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 orchestrated humanitarian efforts across the globe and negotiated the release of Stephen McGowan with Al-Qaeda in Mali.  

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 the Trade and Development Bank (TDB). Mundaula shares her memories of her grandfather and reflects on his positive leadership.

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 importance of reforms. Karen and Tara also discuss developments in West Africa with the recent military coup in Burkina Faso, as well as the electricity crisis in South Africa and Zambia's positive economic progress.

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 Abdi, chief analyst for the Horn of Africa and the Gulf at Sahan Research. Mr Abdi shares his insights on the recent Kenyan election, expertly summarises developments in the ongoing Ethiopian conflict as well analysing the impact of the Russia/Ukraine conflict on domestic rhetoric in the Horn of Africa.

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 Africa and a veteran Kenyan journalist at the Nairobi Star, who was forced into hiding following his reporting on violence following the 2007 Kenyan election. Mr Ilado shares his insights on the recent history of Kenyan electoral politics, discusses the candidates for president ahead of the upcoming 2022 general elections, and considers whether this election marks a decrease in tribal animosity in East Africa's powerhouse.

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 Plc which owns Menzies Aviation. Mr Black discusses how the African airline industry survived covid (or not), and shares his thoughts on the 'aeropolitical' priorities of governments and state airlines.

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 of lights, camera, action and is making it big internationally on screen and stage.

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 WhatsApp. In an insightful conversation, Allison discusses the online future of African journalism, the 'infodemic' challenge, and why he took his newspaper on to WhatsApp.

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, and why Cape Town is pushing to become one of the continent's main tech hubs.

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 basketball and the opportunity to grow the sport on the continent. Williams also provides his insights into the successes of the inaugural season of the Basketball Africa League, the NBA's first professional basketball league outside North America, and how sport can fuel Africa's economic development.

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 economist. Simumba shares his insights on why Africa's newest President, Hakainde Hichilema, spells a new dawn for Zambia, sharing his outlook for the economy, in particular the mining sector, and Sino-Zambia relations.