Focus on Africa

Zimbabweans are once again experiencing triple-digit inflation, ahead of August’s presidential election. We look at the state of the economy, which is once again a huge point of contention ahead of the vote.Plus, as soldiers from Morocco and Israel carry out joint drills for the first time we examine what the two countries are hoping to get out of their new kinship.And after many of us were gripped by the search for the Titan submersible, we speak to the Egyptian man who holds the record for the world’s deepest scuba dive.

We discuss the living legacy of Ghanaian author and champion of women's rights Ama Ata Aidoo, who died recently at the age of 81 with journalist Dr Sharihan Al-Akhras. Also in the pod: we discuss with journalist Mark Lobel the story of a young man who was trafficked to London for an illegal organ donation operation.And Serge Stroobants, from the Institute for Economics and Peace's tells us why 2022 was the "worst year in conflict, this century".

As the Kremlin sends the Wagner boss to Belarus following a dramatic weekend in Russia, what happens to the thousands of Wagner mercenaries serving in Africa? We discuss three possible scenarios with Senior Analyst for the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime, Julia StanyardAlso in the pod: How disposing of plastics without care can end up clogging up drains and causing floodsAnd, we speak with Luis Munana from the acclaimed Netflix series Young, African and Famous

We look at how clan affiliations which cross national borders have set the tone for the recent fighting which has engulfed Sudan.Plus, as the US dollar becomes more expensive for many African countries, could some be poised to abandon it?And we look at the exhibition bringing the migration stories of African women to the Venice Biennale.

We focus on Ciyaal Weero, the Mogadishu gangs terrorising residents of Somalia's capital. They emerged in outlying districts of the city in late 2021, and have been using extreme violence to rob and extort people.Plus, we speak to the lawyer who represented the family of a Nigerian man who died whilst being restrained by police in Switzerland in 2018, after all of the officers in question were acquitted over his death.And we catch up with South Africa’s Nandi Madida to talk about how she’s using her radio show to promote African artists.

Italy's former PM Silvio Berlusconi died on 12th June. Known for his lavish spending on Milan football club and his tumultuous relationship with Italian justice, the late media magnate had also a lesser-known passion: relaxing in Malindi. He was once quoted saying that he just 'could not get enough of the Kenyan coast'. Today, Malindi attracts European tourists, particularly Italians. A former manager of the super-luxury hotel Lion in the Sun, where Berlusconi stayed, reveals how the once fishing village became a destination cherished by Italians, including the late Silvio Berlusconi.Also in the pod: as politicians and investors meet in Kenya to discuss how to harness renewable energy in Africa, a young policy adviser from Kenya tells us why she believes that wind energy has a promising futureAnd two young Sierra Leoneans discuss the importance of voting in this year's presidential elections

Sierra Leone is experiencing election fever ahead of its fifth election since the end of a brutal civil war in 2002. More than three million voters are expected to choose the next president, parliamentarians and local councillors. And in the pod: A new report into human trafficking states that the number of boys caught up in the system has risen sharply. Why is this?Also: we speak to Bogolo Joy Kenewendo. Not so long ago she was one of the youngest government ministers in Africa. How did she make her presence felt in the corridors of power in Botswana?

Mali's ruling military junta held a constitutional referendum on Sunday, but turnout was around 27%, with many people refusing to take part. We look at what was on the table, and what the outcome could mean in terms of the return to democracy.Plus, as South Africa takes a step towards making universal healthcare a reality, we speak to the head of the country's National Health Insurance about why some people aren't happy about the situation.And we speak to the director of a museum in Nigeria preparing to receive some of the Benin Bronzes looted during the days of British colonialism, about why returning the artefacts home is important.

Nine Egyptian nationals suspected of involvement in the sinking of a boat carrying hundreds of migrants off the Greek coast last week have pleaded not guilty after appearing in court. The men were arrested on suspicion of people smuggling and other offences following the disaster, which saw at least 78 people killed. We talk to someone who has been involved in migrant boat rescue missions in the Mediterranean Sea.Also in the pod: The effect of power shortages on South Africa's water supply.And 10 years of K-Pop in Africa.

As African leaders visit Ukraine and Russia to help negotiate peace , we ask what unique perspectives they can bring to succeed where others have failed.Also in the pod: can you really buy your way out of a climate catastrophe? Our Environment Correspondent tells us why buying carbon credits could be insufficient at preventing overshooting our global temperature targets.And, as Belgium refurbishes a museum holding African artefacts, we reignite a conversation between two young Congolese activists on the future of African artefacts taken during the colonial past.