Ethiopian troops have regained control of the city of Mekelle, the capital of the country’s northern Tigray region - after the Tigray People’s Liberation Front - the TPLF had seized the city’s airport and declared war on the government. As Ethiopia’s relationship with its neighbours worsen some fear this could become a broader regional war in a Red Sea region vital to global trade that is already facing geopolitical turmoil.

On this week’s episode, Jennifer Zabasajja is joined by East Africa reporter Simon Marks for the latest on the conflict, and Bloomberg’s Trade Tsar Brendan Murray discusses how global trade and shipping are rewiring the region’s supply lines and infrastructure.

Read our latest reporting on Ethiopia, and subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter for more for stories from the region

Ethiopian troops have regained control of the city of Mekelle, the capital of the country&rsquo;s northern Tigray region - after the Tigray People&rsquo;s Liberation Front - the TPLF had seized the city&rsquo;s airport and declared war on the government. As Ethiopia&rsquo;s relationship with its neighbours worsen some fear this could become a broader regional war in a Red Sea region vital to global trade that is already facing geopolitical turmoil.
On this week&rsquo;s episode, Jennifer Zabasajja is joined by East Africa reporter Simon Marks for the latest on the conflict, and Bloomberg&rsquo;s Trade Tsar Brendan Murray discusses how global trade and shipping are rewiring the region&rsquo;s supply lines and infrastructure.
Read our <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-10-09/why-ethiopia-eritrea-tensions-pose-another-threat-to-red-sea-shipping?srnd=homepage-africa">latest reporting on Ethiopia</a>, and subscribe to the <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/account/newsletters/next-africa">Next Africa newsletter</a> for more for stories from the region

Next Africa is a weekly podcast about where Africa is going and why it matters to everyone.

Each episode tells a story from the continent and follows it through real life, business, politics and culture. From electricity and climate to jobs, migration, technology, sport and music, the podcast looks at the forces shaping daily life and how those changes connect to the wider world.

The show covers challenges and breakthroughs side by side. It explains the impact of energy shortages and climate risk, but also the rise of new industries, creative economies and young entrepreneurs. Stories are reported on the ground and told with clarity, combining data, context and lived experience.

Hosted by Jennifer Zabasajja and built on original journalism from reporters on the ground, Next Africa puts local voices at the centre of the story, delivering clear, factual reporting without cliché or assumption.

Whether you live on the continent or want to better understand a region shaping the future, Next Africa offers insight, perspective and stories worth listening to.

Next Africa is a weekly podcast about where Africa is going and why it matters to everyone.
Each episode tells a story from the continent and follows it through real life, business, politics and culture. From electricity and climate to jobs, migration, technology, sport and music, the podcast looks at the forces shaping daily life and how those changes connect to the wider world.
The show covers challenges and breakthroughs side by side. It explains the impact of energy shortages and climate risk, but also the rise of new industries, creative economies and young entrepreneurs. Stories are reported on the ground and told with clarity, combining data, context and lived experience.
Hosted by Jennifer Zabasajja and built on original journalism from reporters on the ground, Next Africa puts local voices at the centre of the story, delivering clear, factual reporting without clich&eacute; or assumption.
Whether you live on the continent or want to better understand a region shaping the future, Next Africa offers insight, perspective and stories worth listening to.

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

Next Africa

Why fighting in the Horn of Africa risks a new Red Sea conflict 

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