Finding the energy to be Green? Karen Allen and Tara O'Connor speak to one of the most dynamic women on South Africa’s renewable energy scene - Zanele Mbatha CEO of Bambini Energy.By thearcinsider

« Wagner-in- Africa: what’s next for the mercenary group in the wake of the 24 June rebellion - a new ensemble or the same tune? We’re in conversation with CBS News’ Deborah Patta »By thearcinsider

Africa tech and tech in Africa: How to make Tech Companies more accountable - could the answer lie in "Ubuntec”? In conversation with guest Nanjira Sambuli explains all as well as a canter through some news stories from across the continent - including Nigerian oil and South Africa’s muddled position on international justice and human rights with T…

Taking the shame out of chocolate - We are in conversation with the ethical chocolate maker bringing "Gentle Farming" to GhanaBy thearcinsider

The inside story from a lead investigator on a major gold smuggling scam linking Zimbabwe to Dubai. Karen Allen and Tara O’Connor ask is it time for a Kimberly Process - which regulates so-called "blood diamonds" for "dirty" Gold?By thearcinsider

Africa’s Russian Roulette. In conversation with Samantha de Bendern where we examine what’s driving the 'Russia-Africa relationship'. A round-up of news and current affairs from across the region, touching on elections, energy and shades of grey in the financial markets.By thearcinsider

In the first episode of 2023, the ARC Insider hosts, Karen Allen and Tara O’Connor discuss the upcoming Nigeria Elections, African altruism in the face of the Turkey Syria earthquake, and rolling electricity cuts in Zambia. This episode's special guest is energy analyst Najim Animashaun.By thearcinsider

In the 42nd episode of the ARC Insider, hosts Karen Allen and Tara O'Connor discuss the recent resignation of Eskom's CEO, Nigeria's denial of a Reuters report on a state-sponsored mass abortion programme in the northeast, and recent parole of SACP leader Chris Hani's assassin. This episode's special guest is Imtiaz Sooliman, founder of the South A…

In the 41st episode of the ARC Insider, hosts Karen Allen and Tara O'Connor discuss the recent extension of Chinese premier Xi Jinping's time in office, his choice of hardline cabinet, and the likely economic fallout for Southern African economies. This episode's special guest is Mundaula Kaunda, granddaughter of the late Zambian president Kenneth …

The polling outfit Afrobarometer has been been taking the pulse of Africa's people for decades. Now we go behind the scenes with its CEO Joseph Asunka, in conversation with hosts Karen Allen and Tara O'Connor. Asunka shares his experience runnings polls across Africa as well as his thoughts on the myths about democracy in Africa, the ramifications …

In the 39th special episode of the ARC Insider, hosts Karen Allen and Tara O'Connor meet Uganda's Joel Kibazo to discuss the end of Queen Elizabeth II's reign, its consequences for the Commonwealth and whether this club of nations is still relevant to Africa.By thearcinsider

In the 38th episode of the ARC Insider, hosts Karen Allen and Tara O'Connor discuss the results of Kenya's presidential election and implications of a legal challenge launched by opposition leader Raila Odinga as well as Angola's election, where the incumbent MPLA will defend a majority established by former president José Eduardo Dos Santos who di…

In the 37th episode of the ARC Insider, hosts Karen Allen and Tara O'Connor discuss Macron's changing priorities as he visits West Africa at the beginning of his second term, as well as the resurgence in violence in Mali, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's tour of Africa in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This episode's special …

In the 36th episode of the ARC Insider, hosts Karen Allen and Tara O’Connor share their thoughts on recent events in Africa including the final report of the Zondo Commission and President Ramaphosa's 'farmgate' controversy in South Africa, and the upcoming Russia-Africa Summit in Ethiopia. This episode's special guest is Forsyth Black, formerly CE…

In the 35th episode of the ARC Insider, hosts Karen Allen and Tara O'Connor review the latest developments in the Nigerian presidential primaries, food exports from Russia and Ukraine, Somalia's new president, and important recent cases in the world of anti-corruption. This episode's special guest is Bolanle Austen-Peters, one of the continent's mo…

In the 34th episode of the ARC Insider, hosts Karen Allen and Tara O'Connor discuss the key upcoming political events in Africa including consequential elections in Nigeria and Kenya, and opposition success in Zimbabwe as the country faces an economic crisis. This episode's special guest is Simon Allison, editor-in-chief of The Continent, an award-…

Hosts Karen Allen and Tara O'Connor discuss the reaction in Africa to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with impacts on the role of Russia in African conflicts, higher food import prices, and the changing stance of China. Recorded in Cape Town, this episode's guest is Keet Van Zyl, partner and co-founder at Knife Capital, a venture capital company. …

Hosts Karen Allen and Tara O'Connor discuss breaking news from across Africa, including the death of South Africa's last apartheid-era president F.W. de Klerk, Nigeria's launch of its digital currency, and the states of emergency in Ethiopia and Sudan. This episode, Karen and Tara are joined by Victor Williams, CEO of NBA Africa, who discusses how …

Hosts Karen Allen and Tara O’Connor discuss breaking news stories from across the continent. This week, they are joined by Shantha Bloemen, the aid worker turned tech entrepreneur. As Managing director of Mobility for Africa, Shantha discusses her roadmap for a new mobility ecosystem.By thearcinsider

As we mark The ARC Insider’s 30th episode, hosts Karen Allen and Tara O’Connor discuss breaking news stories from across Africa, including Guinea’s future post-coup and former South African president Jacob Zuma’s early prison release on medical parole. ...As Zambia celebrates peaceful transfer of power after elections, Karen and Tara are joined by …

Karen Allen and Tara O’Connor discuss breaking news stories from across Africa. This week, they are joined by Moipone Malefane, Moipone is the former political editor of The Sowetan who recently set up Vutivi Business News - a platform serving Small Medium Micro Enterprises in the form of writing stories. Moipone gives an insight into the impact of…

Karen Allen and Tara O’Connor discuss breaking news stories from across the continent including former South African President Zuma’s arrest and Nigeria’s Petroleum Industry Bill. The hosts give a very personal tribute to Zambia’s founding president Kenneth Kaunda - who died last month at the age of 97. This week, Karen and Tara are joined by Moele…

Karen Allen and Tara O'Connor discuss news stories from across the continent, including Nigeria’s twitter ban, South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa’s lobbying on behalf of Africa to waive patents on Covid-19 vaccines and Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s early successes. This week’s special guest is ARC's own Leonard Mbulle-Nziege. Alo…

Karen Allen and Tara O'Connor discuss stories from across the continent, including the Kazungula Bridge project… a potential game changer for transporting people and goods across Southern Africa by linking Botswana and Zambia across the Zambezi river. This week, they are joined by Dr Jakkie Cilliers – formerly an artillery officer in the South Afri…

Hosts Karen Allen and Tara O'Connor cover the latest news and analysis from across Africa. This week’s guest is Professor Lesley Lokko - an architect, academic, and best-selling novelist. She was previously the founder and director of the Graduate School of Architecture (GSA) at the University of Johannesburg. She also set up an institute to help s…

Karen and Tara discuss recent socio-political developments from across Africa, including the announcement of the death of Tanzania’s President John Magufuli and the escalating unrest in Senegal. This week, the presenters are joined by a very special guest, Sonal Sejpal - a leading figure in the world of East African finance and trade. Sonal helped …

It's a race against time to vaccinate the continent as Covid-19 mutates. This week, Karen Allen and Tara O'Connor speak with Professor Helen Rees - an internationally renowned scientist, recognised for her work on vaccines, HIV prevention and reproductive health. Professor Rees, “a doctor activist” long before she became a “doctor scientist”, talks…

Fist fights oil rights and the biggest shake up in Nigeria's energy sector in a generation. Join Karen Allen and Tara O'Connor in conversation with Energy Analyst Najim Animashaun on why it has taken more than a decade to get new legislation in place to break up the state owned petroleum giant.By thearcinsider

Karen Allen and Tara O’Connor discuss key socio-political events from across the African continent from Uganda’s election to the impact the rollout of vaccines against Covid-19 could have on African economies. This week, Karen and Tara are joined by Benjamin Haley, partner in the Johannesburg office of Covington & Burling. Ben shares his insights o…

For the last episode of the year, Tara and Karen give a whistle-stop tour of current news stories from across Africa. This week’s guest is a dynamic man from the world of food. A former East African Coca-Cola executive voted among the top 100 business leaders in Africa by Forbes Afrique, Peter Njonjo is the founder of Twiga Foods, the Kenya busines…

This week Tara O'Connor and Karen Allen speak with Nigeria’s award winning entrepreneur venture capitalist Maya Horgan Famodu. Maya's talent spotting led to an early investment in Paystack, now the subject of a $200m buyout.By thearcinsider

This week Karen Allen and Tara O'Connor cover elections inside and outside of Africa with a particular focus on how the US election results might impact US-Africa relations. They are joined by Todd Moss, the former US Deputy Assistant Head of State for Africa and diplomatic thriller writer.By thearcinsider

The science of survival - Epidemiologist and Philosopher Alex Broadbent makes a return visit to The Arc Insider to offer Africa's scorecard on managing the Coronavirus Pandemic. Join this and our regular canter through African current affairs in The Arc Insider 17.By thearcinsider

This week, Tara O'Connor and Karen Allen are joined by Lord Peter Hain; they discuss corporate corruption in Africa, his involvement in the Zondo Commission and the inspiration for his latest thriller on dirty money and Rhinos - The Rhino Conspiracy.By thearcinsider

This week Karen Allen and Tara O'Connor are joined by Ferial Haffajee - one of Africa's most formidable journalists. Ferial talks about greed and corruption in the time of corona.By thearcinsider

Zimbabwe has been at the forefront of the news with the arrest of prominent journalists, figures from the world of literature and other opposition voices as the government of President Emmerson Mnangagwa tries to clamp down on opposition. On this week's podcast, Karen and Tara discuss Zimbabwe’s economic and humanitarian crisis with Dewa Mavhinga. …

This week Karen Allen and Tara O'Connor have prized the producers of Queen Sono away from their script writing to join them on the ARC Insider. Tamsin Anderson and Kagiso Lediga take us behind the scenes of the spy series that has taken the continent by storm.By thearcinsider

Karen Allen and Tara O’Connor discuss key business and political updates from across Africa. This week they speak to Yanesh Naidoo on how tech can create jobs in the sachet economy. Yanesh is Jendamark Automation’s director of digital strategy, selling African-designed, tech-driven production facilities to the global automotive sector.…

This week Karen Allen and Tara O'Connor are joined by Kevin Teeroovengadum. Kevin is the founder of PropTech and currently serves on numerous boards of companies in Mauritius. Discussions cover recent troubles in Mauritius, including the decision by the European Commission to add the Indian Ocean island to its "high-risk" list of countries because …

This week on the ARC Insider, Karen Allen and Tara O'Connor are joined by Professor Thuli Madonsela - the former Public Protector of South Africa and current Chair of Social Justice in the Law Faculty of Stellenbosch University.By thearcinsider

Making sense of the African car market in the Covid 19 era - the unique obstacles to going green in the future. This week on the ARC Insider, Karen Allen and Tara O'Connor are joined by Kia South Africa's Managing Director, Gary Scott.By thearcinsider

Coffee, Vultures and Wind farms - Private Equity in Africa in times of economic uncertainty in the Covid 19 era. This week, Karen Allen and ARC's Tara O'Connor are joined by Michael Turner - Managing Director of Actis, the global emerging markets investment firm.By thearcinsider

This week Tara O'Connor and Karen Allen speak to Kenyan political cartoonist Patrick Gathara about lockdowns, payouts and Madagascan "Muti" or Medicine.By thearcinsider

Today's podcast focuses on how the world is responding to the coronavirus pandemic and what it means for UK-Africa trade. This week's special guest is Emma Wade-Smith - the UK's trade commissioner for Africa.By thearcinsider

Karen Allen and Tara O'Connor chat to Kenya's former anti-corruption tsar and human rights advocate John Githongo about the coronavirus in Africa, tough states, corruption and hair.By thearcinsider

This week Tara O'Connor and Karen Allen look back on the news on the continent from the past 7 days and discuss the different COVID-19 responses. They are joined by guest speaker Abel Ekele from Trivoda, a Nigeria based tech company using bluetooth technology to trace COVID-19 cases.By thearcinsider

Karen Allen and Tara O’Connor discuss the ongoing response of governments and businesses across Africa to the coronavirus COVID-19. This week’s special guest is Oghenetega Iortim, founder of gricd, a Nigeria based logistics company that specialises in transporting cold storage items -health products and food stuffs - around Nigeria.…

Karen Allen and Tara O’Connor discuss how countries across the continent are curtailing the spread of the virus and the key political and security issues associated with COVID-19. This week's episode features guest speaker Professor Alex Broadbent,​The Director of the Institute for the Future of Knowledge and Professor of Philosophy at the Universi…

The inaugural episode of the ARC Insider - a podcast series of Africa-focused conversations.By thearcinsider