

Focus on Africa
BBC World Service
Three 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 Audrey Brown. Five days a week, ready by late afternoon, Monday to Friday.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 22, 2025 • 32min
Exploring Africa-Japan trade ties
Japan has pledged to work more closely with African countries at global summit on economic development. How can Africa benefit from stronger ties with Japan?The former prime minister of Chad is facing a 20-year prison term after being convicted of hate speech, xenophobia and having incited a massacre. Who is Succès Masra and what sparked the intercommunal violence that led to the charges against him?And did you know there are four distinct species of the African giraffe? We find out why that discovery is important for conservation.Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Tom Kavanagh, Sunita Nahar, Nyasha Michelle and Stefania Okereke
Technical Producer: Pat Sissons
Senior Journalist: Patricia Whitehorne
Editors: Maryam Abdalla, Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

Aug 21, 2025 • 29min
Uganda to take deported migrants from USA
Uganda agrees a deal with the United States to take in failed asylum seekers provided they are not minors or people with criminal recordsHow does Zambia plan to tackle a gold rush that turned violent?And why are gulper sharks under threat off the coast of Somalia’s Puntland statePresenter Audrey Brown
Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Stefania Okereke and Priya Sippy in London. Charles Gitonga in Nairobi.
Technical producer: Philip Bull
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Maryam Abdalla, Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi are our editors. I'm Audrey Brown. We'll talk again next time.

Aug 20, 2025 • 28min
Increased concerns over missing Ethiopia journalists
Two prominent journalists in Ethiopia, Abdulsemed Mohammed and Yonas Amare, have been missing for more than a week after being abducted by what reports say, were men wearing masks and military uniforms. There has been no news about their whereabouts but their disappearances have raised concerns about a crackdown on media freedom in the country. Aid agencies warn that a surge in the number of people with the respiratory illness diphtheria is becoming 'the most urgent and dangerous threat' to public health in Somalia. Why are cases of the disease increasing?And how the conflict on the ground in Sudan is affecting migratory birds in the sky.Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Tom Kavanagh and Nyasha Michelle in London. Richard Kagoe in Nairobi
Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne
Senior Journalist: Patricia Whitehorne
Editors: Maryam Abdalla, Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

Aug 19, 2025 • 32min
DRC M23 miss peace deal deadline
M23 rebels say they will not return to peace talks in Doha unless the DRC government agrees to its demands. Are the talks dead in the water?Could climate change be creating child brides in Malawi?And we learn about the role of matrilineal leadership in everyday Ghana.Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Priya Sippy and Stefania Okereke in London
Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Maryam Abdalla, Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.

Aug 18, 2025 • 31min
Can South Africa's national dialogue help solve its problems?
South Africa's President, Cyril Ramaphosa has launched a national dialogue called “uniting voices, shaping the nation". It's an ambitious plan to confront its most pressing challenges and unite a nation still wrestling with the legacy of apartheid, deep inequality, and mounting political tension. Critics say it's been rushed. So, will it work? Also, the Ugandan ex-military men arrested for allegedly wanting to fight in the Russian-Ukraine conflictAnd the African Union backs a campaign to end the use of a 16th-century map in favour of one that more accurately displays the size of the continent. We'll hear from someone campaigning for change.Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Tom Kavanagh, Mark Wilberforce and Nyasha Michelle in London. Charles Gitonga and Jewel Kiriungi in Nairobi.
Technical Producer: Pat Sissons
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Maryam Abdalla and Reza Asadi

Aug 15, 2025 • 33min
Nigeria negotiates $346m arms deal with US
The US government has approved a $346m arms deal with Nigeria which would include munitions, precision bombs and precision rockets. What is behind the change in a decade-long US policy about selling certain kinds of weapons to Nigeria?The mining of gold has been a key factor of Sudan's economy, and now it is a major source of funding of the two-year civil war. We look back at its history in Sudan, and how the war is driving demand.And one year on since Ghana's parliament passed its landmark Affirmative Action (Gender Equality) Act, which was hailed as a victory for women's rights, how have things changed?Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Tom Kavanagh, Nyasha Michelle and Stefania Okereke in London. Charles Gitonga in Nairobi
Technical Producer: Philip Bull
Senior Journalist: Patricia Whitehorne
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Aug 14, 2025 • 32min
The Gambia: Why was a baby girl cut?
There's been outrage in The Gambia following the death of a one-month-old baby girl. Reports suggest she was a victim of female genital mutilation (FGM). Although FGM is outlawed in the country, it's a deeply rooted cultural practice that authorities are battling. Three women have been arrested in connection with the incident.Also, France's president Emmanuel Macron acknowledges France used "repressive violence" against Cameroonians during and after colonial rule.And how did a Martian meteorite from Niger end up at an auction?Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Makuochi Okafor in Lagos. Bella Hassan and Tom Kavanagh in London
Technical Producer: Gabriel O'Regan
Senior Journalist: Yvette Twagiramariya
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Maryam Abdalla

Aug 13, 2025 • 39min
Sudan's conflict: The impact on children
The ongoing war in Sudan and limited access to humanitarian aid has led to starvation amongst those left behind. The United Nations says children are being "reduced to skin and bones." We'll hear from people within the country. Also, are Kenya's dreams of becoming a footballing superpower in jeopardy? And how are young African scientists using Charles Darwin’s historical voyage to protect species on the continent?Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Tom Kavanagh, Patricia Whitehorne and Stefania Okereke in London. Jewel Kiriungi and Charles Gitonga in Nairobi.
Technical Producer: Chris Ablakwa
Senior Journalist: Yvette Twagiramariya
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Aug 12, 2025 • 34min
Mali: Another alleged attempted coup
Dozens of soldiers have been arrested in Mali accused of plotting to topple the country's military leaders, sources say. The wave of arrests reflect tension within the military government. The authorities have not yet commented on the arrests. We'll hear analysis.Also, more than 400 people have died and over 6,000 have been affected following a cholera outbreak in Sudan's Darfur region. What are the challenges when it comes to dealing with an epidemic within IDP camps? And how and why an AI generated model sparked international debate? We hear from the creators.Presenter: Richard Kagoe
Producers: Bella Hassan, Mark Wilberforce and Nyasha Michelle in London. Makuochi Okafor in Lagos.
Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Aug 11, 2025 • 33min
Activists block foreigners from South African hospitals
Doctors Without Borders and other NGOs have raised concerns about anti-migrant groups preventing non-South Africans from accessing healthcare services. The South African government has called on all communities to uphold the rule of law, respect human dignity. So why are activists blocking health clinics and hospitals?
The African Union sends a delegation to South Sudan to encourage the warring sides in the country to revive a 2018 peace deal and pave the way for elections. Can they bring both sides back to the table?
And as Africa Fashion Week London comes to an end, how can African fashion leverage its global appeal?Presenter: Richard Kagoe
Producers: Tom Kavanagh and Stefania Okereke
Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne
Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi