Focus on Africa

Alfonso Daniels, BBC journalist who covered Namibia’s Samherji fish scandal, and Liesl Lowe Vondron, African Union adviser at the International Crisis Group. They discuss why Egypt and Morocco were tapped for Trump’s new Board of Peace. They also cover the Samherji leaks, the whistleblower’s first public account, and the broader fallout for Namibia’s fishing industry.

Cocoa farmers in Ghana are disgruntled over delayed payments from the state regulator - COCOBOD. The farmers say the delay is endangering investments for the next farming season. Ghana, which is the world's second largest cocoa producer, changed the system through which farmers receive their payments in an attempt to reduce reliance on debt. And we hear from Giel Malual and John Kuei - the two South Sudanese men who have just completed a walk across the length of mainland UK to raise awareness about the war in Sudan, and mobilise donations to build schools for young refugees displaced by the conflict.Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Bella Twine, Keikantse Shumba, Chiamaka Dike, Blessing Aderogba and Patricia Whitehorne Technical Producer: Maxwell Onyango Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

Around the world, more women are choosing to delay motherhood. In countries like Italy, Spain and South Korea, the average age of first-time mothers has risen to around 32. While many African countries still have some of the youngest ages of first-time mothers - a shift is also happening in parts of continent. So, what’s behind this change?Focus on Africa: The Conversation host, Nkechi Ogbonna spoke with Vanessa Tloubatla, from South Africa, who became a mother at the age of 46; and Barbara Mugeni from Uganda who had her third child at the age of 45.Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Carolyne Kiambo and Fana Negash Technical Producer: Maxwell Onyango Senior Producer: Priya Sippy Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

In this insightful discussion, Martin Mwangi, a BBC Monitoring contributor focused on the Sahel, provides a gripping analysis of recent jihadist attacks that have claimed many lives in Niger's Tillaberi region. He highlights the factors fueling violence, including weak governance and militant groups like the Islamic State. Meanwhile, Professor Sinfri Makoni, a South African linguist, explores how accents influence social perception and opportunities. He delves into the complexities of accent changes and their implications for identity and power dynamics.

Helen Oyibo, BBC reporter with on-the-ground Ogoniland coverage. Hilda Baraza, researcher on AI sovereignty and policy in Africa. They discuss who controls AI infrastructure and policy across the continent. They report on Nigeria’s plans to resume drilling in Ogoniland and the enduring environmental and community impacts.

A recent report by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime reveals that a third of cocaine consumed in Europe is transported via West Africa. Since 2019, the region has become a key global hub for cocaine smuggling from Latin America to markets in Europe and Asia, according to the organisation. We look at how the region gained this reputation as a hub of global trafficking. Also Uganda, Tanzania and Ethiopia are among African countries where internet blackouts have been witnessed recently. We explore the technologies and techniques that youth in these countries are using to stay online.Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Keikantse Shumba, Bella Twine, Chiamaka Dike and Blessing Aderogba Technical Producer: Maxwell Onyango Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

In this episode, we look back at the Africa Cup of Nations, where Senegal edged hosts Morocco in extra-time in a dramatic final. We explore the key moments and what they reveal about African football’s future.We also investigate a darker story: Across West Africa, criminal gangs are luring young people with fake overseas jobs. BBC Africa Eye follows Interpol’s anti-trafficking unit in Sierra Leone and a father searching for his missing children.Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Keikantse Shumba and Bella Twine Technical Producer: Maxwell Onyango Senior Producer: Blessing Aderogba Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

Think back to when you were younger, what did you want to do when you grew up? A recent study in Kenya found that many young people would choose to be a TikToker or a YouTuber over a more conventional career, like a doctor or a lawyer.Nowadays, content creators have become as influential as athletes and artists, but while Africa’s content creator ecosystem is growing rapidly, more than half of the continent’s creators earn less than $70 a month.Focus on Africa: The Conversation host Charles Gitonga sat down with Chef Abbys - a Ghanaian TikToker with millions of followers - to find out what it takes to make it big in the industry.Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Fana Negash and Carolyne Kiambo Senior Producer: Priya Sippy Technical Producer: Terry Chege Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

A discussion of how the US, China and Russia compete for influence across African countries. Case studies look at mineral diplomacy in the DRC, Chinese infrastructure and cultural projects in Zambia, and Russian military ties in the Central African Republic. The conversation highlights trade deals, debt dynamics and security partnerships shaping local politics.

Somalia has accused the United Arab Emirates of undermining its sovereignty, including allegedly facilitating Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, which Somalia considers part of its territory. In response, Mogadishu has canceled all agreements with the UAE, from ports to defence, raising questions about trade and security. We then turn to Botswana, following a recent visit by American YouTuber IShowSpeed to the Diamond Trading Centre in Gaborone, where he held a rough diamond and asked if he could buy it. Botswana’s diamonds are a major part of national wealth, but acquiring them in raw form is strictly regulated. We explore what you need to know about these gems. Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Ayuba Iliya, Keikantse Shumba, Bella Twine Senior Producer: Blessing Aderogba Technical Producer: Terry Chege Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla