Next Africa

Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of infant death and medical negligence

Celebrated Nigerian author Chimamanda Adichie has blamed the death of her 21-month old son on medical negligence, sparking a national conversation about healthcare standards in Africa’s most-populous nation.
On this week’s episode, Jennifer Zabasajja speaks to Adichie’s sister-in-law, Anthea Esege-Nwandu, who is also a medical doctor. Then senior reporter Yinka Ibukun and healthcare reporter Janice Kew join to discuss the state of healthcare in Nigeria and across Africa, and why so many wealthy Africans are seeking treatment abroad.

For more stories from the region, you can subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter here
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the 35th Africa Cup of Nations reaches the final stages, the organizers are already celebrating a record-breaking tournament.
In this episode, our Nigeria-based reporter Nduka Orjinmo joins Jennifer Zabasajja to talk about the growth of African football, the growing business opportunities for sports on the continent and why changes to the tournament could make it even more attractive to sponsors.
For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter here
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a year that saw South Africa host the G20, the continent found itself coming to terms with a transformed relationship with America both in terms of trade and access to aid.
In this special episode of the Next Africa Podcast, Bloomberg Opinion columnist Justice Malala joins Jennifer Zabasajja to look at the big moments of the year. They discuss the US South Africa Relationship, the roll back of democracy, and the role Gen Z has in shaping the continent. Then they look ahead to the big moments to watch in 2026
For more stories from the region, you can subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter here
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An attempted Coup in Benin has been thwarted after an intervention from its West African neighbors led by Nigeria. The emphatic response from the regional bloc Ecowas this time was a marked change, after the bloc had been criticized for inaction during the string of coups that have struck the region since 2020.
On this week’s episode, Jennifer Zabasajja speaks to Bloomberg’s Katarina Hoije, who’s based in West Africa, about how this coup was defeated, why Nigeria led the response, and what the outlook is for further coups in the region.
Get more from the Next Africa newsletter, you can subscribe here.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

South African financial assets -- stocks, bonds and the rand -- have surged, buoyed by soaring commodity prices and investor optimism that government reforms are reviving South Africa's economy after years in the doldrums.
On this week’s episode, Bloomberg Economics Africa Economist Yvonne Mhango joins Tiwa Adebayo to explain what’s fueling this economic turnaround, and whether sustained growth could soon follow.

For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter here
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.