasajja speaks to Barrick Gold CEO Mark Bristow at the South Africa Mining Indaba, and he explains why he thinks the only way is up for gold - and what that means for investment in Africa. Plus, Bloomberg’s Ray Ndlovu joins from Bulawayo to explain why Zimbabwe’s gold backed currency just isn’t keeping pace with the rising price.

For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter here

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Donald Trump and Elon Musk Take Aim at South Africa Feb 06, 2025

Show notes

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he won’t attend a G20 summit in Johannesburg later this month, after Donald Trump slammed South Africa over a new land law. The president's top ally Elon Musk has long trafficked in conspiracy theories about the Black-majority government seizing White farmers' land and committing a "genocide" against them. To discuss how Pretoria found itself in Trump's sights, Jennifer Zabasajja is joined by Bloomberg’s Deputy Managing Editor for Africa Neil Munshi - and columnist and political commentator Justice Malala.

For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter here

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Is Rwanda Overstepping In Congo? Jan 30, 2025

Show notes

A Rwanda-backed rebel group effectively captured the vital eastern DRC city of Goma, after a lightning offensive this week that reportedly included support from Rwandan troops.
On this week's episode, Bloomberg reporters Simon Marks and Michael Kavanagh, who’s covered the region for 20 years , join Jennifer Zabasajja to explain who the key players in the conflict are, what chance there is for a ceasefire and the risk this could spread into a wider regional conflict.
For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter here

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why Trump's WHO Withdrawal Is Bad News For Africa Jan 23, 2025

Show notes

The World Health Organization called on the US to reconsider President Donald Trump’s decision to exit the agency, suggesting the move could undermine global health security.

On this week’s episode, Bloomberg’s health and consumer reporter Janice Kew joins Jennifer Zabasajja to explain how planned departure would leave the WHO scrambling to replace its top donor, and how losing that funding could put the work that the WHO carries out on containing diseases such as HIV, polio and Ebola as well as a recent outbreak of lethal Marburg virus at risk
For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter here

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How the South African Mining Tragedy Unfolded Jan 16, 2025

Show notes

South African rescue workers retrieved 78 bodies from a disused gold mine in Stilfontein where hundreds of illegal extractors have been involved in a months-long standoff with the authorities. Civil rights groups said at least 100 people died from starvation after the mine was sealed off by the security forces to deny those underground access to food to force them to the surface.

Bloomberg’s S’thembile Cele has been on the ground at the Buffelsfontein mine and joins Jennifer Zabasajja, to explain who the miners were, why the government was so keen to crack down on illegal mining - and how the operation ended in such tragic circumstances.

For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter here

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is West Africa’s ‘Detty December’ really boosting local economies? Jan 10, 2025

Show notes

'Detty December' is a phrase which refers to the annual pilgrimage of tourists and diasporans to Nigeria and Ghana during the festive period. It's a movement which has attracted global attention this year as thousands, including international celebrities, flocked to the region to soak up the sun and celebrations. 2024's revelry though has been set against a difficult economic backdrop of rising inflation and depreciating currency. Bloomberg's Tiwa Adebayo who recently returned from Lagos tells Jennifer Zabasajja why some locals aren't sharing in the jubilation.

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