The ARC Insider

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.

« 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 »

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 Tara O Connor and Karen Allen.

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

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?

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.

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.  

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 Africa-based charity Gift of the Givers. He has orc...

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 Kaunda and the marketing and events officer at th...

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 of failed delivery from governments, and the impor...

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.

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 died in July. This episode's special guest is Rashid...

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 guest is Paul Ilado, head of content at Radio Afri...

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 CEO of global airlines services company John Menzies...

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 most influential women who traded law for the life o...

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-winning pan-African weekly newspaper delivered via...

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. Van Zyl discusses Africa's exploding tech scene,...

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 his career in investment banking led him to baske...

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.

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 Trevor Simumba, a senior trade expert and economi...

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 the recent violence in South Africa on small busi...

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 Moeletsi Mbeki - Deputy Chairman of the South African...

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. Alongside being an ARC author, Leonard is completing...

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 African defence forces who was instrumental in helpin...

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 shape African futures and has published 11 novels...