LAGOS — CNN International Commercial (CNNIC) and Nigerian industrial conglomerate Dangote Industries Limited have launched a multi-year global media partnership designed to showcase African businesses and highlight the continent’s growing influence in international markets.
The collaboration centers on a brand campaign spanning television, digital, and live event channels to document the companies driving Africa’s economic transformation.
Anchoring “Africa Inc.” and Digital Storytelling
A central component of the partnership is Dangote’s official sponsorship of “Africa Inc.”, a new half-hour television series hosted by broadcast journalist Adefemi Akinsanya.
The program profiles homegrown African enterprises competing globally across technology, manufacturing, energy, hospitality, and entertainment. Scheduled to premiere on August 29, the flagship show will broadcast four additional television episodes through 2026 and 2027, complemented by bi-monthly digital segments published across CNN’s online networks.
GLOBAL MEDIA PARTNERSHIP STRUCTURE
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"Africa Inc." "Africa First" Global Perspectives
(Half-Hour Show) (Branded Content) (Event Sponsorship)
Hosted by Adefemi Akinsanya Produced by CNN Create 3 International Summits
Focus: Global Enterprise Focus: Energy & Industrial Executive Thought Leadership
Multi-Platform Reach and Custom Content
The campaign extends beyond linear television to leverage CNN’s global digital network, including CNN.com, CNN Arabic, and CNN Business social media platforms.
| Campaign Element | Format / Platform | Focus Area |
| “Africa Inc.” Series | TV Broadcast & Digital Clips | Global expansion of African tech, manufacturing, and entertainment |
| “Africa First” | Branded Content (CNN Create) | Regional energy independence and industrial development |
| Global Perspectives | Live Event Franchise | International business forums and thought leadership |
The initiative also incorporates “Africa First,” a custom branded-content series developed by CNN’s in-house creative agency, Create. This series focuses specifically on regional energy self-sufficiency, infrastructure developments, and industrialization drives across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Aligning Strategic Horizons
As part of the commercial arrangement, Dangote Industries will serve as a sponsor for three upcoming editions of CNN’s Global Perspectives event franchise over the next year, convening international business leaders and policymakers.
Dangote executives highlighted that the alliance directly supports the group’s Vision 2030 framework—a strategic blueprint focused on advancing large-scale manufacturing, expanding energy refining capabilities, and building continent-wide supply chain resilience.
Aliko Dangote (L), President and Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Group, Nigeria; Dominic Barton, Global Managing Director, McKinsey & Company, United Kingdom Image by WEF on Flickr
