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 Nigeria

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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.

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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.

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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-hotspot

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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. 

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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. 

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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 Kenya

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Countries all across Africa have some of the most potential for solar power in the world, receiving high levels of sunshine all year round. But costs and delays mean very few have been able to benefit from it. Will solar power remain just an expensive way for the rich to avoid the unreliable energy grid, or will it hope to increase access to power - and become a valuable natural resource for countries like Namibia and Morocco. Bloomberg’s South Africa based energy reporter Paul Burkhardt tells us whether the sun is the bright future for Africa’s energy. 

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With the price of copper hovering around record highs thanks to the demand for the green transition - Zambia and the DRC want to seize an opportunity to capitalize on this and rebuild their economies.

At DRC Mining week in Lubumbashi, copper is high on the agenda - and Bloomberg’s William Clowes speaks to us from the conference. Plus Matthew Hill in Zambia explains why President Hakainde Hichilema is betting big on copper. 

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The internet plays a central role in modern life, so much so that living without it is unfathomable for some. But that's been the reality for a number of Africans this year as several countries on the continent battle to stay connected despite damage to crucial cables. This week, host Jennifer Zabasajja and reporters Ramah Nyang in Nairobi and Loni Prinsloo in Johannesburg dig into the problem's roots and examine potential solutions. 

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