

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

Apr 10, 2025 • 31min
Former Gambian soldier trialled in the US
A former Gambian soldier, Michael Sang Correa, is standing trial in a US federal court in Denver, Colorado. Correa faces charges of torture and conspiracy to commit torture. Who is he and why is he being trialled in a US court?Also, what to do about the widespread use of artificial intelligence among university students in South Africa?And as Ghana's Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey steps into her role as Commonwealth Secretary-General, we explore the legacy of the past leader and the role of the organisationPresenter: Audrey Brown
Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne
Producers: Tom Kavanagh, Bella Hassan, Daniel Dadzie and Patricia Whitehorne
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp

Apr 9, 2025 • 30min
Can Tanzania benefit from US-China tariff wars ?
With US-China tariff wars escalating- how could Tanzania benefit?Is South Sudan on the verge of a return to civil war?And why a TV dating show in Ethiopia is causing controversy.Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Frenny Jowi in Nairobi, Tom Kavanagh, Nyasha Michelle and Patricia Whitehorne in London and Blessing Aderogba in Lagos.
Technical Producer: Pat Sissons
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Apr 8, 2025 • 26min
US cancels visas for South Sudanese nationals
The US this week announced that it would revoke the visas of all South Sudanese passport holders. This was in reaction, to the refusal by immigration authorities at Juba international airport to accept a deported individual. Who is the man at the heart of the dispute and what options does South Sudan have?Also, why campaigners in South Africa are concerned over the use of hazardous pesticides and worker safety on farmsAnd the Ivorian beauty pageant that has banned wigs and hair extensions. Is this a good idea or not? Presenter: Audrey Brown
Technical Producer: Philip Bull
Producers: Patricia Whitehorn and Bella Hassan in London. Daniel Dadzie in Ghana.
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

Apr 7, 2025 • 28min
Who is Trump's envoy to Africa?
Who is Massad Boulos the man steering the US and the DR Congo towards a mineral deal?What's Uganda's role in the DR Congo crisis?And are African youth more resilient than their western peers?Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Frenny Jowi and Charles Gitonga in Nairobi, Blessing Aderogba in Lagos with Tom Kavanagh and Amie Leibowitz in London.
Technical Producer: Philip Bull
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Apr 4, 2025 • 32min
How will new US tariffs affect Lesotho?
We take a closer look at the impact of the newly imposed US tariffs and hear from Lesotho - at 50% it is one of the hardest hit countries. Does the small landlocked country have a backup plan for its industries?Algeria says it shot down a military drone near the border with Mali, while Mali says one of its unmanned aircraft crashed. The incident comes amid escalating tensions between Algeria and its southern neighbour. So why have the two countries grown apart? And why are so few wildlife safaris owned and run by black people on the continent? We hear from one Ugandan man who went from being a tour guide, to setting up his own successful safari business.Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Sunita Nahar, Amie Liebowitz and Yvette Twagiramariya
Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne
Technical Producer: Pat Sissons
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

Apr 3, 2025 • 28min
Will Trump's tariffs hurt Africa?
Are benefits from the African Growth and Opportunities Act (Agoa) dead in the water after steep US tariffs on Africa are announced?
Senegal's parliament approves revisions to a controversial amnesty law
And raising awareness of autism in Somali culture Presenter : Audrey Brown
Producers: Daniel Dadzie, Bella Hassan, Ash Mohamed and Yvette Twagiramariya
Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris
Senior Producer : Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.

Apr 2, 2025 • 35min
A conversation with AfDB president, Akinwumi Adesina
The president of the African Development Bank, Akinwumi Adesina, will soon be stepping down from the role after serving the maximum two terms. In an interview with podcast host Audrey Brown, he reflects on the achievements and challenges of the past 10 years in office.A new study reveals the pitfalls and barriers limiting women entrepreneurs from growing their businesses online - so how can these issues be addressed?And some of Britain's prestigious boarding schools are setting up campuses in Nigeria. Who will benefit?Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Sunita Nahar, Tom Kavanagh and Amie Liebowitz here in London. Frenny Jowie in Nairobi
Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne
Technical Producer: Jonny Hall
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

Apr 1, 2025 • 25min
Somalia offers US control of port
Somalia offers the US full control over the airbase and port of Berbera in SomalilandThe juntas in West Africa impose tariffs on imported goods from Ecowas countries - what effect will this have.Can music cheer up Sierra Leone - reportedly one of the most unhappy places on the globe? Rapper Drizilik thinks so.Presenter: Wahiga Mwaura
Producers: Bella Hassan, Daniel Dadzie and Yvette Twagiramariya
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

Mar 31, 2025 • 28min
Stranded: Exposing the UK’s immigration scammers
A BBC investigation has found the UK visa system is being undermined by scammers who are swindling migrants out of thousands of pounds, by promising them jobs in Britain which often do not exist. We hear more from the BBC Africa Eye reporter.Why is Kenya risking the wrath of Serbia, considered to be an ally, by recognising Kosovo and its claim to independence from Serbia?And why is Ghana's Chief Justice facing renewed efforts to remove her from office?Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Sunita Nahar, Amie Liebowitz and Nyasha Michelle in London. Daniel Dadzie in Accra, and Frenny Jowi in Nairobi
Technical Producer: Gabriel O'Regan
Senior Journalist: Patricia Whitehorne
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Mar 28, 2025 • 36min
Is South Sudan edging back to civil war?
The UN warns that tensions and use of forbidden weapons are pushing South Sudan to the brink of another civil warWhy is the army in the DR Congo unable to defend its citizens and territory?As Uganda's high court rules that names of landmarks and roads in the capital should be 'decolonised'- one lawyer begs to disagreePresenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Sunita Nahar, Patricia Whitehorne and Bella Hassan
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi


