

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

May 6, 2024 • 29min
East Africa Floods: Have governments done enough?
Hundreds of people have been killed and thousands remain displaced across east Africa. Kenya and Tanzania escaped major damage from cyclone Hidaya, over the weekend, but they remain at risk of further flooding and landslides. Have governments done enough?Also why has the place of birth been removed from the passports of a group of people born in the Chagos Islands?And what's going on between Wizkid and Davido?Presenter: Daniel Dadzie
Producers: Audrey Brown, Bella Hassan and Charles Gitonga
Technical Producer: Phillip Bull
Senior Producer: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

May 3, 2024 • 26min
Why are US soldiers leaving Chad?
The U.S. has withdrawn its troops from Chad, this follows a similar move in neighbouring Niger. The head of the US Africa Command says it was "temporary repositioning" of troops. What does he mean and how damaging is this to global security interests?Also why is there growing concern for the safety of children in South Africa?And cyclone Hidaya is expected to make landfall on the East African Coast, affecting mainly the already flooded countries of Tanzania and Kenya. How prepared are they?Presenter: Richard Kagoe
Producers: Charles Gitonga, Bella Hassan, Richard Kagoe and Paul Bakibinga
Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

May 2, 2024 • 30min
Why has an arrest warrant been issued for CAR's ex-president?
A UN-backed special court has issued an international arrest warrant for the former president of the Central African Republic, François Bozizé. This is in connection with an investigation into his alleged involvement in crimes against humanity committed by soldiers in a prison between 2009 and 2013. We'll get the details.Also why are gunmen guarding cocoa crops in Uganda?And a big victory for a small indigenous community in South Africa, who won a Goldman Environmental Prize for standing up to a multinational company.Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Rob Wilson, Charles Gitonga, Paul Bakibinga.
Senior Producer: Karnie Sharp
Technical Producer: Nick Randell
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

May 1, 2024 • 31min
Why is there International concern about Al-Fashir in Sudan?
The U.S. has warned of a looming potential "large scale massacre" in Al-Fashir, a city in Sudan. The United Nations says it's also concerned about a possible imminent attack. What's going on? Also state TV in Mali says the senior IS commander, Abu Huzeifa, who had a 5 million dollar bounty on his head has been killed by troops from Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. Who was he and why is his death being seen as significant? And we meet the award winning Cameroonian conservationist saving manatees.Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Victor Sylver, Rob Wilson, Patricia Whitehorne, Bella Hassan and Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Apr 30, 2024 • 36min
Kenya Floods: Why wasn't Nairobi better prepared and will President Ruto declare a state of emergency?
More than 160 people are now known to have been killed by weeks of flooding in Kenya following torrential rain, that's according to officials. We'll hear from the Kenyan President, William Ruto.Also former UK diplomat, Tim Cole, says it's time to reset London's relationship with Africa. What would that new relationship look like? And we meet young Africans pushing the boundaries of representation in the gaming industry!Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Charles Gitonga, Bella Hassan, Patricia Whitehorn, Nyasha Michelle and Rob Wilson
Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer
Senior Producer: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Apr 29, 2024 • 37min
How do South Africans feel as they mark 30 years of democracy?
It is 30 years since South Africa held its first democratic elections. Three decades on, is it hope or gloom for the 'rainbow nation'?Also did a national emergency against sexual violence set up 5 years ago, make any difference in Sierra Leone?And we meet the Ghanaian artist Ibrahim Mahama, using cloth to wrap up the brutalist Barbican centre in London and revealing a hidden history. Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Rob Wilson, Patricia Whitehorne, Nyasha Michelle and Paul Bakibinga
Editors :Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Apr 26, 2024 • 31min
Alleged killings by Burkina Faso's military: What does the HRW report say?
More than 220 civilians, including at least 56 children, were massacred by Burkina Faso's military in a single day this year. That's the allegation by Human Rights Watch. So, how did HRW reach this conclusion and what's the response from the Burkina Faso government?Also why is the DR Congo warning big tech companies, like Apple, to not use minerals from the eastern part of the country? And we meet Nigerian Afrobeats artist, Ayra Starr!Presenter: Richard Kagoe
Producers: Charles Gitonga, Stefania Okereke and Bella Hassan
Technical Producer: Danny Cox
Senior Producer: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Apr 25, 2024 • 31min
Why has the World Bank suspended a Tanzania tourism project fund?
The World Bank has suspended a multi million dollar fund to expand Ruaha National Park in Tanzania, after it received allegations of serious abuse, which the Tanzanian government denies. We'll get the details. What is cloud seeding, how does it work and can drought stricken parts of Africa benefit from it or not? And a personal testimony from someone living with disability in a South Sudan refugee camp.

Apr 24, 2024 • 34min
Does Africa need a rethink on tackling violent extremisim?
African leaders meeting at a security summit in Nigeria says the continent needs a new plan to tackle violent extremism. The two-day counter-terrorism summit, supported by the United Nations, was also attended by African Union Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat What are the challenges facing the continent and how can it be tackled? Also why is so little money spent on healthcare in Africa? And a plan to save the South African rhino as poaching numbers rise.Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Bella Hassan and Charles Gitonga
Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer
Senior Producer: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

24 snips
Apr 23, 2024 • 32min
What does the Rwanda Bill mean for Africa?
The UK parliament has passed the Rwanda asylum law. People arriving on small boats can have their asylum claims processed in Rwanda. When is this likely to take place and why is it of global significance?Why is Zimbabwe's newly introduced gold-backed currency already on the decline? And a strong caution about harmful chemicals found in hair relaxers.Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers:Richard Kagoe, Patricia Whitehorne, Rob Wilson, Bella Hassan and Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi