South Africa and Nigeria are poised to exit a global financial watchdog’s “gray list” as soon as this month, marking a change in fortune for two of the continent’s biggest economies.

On this week’s Next Africa podcast, Bloomberg’s Africa Economics and Government Editor Monique Vanek and reporter Ben Bartenstein join Jennifer Zabasajja to explain how the countries ended up on the list in the first place, what they’ve done to improve their systems and what benefits exiting the list could bring to their economies.

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

South Africa and Nigeria are poised to exit a global financial watchdog&rsquo;s &ldquo;gray list&rdquo; as soon as this month, marking a change in fortune for two of the continent&rsquo;s biggest economies.
On this week&rsquo;s Next Africa podcast, Bloomberg&rsquo;s Africa Economics and Government Editor Monique Vanek and reporter Ben Bartenstein join Jennifer Zabasajja to explain how the countries ended up on the list in the first place, what they&rsquo;ve done to improve their systems and what benefits exiting the list could bring to their economies. For more stories from the region, you can subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/account/newsletters/next-africa"> 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.

Why Nigeria and South Africa Could Leave the ‘Dirty Money’ List

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/683dba27-d95e-4b70-9d83-b36a00bb7d2a/transcript

South African financial assets -- stocks, bonds and the rand -- have surged, buoyed by soaring commodity prices and investor optimism that government reforms are reviving South Africa's economy after years in the doldrums.

On this week’s episode, Bloomberg Economics Africa Economist Yvonne Mhango joins Tiwa Adebayo to explain what’s fueling this economic turnaround, and whether sustained growth could soon follow. 

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

South African financial assets -- stocks, bonds and the rand -- have surged, buoyed by soaring commodity prices and investor optimism that government reforms are reviving South Africa's economy after years in the doldrums.
On this week&rsquo;s episode, Bloomberg Economics Africa Economist Yvonne Mhango joins Tiwa Adebayo to explain what&rsquo;s fueling this economic turnaround, and whether sustained growth could soon follow.&nbsp; For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/account/newsletters/next-africa">here</a>

Can South Africa Sustain its Economic Rebound?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/90b3fa51-8c80-47ac-a5d2-b3a90160dba3/transcript

While the world’s attention was on South Africa for the G20, thousands of women across the country used the opportunity to protest South Africa’s serious issues with violence against women.  Demonstrators held lie-in protests in cities across the country, including near the G20 summit itself, calling for the government to take action.  According to UN statistics, South Africa’s female murder rate is more than 5 times the global average.

On this week’s episode, Government Reporter S’thembile Cela joins Tiwa Adebayo to explain how serious the crisis has become in South Africa, what impact the timing of the protests had and whether declaring violence against women a national disaster in South Africa will lead to any real change on the ground.

You can read our full coverage of the G20 here and sign up to the Next Africa newsletter here

While the world&rsquo;s attention was on South Africa for the G20, thousands of women across the country used the opportunity to protest South Africa&rsquo;s serious issues with violence against women.&nbsp; Demonstrators held lie-in protests in cities across the country, including near the G20 summit itself, calling for the government to take action.&nbsp; According to UN statistics, South Africa&rsquo;s female murder rate is more than 5 times the global average.
On this week&rsquo;s episode, Government Reporter S&rsquo;thembile Cela joins Tiwa Adebayo to explain how serious the crisis has become in South Africa, what impact the timing of the protests had and whether declaring violence against women a national disaster in South Africa will lead to any real change on the ground.
You can read our full coverage of the G20&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/latest/g-20">here </a>and sign up to the Next Africa newsletter <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/account/newsletters/next-africa">here</a>

Can South Africa Tackle Its Gender Based Violence Crisis?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/dcff7227-48c1-4104-96c4-b3a200f3dc12/transcript

Africa is the least electrified continent in the world, where funding major power infrastructure has become far harder, grids are decrepit and state utilities are often broken. The result is that Africa cannot industrialize on a scale anywhere near what’s needed to create jobs for its young population, which by 2050 will nearly double to 2.5 billion, or a quarter of all humanity.

On this week’s podcast, our energy reporter Paul Burkhardt joins Jennifer Zabasajja to talk through the data showing the scale of Africa’s energy crisis. Then Jennifer hears from Dr Owen Omogiafo, CEO of Nigerian power giant Transcorp, and one of the speakers at the Bloomberg Africa Business Summit, about what role the private sector has in turning this around.

You can read Bloomberg’s Big Take on Africa’s Energy shortage here, and subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter here

Africa is the least electrified continent in the world, where funding major power infrastructure has become far harder, grids are decrepit and state utilities are often broken. The result is that Africa cannot industrialize on a scale anywhere near what&rsquo;s needed to create jobs for its young population, which by 2050 will nearly double to 2.5 billion, or a quarter of all humanity.
On this week&rsquo;s podcast, our energy reporter Paul Burkhardt joins Jennifer Zabasajja to talk through the data showing the scale of Africa&rsquo;s energy crisis. Then Jennifer hears from Dr Owen Omogiafo, CEO of Nigerian power giant Transcorp, and one of the speakers at the Bloomberg Africa Business Summit, about what role the private sector has in turning this around. You can read Bloomberg&rsquo;s Big Take on Africa&rsquo;s Energy shortage <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2025-africa-power-shortage-industrialization/">here</a>, and subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/account/newsletters/next-africa">here</a>

How Africa’s Energy Shortage Holds Back its Industrial Revolution

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/caaa2021-6e96-4f08-b0c8-b39b00e32d43/transcript

Why Nigeria and South Africa Could Leave the ‘Dirty Money’ List

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