

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

Dec 5, 2022 • 27min
Is the political end nigh for Cyril Ramaphosa?
Is the writing on the wall for South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa after the ANC executive meet today to decide his fate and there are calls from within his party for his impeachment?Also, tear gas is used to disperse thousands of Sudanese who've taken to the streets of Khartoum and other towns following the opposition civilians saying they've signed a framework agreement with the military... Sudanese resistance movements accuse them of letting the coup leaders off the hook.Those stories and more in this podcast with Bola Mosuro.

Dec 5, 2022 • 20min
South Africa awaits Ramaphosa future
President Ramaphosa's presidency hangs in the balance following alleged misconduct in handling a theft at his farm; but what do South Africans think about this?Also, the Congolese Army has accused M23 rebels of killing around 50 civilians. Where does that leave the recently agreed truce?And can a man-made waterfall solve Cameroon's electricity problems?

Nov 30, 2022 • 30min
Embezzlement charges for ex-president's son in Mozambique
From Mozambique: The son of former president Armando Guebuza is on trial for embezzlement, money laundering and blackmail in the country's biggest financial scandal.We'll hear how an army base housing the Wagner Group's fighters in the Central African Republic was bombed.In South Sudan: A spike in premature births - and attempts to keep the infants alive.Those stories and more in this podcast with Audrey Brown.

Nov 24, 2022 • 25min
Ceasefire agreed in the DRC
Leaders from the Great Lakes region agree a ceasefire between the government of the DRC and M23.Also, Getachew Reda from the TPLF on the agreement they signed to end the war with Ethiopia.Plus, will this year’s budget kick-start Ghana’s stuttering economy?

Nov 23, 2022 • 34min
Why are Nigerians swapping their high-value banknotes?
Nigerians have to swap their current high-value banknotes for new ones by the end of January. Why the change?Also, we take a rare look at the workings of an elite Somali military unit fighting Al Shabab.Plus, from Harare - President Mnangagwa makes this year's state of the nation address in Zimbabwe's new parliamentary building.More on those stories in this podcast with Audrey Brown

Nov 11, 2022 • 23min
How did a well-known Pakistani journalist die in Kenya?
Conflicting reports on how a prominent Pakistani journalist died in Kenya. Kenyan police say he was shot. Islamabad says he was tortured as well. Who was he? And why was he in Nairobi?Also, the Somali government has shut down hundreds of social media accounts propagating the ideas of the militant group Al Shabaab.Plus, we'll hear how people in Cairo are dealing with toxic levels of air pollution.These stories and more in this podcast with Audrey Brown.

Nov 10, 2022 • 24min
Activists: Lobbyists threaten success of COP27 summit
Climate activists say fossil fuel lobbyists are threatening to derail genuine solutions to climate damage at the summit in Egypt.Meanwhile, there are massive fuel shortages in Malawi.And we meet the South Africa woman behind the "Future GhettoPunk" Music, Moonchild Sanelly.These stories and more in this podcast with Audrey Brown.

Nov 9, 2022 • 28min
France ends operations in the Sahel
President Emmanuel Macron of France ends his country's anti-jihadist military operations in the Sahel... But why will some troops remain?Also, Nigeria's anti-drugs agency warns that smugglers are using new strategies to get narcotics into the country.And poetry from the Gambia.Those stories and more in this podcast with Audrey Brown.

Nov 3, 2022 • 30min
Ethiopia special: After warring sides agree truce, what next?
On the eve of the second anniversary of the outbreak of Ethiopia’s civil war, we take a close look at the genesis of the conflict between the central federal government and Tigrayan rebels, and assess the prospects for lasting peace after both sides agree a deal to end the fighting.

Nov 1, 2022 • 26min
More tensions between the DRC and Rwanda
Tensions rise further between the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighbouring Rwanda over M23 attacks. Both nations trade more accusations about supporting rebel groups and a diplomatic offensive deepens.Also, the parents of the Gambian babies and toddlers who say their children died from contaminated cough syrup are outraged by the latest findings.And a special BBC investigation asks if Moroccan border guards were responsible for the deaths of African migrants in June.More on those stories in this podcast with Bola Mosuro.


