

Focus on Africa
BBC World Service
Two essential stories to round off your working day. Explaining the big topics and news from Africa, the people behind them, plus an African perspective on global stories. Hosted by Nkechi Ogbonna. Five days a week, ready by late afternoon, Monday to Friday.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 29, 2025 • 30min
Who is behind a church attack in DR Congo?
More than 40 people including women and children were killed in an attack by Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), in the town of Komanda, east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The militia group is linked to the so-called Islamic state, a jihadi militant group. Majority of those killed were worshippers at a local church, nearby shops were also attacked and looted. Also, why Cameroonian opposition leader Maurice Kamto is challenging his disqualification from October’s presidential election list. And what's the impact of Africa's disappearing Wetlands? Presenter: Richard Kagoe
Producers: Tom Kavanagh, Nyasha Michelle and Yvette Twagiramariya
Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

Jul 28, 2025 • 32min
Somalia: The “hole” at the heart of a seized arms ship
A stand off as Somalia demands release of a cargo ship carrying military equipment that was seized by semi-autonomous Puntland. The ship was reportedly transporting military equipment to Turkey’s military base in Mogadishu.Why indigenous plants are making a comeback in African diets?And after Nigeria's Super Falcons historic victory at WAFCON, in Morocco, we ask what does this mean for the future of African women's sport ? Presenter: Richard Kagoe
Producers: Charles Gitonga in Nairobi with Sunita Nahar and Patricia Whitehorne in London.
Technical Producer: Philip Bull
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.

Jul 25, 2025 • 34min
Who are the CAR commanders jailed for war crimes?
This week the International Criminal Court sentenced two commanders of a civilian militia in the Central African Republic to a total of 27 years in prison. One of them, Patrice-Edouard Ngaïssona, had formerly been the head of the country’s football federation. What was the conflict that engulfed CAR a decade ago, and what were the crimes that led to the ICC convictions?Also in this episode, the impact that continuing aid cuts are having on women and girls in Somalia.And we uncover the melodic contributions of Congo's queens of rumba music.Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Tom Kavanagh, Yvette Twagiramarya, Sunita Nahar and Tanya Hines in London
Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer
Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Jul 24, 2025 • 34min
Ghana’s special clinic for cleft lip patients
Good news about the state-of-the-art treatment facility in Ghana for cleft lip patientsAnd as the number of billionaires on the continent rises, we ask - are billionaires good or bad for Africa? Why are violence and insecurity on the increase in Haiti despite the presence of an international force?. Does the Kenyan contingent have adequate resources?Presenter : Richard Kagoe
Producers: Alfonso Daniels, Yvette Twagiramariya, Sunita Nahar and Tom Kavanagh
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Technical Producer: Frank McWeeny
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Jul 23, 2025 • 29min
How has Goma changed under M23 fighters?
The city of Goma in the conflict-hit east of the Democratic Republic of Congo was seized by the M23 armed group earlier this year after intense fighting with government forces. How has the city changed after six months under the group’s control?After retired police officers in Nigeria held demonstrations earlier this week calling for better pensions, we look at wider pension provision and ask if young Nigerians see pension planning as a secure path to protecting their retirement? And could there be a new type of diabetes that accounts for the rising number of cases among young people in Africa.Presenter: Richard Kagoe
Producers: Tom Kavanagh, Sunita Nahar and Nyasha Michelle in London. Blessing Aderogba in Lagos.
Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer
Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Jul 22, 2025 • 34min
Can solar power fix South Africa's electricity problems?
How young people in South Africa are navigating the lack of consistent power suppliesWho are the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and why are Uganda and the DR Congo governments struggling to defeat them?And the taxes, charges and fees paralyzing air travel in AfricaPresenter: Richard Kagoe
Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Stefania Okereke and Sunita Nahar in London. Blessing Aderogba in Lagos
Technical Producer: Philip Bull
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.

Jul 21, 2025 • 33min
Why Burkina Faso discarded its Electoral Commission
Burkina Faso's military rulers have disbanded the country's electoral commission calling it a waste of money. The government says the interior ministry will handle elections in the future. Will this move by the ruling junta further delay democratic elections?Hundreds of thousands of premature deaths occur each year in Africa due to illnesses caused by cooking with polluting fuels like wood, charcoal and even animal dung. So what is being done to ensure more people have access to clean cooking?And why are ancient and cultural heritage sites in Ethiopia facing a crisis.Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Tom Kavanagh, Sunita Nahar and Nyasha Michelle in London
Technical Producer: Philip Bull
Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Jul 18, 2025 • 31min
Sudan: Why North Kordofan is being targeted?
Sudan: More than 450 civilians have been killed in recent attacks in North Kordofan . Why is the RSF paramilitary increasingly targeting the state?The kingdom of Lesotho recently declared a 'State of disaster'-What can youth facing unemployment do ?And how sinkholes in South Africa are affecting people's livesPresenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Richard Kagoe in Nairobi, Blessing Aderogba in Lagos and Sunita Nahar in London.
Technical Producer :Gabriel O'Regan
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Jul 17, 2025 • 33min
Cameroon's president seeks re-election at age 92
Cameroon's Paul Biya has the distinction of being 'the world's oldest sitting president' and yet at age 92, he is seeking to run for an eighth term, that will see him serve until he is almost 100 years old. How much popular support does he have, and how strong is the opposition?Sudan's newly appointed prime minister, Kamal Idris, has named his cabinet ministers who will form his "government of hope". How will they function in the country still in the grip of war?And after the announcement by Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed that the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is complete and will be officially inaugurated in September, why has US President Donald Trump weighed in on the long-running dispute between Ethiopia and Egypt over the giant construction?Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Tom Kavanagh, Sunita Nahar and Mark Wilberforce
Technical Producer: Gabriel O'Regan
Senior Producers: Patricia Whitehorne and Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Jul 16, 2025 • 35min
Kenyan protests: Impact on mental health
Gen Z’s have largely led opposition street protests in Kenya. However, it's taking a toll on their mental health. We talk to an activist and a psychiatrist on how to cope.Why was a French sports journalist recently sentenced to 7 years in jail in Algeria? Was it for talking to a banned separatist movement- or due to diplomatic rows between Algeria and France?Plus, a report says more than a quarter of Africa's freshwater fish species are threatened with extinction.Presenter: Richard Kagoe
Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Patricia Whitehorne, Bella Hassan and Mark Wilberforce
Technical Producer: Gabriel O'Regan
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.


