Africa: Face to Face

A new business show in partnership with CNBC Africa, bringing together prominent African and international figures for honest and insightful discussion about the continent's investment and development agenda.

Hosted by Sanjeev Gupta and Lanre Akinola

Africa Face to Face Studio
OUR MISSION

Africa needs a new narrative

Against the backdrop of a rapidly changing world, and growing global interest in the continent, we need a new narrative on Africa—one that emphasizes its successes and profiles its leaders.

The Challenge

News and media coverage about Africa largely ignores the continent's immense economic potential and importance to the global economy.

The Reality

Africa is brimming with success stories and leaders who are transforming the continent. These stories are not being told.

The Opportunity

We challenge outdated narratives and tell the real story of a dynamic continent on the move, highlighting its potential and the leaders driving change.

ABOUT THE SHOW

Contemporary podcast style meets prime-time broadcast

Studio-produced in London and broadcast across Africa on CNBC Africa's prime-time Closing Bell time slot.

Our Format

Contemporary podcast style, delivering an engaging viewer experience, with content optimized for digital and social media distribution.

Our Mission

To challenge outdated narratives about Africa, and tell the real story of a dynamic continent on the move.

Our Guests

Access to leaders in business, policy, and economy across Africa, bringing together the continent's most impactful and important voices.

Our Reach

Broadcast across Africa on CNBC Africa, reaching audiences in over 100 countries through the global CNBC network.

KEY TOPICS

Exploring key sectors and opportunities

Against the backdrop of rapid global change, Africa: Face to Face highlights the continent's success stories and profiles the leaders behind them. We explore the most important industries and sectors driving Africa's transformation, including:

The Energy Transition
🌾
Food Security
💡
Tech & Innovation
💎
Critical Minerals
📊
Finance & Investment
🚢
Trade & Integration
🏗️
Infrastructure
🌱
Green Growth
WHY AFRICA

A Rising Continent

Fast-growing markets, the world's youngest population, vast natural resources—Africa holds many of the solutions to the global challenges of the 21st century.

60%
Under 30
The world's youngest continent
6/10
Fastest-growing economies in 2025
30%
Of total minerals
Critical for the green transition
3
African countries in BRICS
A rising force in the Global South
REACH & AUDIENCE

A large and influential international audience

In partnership with CNBC Africa, the continent's most powerful multiplatform business media brand.

1.1M+
Followers across key social media platforms
614K
Followers on LinkedIn
314K
Followers on X (Twitter)
216K
Subscribers on YouTube

CNBC Africa is the continent's most powerful multiplatform business media brand. Headquartered in Johannesburg, it is part of the global CNBC family, reaching audiences in over 100 countries.

WATCH THE SHOW

Sample episodes

Watch our conversations with Africa's most influential leaders and innovators.

Africa: Face to Face - Showreel

Watch highlights from Africa: Face to Face - featuring conversations with leading African voices about the continent's investment and development agenda.

Introducing Africa: Face to Face

In the first episode of Africa: Face to Face, we discuss the vision behind the show, and explore why Africa needs a new narrative—one that emphasises its successes, and profiles its leaders.

A conversation with Dr. Mo Ibrahim

Our guest is Dr. Mo Ibrahim, one of the continent's most iconic business leaders, discussing Africa's place in the global discourse, the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, governance, leadership, and more.

THE HOSTS

Meet the Team

Led by two experienced professionals with deep expertise in African business, finance, and media.

Sanjeev Gupta

Sanjeev Gupta

Over 30 years of experience in Investment Management, Private Equity, and Corporate Finance.

Former Board Member and Executive Director of Financial Services Africa at the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC).

Lanre Akinola

Lanre Akinola

Over 15 years of experience in Africa-focused business media, in both print and broadcast.

Former Editor of the Financial Times' This Is Africa, and African Business. Former Director at the Bloomberg Media Initiative Africa.

Lanre is a 2014 Desmond Tutu Leadership Fellow.

GET IN TOUCH

Partner with us

Interested in partnering with Africa: Face to Face, or want to learn more about the show? We'd love to hear from you.

partnerships@africaf2f.com