Awake Africa, a podcast hosted by Chris Norman, examines the African Development Bank's optimistic forecast for Africa's economic growth by 2030. The podcast analyzes this projection, highlighting opportunities presented by a growing youth population and urbanization while acknowledging challenges like infrastructure deficits and inequality. Solutions discussed include strengthening regional trade through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), investing in education and green technologies, and improving governance. The podcast advocates for self-determination and emphasizes the need for African leadership and innovative financing to achieve sustainable development. Ultimately, the podcast aims to inspire action and participation in shaping a positive future for Africa.

Awake Africa take a critical look at ACRIFA: The Africa Climate Risk Insurance Facility for Adaptation (ACRIFA) aims to improve climate resilience in Africa's agricultural sector by increasing access to climate insurance. ACRIFA will achieve this by mobilizing $1 billion in funding to support the development and scaling of innovative insurance products, strengthening the African insurance industry, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders. The initiative focuses on a three-tiered intervention strategy (macro, meso, and micro levels) and employs a regional risk-sharing model to reduce the cost of insurance and enhance market capacity. Ultimately, ACRIFA seeks to de-risk investments in climate-smart agriculture, increase access to finance for farmers, and build the adaptive capacity of the agri-food system.

Western investment in Africa has a long and complex history, often marked by exploitation and self-serving interests on the part of Western powers. The source mentions the "scramble and partition for Africa," referring to the period of European colonization during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. During this era, European powers sought to control African territories for their resources, markets, and strategic importance. This involved extractive industries, often with little benefit to the local populations, and established unequal power dynamics that continue to affect the continent today.

The source's reference to "a second bite at the apple" suggests that the current wave of Western investment might be viewed with suspicion, as a potential continuation of exploitative practices under a new guise. The "Awake Africa" podcast's skepticism reinforces this perspective, warning African leaders to be wary of potentially unfavorable deals. This skepticism is rooted in the history of unconscionable contracts imposed on African nations, which often led to economic disadvantages and limited their development. While the source does not detail the specific nature of these past contracts, it implies that they were designed to benefit Western interests at the expense of African nations.