Dangote Industries Limited and CNN International Commercial (CNNIC) have renewed a multi-year global partnership that includes Dangote’s sponsorship of Africa Inc., a new CNN International programme focused on African businesses and their growing influence in the global economy.
The global, multiplatform campaign is designed to showcase the scale and impact of Dangote Industries while highlighting Africa’s expanding role in global commerce, innovation and industrial development.
A major component of the partnership is the sponsorship of Africa Inc., a new half-hour programme hosted by Adefemi Akinsanya, which will examine how African companies are competing and thriving internationally.
According to CNN, Akinsanya will spotlight businesses operating across sectors ranging from technology and hospitality to manufacturing and entertainment, presenting Africa not merely as an emerging market but as a growing force influencing global commerce, innovation and consumer trends.
Africa Inc. is scheduled to premiere on CNN International on August 29, with four additional episodes planned throughout the remainder of 2026 and into 2027.
Bespoke Africa Inc. segments will also air bi-monthly on CNN International, accompanied by digital and social media content.
Beyond the programme sponsorship, the partnership will include branded content produced by CNNIC’s in-house studio, Create, under a series titled Africa First.
The Africa First series will focus on Africa’s drive towards energy independence and economic transformation, using films, data-driven articles and social content to highlight the continent’s industrial development, with Dangote Industries presented as one 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 branded content will also appear on CNN US television and digital platforms.
The partnership will extend beyond television and digital media, with Dangote Industries also sponsoring three editions of CNN’s new Global Perspectives events franchise over the next 12 months.
CNN International Commercial Senior Vice President for Advertising Sales, Cathy Ibal, said the partnership would help bring stories of African innovation, resilience and leadership to CNN’s international audience.
“We are pleased to once again be working with Dangote Industries Limited to tell the stories of a self-sufficient Africa,” Ibal said.
Dangote Industries Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, said the collaboration formed part of the conglomerate’s global brand positioning strategy and would provide a platform to showcase its Vision 2030 economic blueprint and industrialisation drive.
The Africa First branded content launches this week, ahead of the August 29 premiere of Africa Inc. on CNN International.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
