This African festival has created an economic boom in Portugal | CNN

This African music festival has created an economic boom for a beach town in Portugal

By Earl Nurse, CNN

Published 7:48 PM EDT, Mon August 31, 2026

This African music festival has created an economic boom for a beach town in Portugal

From Lagos to London to the beaches of Portugal, "Africa Inc." unpacks the multi-million dollar business of live music as we go behind the scenes of the Afro Nation festival.

22:59 • Source: CNN

Marketplace Africa 16 videos

This African music festival has created an economic boom for a beach town in Portugal

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<p>Businesses across the African continent face a myriad of challenges when it comes to cross-border transactions. CNN's Victoria Rubadiri sat down with Michael Ogbalu, the CEO of Pan-African Payment and Settlement System, to talk about the economic importance of building a system for seamless intra-continental payments. </p>

One of Africa's biggest economic hurdles: intra-continental payments

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<p>Demand for fish in everyday diets across Uganda has spurred rapid growth for the country's aquaculture industry. That growth has seen homegrown companies bolster production and training by using emerging technology. </p>

Could your next fish product come from Uganda?

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<p><br />Move over, Zipline. A South African company called Cloudline is looking to take cargo delivery and data capture to the next level with a solar-powered airship built for heavier loads and longer routes. In an interview with CNN, CEO Spencer Horne breaks down their best use cases and the company's growth strategy.</p>

Could this be the next evolution from drone delivery?

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<p>South Africa is fast becoming a global space tech powerhouse, now exporting $1 billion worth of specialized satellite equipment.</p>

South Africa's space tech industry is lifting off

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<p><br /></p><p><strong>Taking remote learning from Nigeria to the world</strong></p><p>Nigerian entrepreneur Sim Shagaya founded edtech firm, The uLesson Group, to provide high-quality education to African students. He speaks to CNN about the opportunities — and obstacles — of expanding the digital academic ecosystem in West Africa and beyond. </p>

Taking remote learning from Nigeria to the world

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<p>Since its founding in 1984, Emzor Pharmaceuticals has become one of Nigeria's leading indigenous drug manufacturers. We spoke with the CEO Dr. Stella Okoli about the challenges and triumphs of building her company from scratch. </p>

How one pharmaceutical company charted a path to success

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<p>To decentralize healthcare in East Africa, businesses are pioneering new ways of training the next generation of surgeons and medical professionals, making care more accessible across the region. </p>

Could tech offer solutions for more accessible healthcare?

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<p>CNN talks with Josh Whale, the CEO of Ampersand — a business focused on e-mobility — about the benefits of vertical integration, what it takes to build the infrastructure to support electric two wheelers, and their growth strategy for East Africa and beyond.</p>

The business of electrifying motorbikes in East Africa

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<p>While 90% of livestock sales traditionally happen via large public auctions, one Agrotech company, SwiftVEE, wants to transform the sector by moving auctions online. </p>

Going, going, going digital: The rise of South Africa's online cattle auctions

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<p>Whether it's a continent-wide educational ecosystem creating a pipeline to tech talent, a company building AI to revolutionize access for those with hearing loss in Kenya, or innovations and platforms powering the training of surgeons — businesses and individuals are transforming the way Africans learn, teach and provide medical care.</p>

Emerging tech and Africa — transforming healthcare, education and accessibility

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<p>Since its founding in 1993, Medplus has grown into a major pharmacy chain across Nigeria. Founder and CEO Joke Bakare spoke with CNN about her original dream for the business, diversification and how going online plays a role in the company's growth strategy. </p>

The business of growing one of Nigeria's biggest pharmacy chains

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<p>According to the WHO, around 40 million people across Africa suffer from hearing loss and deafness. Kenyan company, Signvrse, is using AI to develop a realistic sign language translation platform in hopes of improving accessibility.</p>

How the movie 'Avatar' inspired a Kenyan company to develop AI tech to help the deaf community

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<p>Since the late 1970s, Animal Care Services Konsult has been in the business of livestock in Nigeria. CNN's Zain Asher talks with Executive Director Opeyemi Agbato about the company's growth strategy.</p>

Building a business on livestock in Nigeria

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<p>Tourism<strong>, </strong>integral to Cape Verde's economy,<strong> </strong>is showing signs of rapid growth. Now the public and private<strong> </strong>sectors are looking at ways to create infrastructure, on the ground and online, to ensure a sustainable industry. </p>

Cape Verde's plans for growth digitally and physically

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<p>Aspen Global CEO Samer Kassem sits down to discuss the biopharmaceutical giant's growth and why he believes it's Africa's time to shine on a global stage when it comes to business.</p>

How Mauritius became home to a global biopharmaceutical company

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