Focus on Africa

Dr. Nadir Mahaji, a Dar es Salaam plastic surgeon, explains the technique, risks and regulation of BBLs. Adeife Adeoye, Lagos-based content creator and entrepreneur, shares her motivations and recovery. Lydia Wanjiru, Nairobi creator, recounts having BBL, liposuction and tummy tuck and posting about recovery. They discuss rising demand, safety concerns, surgical risks, painful recoveries and social media influence.

At least 23 people were killed and over 100 injured in multiple explosions in Maiduguri, north-eastern Nigeria, a long-time insurgency hotspot. We examine the effect of the attack on traumatised residents and how they are coping. In response, the Nigerian Army says its troops killed three senior Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) commanders and more than 80 other militants in a major operation in the north-east.Meanwhile, the percentage of female players registered with the International Chess Federation (FIDE) rose from 10% in 2020 to 16.5% in 2026. Yet top-level chess remains male-dominated, with no women in the top 100. Fewer players, limited female coaches and unwelcoming environments are barriers. We speak to 24-year-old Moroccan champion Sarah El Barbry, who's bringing chess online.Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Keikantse Shumba and Chiamaka Dike Technical Producer: Mbarak Abdallah Senior Producers: Bella Twine and Blessing Aderogba Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

We examine the continent’s reaction after Senegal’s 1‑0 AFCON final win from 18 January was overturned, with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) instead awarding Morocco a 3‑0 victory. CAF's disciplinary committee ruled that Senegal’s walk-off protest amounted to a forfeit following Morocco’s challenge to the initial decision. Senegal has now appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.And Sudan’s civil war is now approaching its third year. The conflict began as a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, and both sides have relied heavily on external support from Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Iran. As Iran escalates attacks on Gulf countries in retaliation for US-Isreal strikes, questions are growing about these countries continued support for the warring parties in Sudan.Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Keikantse Shumba Technical Producer: Mbarak Abdallah Senior Producers: Bella Twine and Blessing Aderogba Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

Francis Omondi, an astronomer who explains moonsighting science and cultural meaning. Daniel Silke, a political analyst from Cape Town on South Africa’s politics and migration dynamics. Anton van Heeden, CEO of a relocation agency on return migration and remote-work arrangements. They discuss why many white South Africans are returning, how returnees keep foreign jobs, political and safety drivers, and how moon sighting traditions meet modern astronomy.

Sahanun Ahmed, a BBC Africa Eye reporter who embedded with Puntland Defence Forces in Somalia, gives frontline accounts from the Al-Miskaad mountains. She describes harsh mountain camps and the fight against Islamic State fighters. The conversation also covers rising irregular migration from Egypt, smuggler networks on social media, and shifting Mediterranean routes.

Banchi Yimer, an Ethiopian former domestic worker who founded an NGO for African migrants in Lebanon, shares first‑hand accounts of life under bombardment. She describes being trapped by the kafala system and denied basic services. She highlights barriers to evacuation, widespread abuse and the urgent need for shelters and repatriation.

During a parliamentary session, legislators in Senegal voted on a bill that was introduced last month by Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, doubling the penalty for same sex relationships that are already a crime in the West African country. People convicted under the new law will now serve prison sentences of between 5 and 10 years and face fines of up to 17,600 USD.We also look at why snakebite antivenom is so expensive in many African countries. In a conversation with Professor John Amuasi of the Global Snakebite Task Force, we discuss what can be done to improve access to treatment for snakebites in remote parts of Africa.Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Keikantse Shumba, Bella Twine, Basma El Atti and Ayuba Iliya Technical Producer: Jonathan Mwangi Senior Producers: Daniel Dadzie and Blessing Aderogba Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

Chude Jidon, Nigerian writer who lives with Tourette's, shares his personal journey and advocacy. Sophie Chamalan, researcher on Algeria–France relations, explains the revised law criminalising French colonial rule and demands over nuclear-test compensation. They discuss colonial harms, secrecy over archives and stigma around neurological conditions in Africa.

In this episode, we look at the impact of the ongoing US–Israel war with Iran on neighbouring Middle Eastern countries. Africans in the region are caught in the crossfire, some have been evacuated by their governments, while others remain stranded. We speak to a young Ghanaian still in Bahrain and a Ugandan who has just returned home.We also explore Lesotho’s annual three-day Moshoeshoe Walk, where thousands retrace King Moshoeshoe I’s historic route. What began as a tribute to his legacy has grown into a heritage-tourism event celebrating history, wellness and community, while raising funds to support girls’ education.Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Keikantse Shumba and Ayuba Iliya Technical Producer: Jonathan Mwangi Senior Producer: Bella Twine and Blessing Aderogba Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

In recognition of International Women’s Month, we speak to Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the first woman and first African to lead the World Trade Organization. We discuss women representation in leadership, the impact of the latest Middle East conflict on African economies and the shifting balance of global trade and Africa’s place in it.And, we also look at LGBTQ rights on the continent. In much of Africa, homosexuality remains criminalised in 33 out of 55 countries, according to the Institute for Security Studies. While South Africa recognises same-sex marriage, most African countries do not. In Botswana, two women are now challenging the government in court for the right to marry, despite same-sex relationships being decriminalised.Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Keikantse Shumba and Chiamaka Dike Technical Producer: Jonathan Mwangi Senior Producer: Bella Twine and Blessing Aderogba Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla