The Weekly Beat by Mansa: Recent Episodes
Mansa News
Welcome to The Weekly Beat by Mansa with your hosts Arnold Segawa, Maggie Mutesi and Dumi Jere. Every Monday morning, we will be bringing you all the info on Africa’s big finance and economic stories.
Senegal, a country known for its stability and democratic traditions, witnessed a historic moment as President Macky Sall peacefully handed over power to his successor, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, just a week ago. This peaceful transition of power has sparked discussions about whether Senegal's example could set a new standard for political transitions in Africa.
On this episode, we are joined by Khouraichi Thiam, a member of the ruling party PASTEF - to discuss what lies ahead for the new President.
A third of Africa will head to the polls this year, 18 countries gearing up for an election year. These include coup-hit Mali, Chad and Burkina Faso – leaders like South Africa, Senegal, Algeria. Will all these countries honor their word to go to the polls?
Also on the episode, we speak to Salum Awadh an investment banker, and the CEO of SSC Capital,on investment advise for the new year.
Investment for women-led businesses is missing out on financing – and on this episode of the Weekly Beat – we explore the critical challenges there's - and the role of women businesses in development across Africa.
On this episode of the Weekly Beat, brought to you by UNDP Africa - we critically look at Africa's largest trade agreement and what areas are of key interest to make it move faster.
On the sidelines of the Africa Economic Conference in Mauritius, we had a chat with UNDP Africa's Raymond Gilpin on some of the quick wins needed to get the continent back on track for sustainable growth.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has probably been having one one of the toughest weeks of his presidency.. An independent report said Mr Ramaphosa may have broken the law by allegedly covering up a theft at his farm.
Listen more to the story on this episode of the Weekly beat.
West Africa's most appealing investment destination is experiencing a deep economic crisis, with a rampant inflation that has reached almost 40% , debt stress and a tanked currency - which is down to almost 50% against the dollar.
On this episode, we look at what lies ahead for Africa's second largest producer of gold.
On this episode of the Weekly beat, we explore different business topics that will shape the business sphere in Africa - from Isabel Dos Santos, the inadequate infrastructure - and how all this is affecting the business environment in Africa.
Over. 183,000 people have already been hit by tech layoffs in 2022, according to TrueUp tech - but this number is not definite as other tech companies around the world, continue to announce job cuts.
On this episode, we look at what lies ahead for the industry?
Cop27 has kicked off in Egypt with world leaders calling for a global push on 'clean growth’.. however African Energy Chamber’s NJ Ayuk says that African countries must defend the use of fossil fuels at the conference, we look at the deliberations and what to expect at the world's biggest climate change conference.
Also, we touch on Elon Musk's first two weeks at the helm of twitter and what lies ahead for the social media network.
As the world gears up for the upcoming climate change summit in Egypt in less than 10 days, we reflect on how crucial sustainability is in the travel and tourism sector.
As Africa prepares for COP27, Is the Jus transition being given sufficient time? Our hosts Dumi Jere and Maggie Mutesi delve deep into how African countries can still transition to Clean energy while still exploiting their gas resources.
On this episode, Dumi Jere and Maggie Mutesi, explore the economic and political developments in Zimbabwe and a look at Lesotho it holds it's 2022 general election.
Burkina Faso’s military leader was deposed on Friday, making it the country's 2nd coup this year, and the 6th coup in West Africa. But what is behind the instability, and is it becoming a phenomenon for the region?
You have probably heard of big tech companies paying a wholesome amount for engineers and software developers on the continent, challenging the school of thought that African developers are not good enough.
On this episode, we explore the talent potential and shortage and how to bridge the gap for a sustainable, competitive tech ecosystem.
The IMF has warned that more than 12% of people in sub-Saharan Africa are acutely food insecure, due to climate change. On this episode, we look at what rich owe Africa, and if the funds are a solution to climate adaptation.
Nigeria has had the lowest oil exports in 25 years due to oil theft - in fact the government has said that Government & security agencies are involved in the massive oil theft in the country - costing the economy, a whooping $700 million monthly.
Listen to our analysis with Dumi Jere, on this episode.
On this episode of the Weekly Beat, we look ahead at a busy week, through different developing stories. Kenya awaits the Supreme Court presidential election petition - while Emirates has resumed flights to Nigeria - we look at how these developments will affect investor confidence and business in the respective regions.
Japan has promised $30bn in aid for development in Africa, saying it wants to work more closely with the continent at a time when the rules-based international order is under threat after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. this was announced at the concluded TIICAD 8 summit in Tunisia.
We delve into Africa-Japan relations and what to expect in terms of trade, investments and business.
Angolans head to the polls next week, to decide the country’s new leader, in an election has been popularized with a restless youth that feels left out of oil booms in the country.
On this episode, we look at what lies ahead for Africa’s second largest oil producer
While Kenya waits to get a new president, East African countries like South Sudan, are watching keenly on what impact this will have on their economies. Akol Dok joins us live from Juba in South Sudan for a deep analysis.
East Africa's biggest economy Kenya, will head to the polls this week to choose a new president, in a high-stakes election that has polarised the country’s political elite. On this episode, we look at what is at stake for the country.
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was on the continent for an African tour in Egypt, Uganda and Ethiopia - at the same time, his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron visited three former colonies in West and Central Africa.
And now, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel next month to South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, in what many say is to counter a Russian charm offensive.
On this episode, we look at what Africa could benefit from these visits?
The IMF has warned that 2022 will be a tough year, and 2023 might be even tougher - due to the Russian-Ukraine war, that has worsened commodity price shocks and increased the cost of living across Africa.
We look at what this means for African businesses, entrepreneurs and countries.
As major natural gas discoveries have been made recently in Mauritania, Mozambique, Ghana, Senegal and Tanzania, strong incentives to monetize African gas and create new demand centers, especially in promoting gas to power internally, are expected to play a significant role in making oil a primary driver of economic growth on the continent.
China donated a US$140 million building to Zimbabwe, that will become home to the country's parliament. The gift is among the many grand projects designed by Beijing to deepen it's influence on the continent.
On this episode, we look at China's development strategy in Africa.
South Africa is facing its worst power cuts - as the national utility company struggles to meet the country's electricity demand. Analysts estimate a loss of over $40 million per day - leading to several small and large businesses closing down for prolonged periods.
In this episode, we look at what awaits for Africa's most industrialised economy.
Whereas many may argue that the Commonwealth is about maintaining a colonial past - giving Britain more power over countries, could there be an opportunity for a new start? We delve on some of the discussions held at the concluded meetings in Kigali.
As Commonwealth heads of government meet in Kigali this week, we reflect on the past commitments - and look at opportunities there is for African countries, in terms of trade and investment,
The Africa CEO forum is back - after two years of virtual meetings due to the COVID19 pandemic. In this episode, we look at how such meetings can be a catalyst for growth and development.
African Union Chair, President Macky Sall met with his Russian counterpart, President Vladimir Putin last week, on the agenda was the food crisis looming the continent, and a call to lift sanctions on Russian wheat and fertilizers.
This and more about the African Continental Free Trade Agreement with Dr Dennis Matanda.
The World Bank has warned that Russia's war in Ukraine and its impact on food and energy prices could trigger a global recession. In Africa the impact has already been felt with the rising food costs and fuel prices.
Our hosts Arnold Segawa and Maggie Mutesi look at what this could mean in the long run for the continent.
The Ukraine-Russia war has caused a global food and energy crisis threatening the wellbeing of millions people. On this episode, we delve into the impact the war is having on African economies, and how best to mitigate such risks in the future.
70% of the workforce will be working remotely by 2025, according to a Forbes report, and this trend is expected to continue over the years. On this episode we explore how work will look like and the skills needed in the future.
Nigerian airlines have called off a plan to ground domestic flights due to a shortage of fuel while in South Africa, the Airports Company CEO says some flights have also been cancelled over jet fuel shortage.
On this episode, the Founder and CEO of AirSpace Africa, Derek Nseko helps us understand why Africa is having this shortage and how the jet fuel system works across the continent.
South Africa has had a rough few weeks, from the severe rains that ruined the region around the port city of Durban, highest unemployment and to xenophobic attacks that have left the country unfriendly.
On this episode, we look at the country's economic recovery amid all of this, and whether it might be a little too late for reform.
Twitter’s board said it is seriously consider Elon Musk’s $46.5 billion bid to buy the company - in what has been described as a hostile take over. But as Africa expands economically, we discuss the potential there's for African companies to list on foreign stock exchanges.
Africa most valuable startup Flutterwave has been under scrutiny over allegations of financial misconduct by it's CEO and founder Alugbenga Agboola.
The CEO was accused of manipulating his employees holding Flutterwave stock to sell to his investment company at a price cheaper than the market value.
We look at the impact this could have on Nigeria's growing Fintech industry, and later on the continent?
Can African businesses learn any lessons from Elon Musk's acquisition of a stake in Twitter?
The Democratic Republic of Congo officially joined the EAC making it the largest and most populous country to join the trading bloc. The country brings a market of 90 million people and has immediately upgraded the region’s GDP from $193 billion to $240 billion.
We look at the opportunities the world's largest producer of cobalt presents to the region.
As Africa moves towards digital transformation, new technologies like crypto currency and NFTs are emerging, and the adoption across the continent is on the rise. Between July 2020 and June 2021, Africa had the fastest cryptocurrency adoption rate in the world at 1200 per cent. Furthermore, Nigerians were ranked 6th largest adopter of NFTs by Finder.
But what exactly are these Non-Fungible tokens and how do they work?
The African tech ecosystem saw tremendous growth last year, with a record number of companies raising $4,77 billion of investments, and the emergence of at least 5 new tech-unicorns (start-ups valued at $1 billion)
On this episode of the Weekly Beat, we explore the myths and monsters beyond funding, with ARED founder Henri Nyakarundi.
On this episode of the Weekly Beat, we feature Diaka Camara, the CEO and Founder of CBC Productions in Guinea. We delve into what it takes to build a sustainable business, as a woman in Africa.
As Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, we look at the impact on African trade, the agricultural sector, and rising oil prices. On the flip side though, we delve deep into how the sanctions on Russia could also shift global markets to further benefit natural gas exporters on the continent.
Analysts are still projecting a-complex global economic environment this year, but we look at the opportunities, and enablers of growth on the-continent in the mix of easing restrictions and rebuilding back to normality. We say, its a bright continent and the opportunities are enormous..
On this episode, we give you a deep deep analysis on opportunities and investment in grassroots football development in Africa. Our guest, the CEO of Rainbow sports, Kingsley Pungong gives insight on the relationship between football, policy and economics on the continent.
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted plans, changed priorities, scrambled existing networks - and made most of us acutely aware of the fact that we cannot predict the future.
With more people opting for entrepreneurship, we look at its rise post the pandemic.
South Africa’s state-owned power utility Eskom said that it found evidence of sabotage at one of its power plants. On this episode, we hear from the entrepreneurs who have been affected by the power cuts and the impact this has had on the economy.
The demand for electricity in Africa is expected to triple by 2030 - also requiring at least USD 27 - 31 billion per year to meet the energy shortage.
On this episode, William Brent, the Chief Marketing Officer at Husk Power systems joins us as we look at energy development in Africa with a focus on investments and strategies required to move to move to cleaner energy.
A year on, and the war in Ethiopia is still ongoing - costing the country $2.5 billion while throwing Abiy’s vision for Ethiopia’s economic future into disarray. Several people have been displaced with fears that the situation could even get worse.
On this episode, we speak to Samuel Getachew in Addis Ababa, on the economic impact this has had on one of Africa's fastest-growing economies.
SubSaharan Africa loses over US$520 million in direct economic damages annually as a result of climate change, - AND yet the continent contributes less than 5% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions. This week, we discuss Africa at COP26 as world leaders start climate talk negotiations.
This week Donald Trump announced that he’s launching his own social media platform ‘Truth’ to rival Facebook, Twitter and Youtube after the platforms banned him almost a year ago.
But how can Africa join the global conversation?
Ethiopian Airlines is alleged to have helped ship weapons, ammunition, and other military equipment during war in Tigray in 2020.
If true, the claims are a violation of international aviation law, which prohibits using civilian aircraft to transport military weapons.
We look at the impact this could have on Africa’s most profitable airlines
On 4th October, Facebook Instagram and WhatsApp almost simultaneously took a leave of absence of more than five hours.
The most fascinating facet of the story is how most African users were quick to blame their service providers, we break down the impact of this black out to African businesses.
World's least developed nations need $485bn of investment- most of these are African nations.
On this weeks episode, we break down the report and it’s findings
The African Continental Free Trade Area is the world’s largest free trade area connecting almost 1.3bn people across 54 African countries. Despite being signed in Rwanda in March 2018, the continent still waits to see how it will be implemented. This episode examines the progress of the monumental agreement.
We reflect on the conversations at the Global commodities forum, the challenges and opportunities for developing and commodity dependent countries.
As the Global population continues to grow, it has become clear that demand for renewable and eco-friendly energy needs to be addressed. But how can the global energy demand be addressed while the private sector explores natural resources responsibly? We speak to Micahel Wurmser, the founder of Norge mining on the same.
Does transitioning to renewable energy pose a risk to low investments in Africa ? We have a chat with the Executive Director of the Global Gas Centre - Valerie Ducrot
Transitioning from oil and gas when some countries are just discovering oil could be a big blow to developing countries …
We break down the impact with @UNCTAD’s Dr Janvier Nkurunziza
A conversation with the Acting Secretary General - UNCTAD - Ms Isabelle Durant .. as we look at the future of Global trade im times if COVID-19
UNCTAD15 marks the beginning of a new chapter for trade and development. Against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic, the world was already facing several other global crises including the climate emergency and rising inequality and vulnerability.
Join us for the next five days as we talk transformative trade, resilience and solutions for lasting prosperity for all
This week, a conversation with the Basketball Africa League’s President, Amadou Gallo Fall- as we look at the underlying potential of Africa’s sport industry, best captured in the NBA’s expansion across Africa and the launch of the Basketball African League (BAL) in Kigali.
Following two years of strong growth, the Gambia’s economy has left stagnated by the global COVID-19 pandemic due to trade disruption and the fall in tourism,
CBN has been given the greenlight to freeze bank accounts belonging to Nigerian investment-tech companies Bamboo, Chaka, Risevest and Trove - alleging that they were operating without licenses as asset management companies and utilizing foreign exchange from the Nigerian market for purchasing foreign bonds and shares.
We look at how this is affecting the start up eco-system in Africa's most populous nation.
We dive deep into the business of music and how to create a sustainable eco-system that supports artists.
Zambians head to the polls on 12 August amid mounting economic challenges, reports of election-related political violence and Covid-19. With nineteen candidates vying for the presidency, is the incumbent President Edgar Lungu on his way out?
How easy is it to start a business on the continent? For many costs of starting a business are always as hindrance and a recent report by Business financing UK highlights this. With wide gaps from Equatorial Guinea’s $2,322 to Rwanda were it is free to open up a business, this episode unpacks the different facets of the African entrepreneurial odyssey.
Ghana recently launched a Toyota assembly plant making it the second auto assembly plant in the country in less than a year. With the assembly unit boasting a $7 million investment with annual production capacity of around 1,330 units, is Africa beginning to cash in on its ‘youth dividend’?
Nigeria’s Federal Inland Revenue Service recently issued a statement directing banks to freeze all accounts in Nigeria belonging to MultiChoice Nigeria and MultiChoice Africa until it had been able to recover the money the TAXMAN is allegedly owed. Which is around 1.8 trillion naira or 4.4 billion DOLLARS. Is this the end of the road for Africa's largest pay television provider?
As Ethiopia opens up its Telecommunications space, bidders rushed to the Eastern African nation to get a piece of the pie as the nation seeks to open up the lucrative telecoms sector. After the first round of bids, Ethiopia awarded a telecoms licence to a consortium led by Kenya's Safaricom. However, what does this mean for bidders like MTN who lost out on the licence in this bidding round?
As Africa's last absolute monarchy battles mass pro-democracy protests, we look at what this means for the Kingdom of Eswatini and business alike.
As the world mourns African liberation hero and Zambia's founding father, Kenneth Kaunda, we look at his legacy, wherever Zambia is economically and whether the newly opened Kazungula bridge will boost the economy.
Nigeria is Africa’s biggest oil exporter and yet also a major gasoline importer.
As the country tries to rebuild its oil refineries , the state has demanded for a stake in at least six of them, including Dangote’s monster 650,000 barrels-per-day plant.
We breakdown the impact of these refineries on the economy
The WTO just released their tally of its members’ notification submissions. With more
than 3,000 notifications about product requirements for traded goods, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda were responsible for 26% of the notifications submitted in 2020. What does this spell
For the bloc’s investment outlook?
The Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority has $2.1 billion of assets under management.
We look at how Africa’s sovereign wealth funds can help finance major projects on the continent
A dozen African leaders, several European leaders and a dozen heads of international organisations will be received on Tuesday by French president Emmanuel Macron for a summit on the revival of the African economy, and the impact of the pandemic.But what does this mean for the continent?
As South Africa's ruling party the African National Congress faces a power struggle, we look at what this means for the richest country in the continent and what it can do to reform itself?
The move to reopen economies continues in Africa, as several countries struggle to secure vaccines for their citizens.
On this episode, we look at Africa's preparedness logistically and financially to secure enough vaccines for the people.
The football world was left stunned on Sunday following the revelation that 12 of Europe's major European clubs had signed up to a breakaway league called the European Super League.
Despite the immense condemnation across the footballing world, could an 'African Super League' be the solution to African football's financing woes? On this edition of the Weekly Beat, we have Arnold Segawa, Dumi Jere and Cameroonian born KINGSLEY PUNGONG who owns MFK Vyskov in Czech Republic.
The world as we know it is evolving in the face of a global pandemic, and whereas the past year has left several economies nearly crushed - we see a bigger picture - an opportunity.
Africa is moving forward. The continent has launched the largest trade agreement to date. The growth of Africa’s population means rising demand for commodities, services and necessities. From East to West, North to South, Africa’s regions are growing exponentially. We are here to guide you and help you make business sense of this this fluctuating landscape that has possibility at each turn.
Every Monday morning, we will deliver you the latest business news from across the continent. You can count on us to bring you the facts, simplified and clear, to help you make your next business decision.
This is the Weekly Beat by Mansa, your gateway into the African market.
**Welcome to the weekly beat by Mansa with your hosts Arnold Segawa, Maggie Mutesi and Dumi Jere. Bringing you all the info on Africa’s big finance and economic stories.
Coming Monday, February 1st.**