Next Africa

Bloomberg•www.bloomberg.com

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.

Last refreshed: May 22nd, 2026 at 11:13 AM ⓘ

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Episodes

Is Michelin finally starting to notice African cooking?

It may have taken an intervention from a Hollywood star - but the Michelin Guide is slowly starting to recognise the rise of African cuisine in the fancy world of fine dining. Jennifer Zabasajja leaves the Johannesburg studio to visit Akoko - a West African restaurant hitting the big time in London’s West End, and finds out who has more power: Will Poutler or the Michelin Guide. Plus Bloomberg’s food editor Kate Krader tells Jennifer why African restaurants are suddenly having a moment. See omny...

Jul 25, 2024•17 min

Introducing 'Here's Why' - Complex News Stories Explained

Listen to the 'Here's Why' podcast: - on Apple : https://apple.co/3Lg3RGn - on Spotify : https://spoti.fi/3LiIX9q - or Anywhere : https://bit.ly/3xYsHHy . Each episode of 'Here's Why' uses experts at Bloomberg to explain one news story in just a few minutes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Jul 21, 2024•30 sec

Could Namibia See The World's Last Oil Rush?

Energies companies from across the world are rushing to exploit huge oil discoveries off the coast of Namibia. Total, Shell and Galp all have plans for projects - which could start as early as this year - transforming the southern African state into a global energy power. Bloomberg’s Paul Burkhardt joins Jennifer Zabasajja to explain what the discovery could mean for Namibia. You can read the story now on Bloomberg: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-07-18/african-outpost-gets-ready-to...

Jul 18, 2024•14 min

Will Rwanda ever see true democracy?

President Paul Kagame is likely to win reelection in Rwanda on Monday: he rarely wins less than 95% of the vote. But despite opposition figures being barred from standing against him, and human rights bodies raising concerns about the country - Kagame remains a key ally for western leaders. Neil Munshi and Simon Marks join Jennifer Zabasajja to talk about their latest profile of Kagame, and the how opposition within the country is trying to organise - and ask whether 30 years after the genocide ...

Jul 12, 2024•16 min

What rotten fruit tells you about South Africa's decaying infrastructure

South Arica's growing fruit exports have been a rare bright spot in a stagnant economy. Now they are in peril as well. The near-collapse of the state rail and ports company means 20-hour truck trips are needed to get fruit to export markets before they spoil. Ntando Thukwana joins Jennifer Zabasajja to discuss the threat to an industry that's one of the country's biggest employers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Jul 04, 2024•13 min

The Deadly Protests That Forced Kenya's President To Scrap Tax Hikes

Kenya’s President made a surprise U-turn and withdrew his controversial finance bill which would have raised more than $2bn in taxes. Widespread protests led to the storming of parliament leaving some killed and many more injured - so why have Gen Z been leading the protests - and what does this mean for the future of President Ruto - who put so much capital on bringing down Kenya’s debt. Bloomberg’s Bella Genga updates us from Nairobi on a tumultuous week for Kenya See omnystudio.com/listener f...

Jun 28, 2024•12 min

Could Solar Be The Answer To Africa’s Energy Crisis?

Countries all across Africa have some of the most potential for solar power in the world, receiving high levels of sunshine all year round. But costs and delays mean very few have been able to benefit from it. Will solar power remain just an expensive way for the rich to avoid the unreliable energy grid, or will it hope to increase access to power - and become a valuable natural resource for countries like Namibia and Morocco. Bloomberg’s South Africa based energy reporter Paul Burkhardt tells u...

Jun 20, 2024•13 min

Why African Nations Are Betting On A Copper Coated Future

With the price of copper hovering around record highs thanks to the demand for the green transition - Zambia and the DRC want to seize an opportunity to capitalize on this and rebuild their economies. At DRC Mining week in Lubumbashi, copper is high on the agenda - and Bloomberg’s William Clowes speaks to us from the conference. Plus Matthew Hill in Zambia explains why President Hakainde Hichilema is betting big on copper. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Jun 13, 2024•15 min

Why Does The Internet Keep Going Down in Africa?

The internet plays a central role in modern life, so much so that living without it is unfathomable for some. But that's been the reality for a number of Africans this year as several countries on the continent battle to stay connected despite damage to crucial cables. This week, host Jennifer Zabasajja and reporters Ramah Nyang in Nairobi and Loni Prinsloo in Johannesburg dig into the problem's roots and examine potential solutions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Jun 06, 2024•14 min

The ANC Loses Its Majority, What Does It Mean For South Africa?

It is its worst performance since Nelson Mandela led the ANC to power in 1994. In South Africa, the African National Congress has lost its majority in parliament. The party has begun talks with rivals to form a government. In this special episode of the Next Africa Podcast, host Jennifer Zabasajja and Bloomberg Government reporter S’thembile Cele discuss what this means for the future of the country. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Jun 03, 2024•11 min

The Big Take: Why Voters Could Deliver Major Change In South 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...

May 30, 2024•15 min

Could An Anti-LGBTQ Bill Damage Ghana's Economy?

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 o...

May 23, 2024•13 min

Nigeria And The Naira's Roller Coaster

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.

May 16, 2024•13 min

Is this African Country The Key to Keeping the Red Sea Safe ?

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....

May 09, 2024•15 min

Ethiopia: An African Paradise For Crypto Miners?

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 omny...

May 02, 2024•13 min

Can The ZiG Make Hyperinflation History?

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....

Apr 26, 2024•14 min

Is The Party Of Mandela About To Lose Power In South Africa?

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....

Apr 18, 2024•15 min

Why Are Chocolate Prices Going Up And Up And Up?

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.

Apr 10, 2024•18 min

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