
Focus on Africa
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.
Latest episodes

Apr 21, 2025 • 29min
What was Pope Francis's relationship with Africa?
Pope Francis visited Africa multiple times and the continent has one of the fastest growing Catholic populations in the world. As tributes pour in after the announcement of his death, we hear from our Global Religion reporter on what his legacy will be in Africa.What's behind the deadly clashes between nomads and farmers in Nigeria's Benue and Plateau states?And why hearing loss is becoming a silent epidemic on the continent.Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Bella Hassan and Yvette Twagiramariya in London. Richard Kagoe and Frenny Jowi in Nairobi, and Blessing Aderogba in Lagos
Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark
Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Apr 18, 2025 • 38min
Humanitarians working in Sudan speak
Sudan is facing the largest humanitarian crisis globally. As the country’s civil war enters its third year, the United Nations and Non-Governmental organisations say it civilians are continuing to pay the price, due to inaction. Humanitarians, some in the country, share their experiences. Also, what is the International Parliamentary group known as IPAC, and is China pressurising foreign politicians in Africa to withdraw from it?And, is there freedom of worship for Christians in a majority muslim Somalia? Find out from a Christian leader.Presenter: Audrey Brown
Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne
Producers: Bella Hassan and Amie Liebowitz
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Apr 17, 2025 • 32min
Sudan’s rebel forces declare rival government
Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have declared the formation of a rival government in areas under their control, will that change the course of the civil war that is now entering its third year? Will former president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Joseph Kabila who is planning to return to country, help to find a solution to the conflict with M23 rebels? Why are Kenyan ants of interest to smugglers?Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Tom Kavanagh in London, and Blessing Aderogba in Lagos
Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne
Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

Apr 16, 2025 • 32min
Kidnappings increase in South Africa
An American pastor who was kidnapped by armed men during a church service in South Africa last week has been rescued following a "high-intensity shoot-out". Police say three people were killed. Josh Sullivan was found unharmed in the township in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape province. Why is South Africa facing a rise in kidnappings? Also, why are women still dying during pregnancy and childbirth in West Africa?And why is India carrying out naval exercises along the East African coast?Presenter: Audrey Brown
Technical Producer: Nick Randell
Producers: Bella Hassan and Sunita Nahar
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

Apr 15, 2025 • 34min
Will Africa benefit from rising gold prices?
Will African gold producers benefit from a surge in prices this year? There's been a price hike after the start of a global trade warAn inquest into the apartheid-era death of Nobel laureate Albert Luthuli reopens nearly 60 years laterPeople displaced by the Uganda oil pipeline complain that they ‘received inadequate compensation’Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers:
Focus on Africa Frenny Jowi, Charles Gitonga and Richard Kagoe in Nairobi, Tom Kavanagh and Victor Sylver in London and Blessing Aderogba in Lagos.
Technical Producer: Gabriel O'Regan
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Apr 14, 2025 • 32min
RSF takeover Zamzam camp in Darfur
The UN says more than 100 civilians, among them at least 20 children and a medical team, have been killed in a series of attacks in Sudan's western Darfur region. The attacks, on the city of el-Fasher and two nearby camps, Zamzam and Abu Shouk, have been blamed on the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). They say they've taken control of Zamzam, but denied reports of atrocities.Also, what's it like working in the uninhabited continent of Antartica?And what everyone should know about menopause.Presenter: Audrey Brown
Technical Producer: Pat Sissons
Producers: Patricia Whitehorne and Bella Hassan
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

Apr 11, 2025 • 32min
Rwanda asks UK to extradite genocide suspects
More than 30 years after the genocide in Rwanda, the country has asked Britain to extradite six suspects on UK soil. Can the suspects face trial in UK for the alleged crimes?As Gabon seeks to transition to a democratic system, could the coup’s mastermind General Brice Oligui Nguema win a presidential election?And why migratory birds that flock to Uganda maybe endangered. Presenter : Audrey Brown
Producers : Charles Gitonga and Frenny Jowi in Nairobi with Victor Sylver and Tom Kavanagh in London
Technical Producer: Pat Sissons
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Apr 10, 2025 • 31min
Former Gambian soldier trialled in the US
A former Gambian soldier, Michael Sang Correa, is standing trial in a US federal court in Denver, Colorado. Correa faces charges of torture and conspiracy to commit torture. Who is he and why is he being trialled in a US court?Also, what to do about the widespread use of artificial intelligence among university students in South Africa?And as Ghana's Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey steps into her role as Commonwealth Secretary-General, we explore the legacy of the past leader and the role of the organisationPresenter: Audrey Brown
Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne
Producers: Tom Kavanagh, Bella Hassan, Daniel Dadzie and Patricia Whitehorne
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp

Apr 9, 2025 • 30min
Can Tanzania benefit from US-China tariff wars ?
With US-China tariff wars escalating- how could Tanzania benefit?Is South Sudan on the verge of a return to civil war?And why a TV dating show in Ethiopia is causing controversy.Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Frenny Jowi in Nairobi, Tom Kavanagh, Nyasha Michelle and Patricia Whitehorne in London and Blessing Aderogba in Lagos.
Technical Producer: Pat Sissons
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Apr 8, 2025 • 26min
US cancels visas for South Sudanese nationals
The US this week announced that it would revoke the visas of all South Sudanese passport holders. This was in reaction, to the refusal by immigration authorities at Juba international airport to accept a deported individual. Who is the man at the heart of the dispute and what options does South Sudan have?Also, why campaigners in South Africa are concerned over the use of hazardous pesticides and worker safety on farmsAnd the Ivorian beauty pageant that has banned wigs and hair extensions. Is this a good idea or not? Presenter: Audrey Brown
Technical Producer: Philip Bull
Producers: Patricia Whitehorn and Bella Hassan in London. Daniel Dadzie in Ghana.
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
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