

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

Aug 6, 2024 • 31min
What's behind the violent protests in the UK?
The United Kingdom is experiencing almost a week of violent disorder after three girls were fatally stabbed in the town of Southport, in England. The subsequent unrest in towns and cities has been fuelled by misinformation online, the far-right and anti-immigration sentiment. How did the UK get to this point? Also, why does Lesotho have the highest suicide rates in the world? And Somalia sentences seven young Tik Tok users to jail for 'indecency' and 'incitement'.Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producer: Sunita Nahar, Bella Hassan, Frenny Jowi and Rob Wilson
Technical Producer: Chris Ablakwa
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice MuthengiPlease Note: If you have been affected by the content on suicide in this episode, do search for the BBC's Action line or contact a local support group for help.

Aug 5, 2024 • 35min
Will protests in Somalia against Al-Shabab militants bring change?
Hundreds gather in protest at popular Lido beach in Mogadishu after a deadly Al-Shabab militant attack. The African Union declares coffee a strategic commodity. What does that mean?
And is Nigeria ready for a new state?
Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Claudia Efemini, Nyasha Michelle and Sunita Nahar in LondonTechnical Producer :Jonny Hall
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors : Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Aug 2, 2024 • 29min
Why is Algeria's Imane Khelif at the centre of controversy at the Paris Olympics?
Algeria's Imane Khelif found herself at the centre of controversy at the Olympic games in Paris after her opponent, Italy's Angela Carini surrendered just 46 seconds into the boxing match. The result generated immediate discussion because Khelif had in the past failed testosterone and gender eligibility tests at the World Championships. Carina later said, "I have never been hit so hard in my life". Who is Imane Khelif and why is her gender being questioned? Also, Botswana's President calls on businesses to adopt a police station? What does this mean and what's the reaction in Botswana? And why forest fires are on the rise in Morocco.Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Susan Gachuhi and Charles Gitonga in Nairobi. Rob Wilson, Bella Hassan and Patricia Whitehorne in London.
Technical Producer: Philip Bull
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

Aug 1, 2024 • 35min
Why have Kenyan authorities ordered the cull of over a million crows?
Kenyan authorities begin the process of culling a million Indian house crowsWhy are hundreds of thousands of people in Lesotho now facing severe food insecurity ?And three journalists sentenced to years in prison after writing about corruption in Morocco released after pardons from King Mohammed VIPresenter: Audrey Brown
Producers : Blessing Aderogba in Lagos and Sunita Nahar in London
Technical Producer: Philip Bull
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

Jul 31, 2024 • 28min
Why were members of Uganda’s opposition party deported from Kenya?
Thirty-six members of Uganda’s opposition Forum for Democratic Change Katonga party - or FDC Katonga – were recently arrested in Kenya and taken back home to face terrorism charges. A party spokesperson insists they have done nothing wrong. So why were they in Kenya, and why have the Ugandan authorities detained them? Egyptian fencer Nada Hafez has competed at the Paris Olympics while seven months pregnant. A few online comments have called her participation irresponsible. What are the risks to performing in elite sport with a baby on the way? And it is almost a year since Nigeria’s flag designer died but he has still not been buried. Why has there been no action on plans for a state funeral?Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Rob Wilson, Yvette Twagiramariya and Joseph Keen in London. Blessing Aderogba in Lagos.
Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark
Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Jul 30, 2024 • 30min
What Ethiopia floating its currency means.
Ethiopia's recent move to float its currency has led to a dramatic 30% depreciation, raising concerns about the cost of living amidst ongoing economic challenges. Meanwhile, families in Katsina, Nigeria, are grappling with severe food scarcity and malnutrition, highlighting the emotional toll of hunger. On a brighter note, Senegal has successfully removed the Niocolo Cobar National Park from the endangered heritage list, thanks to dedicated conservation efforts. These stories encapsulate some of the pressing socio-economic issues facing Africa today.

Jul 29, 2024 • 35min
What is the suspect South African military camp training Libyans?
A large group of Libyans have been charged with visa violations after being arrested by South African police at an illegal military training camp. But how did the site, in Mpumalanga province, go undetected?African leaders have signed up to the first pan-African human rights legislation to address the unique challenges faced by persons with disabilities. Zambian musician John Chiti who was born with albinism and is visually impaired, says it means governments can now be held to account. And how the war in Sudan is destroying the country's ancient archaeological legacy, through the mass looting and destruction of historical and important artefacts.Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Rob Wilson and Joseph Keen in London; Frenny Jowi and Susan Gachuhi in Nairobi
Technical Producer: Jonny Hall
Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice MuthengiShow less

Jul 26, 2024 • 32min
Will Africa shine at the Paris Olympics?
Excitement builds as the Paris Olympics approach, showcasing Africa’s athletic prowess and cultural pride. Athletes from South Sudan inspire hope through basketball, while gender parity marks a historic moment at the Games. Meanwhile, Nigeria grapples with the devastating impacts of oil theft, prompting urgent calls for solutions. In Namibia, a housing crisis looms with a dire need for homes, prompting innovative approaches like using mushrooms for eco-friendly bricks, offering sustainable solutions for communities in need.

Jul 25, 2024 • 31min
Can the flow of arms into conflict-hit Sudan be stopped?
The international watchdog, Amnesty International, is calling for a nationwide arms embargo on Sudan after its investigation found that a constant flow of weapons is fuelling the devastating war. But how can the supply of arms be stopped?For the first time, sub Saharan Africa has seen a dramatic drop in new HIV infections compared to the rest of the world, so what is driving that success?And we hear from Gofa in southern Ethiopia, where there are fears that the death toll will continue to rise following the deadly landslides.Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Sunita Nahar and Yvette Twagiramariya in London; Frenny Jowi in Nairobi
Technical Producer: Nick Randell
Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Jul 24, 2024 • 32min
Why young people in Uganda are annoyed by corruption?
Dozens arrested in Uganda for involvement in banned anti-corruption protests. President Yoweri Museveni had warned before the event that protesters were "playing with fire".Sierra Leone jails 11 people over an alleged coup attempt, who are they and are all the cases concluded? ?And we meet Gabriella Ghermandi, the Ethiopian ethno-musicologist who is all for women’s empowerment Presenter: Charles GitongaProducers :Joseph Keen, Victor Sylver, Rob Wilson, Yvette Twagiramariya, Bella Hassan and Nyasha Michelle all in London.
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Technical Producer: Philip Bull
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.


