Adefemi Akinsanya Joins CNN From Arise News

CNN International has appointed Nigerian journalist Adefemi Akinsanya to host a new multiplatform series, Africa Inc., which will document how African companies are scaling globally.

The network announced the appointment on 5 August 2026. Short segments of the series begin airing the same day. The full half-hour programme will premiere on 29 August 2026 and run through 2027, with additional episodes planned. Bi-monthly segments and digital content will also run across CNN.com and social media.

Akinsanya, who joins from Arise News, will anchor the series from Lagos. The show is sponsored by Dangote Industries Limited.

She described the role as timely. “I’m thrilled to be joining CNN to launch Africa Inc. at such an exciting time for Africa’s international story. Across the continent, we’re seeing innovation, resilience, and ambition transforming industries and creating opportunities with global impact. I’m looking forward to bringing these stories to CNN’s audience,” Akinsanya said.

Akinsanya has previously worked for Al Jazeera, Reuters, Sky News and TRT World. She reported from the frontlines of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, covered Nigeria’s #EndSARS protests and the 2024 U.S. presidential election, and was a 2023 Nieman Fellow at Harvard University.

The series will focus on technology, manufacturing, hospitality and entertainment. Production teams are already filming across multiple African cities. The first short segment aired on 5 August, with the half-hour debut scheduled for 29 August.

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