

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 27, 2023 • 33min
Victory for Nigeria's president at supreme court
Bola Tinubu was sworn in as Nigeria's president in May this year, after winning the country's most competitive election since the end of military rule in 1999. Defeated candidates Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi challenged his victory in court, alleging the result was manipulated. On Thursday, Nigeria's Supreme Court unanimously ruled against the challenge. What does this mean for politics in Nigeria? Also as Turkey celebrates its 100th anniversary as a Republic, we look at the growing relationship between the country and Africa. What's Turkey's vision for the continent? And fans gear up ahead of the Rugby World Cup final on Saturday, as South Africa's Springboks take on New Zealand's All Blacks!

Oct 26, 2023 • 32min
Is Niger being treated unfairly?
It's three months since the coup in Niger, when Mohamed Bazoum was forced from office. Sanctions have been imposed by ECOWAS and the AU. In an interview with the BBC, the prime minister of Niger’s ruling military junta, Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine says, Niger is being treated unfairly. Also Sudan's warring parties resume talks in Saudi Arabia. Can they agree on a ceasefire? And we'll meet Ghanaian musician and Kologo player, Stevo Atambire.

Oct 25, 2023 • 26min
Zimbabwe faces another major cholera outbreak
Zimbabweans are facing another major cholera outbreak. Just over a hundred people have died with around five thousand infected. We look at the many challenges faced by the country as it tries to deal with the current situation.Also two young Tanzanians are still missing in Israel following the attack by the militant group Hamas almost three weeks ago. The father of one of them, 21 year old Joshua Loitu, has been speaking of his anguish in not knowing where his son is.And why is Ghana at risk of losing state properties in London?

Oct 24, 2023 • 30min
UAE firm to manage Tanzania’s main port
UAE firm DP World has signed a deal with Tanzania to manage two thirds of Dar-es-Salaam port for the next 30 years. The issue has provoked protests in Tanzania. The UAE is the fourth-largest investor in Africa, after China, Europe and the US. The opposition criticised the deal when details first emerged in July, saying it violated Tanzania's constitution.Will the war between Israel and Hamas affect relations between Israel and its newest African ally Morocco?And we meet the Kenyan designer from the slums who dressed Beyoncé and Bruno Mars.

Oct 23, 2023 • 23min
Sierra Leone opposition ends parliament boycott
Sierra Leone’s APC opposition party has ended its boycott of parliament. The action had begun after June's presidential election, which the party decried as fraudulent. The All People’s Congress has now agreed to take up its seats in parliament.We hear from a Nigerian pilgrim who escaped from Israel after the conflict there flared up earlier this month.Plus Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Mr Eazi talks to us about his latest collaborative offer.

Oct 20, 2023 • 30min
Has Africa gained from China's infrastructure plans?
As China marks the tenth anniversary of its Belt and Road initiative in Beijing, we look at benefits for African countries. What are the continent's losses and gains from working with China?Also Ethiopia's prime minister Abiy Ahmed has again said, his country needs its own seaport. Ethiopia is landlocked. So what would he need to do, to make that possible and at what cost?And how Kenya’s Kelvin Kiptum went from running in borrowed shoes...to breaking world records.

Oct 19, 2023 • 29min
Why did Mozambique's opposition call for protests?
Mozambique's opposition staged demonstrations nationwide to denounce fraud in local elections. The vote is seen as an indicator of what to expect in next year’s presidential election in the country that is rich in natural gas.
The history behind South Africa's complex and complicated relationship between Israel and Palestine
Plus, we meet the Ghanaian woman, Valarie Labi, who makes locally produced e-bikes to ease transport for women entrepreneurs in the north

Oct 18, 2023 • 28min
Dam water floods in Ghana
Thousands of people in Ghana's Volta region have been displaced following spillage of excess water from some of the major dams amid heavy rains. It's the worst floods the region has seen in years. Also, Angolan TikTok influencer Neth Nahara, whose real name is Ana da Silva Miguel is in jail for "outrage" against Angola's president. Is this part of a wider crackdown on free speech on social media? And we'll meet Madagascan scientist, Lova marlin, whose curiosity and study of ancient plants is helping solve, very modern problems.

Oct 17, 2023 • 29min
What are UN's concerns for Madagascar’s polls?
The United Nations says the human rights situation in Madagascar is “deteriorating” ahead of next month’s presidential election, as police put down opposition protests. The EU and the US have also voiced concern over the "disproportionate use of force" to disperse demonstrations.
Who really benefits from the buying and selling of carbon credits?And Nollywood screen legend Richard Mofe-Damijo talks to us about his latest streaming hit The Black Book.

Oct 16, 2023 • 27min
Burkina Faso's nuclear power plant deal with Russia
Burkina Faso's military leaders have signed a deal with Russia to build a nuclear power plant, with the hope of increasing its electricity supplies. Burkina Faso is one of the least electrified countries globally, with only 21% of people connected to power. Our West Africa Correspondent Mayeni Jones talks us through the advantages and disadvantages of a nuclear power plant in the Sahel.Also there's a rise in child labour across the globe, that's the warning from the International Labour Organization. More than half of all child labourers are found across Africa. We hear from the Director-General of the ILO, Gilbert F. Houngbo.And what to do with an old pair of sneakers? How one young South African, Sibusiso Zulu, is already helping to change the world after asking that very question.