Focus on Africa

BBC World Service
undefined
Oct 9, 2025 • 37min

Madagascar: President asks for year to resolve problems

Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina has asked for one year to fix the country's challenges, promising that if they persist, he will resign. He said this during a town-hall style meeting at his palace with various groups of government supporters. Many attendees had the opportunity to ask the president questions or simply share their views. We hear analysis.Also, South Africa’s highest court rules that all parents of newborns, will now be entitled to equal parental leave.And renewable energy overtakes coal as the world's leading source of electricity. What's the impact on African countries? Presenter: Karnie Sharp Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Stefania Okereke and Tanya Hines Technical Producer: Frank McWeeny Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Karnie Sharp
undefined
Oct 8, 2025 • 28min

Eswatini accepts 10 US deportees

Eswatini accepts 10 more US deportees, despite rights groups in the southern African state mounting legal action to block the plan. We ask what has the Eswatini government got in return?Nigeria's Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaj, resigns after allegations that he forged his academic credentials.And nurses and midwives protest in Ghana for not being paid their salaries for nearly ten monthsPresenter: Nyasha Michelle Producers: Mark Wilberforce, Patricia Whitehorne, Alfonso Daniels and Bella Hassan Senior producer: Sunita Nahar Technical Producer: Nick Randell Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
undefined
Oct 7, 2025 • 37min

Darfur: Militia leader convicted of war crimes

A Sudanese militia leader has been found guilty of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Darfur region more than 20 years ago. Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman, also known as Ali Kushayb, is the first person to be tried by the International Criminal Court for the atrocities in Darfur. We get analysis.Also, what's Africa's reaction to the appointment of the Anglican church's first female Archbishop of Canterbury?And why are Egyptian children being arrested for online gaming?Presenter: Nyasha Michelle Producers: Patricia Whitehorne, Tanya Hines, Stefania Okereke, Mark Wilberforce and Saleck Zeid in London Technical Producer: Pat Sissons Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
undefined
Oct 6, 2025 • 34min

Ghana: Why are children dying in boarding schools?

Nearly a decade ago in Ghana, 15-year-old Kevin Moses died at Achimota High School. In a landmark ruling last year, Ghana’s High Court found the school negligent for Kevin's death. The school has appealed that decision. Between May 2023 and February 2024, six students died while in boarding school. Why are children dying in schools in Ghana? Also, we hear differing views on what caused the recent floods in Sudan. And how Nigeria's Green Falcons could become the first African team to qualify for the Women's Rugby League World Cup?Presenter: Nyasha Michelle Producers: Patricia Whitehorne, Piers Edwards and Stefania Okereke in London Senior Journalist: Yvette Twagiramariya Technical Producer: Pat Sissons Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
undefined
Oct 3, 2025 • 28min

Can Botswana continue to depend on its diamond industry?

In an exclusive interview with the BBC's Waihiga Mwaura, Botswana's President Duma Boko, outlines his plan to reduce his country's reliance on the diamond industry amid falling global demand, and how he is pushing for a 0% tariff deal with the US.Guinea is showing signs of economic progress under the military-led regime. What is driving the country's economic growth?And more than 200 million people worldwide are infected by schistosomiasis - also known as bilharzia - which is a disease caused by parasitic worms. The majority of those affected live in sub-Saharan Africa. How can the disease be prevented?Presenter: Nyasha Michelle Producers: Sunita Nahar, Mark Wilberforce and Stefania Okereke in London. Makuochi Okafor was in Nairobi Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Technical Producer: Pat Sissons Editors: Maryam Abdalla, Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
undefined
Oct 2, 2025 • 28min

Morocco's Gen Z protests rise and spread

Violent clashes, arrests and deaths during Morocco’s GenZ 212 protestsWhy Senegal's fishermen are blaming a BP natural gas project for lack of fishAnd Nigeria's First Lady raises $13million for national library – but why has it taken so long?Presenter : Nyasha Michelle Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Mark Wilberforce, Bella Hassan and Joseph Keen in London. Makuochi Okafor was in Lagos. Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Pat Sissons Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.
undefined
Oct 1, 2025 • 30min

Ex-DRC president sentenced to death

The former president of the Democratic Republic of Congo is sentenced to death in absentia for crimes against humanity, treason and backing the Rwandan-supported M23 rebels in eastern Congo. The court has ordered his arrest, but his whereabouts remain unknown We look at the man and his life.Also in the programme: Officials in Namibia have deployed hundreds of soldiers to battle a fire that has ravaged a third of the key nature reserve, Etosha National Park.And we speak to a woman who suffered a heart attack, and we find how such attacks can be prevented.Presenter Nyasha Michelle Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Mark Wilberforce and Ayub Ilia Senior Producer: Sunita Nahar Technical Producer: Philip Bull Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
undefined
Sep 30, 2025 • 33min

AGOA: US-Africa trade deal set to expire

AGOA: Why is a vital US-Africa trade deal set to expire? And why will women be more affected?Oil workers go on strike at Dangote Refinery in Nigeria following dismissal of hundreds of staff.And professional boxing suspended in Ghana following the death of two boxers in 6 months.Presenter Nyasha Michelle Producers: Tanya Hines, Joseph Keen ,Yvette Twagiramariya, Stefania Okereke, Bella Hassan and Patricia Whitehorne in London Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Philip Bull Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
undefined
Sep 29, 2025 • 31min

Why is Gen Z protesting in Madagascar?

Authorities in Madagascar impose a curfew in the capital, Antananarivo, after protests over frequent power and water shortages turn violent. As the police continue to patrol the streets, we ask whether the government has improved conditions in the country?Also in the programme: The Island of Seychelles, one of the richest countries in Africa, holds a re-run of the presidential elections after the first secured no outright winner.And two years on from the earthquake in Morocco, what kind of support have survivors received from the government?Presenter: Nyasha Michelle Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Bella Hassan, Jewel Kiriungi, Joseph Keen Senior Producer: Sunita Nahar Technical Producer: Philip Bull Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
undefined
Sep 26, 2025 • 35min

Who is Malawi's old next President?

Malawi re-elects former President Peter Mutharika. At 85. How did he beat other contenders?What's life like in Bunagana town along Uganda's recently reopened border with rebel held eastern DR CongoNigerian women push for more female MPs. Does reserving seats for women in parliament help ? Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Mark Wilberforce, Nyasha Michelle and Stefania Okereke Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Ricardo McCarthy Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

The AI-powered Podcast Player

Save insights by tapping your headphones, chat with episodes, discover the best highlights - and more!
App store bannerPlay store banner
Get the app