CNN Hires Adefemi Akinsanya to Host New Business Series 'Africa Inc.'

Adefemi Akinsanya (Correspondent)

British-Nigerian journalist Adefemi Akinsanya joins CNN International to anchor Africa Inc., a new multiplatform series showcasing African enterprises competing on the world stage.

CNN International has officially announced the appointment of British-born Nigerian journalist Adefemi Akinsanya as the host of its brand-new multiplatform feature series, Africa Inc.

Designed to shift standard media narratives, Africa Inc. zeroes in on home-grown African corporations and entrepreneurs competing on the global stage. Rather than treating the continent as an emerging market waiting for external investment, the series positions Africa as a primary force actively shaping global business, innovation, and consumer trends across technology, manufacturing, hospitality, and entertainment.

The new series will combine traditional television broadcasts with dedicated digital and social media content across CNN’s global platforms:

Half-Hour Feature Episodes: The main 30-minute programme is scheduled to premiere on August 29, 2026. Four subsequent episodes will air across late 2026 and into 2027.

Bi-Monthly News Features: Short, focused TV segments will air bi-monthly on CNN International, paired with in-depth digital reporting on CNN.com.

On-the-Ground Production: Anchored out of Lagos, Nigeria, the production will span multiple commercial hubs across the continent to capture direct insights from industry leaders.

Corporate Sponsorship: The series is sponsored by Dangote Industries Limited, one of Africa’s largest industrial conglomerates.

Akinsanya joins CNN International following a successful tenure as an International Correspondent and Anchor for Arise News in Lagos. Over her career, she has built a reputation for high-impact journalism across several major international networks, including Al Jazeera, Reuters, Sky News, and TRT World.

Her global reporting portfolio includes coverage of major political, social, and economic developments, such as:

•  The #EndSARS anti-police brutality movement in Nigeria.
• The refugee crisis stemming from Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
• On-the-ground coverage of the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election.
• Global economic events, including the World Economic Forum in Davos and the 2026 G7 Summit in Évian-les-Bains.

Akinsanya holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Politics from King's College London and was named a Nieman Fellow at Harvard University in 2023.

With Africa Inc., CNN International aims to provide an unfiltered look into the companies, founders, and industrial forces driving Africa’s economic narrative. By showcasing local enterprises alongside established international players, the series highlights how African innovation continues to influence global commerce.