Jennifer Zabasaja

Journalist and analyst focusing on African geopolitics, business, and finance.

Claims

As speaker

Mentioned in

Key positions and views

The economic consequences of public health crises in Africa are severe and long-lasting, as exemplified by the Ebola outbreaks.

Africa is a central arena for the global green energy transition, attracting massive foreign investment into critical mineral extraction and EV market development.

Domestic political instability and regional geopolitical tensions, including constitutional challenges and xenophobia, pose significant risks to economic progress.

African capital markets are evolving, with landmark listings and major infrastructure deals signaling a new phase of continental investment and development.

Nationalist economic policies, such as protectionist tariffs, are emerging as a response to global market pressures in key economies like South Africa.

Podcast consensus on Zabasaja

Points of consensus

▶Multiple reports confirm the World Health Organization declared the Ebola outbreak in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo a public health emergency of international concern.May–Jun 2026

▶Zabasaja consistently reports on South Africa's protectionist economic policies, specifically citing proposed tariff increases on steel imports to protect the domestic industry.May 2026

▶Across different episodes, it is noted that the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa has informed investors that Senegal is in arrears with the lender.May 2026

▶The significant economic impact of Ebola is a recurring point, with Zabasaja citing expert estimates that the 2014 West African epidemic caused up to a $30 billion GDP loss.Jun 2026

Points of debate

▶Zabasaja's reporting presents a continent of contrasting economic narratives: massive, high-tech foreign investments like the $2.3B KoBold Metals mine in Zambia exist alongside reports of nations like Senegal falling into arrears with lenders.

▶There is a tension between nationalistic policies and international cooperation. For instance, South Africa's protectionist steel tariffs and xenophobic violence contrast with multi-national, continent-spanning infrastructure projects like the AFC-funded Zambia-to-Angola railway.May 2026

▶The discourse on governance is mixed. While reporting on a $919 million corruption investigation in Madagascar, Zabasaja also highlights progressive government action, such as Ethiopia's ban on gasoline-powered car imports.

▶A contrast is presented between state capacity and fragility. While governments are shown to be capable of implementing sweeping economic policy (Ethiopia's EV transition), they also face severe security challenges, evidenced by France urging its citizens to evacuate Mali due to militant threats.May 2026

Key themes

▶Public Health Crises and Economic InterdependenceMay–Jun 2026

Zabasaja extensively covers the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, detailing case numbers, the specific virus strain, and the WHO's risk assessments. She consistently links the health crisis to its potential for severe economic shock, drawing parallels to the 2014 West African epidemic which cost the region up to $30 billion in GDP.

For investors, this theme underscores that health security is a primary component of economic stability in the region, where outbreaks can rapidly erase economic gains and disrupt supply chains.

▶The Green Energy Transition's Impact on Africa

This theme focuses on Africa's pivotal role in the global shift to green energy. Zabasaja highlights both the demand side, with Ethiopia's government-driven EV adoption boom, and the supply side, with massive investments like the $2.3 billion KoBold Metals copper mine in Zambia, which is crucial for EV production.

This reporting indicates that the global energy transition is creating specific, high-value investment hotspots in Africa, focused on both mineral extraction and the development of new consumer markets.

▶Capital Markets Evolution and Large-Scale InfrastructureJun 2026

Zabasaja reports on significant developments in African finance and infrastructure, including Aliko Dangote's plan to list his massive oil refinery on the Nigerian stock market. This is coupled with major financing deals, such as the Africa Finance Corporation raising a $2 billion syndicated loan and committing $500 million to a strategic railway connecting Zambia's copper belt to an Angolan port.

These developments signal a growing capacity within African capital markets to finance large-scale, strategic projects, offering new avenues for both domestic and international investment beyond traditional aid.

▶Geopolitical Risk and Political InstabilityMay 2026

A consistent thread in Zabasaja's reporting is the presence of significant geopolitical risk across the continent. This includes President Tshisekedi of the DRC contemplating an unconstitutional third term, xenophobic violence in South Africa prompting Nigeria to repatriate citizens, and escalating security threats in Mali causing France to issue an evacuation advisory.

Analysts must weigh the continent's economic opportunities against a complex and volatile political landscape where leadership succession, civil unrest, and security breakdowns can abruptly alter the investment climate.

Source episodes

Timeline

Reporting Period 1

Focuses heavily on the public health crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with multiple reports detailing the scale of the Ebola outbreak, the specific virus strain, the WHO's response, and the potential for a West Africa-style economic shock.

Reporting Period 2

Shifts to broader geopolitical and social tensions, covering the complex political situation surrounding Bobi Wine in Uganda and the outbreak of xenophobic violence in South Africa, including its diplomatic fallout with Nigeria.

Reporting Period 3

Highlights Africa's role in the global green energy transition. Reporting centers on Ethiopia's aggressive government-led push into electric vehicles and the massive, multi-billion dollar investment by KoBold Metals into Zambia's copper sector.

Reporting Period 4

Covers major developments in African capital markets and corporate finance. Key stories include Aliko Dangote's plan to list his continent-leading oil refinery and the emergence of Zimbabwe's new dollar-denominated stock exchange.

Suggested prompts

How does Zabasaja's reporting connect public health crises like Ebola to long-term economic and investment risk in Central and West Africa? &nearr;What are the primary drivers and beneficiaries of the green energy transition in Africa, according to Zabasaja's claims about Zambia and Ethiopia? &nearr;Based on her reporting, what are the key tensions between national industrial policy, such as South African steel tariffs, and pan-African economic integration? &nearr;How does the planned listing of Dangote's refinery reflect broader trends in the development and internationalization of African capital markets? &nearr;

Key concepts

Ebola Outbreak 3 ep Geopolitics 8 ep Business & Investment 5 ep Energy & Mining 2 ep Infrastructure 2 ep Electric Vehicles 1 ep Capital Markets 2 ep Public Health 3 ep South African Economy 3 ep Democratic Republic of Congo 4 ep

Notable quotes

“KoBold Metals, a company backed by Bill Gates and Sam Altman, has begun construction on what will be Zambia's largest copper mine, named the Mingomba mine.”

Jennifer Zabasaja · Why Chinese Car Makers Are Looking To Africa | Next Africa

“Economists estimate that West Africa saw a GDP hit of up to $30 billion, with more than 11,000 people killed by the virus and many more facing long-term aftereffects.”

Jennifer Zabasaja · Can Congo Avoid a West Africa-Style Ebola Economic Shock | Next Africa

“Now he wants to list part of the refinery on the Nigerian stock market and wants to see investment from within Africa.”

Jennifer Zabasaja · Could Dangote's Stock Listing Transform African Investing? | Next Africa

“President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo stated he is willing to run for a third term, which is currently unconstitutional, if approved by a public referendum.”

Jennifer Zabasaja · Is Xenophobia Risking South Africa’s International Reputation | Next Africa

Report last updated: Jun 10, 2026

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