

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 14, 2025 • 28min
Ethiopia: Why are health workers striking?
Medical professionals in various parts of Ethiopia are on strike. They say they are seeking adjustments in salaries, improved benefits and better working conditions. We hear from Ethiopian doctors.Also, as the movie industry expands in Africa, so do concerns about the safety of actors.And we'll meet 19 year old Makhosazana "Khosi" Dlomo, who is breaking barriers as the first black female competitor in tent pegging.Presenter: Audrey Brown
Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris
Producers: Bella Hassan, Blessing Aderogba and Yvette Twagiramariya
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

May 13, 2025 • 31min
More than 100 dead in Congo floods
The UN says "a double crisis" is facing the DR Congo, as it suffers flooding and mass displacement caused by ongoing conflict.Why is Sierra Leone’s largest diamond miner laying off more than 1,000 workers?And we visit churches in South Africa where polygamy is allowed.Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Richard Kagoe in Nairobi with Nyasha Michelle, Yvette Twagiramariya and Tom Kavanagh in London
Technical Producer: Pat Sissons and Kane Morgan
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

May 12, 2025 • 34min
Zambia: US cuts aid over 'thefts'
The United States said it was pulling the plug on millions of dollars' worth of aid to Zambia's health sector after the country failed to tackle 'systematic' theft of much needed medicines. The US Ambassador to Zambia, Michael Gozales' said that the "difficult" decision was made after repeated warnings to the Zambian government, to safeguard vital drugs meant for the country's most vulnerable patients. We'll hear analysis.Also, why did the International Court of Justice dismiss Sudan's case of genocide against the United Arab Emirates?And the history behind one of South Africa's official languages, Afrikaans, which celebrates 100 years this year!Presenter: Audrey Brown
Technical Producer: Pat Sissons
Producers: Bella Hassan and Yvette Twagiramariya
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

May 9, 2025 • 32min
What do African youth want from Pope Leo XIV
The Roman Catholic Church has a new leader, Pope Leo XIV. What do youth from the world's youngest Catholic population want?Why did billionaire and philanthropist Bill Gates decide to close his foundation in 2045?And how are parts of Zimbabwe's capital tackling an infestation of bed bugsPresenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Richard Kagoe and Frenny Jowi in Nairobi with Tom Kavanagh in London and Blessing Aderogba in Lagos.
Technical producer: Craig Kingham
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.

May 8, 2025 • 37min
Women and the Catholic Church
Sister Ngalula is the only African woman to be appointed to the Vatican’s International Theological Commission. She previously spoke to the late Pope Francis about the need for more female leadership in the church. She says, although many roles in the Catholic clergy are technically open to women, fear among cardinals and bishops is blocking their participation. We hear from Sister Josée Ngalula.Also, why has the EU declared Tunisia, Morocco and Egypt safe for asylum seekers? And the campaign to add sunscreen onto the list of essential medicines, especially for those with albinism.Presenter: Audrey Brown
Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer
Producers: Bella Hassan, Yvette Twagiramariya and Tom Kavanagh in London
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

May 7, 2025 • 31min
People smuggling between Eritrea and Kenya
An investigation into a new dangerous people smuggling route through Northern Kenya. Why are large and ongoing protests continuing in Morocco? And food fraud: what is it? And why is it dangerous?Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Amie Liebowitz, Stefania Okereke and Tom Kavanagh in London with Blessing Adegroba in Lagos
Technical producer: Jonathan Greer
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.

May 6, 2025 • 34min
Port Sudan: Explosions in Sudan's de facto capital
Multiple explosions have been heard in Sudan's de facto capital, Port Sudan, for a third day in a row. Prior to the attacks the city had avoided bombardment and was regarded as one of the safest places in the war-ravaged nation. We hear analysis.Also, how and why Togo remains Africa's longest ruling political dynasties.And what is financial abuse and how to spot it? Presenter: Audrey Brown
Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne
Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya and Nyasha Michelle in London
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

May 5, 2025 • 31min
Is press freedom declining in the Seychelles?
Seychelles has long featured high in world press freedom rankings, but has the expulsion of a newspaper editor dented that image? We have a response from the governmentAs a Ugandan UN judge is jailed for forcing her maid to work as a slave-does she have support back home?And we meet Princess Oluwayemisi Oki - the woman behind a movement of female tricycle riders in Nigeria's Ondo state Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Richard Kagoe, Frenny Jowi, Tom Kavanagh and Bella Hassan
Technical Producer: Jonny Hall
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

May 2, 2025 • 34min
Ivory Coast: Why opposition leader removed from electoral list?
Ivory Coast's main opposition leader Tidjane Thiam has been struck off the electoral list. The judiciary has declared he is ineligible to run in October's presidential election due to his citizenship. Tidjane Thiam also held French citizenship which he renounced in order to run for the presidency. A court this week argued, that the former Credit Suisse boss forfeited his Ivorian nationality when he acquired French citizenship in 1987. We'll get analysisAlso, did past African National Congress party (ANC) governments in South Africa interfere with investigation and prosecution of apartheid-era crimes? President Cyril Ramaphosa has set up an inquiry. How will it work?And, how does money laundering work, what is a 'grey list' and how do countries can get off it?Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark
Producers: Tom Kavanagh and Nyasha Michelle in London and Richard Kagoe in Nairobi
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

May 1, 2025 • 32min
Why does insurgency persist in Nigeria?
Nigeria has appointed Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar as its 15th commander in its fight against militant jihadist insurgency. Why is it proving difficult to tackle?Why are healthcare workers in Mozambique on strike again? And plans to make refugee camps in Kenya self-sufficient after cuts in global aidPresenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Bella Hassan, Yvette Twagiramariya and Frenny Jowi
Technical Producer: Philip Bull
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard