

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

Feb 28, 2025 • 37min
Deadly explosions hit M23 rally in eastern DRC
How is Burundi coping with a refugee crisis caused by fighting in eastern DR Congo?What dangerous substances are being added to the deadly drug Kush?And why are some people adding detergent to the West African staple food fufu? What are the dangers?Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Patricia Whitehorne, Yvette Twagiramariya and Stefania Okereke in London with Blessing Aderogba in Lagos.
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.

Feb 27, 2025 • 30min
The ship keeping Africa connected
A ship the size of a football field, crewed by more than 50 engineers and technicians, cruises the oceans around Africa to keep the continent online. It provides a vital service, repairing damaged internet cables that lay deep under the sea. We go onboard the Léon Thévenin. Also, recent reports say, Tunsian authoraties are cracking down on the LGBTQ+ community in TunisiaAnd why are West Africans more prone to getting Kidney disease? Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Technical Producer: Gabriel O Regan
Producers: Nyasha Michelle, Stefania Okereke and Amie Liebowitz in London. Blessing Aderogba in Lagos.
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Feb 26, 2025 • 27min
Why did fishermen clash on the Ethiopia-Kenya border?
A border clash between Ethiopia and Kenya has left several people dead or missing.Germany elections: Why is the rise of right-wing parties worrying for African communities?Somalia passes a " game changing" law to protect persons living with disabilitiesPresenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Amie Liebowitz and Bella Hassan in London. Blessing Aderogba in Lagos.
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Technical Producer Chris Kouzaris
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Feb 25, 2025 • 39min
DR Congo proposes deal to the West
In a bold diplomatic move Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi has reportedly proposed granting the United States and Europe access to the country’s vast mineral resources. What's the deal and why now?Also, what is postpartum depression and why does it need to be taken seriously?And a young cancer survivor in Tanzania shares her story of recovery with us.Presenter: Audrey Brown
Technical Producer: Gabriel O Regan
Producers: Patricia Whitehorne, Nyasha Michelle and Sunita Nahar in London. Frenny Jowi in Nairobi
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Feb 24, 2025 • 33min
Nigeria's ex-military leader regrets cancelling election
Former military Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida, publicly regrets annulling the Nigerian1993 presidential election. How does family of presumed winner, Moshood Abiola, respond?We explore the affordable housing crisis in DR Congo's capital Kinshasa.And reaction after Botswana lifts a ban on South African vegetablesPresenter : Audrey Brown
Producers :Sunita Nahar and Amie Liebowitz in London and Blessing Aderogba in Lagos.
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Technical Producer : Jack Graysmark
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.

Feb 21, 2025 • 31min
Sierra Leone: Who is Hawa Hunt and why was she arrested?
There is growing concern that a law introduced in 2021 is being used to muzzle freedom of expression in Sierra Leone. Hawa Hunt, a social media infleuncer with Siera Leonean and Canadian citizenship is the latest victim of the Cybersecurity and Crime Act 2021. She is accused of insulting President Julius Maada Bio and his wife Fatima Bio in a video posted on Facebook in 2023 just as the country was preparing for elections. Her dramatic arrest during a live television show was a national talking point. Her daughter, Alicia reflects on the struggle to free her mother.Also, a BBC Eye investigation reveals how highly addictive pills produced in India are flooding the streets of West Africa And Senegal begins refining its own oil, will the locals benefit ? Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne
Producers: Patricia Whitehorne, Nyasha Michelle and Bella Hassan in London. Frenny Jowi in Nairobi and Blessing Aderogba in Lagos.
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

Feb 20, 2025 • 32min
Kenya slammed for hosting Sudan rebels
Sudan's military led government are upset by Kenya's decision to host a conference of the paramilitary Rapid Support ForcesIs there a regional power play behind Mauritania and Morocco's electricity exchange agreement ?And what's the deadly bacteria that's making Lake Victoria turn green?Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Frenny Jowi in Nairobi with Sunita Nahar, Stefania Okereke, Nyasha Michelle and Bella Hassan in London. and Blessing Aderogba in Lagos
Technical Producer : Philip Bull
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Feb 19, 2025 • 31min
USAID Suspension: Where next for Africa?
Experts say the health of millions of Africans is at stake following the suspension of much needed USAID funds. Programs that the US organisation funds on the continent are vast and crucial. What do African governments need to do to fill the gap?Also, a new report says that the recruitment of children as soldiers on the continent remains a challenge. We hear from a former child soldier.And a proposal for a fresh approaching in saving the African rhino, but this time, everyone is included in the conversation for conservation!Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Technical Producer: Philip Bull
Producers: Patricia Whitehorne, Nyasha Michelle and Stefania Okereke
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Feb 18, 2025 • 32min
Deadly collapse at Mali gold mine
The collapse of an illegally operated gold mine in western Mali at the weekend killed dozens of peopleThe world’s ‘first openly gay imam’ who was shot dead in South Africa, Muhsin Hendricks, is remembered What can be done about overcrowding in prisons in Africa?Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Sunita Nahar and Stefania Okereke in London.
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Technical producer: Gabriel O'Regan
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.

Feb 17, 2025 • 32min
African Union members elect new leader
African Union members have elected Djibouti's Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf as the next chair of the AU Commission. Mr Ali Youssouf defeated Kenya’s former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and former Foreign Minister of Madagascar Richard Randriamandrato. What are some of the challenges he faces?Also, why is Gambia running short on medicines? And are tech-savvy Gen Z's really more vulnerable to cyber attacks? Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Technical Producer: Philip Bull
Producers: Patricia Whitehorne, Sunita Nahar, Nyasha Michelle and Stefania Okereke in London. Blessing Aderogba in Lagos.
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi


