REPORTAGE // Our go-to sources for African business research and trends
The newsletters, digital newspapers, podcasts, and thinkers we follow to stay on top of continental trends
We live in a golden age of information sharing. We've got online courses and virtual learning tools, digital publishing platforms, and video and podcasting outlets – not to mention the universities, think-tanks, and research centres producing industry- and field-specific reporting – all at our fingertips. These platforms and tools have made it possible to find and share stories, data, and ideas that were simply not readily available just 10 years ago. For as much as we may complain about information overload in this era, the expansion of communication channels is great news for entrepreneurs, leaders, and researchers who want to keep their fingers on the pulse of trends in emerging markets. That includes us at the UCT GSB Case Writing Centre, where we rely on rigorous economic, social, and political data to create timely, relevant case studies for the classroom.
At the UCT GSB CWC, we are privileged to have access to top African business research from our faculty to understand the key issues of the day. But we also look to the broader landscape of African researchers, journalists, and writers to collect different perspectives and stay on top of continental news. Today, we want to share a few of our go-to sources, available in a variety of formats:
A research snapshot
The Conversation – Africa is the perfect platforming for finding digestible versions of the latest African academic research on everything from economics to health to science. Our UCT GSB faculty frequently contribute to the website, where it’s clear how valuable their findings are for investors, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and the public at large. For instance, check out this recent piece from UCT GSB Professor Ralph Hamann on the limitations of entrepreneurship for development based on a study in Kenya.
A research archive
Of course, if you want to jump into the deep end with UCT GSB research on critical topics for emerging markets, you should peruse the publications, reports, and white papers from our research centres directly. These include the Allan Gray Centre for Values-Based Leadership, Bertha Centre for Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Development Finance Centre, and Power Futures Lab.
A small-tech podcast
If you’re already on the podcast train, you have to add Afrobility to your queue. Hosted by Olumide Ogunsanwo (investor and former McKinsey consultant) and Bankole Makanju (angel investor and product manager at Meta), each episode of this podcast profiles a different African tech startup or innovator. Our hosts fill us in on the history of these companies and provide their analysis of the industry, context, and business. Though the podcasters recently announced the end of their show, their archive is still a trove of insights. With its 79 episodes, Afrobility focusses heavily on fintech and fintech-related enterprises – be it point of sales, payments providers, supply chain management, or B2B retail. Sometimes we see a familiar face in their archive, like this episode featuring Wasoko, the startup solving logistics for informal retailers in Kenya, and which we featured in our new case collection published with Harvard Business Impact.
A weekly links roundup
This Week in Africa is a short and sweet bulletin that gives you links to the best news articles, essays, and books from all corners of the continent. The letter is organised by hot topics in Africa, like urbanisation, human rights struggles, and development news. Jeffrey Paller, an assistant professor of politics at the University of San Francisco, compiles the newsletter as a teaching device for an international audience of students and faculty who want to gain a deeper understanding of African politics and development. As Paller writes: “we hope that the bulletin motivates you to think about Africa in a new way. By placing the news in its political context, we introduce readers to major debates taking place in Academia.” Available via Substack, this newsletter is an easy addition to your information diet, perfect for catching both the highlights and hidden gems of continental trends. See the latest edition to see what we mean.
A point of view
If you’re looking for smart, insightful takes on the biggest questions of our time, you want to follow Ken Opalo’s An Africanist Perspective on Substack. An assistant professor at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, Opalo delivers thoughtful essays that engage with regional and global economic and political dilemmas, reflecting the experiences of Africans on the ground and charting a path forward. Though his is but one voice, it is a breath of fresh air in a discourse shaped largely by writers and decision-makers outside the continent. See, for instance, his latest post on electrifying Africa for economic growth, or his thoughts on the future of international development.
A local perspective
On his blog Loose Canon, South African journalist Tim Cohen – former editor of Business Day and Business Maverick, and contributor to Daily Maverick and currencynews.co.za – shares his curated collection of thoughts on the global news with a good dash of wit. The home of I.am.not.making.this.up, Tim sends out fresh opinion content twice a week. It’s smart and enjoyable. Cohen also co-hosts Stand Up! Business Podcast with investment banker Mark Barnes.
A WhatsApp-based newspaper
And if you aren’t already subscribed to The Continent, here is your sign. This weekly newspaper, sent out as a PDF via WhatsApp, contains news snapshots from different countries, as well as deeper dive reports, features, and editorials. All of this with gorgeous photography. See what we mean with their latest issue – also available on Substack.
