Afronomics

by World Bank Group

This occasional podcast series brings together development experts, academics and thought leaders, as well as public and private sector partners, to discuss trends that are impacting growth and development in Africa. Afronomics was started in 2017 and is now hosted by Andrew Dabalen, the World Bank Chief Economist for Africa. The series spans a wide range of topics from health and education to jobs, infrastructure, debt, and economic challenges and opportunities in Africa.

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Episodes

Showing 6 of 7 episodes

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How Africa Can Build AI on Its Own Terms

Africa’s AI future is not predetermined but will be shaped by the policy choices and partnerships made today. In this episode, Andrew Dabalen speaks w...

•Jun 4, 2026

Africa's Growth Imperative

Africa's working-age population is set to surge by over 624 million by 2050 — but are the continent's economies growing fast enough to keep up? In thi...

•May 19, 2026

The future of talent in Africa

In this episode, Andrew Dabalen, the World Bank’s Chief Economist for Africa, speaks with Fred Swaniker, founder of the African Leadership Group, abou...

•Jan 21, 2026

Mission 300: Powering Africa’s Future

Mission 300 is working to connect 300 million people in sub-Saharan Africa to electricity by 2030, focusing on both access and reliability. In this ep...

•Nov 14, 2025

How to build trust and capabilities for effective governance in Africa

In this episode of Afronomics, host Andrew Dabalen speaks with Dr. Ken Opalo, a leading scholar on African political economy and governance. Opalo, an...

•Sep 26, 2025

Should countries prioritize electricity access for families or firms in Africa?

In this episode, Andrew Dabalen, the World Bank’s Chief Economist for Africa, engages in a riveting debate on the current strategy for electrification...

•Jul 15, 2025