

Focus on Africa
BBC World Service
Two 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 Nkechi Ogbonna. Five days a week, ready by late afternoon, Monday to Friday.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 22, 2025 • 33min
Togo: Ex Defence Minister arrested
Togolese Prime Minister Faure Gnassingbe’s sister-in-law, who’s also the ex Defence Minister, has been arrested after calling for end to family rule.How aid cuts and crocodile attacks are contributing to malnutrition in northern Kenya.And why do Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso apparently want to leave the International Criminal Court?Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers : Mark Wilberforce, Bella Hassan, Nyasha Michelle and Sunita Nahar in London. Jewel Kiriungi in Nairobi.
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Technical producer: Jack Graysmark.
Editors: Andre Lombard, Samuel Murunga, Maryam Abdalla and Alice Muthengi

Sep 19, 2025 • 30min
Guinea: Why the constitutional referendum matters
Guineans will vote in a referendum on a new constitution on Sunday, that would permit junta leader Mamady Doumbouya to run for president, despite his promise not to do so when he seized power four years ago. Political analyst Renna Hawili explains the other major proposals.Also, will a new World Trade Organisation agreement help protect the livelihoods of fishing communities off the coast of Africa?And hear why an Ivorian musician's performance at a festival in Paris, was cancelled.Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Makuochi Okafor, Yvette Twagiramariya, Ayuba Iliya, Madina Maishanu and Stefania Okereke
Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Alice Muthengi, Samuel Murunga, Maryam Abdalla and Andre Lombard

Sep 18, 2025 • 23min
UN accuses South Sudanese leaders of 'systematic looting'
South Sudan: UN report accuses leaders of "systematic looting" The government denies the allegationsWhy was the Gambia’s auditor general forcibly removed by police from office? Plus, why domestic worker jobs are on the decline in South AfricaPresenter :Charles Gitonga
Producers: Sunita Nahar, Stefania Okereke, Nyasha Michelle and Mark Wilberforce in London. with Jewel Kiriungi in Nairobi.
Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Samuel Murunga, Andre Lombard, Maryam Abdalla and Alice MuthengiNB in our South Sudan item our contributor Ferenc Davis was introduced as an expert on South Sudan from the International Crisis Group. Prof. Davis is an independent researcher with 15 years work experience in South Sudan.

Sep 17, 2025 • 33min
Mali: Fuel tankers set ablaze
Several fuel tankers were destroyed in Mali after al Qaeda-linked insurgents, who had declared a blockade on fuel imports to the country, attacked a convoy of more than 100 vehicles. That's according to local reports. A fuel supply blockade initiated by the militant group, JNIM, has been in place since early September. The militants had threatened fuel importers and drivers that they would be targeted while bringing products into the country. Mali's Prime Minister Maïga said, "the damage caused clearly demonstrates that armed groups in the area are desperate and have adopted a new operating method, causing panic in certain places." We hear analysis. Also, there's concern in Ethiopia after 92% of grade 12 students who sat national examinations, failed. It's the third year in a row for bad results in the country. Why are students failing? And who benefits from the continued growth of the Mandarin language on the continent?Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Patricia Whitehorne and Makuochi Okafor
Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard, Maryam Abdalla, Samuel Murunga and Alice Muthengi

Sep 16, 2025 • 33min
Are treason charges being weaponized in Africa?
Why is the treason charge being used against several key opposition figures in some African countries ?We meet Elsa Owusu-Sarpong - aka Bikergirl El’- the tireless road safety campaigner from Ghana. What's the sad tale behind her passion and inspiration?And Africa’s elderly population is set to increase – but how are they treated? Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Charles Gitonga in Nairobi with Mark Wilberforce, Sunita Nahar and Patricia Whitehorne in London.
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Technical Producer: Chris Ablakwa
Editors: Andre Lombard, Maryam Abdalla and Alice Muthengi.

Sep 15, 2025 • 32min
Dubai: BBC investigates deaths of Ugandan women
A Ugandan woman, Monic Karungi, known online as Mona Kizz, tragically fell to her death from a Dubai high-rise in 2022. Within hours her name was trending. A grainy video of a woman jumping from a building began circulating, with social media users claiming it was of Monic and that she’d taken her life after a “porta potty” video of her was leaked. We hear from BBC Eye’s Runako Celina, who spent two years trying to find answers as to why and how Monic and another Ugandan woman by the name of Kayla both died under similar, tragic circumstances. Also, what's the state of press freedom in Africa, as it declines sharply around the world?And how two sworn enemies came together to promote peace in NigeriaPresenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Madina Maishanu, Sunita Nahar and Mark Wilberforce
Technical Producer: Chris Ablakwa
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard, Maryam Abdalla and Alice Muthengi

Sep 11, 2025 • 35min
Steve Biko inquest reopens in South Africa
South Africa is to reopen an inquest into the death of anti-apartheid figure Steve Biko, who died in police custody. It will officially be registered in court on the anniversary of Biko's death, the 12th of September, almost 50 years ago. We hear reaction from Biko's friend and fellow anti- apartheid campaigner, Saths Cooper. We also remember the legacy Steve Biko left behind.Also, are Islamist militants targeting civilians in Niger?And we meet the Nigerian poet who is the UN's first Global Advocate for Peace.Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Sunita Nahar, Yvette Twagiramariya and Patricia Whitehorne in London.
Technical Producer: Pat Sissons
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Maryam Abdalla, Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Sep 10, 2025 • 30min
Africa's climate summit: what viable solutions?
Will the second Africa climate summit produce tangible solutions to fight for climate justice?Police abuse is widespread in Kenya a new study finds. Rights groups warn the findings expose systemic failures that have left many Kenyans vulnerable to police harassment and violence.And how did Botswana become a leader in eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV?Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Ayuba Iliya in Lagos. Priya Sippy, Stefania Okereke, and Yvette Twagiramariya in London.
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Technical Producer: Pat Sissons
Editors: Maryam Abdalla, Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Sep 8, 2025 • 30min
DR Congo declares new Ebola outbreak
A new Ebola outbreak declared in the DR Congo. An emergency response has been launched Over 10 opposition parties form coalition ahead of Ethiopia's next pollsAnd we experience a ride on one of Tanzania's locally manufactured planesPresenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Sunita Nahar, Stefania Okereke and Priya Sippy in London. Makuochi Okafor in Lagos with Jewel Kiriungi in Nairobi.
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer
Editors: Maryam Abdalla, Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.

Sep 4, 2025 • 29min
Somali fighters in Kenya spark fears
Why are fighters from Somalia's Jubaland region crossing the border into Kenya. Their presence is - causing fear and uncertainty
Burkina Faso's unelected transitional parliament bans homosexual acts
Plus how experts in Africa are tryings to close the AI language gap
Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Priya Sippy, Alfonso Daniels, Sunita Nahar, Mark Wilberforce, and Nyasha Michelle in London. Jewel Kiriungi in Nairobi.
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne
Editors: Maryam Abdalla, Andre Lombard, and Alice Muthengi


