Next Africa

Mar 06 2025 48 ep. 14 mins 512

Next Africa Podcast artwork

Each week, Jennifer Zabasajja provides a deep dive into the business stories that shape Africa. Join Jennifer and our Bloomberg reporters as they lift the lid on the news driving the continent.

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The 'Disaster' Impact Of USAID Cuts On Africa

Mar 06 2025 21 mins

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

Can Nigeria’s Central Bank Revive The Country’s Dying ATMS?

Feb 27 2025 15 mins

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 the

Can South Africa’s G20 Stand Up To President Trump

Feb 20 2025 13 mins

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&rsq

Can Africa Profit From Soaring Gold?

Feb 13 2025 14 mins

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 Sout

Donald Trump and Elon Musk Take Aim at South Africa

Feb 06 2025 15 mins

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 i

Is Rwanda Overstepping In Congo?

Jan 30 2025 17 mins

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 cha

Why Trump's WHO Withdrawal Is Bad News For Africa

Jan 23 2025 12 mins

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,

How the South African Mining Tragedy Unfolded

Jan 16 2025 15 mins

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.&n

Is West Africa’s ‘Detty December’ really boosting local economies?

Jan 09 2025 15 mins

'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 backd

Does ECOWAS have a future in West Africa?

Dec 19 2024 13 mins

West African leaders gave Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso six months to reconsider a withdrawal from the regional economic bloc in a final attempt to avoid its fracture. But with the military-led, Russia-aligned countries setting up their own bloc - the Alliance of Sahel States - is the future of West Africa more one of disunity than unity? Bloomberg’s West Africa Reporter Katar