

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

Oct 1, 2024 • 28min
DR Congo appeals to the UN
The newly appointed Foreign Minister of the DR Congo, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, tells Focus on Africa, the crisis faced in her country is an international not a regional one. We'll get the details from the BBC's Wahiga Mwaura.Also we'll hear from a member of Eswatini's opposition party after an alleged poisoning attempt on their leader.And why illegal lithium mining is on the rise in Nigeria.Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Rob Wilson in London and Blessing Aderogba in Lagos
Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Sep 30, 2024 • 32min
Devastating impact of cocaine on Cape Verde
BBC Africa Eye investigates how some sailors were tricked into smuggling cocaine to Cape Verde. We’ll also meet the rap artist and former cocaine addict who is helping addicts
Why South Sudan lawyers are challenging the postponement of elections in court
Plus, harrowing tales of the conditions young Kenyan doctors operate underPresenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Bella Hassan, Nyasha Michelle and Rob Wilson in London with Frenny Jowi in Nairobi.
Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Sep 27, 2024 • 32min
Inside the Sudan war with the Sudanese army
The leader of the Sudanese army has told UN General Assembly in New York, that a peace deal depends on the paramilitary Rapid Support Force laying down their arms. The army has also launched a major offensive in the capital Khartoum, targeting areas in the hands of RSF. The BBC's Barbara Plett has got rare access to Sudan. She's accompanied the army to some areas and reports on the how the war is devastating lives.Also, was there an attempted coup in Benin, and by whom? And the remains of South African anti apartheid freedom fighters who died whilst in exile, are returned home for proper burial.Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Victor Sylver and Rob Wilson in London
Technical Producer: Chris Ablakwa
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Ediros: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

Sep 26, 2024 • 32min
Kenya: ‘excessive force’ used during protests
Kenyan police are alleged to have used unlawful force during protests in June. How African countries benefit from having satellites in spaceAnd Ethiopia finally launches a stock market. Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Frenny Jowi and Charles Gitonga in Nairobi. Bella Hassan and Nyasha Michelle in London.
Technical producer : Nick Randell
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga.
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Sep 25, 2024 • 35min
Why is galamsey such a big deal in Ghana?
A coalition of civil society organizations, labor unions, media outlets and religious leaders in Ghana have intensified pressure on the government to act decisively against illegal mining, known as galamsey. What impact does galamsey have on the country? Also, an appeal from Amnesty International to release four activists detained in Angola. There's concern over their detriorating health. We'll hear from the wife of one of those detained. And a challenge to the organisers of Fashion Week in Nigeria..to add plus size models to the catwalk!Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Rob Wilson in London. Frenny Jowi in Nairobi and Todah Opeyemi in Lagos.
Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Sep 24, 2024 • 30min
Why the opposition in Tanzania is concerned by abductions?
The Tanzanian opposition is concerned by abductions in the country they suggest are meant to cower the opposition. The Zimbabwe plans to cull at least 200 elephants. The meat will be used to feed hungry people. So what are the challenges and advantages of eating elephant meat?And why did Botswana's ex-president return home to face trial. Does he have other plans afoot?Presenter :Charles Gitonga
Producers: Nyasha Michelle, Bella Hassan and Patricia Whitehorne in London and Blessing Aderogba in Lagos.
Technical producer: Chris Ablakwa
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Sep 23, 2024 • 33min
What the gender equity bill means for women in Ghana
We hear reaction from Ghana where President Nana Akufo Addo signed the gender equality bill. Women's rights advocates are calling for the immediate implementation of the nearly 30-year-old bill.Also, what is the legacy of Ali Bongo, the disposed president of Gabon? The former head of state has in a letter, announced he has quit politics.And how the demand for frankincense is promoting poor harvesting methods in countries like Ethiopia and Somalia.Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Rob Wilson, Stefania Okereke, Nyasha Michelle and Frenny Jowi
Technical Producer: Ricardo McCarthy
Senior Producer: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Sep 20, 2024 • 31min
Why Nigeria risks floods from waters released by Cameroon
Nigeria warns of massive potential flooding after neighbouring Cameroon releases dam waters. Why has Nigeria failed to construct a buffer dam over the years?We look at cybersecurity and its best practice in AfricaAnd why is Hungary sending soldiers to Chad? Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Blessing Aderogba, Charles Gitonga, Rob Wilson, Patricia Whitehorne and Bella Hassan
Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Sep 19, 2024 • 30min
The abduction of children in South Sudan
Over one thousand children are feared still missing in Pibor, South Sudan. An initiative is now underway to try and reunite abducted children with their families. Over the past few weeks, around 200 of them have been brought back home. But why are they being abducted and by whom? Also why did thousands of young people attempt to cross the border between Morocco and Ceuta, in the northern part of the continent over the weekend? And did you know that Ceuta is still a Spanish territory? And why has South Africa's famous son, Elon Musk still not agreed a deal with the South African government and his company, Starlink? Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Rob Wilson, Yvette Twagiramariya and Stefania Okereke
Technical Producer: Nick Randell
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Alice Mutehngi and Andre Lombard

Sep 18, 2024 • 28min
Why is Ghana's opposition demanding a voters roll audit ?
Ahead of knife-edge December elections there are demands for an independent forensic audit of the voter register. The electoral commission says it is not needed. Why is the opposition party NDC adamant?Communities in Guinea welcome the return of land taken from them violently by previous governmentsAfrica's future is urban- we explore what's behind the growth of megacities on the continent?Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Sunita Nahar, Bella Hassan, Yvette Twagiramariya, Kaine Pieri and Nyasha Michelle in London.
Technical Producer: Nick Randell
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi