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 o...
How Polo Became the Sport of Business Kings in Nigeria
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.
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16:20
Why West African Cocoa Farmers Aren’t Yet Benefiting From High Prices
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.
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14:18
Can Africa’s Economies Survive Global Economic Turmoil
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.
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The 'Disaster' Impact Of USAID Cuts On Africa
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.
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21:44
Can Nigeria’s Central Bank Revive The Country’s Dying ATMS?
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.
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.
South Africa