West African leaders gave Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso six months to reconsider a withdrawal from the regional economic bloc in a final attempt to avoid its fracture. But with the military-led, Russia-aligned countries setting up their own bloc - the Alliance of Sahel States - is the future of West Africa more one of disunity than unity?

Bloomberg’s West Africa Reporter Katarina Hoije joins Jennifer Zabasajja to explain why the countries want to leave ECOWAS and what the future looks like for West Africa diplomacy 

For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter here

West African leaders gave Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso six months to reconsider a withdrawal from the regional economic bloc in a final attempt to avoid its fracture. But with the military-led, Russia-aligned countries setting up their own bloc - the Alliance of Sahel States - is the future of West Africa more one of disunity than unity?
Bloomberg&rsquo;s West Africa Reporter Katarina Hoije joins Jennifer Zabasajja to explain why the countries want to leave ECOWAS and what the future looks like for West Africa diplomacy&nbsp;
For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/account/newsletters/next-africa?sref=OOcVchU0">here</a>

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. 

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.

Inside the stories shaping the world’s fastest-growing continent.

Next Africa

Each week, Jennifer Zabasajja provides a deep dive into the stories that shape Africa. Join Jennifer and our Bloomberg reporters as they lift the lid on the news driving the continent. 

Each week, Jennifer Zabasajja provides a deep dive into the stories that shape Africa. Join Jennifer and our Bloomberg reporters as they lift the lid on the news driving the continent.

Does ECOWAS have a future in West Africa?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/8b6d6f4e-81fb-4909-a3e0-b24b0107a8e4/transcript

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

As the 35th Africa Cup of Nations reaches the final stages, the organizers are already celebrating a record-breaking tournament.&nbsp;
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<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/account/newsletters/next-africa"> here</a>

AFCON 2025 Shows That Sports are Becoming a Big Business in Africa

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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

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.&nbsp;
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.&nbsp; They discuss&nbsp; the US South Africa Relationship,&nbsp; 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&nbsp;
For more stories from the region, you can subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=next+africa+newsletter&amp;oq=next+africa+newslet&amp;sourceid=chrome&amp;ie=UTF-8">here</a>

From Trump Tarrifs to Gen Z Protests - How 2025 Changed Africa

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/cdbbed67-abb1-4ce0-88bb-b3b701478d3b/transcript

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.

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&rsquo;s episode, Jennifer Zabasajja speaks to Bloomberg&rsquo;s Katarina Hoije, who&rsquo;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&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/account/newsletters/next-africa">here</a>.

Why A Failed Coup Signals Escalating Risk in West Africa 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/8dac3fa0-276e-4a48-a6e3-b3b0010d74e9/transcript

Does ECOWAS have a future in West Africa?

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