Corporate Cocktail Africa

President Mahama Benefited From NPP Policy in Stabilizing Economy- Is Ghana's Recovery Real or Fragile?

Ghana’s economy has shown signs of stabilisation in recent months, but the key question remains: is this recovery real and sustainable, or is it fragile and dependent on favourable external conditions?The Ghanaian cedi has strengthened by over 20% against the US dollar, while inflation has eased back into single digits. At the same time, Ghana is beginning to access more favourable borrowing conditions in international markets.This improvement has been supported by stronger commodity earnings, with gold and oil prices boosting foreign exchange inflows and helping to stabilise the broader macroeconomic environment.In this episode, award-winning journalist Ondiro Oganga is joined by Isaac Kofi Agyei, a seasoned Ghanaian journalist, economist, and statistician. Together, they examine the policy decisions that have shaped Ghana’s current economic position, the role of successive administrations, and whether these gains can hold once external support mechanisms, including IMF programmes, are reduced or phased out.Is Ghana truly on a path to sustained recovery, or are deeper structural vulnerabilities still being masked by short-term macroeconomic improvements?Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Can Zambia’s Copper Industry Power Economic Recovery? | EV Boom, Debt & Mining

Zambia’s copper boom is once again in the global spotlight, driven by rising demand from the energy transition and electric vehicle (EV) supply chains. But while higher copper prices are boosting export earnings and improving investor sentiment, the reality is far more complex. In this episode of Corporate Cocktail Africa, Mutisunge Zulu Joins Ondiro Oganga as they examine why the copper boom for Zambia is not a guaranteed economic lifeline. Instead, it is a short-term window of opportunity: one that buys the government time to implement urgent fiscal consolidation, tighter monetary policy, and long-overdue structural reforms. The core argument is simple: commodity booms do not fix structural weaknesses. Without reforms, the gains from copper risk being cyclical rather than transformative, leaving the economy exposed once the cycle turns. We break down Zambia’s debt trajectory, the role of copper in global EV supply chains, and what it will take to convert today’s boom into sustainable, long-term economic recovery.

Sahel Instability Explained: Coups, Insurgency & Global Power Rivalry

The Sahel region is in the midst of a deepening security and political crisis, marked by a wave of military coups, rising insurgency, and weakening state institutions. In the past three years alone, at least eight coups have reshaped the political landscape across Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, raising urgent questions about governance, stability, and regional security in West Africa. As the United States, France, and the United Kingdom scale back or withdraw their security presence, a growing power vacuum has emerged. Russia is increasingly stepping into this space, expanding its military and political influence through security partnerships and strategic engagement with military-led governments. Despite promises by military juntas to restore order and defeat extremist groups, insecurity remains widespread. Jihadist insurgencies continue to spread across the Sahel, while critics argue that the new military regimes are consolidating power rather than delivering stability. Meanwhile, ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) is facing mounting criticism for its limited ability to reverse coups or enforce democratic governance, with its influence increasingly questioned across the region. In this episode of Corporate Cocktail Africa, geopolitical analyst Beverly Ochieng joins Ondiro Oganga and breaks down the drivers of instability in the Sahel, the retreat of Western influence, Russia’s growing footprint, and what this shifting balance of power means for Africa and global geopolitics.

Why Ruto’s Singapore Dream Isn’t Working in Kenya | Ft. Kwame Owino

From the “bottom-up” economic agenda to the push for Singapore-style transformation, William Ruto’s administration has been defined by ambitious promises of reform, investment, and large-scale development. But questions are mounting over delivery. Key flagship projects—including the Standard Gauge Railway, affordable housing programme, and the Social Health Authority—are under scrutiny for their execution, impact, and sustainability. Attention is also turning to the government’s infrastructure fund, backed by the sale of state assets, raising concerns about governance and investment priorities. Meanwhile, plans for a sovereign wealth fund remain stalled as Kenya continues to fall short of key structural requirements. In this episode of Corporate Cocktail Africa, Kwame Owino joins journalist Ondiro Oganga to unpack Kenya’s economic strategy, the realities behind its flagship projects, and what the current trajectory means for the country’s future.

Africa’s Billion-Job Challenge: How Policy Failures Are Fueling Gen Z Social Unrest

Africa is projected to need one billion new jobs by the end of the century, yet slow economic growth, weak policy execution, and political missteps are deepening the continent’s youth employment crisis. With over 60% of Africans under 25, rising unemployment, inflation, and limited economic mobility are fueling Gen Z frustration, digital activism, and widespread social unrest. This episode breaks down the structural causes behind Africa’s job deficit—poor governance, corruption perceptions, inadequate public services, and inconsistent industrial policy—and explores how these pressures are reshaping politics, business, and society. We analyze what African governments and the private sector must do to create sustainable, future-ready jobs: investing in manufacturing, technology, green energy, infrastructure, and education reform. The conversation offers an evidence-based look at how Africa can turn its demographic boom into a global economic advantage rather than a source of instability. On this season finale of the Corporate Cocktail Africa Podcast, Ondiro Oganga is joined by Hilina Legasse, Senior VP Corporate Services at Dodai, to discuss these urgent challenges and the bold solutions needed to secure Africa’s economic future.