Focus on Africa

Nigerian students to get interest free loans for higher education. Thanks to President Bola Tinubu's new student loan bill. How will it work in practice?Also in the pod: There has been a furious reaction in Egypt to Netflix’s recently released “Queen Cleopatra” miniseries. We look at why many in the country are upset that a black actor was cast in the leading role.And American pop diva Beyonce on a global tour but why isn’t Africa part of her world?

How Nigeria's decision to drop a decades-long fuel subsidy scheme has impacted petrol prices in neighbouring Benin. Also in the pod: six years since the BBC uncovered a sex for grades scandal, Nigerian lawmakers have passed a bill to fight sexual harassment in universities.And the president of Uganda was a recent target of disinformation. We find out what happened and give some tips as to how you also can spot false information online.

The Kenyan government is reconsidering a controversial tax change that widens the tax base to include social media influencers and cryptocurrency holders. It's not the only country proposing drastic changes. Opponents of these changes are alarmed saying that this is coming when the cost of living is very high. Also in the pod: South Sudan is facing the fallout from the conflict in neighbouring Sudan. There are fears that the war in Sudan will have a regional impact as more people seek refuge. And... Tackling the pain of a loved one's dementia Elizabeth Mutunga shares her pain and what she's done about it.

The European Union offers to help Tunisia with accessing IMF loans, but in exchange it expects the north African country to gatekeep migrants.Also in the pod: With the BRICS Summit coming up soon, why is South Africa finding it so difficult to keep a neutral stance with Russia? We take a deep-dive in the historical relations between Russia and South AfricaAnd... We hear from a Ghanaian writer and pastor's wife who is rewriting the script about women and sexuality

What is behind this week's deadly fuel protests in Angola? Several people were killed in Huambo, as taxi drivers demonstrated against a sharp rise in petrol prices.In Nigeria: calls for an investigation into the mystery of a vanishing plane.And a chat with Uganda's first wildlife vet Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka. What does she do and why did she choose that career?

Kenya and Nigeria are top targets of cybersecurity breaches in Africa, according to a recent report. The co-Founder of Nairobi's AfricaHackon Security tells us why cyber attacks in Africa are on the up.Also in the pod: Our co-host Richard Kagoe takes a look at how climate change and unending conflict are fueling a humanitarian crisis in the Sahel region.And with Kenya proposing to convert a place infamous for hosting a deadly cult into a memorial site, we ask what exactly is a cult and - could you also be drawn into one?

Racism in football: Last month monkey chants were hurled at Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr during a match, we hear from a member of Fifa's now disbanded Anti-Racism taskforce. Why is this a hard issue to deal with?Also in the pod: June 7 is designated by the African Union as African border day? What does this mean?And Chido Mpemba the AU's Special Envoy for Youth Affairs tells us what are her priorities.

Dakar's time of reckoning. Following days of violent protests triggered by the sentencing of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, the city counts its victims.Also in the pod: Does ChatGPT speak your language? We speak to the people expanding the language capabilities of machine learning systems. And we discuss ‘brain drain’ from the continent with two Ghanaian nurses who are currently working in the UK

Many postgraduate students, including those from Africa, will lose the right to bring their families with the recent UK Immigration rules change. Audrey Brown unpacks the effects on prospective students.Also in the pod: Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni says an attack late last month on the Ugandan peacekeeping mission in Somalia left over 50 soldiers dead. Al-Shabaab claims they killed many more. How will it affect Uganda - and the reputation of the army?And going back to my roots. A British Somali journalist goes home for the first time. How does she reconcile the two very different aspects of living in present day Mogadishu- the positive and the ever present threat of danger.

Sudan what next after the US imposes sanctions on the waring factions?Also, the latest from the political crisis in Senegal.Plus, the Gambia's economic crisis, a warning of debt distress.And our Resident Presidents have got something to tell us.Those stories in this the final edition of the Africa Today Podcast, produced and presented by Esau Williams.