CNN International Commercial and Dangote Industries Limited have entered a multi-year global partnership that includes sponsorship of Africa Inc., a new CNN International programme focused on African businesses and their growing influence on the global economy.
The partnership will see Dangote sponsor Africa Inc., a half-hour programme hosted by Nigerian journalist Adefemi Akinsanya. The programme will examine how African companies are competing and expanding on the global stage, with coverage spanning sectors including technology, hospitality, manufacturing and entertainment.
According to details of the partnership, Africa Inc. will premiere on CNN International on August 29, 2026, with four additional episodes scheduled through the remainder of 2026 and into 2027.
The programme will also feature bespoke Africa Inc. segments airing every two months on CNN International, alongside digital and social media content designed to extend its coverage to wider audiences.
Beyond the programme sponsorship, the partnership includes branded content produced by CNN’s in-house studio, Create, under a series titled Africa First.
The series will focus on Africa’s push towards energy independence and economic transformation, using films, data-driven articles and social media content to examine industrial development across the continent. Dangote Industries will be featured as an example of that transformation.
The wider campaign will run across CNN International, CNN.com and CNN Arabic, as well as CNN Business channels on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. The Africa First content will also appear on CNN’s US television and digital platforms.
Dangote Industries will also sponsor three editions of CNN’s Global Perspectives events franchise over the next 12 months as part of the partnership.
Speaking on the collaboration, CNN International Commercial Senior Vice President for Advertising Sales Cathy Ibal said the partnership would provide an opportunity to highlight stories of African innovation, resilience and leadership to CNN’s international audience.
Dangote Industries Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer Anthony Chiejina said the partnership forms part of the group’s global brand positioning strategy and will provide a platform to showcase its Vision 2030 economic blueprint and industrialisation drive.
The new agreement builds on an existing relationship between CNN and Dangote. Dangote Industries previously sponsored CNN’s Marketplace Africa segments and other Africa-focused programming, including Africa Now.
The launch of Africa First content is scheduled for this week, ahead of the August 29 premiere of Africa Inc. on CNN International.
