The Africa Briefing

In this episode, Loye and Fola give out awards for 2025. They select their Leader of the Year, Story of the Year, Election of the Year, Startup of the Year, “What in the World” of the Year, “Thank God That’s Not Our Leader” of the Year, and finally closing with stories they’re looking out for in 2026.

Happy New Year you beautiful people! 

Time stamps

02:05 Leader of the Year
10:57 Story of the Year
21:14 Election of the Year
26:58 Startup of the Year
33:40 “What's in the World” of the Year
38:18 “Thank God That’s Not Our Leader” of the Year 
42:44 Stories for 2026

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Season Two of The Africa Briefing has officially come to an end. Loye and Fola announce that they will be back on the 1st of December for their end of year wrap up and awards.

Time stamps:

N/a

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In this episode, Loye and Fola provide updates on Nigeria’s lack of ambassadors, an offer made by Somaliland to President Trump, and the acquisition of MultiChoice by Canal+ and what it means for the African media landscape. But first, they provide quick updates on Alassane Ouattara’s announcement of his decision to run for a fourth term in the upcoming Ivorian elections, as well as on the recent helicopter crash in Ghana.

Time stamps:

01:02 Updates on Alassane Ouattara’s announcement to run for a fourth term and on the helicopter crash in Ghana
03:51 Where are Nigeria’s ambassadors?
09:22 Somaliland’s offer to Trump
18:24 Canal+’s acquisition of MultiChoice
34:44 What in the world

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Summary

In this episode, Loye and Fola discuss a recent allegation by a police commissioner in South Africa that top ANC officials are involved in a criminal syndicate; the state of democracy across the continent; and Nigeria's macroeconomic successes that fail to trickle down to the everyday citizen.

Time stamps

1:48 Mkhwanazi takes on the ANC
12:48 Democratic backsliding on the continent
21:24 Tinubu's economic reforms
35:45 What in the world

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In this episode, Loye and Fola discuss the political developments in Mali under the junta leader, Gen. Assimi Goïta; the potentials and pitfalls of the new opposition coalition in Nigeria, the African Democratic Congress; and the increasing importance of Africa’s critical minerals in geopolitics and international relations. At the start of the episode, they briefly comment on the passing of President Buhari and also provide an update on the new President of Afreximbank.

Time stamps:

00:00 Comment on the passing of President Buhari
02:16 Introduction
03:32 Afreximbank update
04:29 Mali’s Gen. Assimi Goïta
12:14 Nigeria’s African Democratic Congress
24:37 Africa’s critical minerals
41:32 What in the World

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In this episode, Loye and Fola discuss the ongoing protests in Kenya, the decision by China to grant tariff free access for all African countries (minus Eswatini), and Ghana's economic recovery under President Mahama. They also address two questions a listener about Afrexim Bank. Listen till the end for a spicy what in the world from Kenya!

Show notes:

01:20 Protests in Kenya
12:16 China’s tariff tango
27:26 Ghana’s economic recovery
39:35 Questions from a listener
41:50 What in the world

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In this episode, Loye and Fola discuss some recent developments in Nigeria’s Fintech space, ongoing corruption trials involving a British-Malawian citizen, and the downgrading of Afreximbank’s credit rating by Fitch.

Time stamps:

01:00 Fintech developments
13:18 Malawi corruption trial
20:19 Afreximbank’s credit rating
32:50 What in the World

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In this episode, the hosts discuss the rise of authoritarianism in East Africa, emerging economic growth across the continent, and a diplomatic encounter between South African President Ramaphosa and former U.S. President Trump.

Time stamps:

02:47 Authoritarianism in East Africa
09:15 Green Shoots Across Africa
19:21 Trump vs Ramaphosa
30:04 What in the World

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In this episode, Loye and Fola discuss the upcoming African Development Bank election, Meta's legal challenges across the continent, and the rise of Ibrahim Traoré in Burkina Faso. They explore the implications of these events on the continent's future, highlighting the importance of intra-African trade, the challenges posed by external influences, and the need for accountability in leadership.

Time stamps:

01:09 The Upcoming African Development Bank elections
14:50 Meta’s legal troubles in Africa
26:24 Who is Ibrahim Traoré?
46:11 What in the World

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In this episode, Loye and Fola discuss the increasing use of "Lawfare" in various countries across the continent as a means for incumbents to retain control in election years.  The conversation then shifts to Africa's response to President Trump and the various deals being cut.  Finally, we explore the potential of mineral resources in Ghana and Nigeria.

Time stamps:

01:18 Lawfare in Ivory Coast, DRC, Tunisia, and Tanzania
16:31 The Art of the Deal: Africa’s response to Trump
25:14 Minerals in Nigeria and Ghana’s GoldBod
36:06 What in the World?

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