Next Africa

US President Donald Trump is proposing a 3.5% tax on remittances by non-citizens as part of the Republican tax bill currently working through the Senate.   On today’s episode of the Next Africa podcast we look at why this proposal could have major repercussions for African economies, particularly Nigeria, one of the world’s biggest recipients of remittances.  Jennifer Zabasajja is joined by  Dr Lydiah Kemunto Bosire, the founder of New York based 8B Education Investments, and hears how this makes America less attractive to Africa’s brightest students, and Nigeria Bureau Chief Anthony Osae Brown explains how reliant Nigeria is on remittances especially ofF the back of USAID cuts.  For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The return of the Unity Cup after 21 years electrified London’s Brentford Stadium, drawing record crowds and reigniting diasporan pride. With planning already underway for the 2026 edition, the tournament is more than just a celebration of African football. It’s emerging as a catalyst for global connection and economic opportunity. This week, host Tiwa Adebayo sits down with Bloomberg reporters Olatomiwa Tobi and Nduka Orjinmo to explore how sport is becoming a powerful force in uniting African communities abroad, as well as a billion-dollar opportunity for brands willing to invest. (Regular host Jennifer Zabasajja returns next week.) For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa visited Washington last week to ease tensions amid a barrage of criticism from President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly spread false claims that there’s a genocide against White people in Africa’s most industrialized economy. Ramaphosa was intent on focusing on trade relations — the US is the country’s second-largest trading partner after China — but the US leader quickly turned the meeting into an interrogation. Bloomberg's South Africa Government Reporter S'thembile Cele was in the room and recounts the full story of the face-to-face Oval Office meeting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The future of Africa's economic progress, security and stability has been a key topic at this year's Qatar Economic Forum , an event powered by Bloomberg. How can the continent assert itself on global stage and superchage growth against an uncertain backdrop?  On this week's episode Jennifer Zabasajja brings you the best of this year's discussions featuring a deep dive into sovereign investment, a look at some of the region's most exciting start-ups and expert commentary on the roles of sustainability and AI in Africa's growing investment landscape.  For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nollywood is bringing a touch of West Africa to the Cannes Film Festival. My Father’s Shadow is making history as the first Nigerian Film to be an Official Selection at the Festival - showing the rising prominence of Nollywood on the world stage. And investors are starting to take notice. On today’s episode, Jennifer Zabasajja talks to our Nigeria Bureau Chief, Anthony Osae-Brown about the growing popularity of Nollywood, how Netflix and Amazon brought new investment to the industry and why asset managers are now starting to take notice.For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Armed drones struck the airport and harbor in Sudan’s main coastal city Port Sudan, escalating a deadly conflict between the North African nation’s army and the Rapid Support Forces militia. Sudan has accused the UAE of supporting the RSF and has cut off diplomatic ties and withdrawn its ambassador. The UAE firmly denies any involvement.  On this episode, Bloomberg’s Nairobi based reporter Simon Marks joins Jennifer Zabasajja to explain why this escalation opens up a new front in the two year long civil war, and what evidence there is that the UAE is backing the RSF.For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With influencer ads and high-profile marketing campaigns, Russia’s global outreach program is operating across Africa, offering young women work-study opportunities in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone. Fliers and promotional materials for the program feature images of smiling young African women working as technicians and waitresses. However, reports in international media suggest that the reality of working in Alabuga is far grimmer than the version being marketed. On this week’s episode, Senior Reporter Antony Sguazzin joins Jennifer Zabasajja to explore whether the scheme’s claims hold up under scrutiny and how Interpol is investigating allegations that the program amounts to human trafficking. Instead of providing genuine job opportunities, it may be placing young African women at risk in a war zone. You can read Antony’s reporting on the Alabuga Start programme here.For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At the IMF Spring Meetings in Washington, DC - the trade war and its impact on the global economy is the centre of attention, and putting more pressure on the African governments trying to negotiate deals with the fund.  Ghana and Zambia have turned their economies around with IMF help — but  Kenya, Mozambique and Senegal find themselves having to try and negotiate new IMF programmes  at a time when there’s less help to be found.  On this episode of the Next Africa Podcast, Jennifer Zabasajja is joined by Bloomberg’s Matthew Hill, to find out what’s on the negotiating table, and how a trade war is making life harder for African governments already stuck between angry citizens and a restrictive IMF For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lesotho was hit with the highest U.S. tariffs on the African continent, a 50% levy on its exports, before President Donald Trump paused the move for 90 days. The kingdom’s trade minister is warning that if those duties go ahead, Lesotho could face a liquidity crisis. Trump announced this month that tariffs of at least 10% will apply to most imports, with even steeper rates targeting goods from around 60 countries, all in a push to curb what he calls unfair trade imbalances.Lesotho is now hoping to launch high-level talks with Washington.On today’s episode, Jennifer Zabasajja speaks with Maarten Van Doesburg, Head of Economics at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, about what could be at stake in those negotiations — and what Trump might really want in the long run. For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Formula One cars last raced in Africa in 1993, but now a concerted effort from investors and governments are trying to bring the races back to the continent. Bloomberg’s Senior Africa Reporter has been looking at the proposals bidding for a new a licence and talks to Jennifer Zabasajja about what’s being planned, who’s paying for it, and whether we really will see an African race on the Formula One circuit any time soon For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter here See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Trump imposed the steepest American tariffs in a century as he steps up his campaign to reshape the global economy. Many African countries have been hit with the so-called reciprocal tariffs including a 31% levy on South Africa and 50% on Lesotho.  Bloomberg Economics Africa Economist Yvonne Mhango joins Jennifer Zabasajja to explain what the impacts of these tariffs will be on African Economies - and what the global trade war could mean for hopes of growth. For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some call it the sport of kings or the passport to the world, and in Nigeria Polo has become a business essential. In Lagos, government ministers and business leaders play side by side while the sport gets sponsorship from global giants such as Coco Cola. Bloomberg reporter Tiwa Adebayo joins Jennifer Zabasajja to explain how Polo became such a part of corporate culture in Nigeria, and how much business is taking place on the polo field rather than in the board room For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Global cocoa shortages are finally set to ease this season, as harvests improve and demand falls, creating a surplus for the first time in three years. But even with Cocoa hitting record high prices, the industry is taking time to recover, and debt and the need to honour contracts at cheaper prices mean farmers in Ghana and Ivory Coast - the world's biggest cocoa producing countries- aren’t yet seeing much benefit from the rising price. Bloomberg Soft Commodities reporter Mumbi Gitau has just returned from Ghana and Ivory Coast, and joins Jennifer Zabasajja to explain what the recovery looks like at the cocoa farms, the pressures the industry is still facing and what it means for the price of our chocolate bars. For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 riskFor more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

'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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Katarina Hoije joins Jennifer Zabasajja to explain why the countries want to leave ECOWAS and what the future looks like for West Africa diplomacy  For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The swift collapse of Bashar Al-Assad’s regime in Syria threatens a key Russian airbase in the country that Moscow has depended on to project influence throughout Africa. On this week’s episode, Bloomberg’s Simon Marks and Katarina Hoije join Jennifer Zabasajja to explain why these bases are so crucial to operations in Africa - and whether the regimes they are supporting have a plan B, if russia leaves them behind For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. After President Biden’s visit to Angola celebrating infrastructure investment - 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 here See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2024 has seen elections all across the continent of Africa, but incumbents lost or saw their majorities shrink -- as in Botswana, Mauritius, Senegal and South Africa -- in a sign of growing disillusionment with leaders around the continent. Political commentator, author and Bloomberg columnist Justice Malala described this year of elections as ‘hard to watch’. On this episode he joins Jennifer Zabasajja to explain why he found it so hard, and if there’s any signs of hope for Democracy on the continent For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter here See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Resolute Mining CEO Terry Holohan and two other employees have been released from detention in Mali, just days after the gold mining company agreed to pay about $160 million to resolve a tax dispute with the government. On this week’s episode, our West Africa reporter Katarina Höije, and our Africa mining and metals reporter William Clowes join Jennifer Zabasajja with the story Subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bitcoin notched another record high this week, climbing above $93,000 for the first time, with traders exuberant over President-elect Donald Trump’s rhetorical support for crypto. In Africa governments are looking nervously at the growing numbers of young people trading and investing in the token. Bloomberg reporters Bella Genga in Nairobi and Emele Onu in Lagos join Jennifer Zabasajja to discuss how Bitcoin is being used across the continent, and why regulators want more control. You can follow stories from the region with the Next Africa newsletter, you can subscribe hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What would YOU like to hear about on Bloomberg? Help make shows like ours even better by taking our Bloomberg audience survey.Your morning briefing, the business news you need in just 15 minutes.Donald Trump has been elected president of the United States for the second time -- but with an American First agenda, and trade wars on the horizon, what could his presidency mean for US/Africa relations, a continent already far from the top of the US’s strategic priorities? Deputy Managing Editor for Africa Neil Munshi and Africa and Middle East Reporter Peter Martin join Jennifer Zabasajja, to assess what this second Trump presidency could mean for Africa.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What would YOU like to hear about on Bloomberg? Help make shows like ours even better by taking our Bloomberg audience survey.Gautam Adani, the indian billionaire, is investing billions in East African infrastructure projects, from powerlines and ports to to airports - but in Kenya, his deals have been suspended by a court, as protesters are worried about what the takeovers might mean for jobs. So? P R Sanjai, a senior Bloomberg reporter in Mumbai, and Helen Nyambura, our East Africa bureau chief joins Jennifer Zabasajja to explain exactly who is Gautam Adani, and why East Africa is such an important region for one of India’s richest people. You can follow stories from the region with the Next Africa podcast, you can subscribe hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What would YOU like to hear about on Bloomberg? Help make shows like ours even better by taking our Bloomberg audience survey.As Russia’s BRICS summit in Kazan comes to end, the Kremlin was keen to demonstrate that attempts to isolate Putin after the invasion of Ukraine have failed. On this week’s episode, Senior Reporter Henry Meyer, and Government Reporter S’thembile Cele join Jennifer Zabasajja to discuss the summit and Russia’s relationship with Africa - and what Russia and African leaders want and need from each other. You can follow stories from the region with the Next Africa podcast, you can subscribe hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The worlds youngest country, South Sudan, depends on its oil revenue to fund the country, but a blocked pipeline in war torn Sudan to it’s north - has stopped the flow oil and the ability of much of the country to function. Simon Marks joins Jennifer Zabasajja to talk through his reporting from the region, and the despair from South Sudanese citizens feeling abandoned when’s the worlds attention is elsewhere, You can catch up on all the latest stories in the region in the Next Africa newsletter. Sign up for it here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three months after deadly protests on the streets of Kenya, the country is facing more political instability. Deputy president Rigathi Gachagua faces being removed from office by lawmakers, after being accused of violating the constitution and formenting division in the country. East Africa Bureau chief Helen Nyambura joins Jennifer Zabasajja to explain how Kenyans are reacting to this latest crisis, and why the country continues to face instability You can catch up on all the latest stories in the region in the Next Africa newsletter. Sign up for it here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Catastrophic weather events from floods and storms to extreme heat are becoming more common as the climate continues to change, but the impacts are being felt worse among disadvantaged communities. A new report from the World Bank has shown that South Africa's townships are on average 6 to 8 degrees celcius hotter than wealthier suburbs in the same cities. Ntando Thukwana joins Jennifer Zabasajja to talk about her reporting on this story - and what the South African government needs to do to try and help You can follow more stories from across the continent with the Next Africa News letter - you can subscribe hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As his new refinery begins gasoline production in Nigeria, Africa’s richest person, Aliko Dangote spoke exclusively to Bloomberg news. On this week’s podcast, Nduka Orjinmo joins Jennefier Zabasajja to look at who Dangote is, how he built his wealth - and why he thinks his gigantic refinery could help end the country's reliance on fuel subsidies.You can watch the full interview here and read more of Nduka’s Nigeria coverage here. - and you can subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter for even more:https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-09-24/dangote-s-monster-refinery-fuels-fight-over-gasoline-subsidiesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coffee prices are continuing to rise as weather events continue to hit supply. In Uganda farmers are receiving as much as 7000 shillings ($1.89) per kilo - but the windfall is also attracting an unprecedented crime wave. On this episode of the Next Africa podcast, Soft Commodities reporter Mumbi Gitau joins Jennifer Zabasajja to explain what’s behind the rising prices, and why it’s not all good news for the region’s farmers. You can read more on the rise in crime on Uganda’s coffee farms here - and you can subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter for moreSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Bloomberg revealed this week, the Turkish government is in talks with Somalia over a potential rocket launch site in East Africa. So why is Africa attractive to the Space Industry and what’s holding the continent back from making the most of the space sector to boost its economies? Jennifer Zabasajja is joined by Bloomberg reporter Bruce Einhorn, from the Business of Space newsletter, and our Johannesburg based technology reporter Loni Prinsloo to find out whether the African space economy is really ready for launch. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the 9th Forum on China and Africa gets underway in Beijing, African leaders could find a partner that's less willing to open the checkbook than before. Bloomberg's Neil Munshi and Peter Martin join Jennifer Zabasajja to explain what China wants from African investment and how a struggling economy at home means it wants bigger returns on investment - which may end up saddling countries on the continent with more unaffordable debt.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two weeks since the Mpox outbreak was declared a global health emergency, cases have already been seen far beyond Africa. Scientists and public health officials are now asking whether this could have been avoided - and why we need to look again at how we treat tropical disease in Africa. Janice Kew joins Jennifer Zabasajja to give the latest on the response, what’s happening with vaccines and why children, who account for most of the deaths, will have to wait longer for a vaccine. Read all the latest coverage on Mpox on Bloomberg NewsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The price of gold has hit another record high, partly driven by demand from central banks that see it as a way of protecting themselves from economic and geopolitical turbulence. Africa's central bankers have been among the buyers, as they see the precious metal as a valuable shield in an uncertain world. Bloomberg’s Ray Ndlovu joins Jennifer Zabasajja to explain the renewed interest in gold, and how long the trend might last. Read Ray's reporting on Bloomberg hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A mutated strain of Mpox in Central Africa has been declared a public health emergency of international by the World Health Organisation. About 15,000 cases have been reported so far in the DRC - but at least 6 other African countries have reported cases - and Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda have reported their first ever Mpox cases. Bloomberg Healthcare reporter Janice Kew joins Jennifer Zabasajja with the latest updates, and whether the international community is doing enough to support African countries in containing the outbreakSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ability to prove your ID for a bank account or for public services may be taken for granted in much of the world - but many countries still lack this basic infrastructure. It’s seen as so important - that it’s part of the UN’s sustainable development goals - but this push for biometric ID systems has also opened the door to corruption. An investigation by Lighthouse Reports in partnership with Bloomberg has shown how money intended to create ID cards in the Democratic Republic of Congo may have been leveraged via shell companies to benefit a handful of the country's elite - and the Hypnose shopping centre in Lubumbashi is a product of the inequality and corruption that has long troubled the vast central African nation Reporter Tomas Statius joins Jeneifer Zabasajja to talk about his investigation into the ID schemes and explain why one of the poorest countries in the world has one of the most expensive passports. You can read the full story on Bloomberg now.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It should be Africa’s powerhouse, with major oil reserves and the continent's largest population. But Nigeria is facing the worse economic crisis in a generation. President Bola Tinubu has responded with radical reforms but, whilst seen by economists as the right thing to do, the measures are for now exacerbating the pain from the economic crisis and, one year into his term, Tinubu faces growing protests. So what’s gone wrong in Nigeria and does the government have the political will to fix it? Bloomberg’s Nduka Orjinmo in Abuja joins Jennifer Zabasajja with the latest from NigeriaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

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-become-world-s-newest-oil-hotspotSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 if the country's impressive economic recovery comes at the cost of a free and fair democracy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

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 KenyaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.