Winnie Byanyima, the executive director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS, has told Bloomberg that US cuts to foreign aid have left the global fight against HIV in crisis. 

Bloomberg healthcare reporter Janice Kew joins Jennifer Zabasajja to explain what the reality is on the ground for HIV treatment in Africa, a continent that is home to 75% of all people living with the virus, and where alternative sources of funding could come from.

You can read Winnie Byanyima’s interview with Mishal Hussain here, and for more stories from the region you can sign up to the Next Africa newsletter here

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A year since deadly protests against the Kenyan government saw more than 60 people killed, Kenyans are again taking to the streets to protest police brutality. 

These protests, triggered by the death of a kenyan activist in police custody, come as the IMF arrive in the country to assess Kenya's attempts to tackle corruption.

On this week’s episode East Africa Bureau Chief Helen Nyambura joins Jennifer Zabasajja to discuss what’s behind these new protests, and whether President Ruto can actually tackle corruption and do a deal with the IMF to turn the economy around.

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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. 

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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.)

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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