Focus on Africa

An extensive earthen wall is being built around the besieged Sudanese city of el-Fasher. Researchers from Yale University say it is intended to trap people inside.Why is there a rapidly growing demand for solar panels in Africa?And we meet Iris- the teaching robot in South Africa.Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Charles Gitonga in Nairobi, Mark Wilberforce, Yvette Twagiramariya and Sunita Nahar in London. Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Editors: Maryam Abdalla, Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Mayeni Jones, a BBC correspondent in Johannesburg, and Paul Williams, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Reading, dive deep into the aftermath of a tragic building fire in Johannesburg. They discuss the ongoing struggles faced by survivors, highlighting the urgent need for improved housing conditions. The duo also explores how climate change is increasing flight turbulence, raising questions about air travel safety. Additionally, they compare divorce laws in Uganda and South Africa, debating the implications of no-fault vs. fault-based divorces.

Nigeria has banned for six months exports of shea nuts used for beauty products to help boost the local economyMore about Malawi's health boat that provides a lifeline for locals on a remote islandAnd we find out why African made prom dresses are a hit among American teenagersPresenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Makuochi Okafor and Ayuba Iliya in Lagos. Alfonso Daniels, Stefania Okereke and Yvette Twagriyamariya in London and Madina Maishanu in Abuja. Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne Editors: Maryam Abdalla, Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.

A new Human Rights Watch report says the EU's and Spain’s outsourcing of migration control to Mauritania has worsened abuses against asylum seekers and migrants heading for Europe, but the Mauritanian authorities reject those claims. Why are cybercrimes on the rise in Africa and how can you stay safe?And we find out why the population of one of Kenya's iconic tourist attractions - flamingos - has fallen sharply.Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Sunita Nahar, Mark Wilberforce and Priya Sippy in London Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Editors: Maryam Abdalla, Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Botswana's president Duma Boko, has declared a public health emergency as the country faces a shortage of essential medicines and medical equipment.Africa's defence chiefs discuss collective strategies and joint responses to insecurity in the continent. And why is the northern Nigerian state of Kano losing its famous yellow buses?Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Priya Sippy and Stefania Okereke in London with Ayuba Iliya in Lagos Technical producer: Jonathan Greer Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Maryam Abdallah, Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

There are fears that the mass starvation cult in Kenya is still active after the discovery of new bodies in fresh graves near the site of the Shakahola forest massacre. So far, eleven people have been arrested in connection with these new exhumations. We hear from a Rapid Response Officer, working with a human rights organisation, who has been helping people track down missing relatives.Why are African students ending up on the battlefields of Ukraine after applying to study in Russia?And France returns the remains of a Malagasy king who was beheaded during the colonial era. Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Sunita Nahar, Alfonso Daniels, Tanya Hines, and Nyasha Michelle in London. Charles Gitonga in Nairobi Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Technical Producer: Pat Sissons Editors: Maryam Abdalla, Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

UN says a record number of aid workers were killed in 2024. Most in Gaza but dozens also in Sudan, South Sudan, and Nigeria Why is sub-Saharan Africa facing a shortage of child eye doctors? We meet one of the only paediatric opthalmologists in Burkina Faso And we meet Gelda Waterboer the Namibian teacher who has gone viral with a classroom song about sexual consent Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Priya Sippy, Stefania Okereke, Yvette Twagiramariya and Alfonso Daniels in London with Ayuba Iliya in Lagos Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris Editors: Maryam Abdalla, Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.

Japan has pledged to work more closely with African countries at global summit on economic development. How can Africa benefit from stronger ties with Japan?The former prime minister of Chad is facing a 20-year prison term after being convicted of hate speech, xenophobia and having incited a massacre. Who is Succès Masra and what sparked the intercommunal violence that led to the charges against him?And did you know there are four distinct species of the African giraffe? We find out why that discovery is important for conservation.Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Tom Kavanagh, Sunita Nahar, Nyasha Michelle and Stefania Okereke Technical Producer: Pat Sissons Senior Journalist: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Maryam Abdalla, Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

Uganda agrees a deal with the United States to take in failed asylum seekers provided they are not minors or people with criminal recordsHow does Zambia plan to tackle a gold rush that turned violent?And why are gulper sharks under threat off the coast of Somalia’s Puntland statePresenter Audrey Brown Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Stefania Okereke and Priya Sippy in London. Charles Gitonga in Nairobi. Technical producer: Philip Bull Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Maryam Abdalla, Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi are our editors. I'm Audrey Brown. We'll talk again next time.

Two prominent journalists in Ethiopia, Abdulsemed Mohammed and Yonas Amare, have been missing for more than a week after being abducted by what reports say, were men wearing masks and military uniforms. There has been no news about their whereabouts but their disappearances have raised concerns about a crackdown on media freedom in the country. Aid agencies warn that a surge in the number of people with the respiratory illness diphtheria is becoming 'the most urgent and dangerous threat' to public health in Somalia. Why are cases of the disease increasing?And how the conflict on the ground in Sudan is affecting migratory birds in the sky.Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Tom Kavanagh and Nyasha Michelle in London. Richard Kagoe in Nairobi Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne Senior Journalist: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Maryam Abdalla, Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard