

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

Apr 30, 2025 • 27min
Tension on Guinea and Sierra Leone border
Guinean troops have fired shots in the disputed town of Yenga, which is on the border with Sierra Leone. What's behind this unprecedented development? Also why are farmworkers in Kenya occupying tea plantations owned by multinational companies?
And why we should be eating more fermented foods..Presenter: Audrey Brown
Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne
Producers: Tom Kavanagh in London and Blessing Aderogba in Lagos
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Apr 29, 2025 • 34min
Why is gender violence "widespread" in Namibia?
Why is gender based violence at a pandemic level in Namibia. How can it be reduced?We meet Botswana's Bitcoin Lady who is educating people on cryptocurrencyAnd we meet the artist who has designed more than 2000 album coversPresenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Richard Kagoe, Bella Hassan and Yvette Twagiramariya
Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Apr 28, 2025 • 27min
BBC Investigation reveals who shot at Kenyan protestors
In June last year, dozens of young Kenyans were killed and others wounded during days of anti -government demonstrations. The protestors wanted to occupy Kenya's parliament, to urge lawmakers not to pass a finance bill. Security forces protecting the premises opened fire at demonstrators, and at least three people were killed. No one has been held responsible for their deaths. An investigation by BBC Africa Eye shows how these protesters were gunned down.Also, how dozens of African migrants have been killed in a US air strike on a detention centre in a Houthi-controlled area in YemenAnd why South Africa is importing weevils to help fight a rapidly growing invasive plant!Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne
Producers: Blessing Aderogba in Lagos and Tom Kavanagh in London
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

Apr 25, 2025 • 34min
Why did South Africa reverse a VAT increase?
South Africa's finance minister drops plan to increase value-added tax (VAT), in a major climbdown to prevent the collapse of the coalition government.10,000 illegal settlers reportedly removed from Ghana's largest forest reserve.And why is Uganda’s treasured shea butter becoming harder to harvest ?Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Frenny Jowi in Nairobi with Bella Hassan and Yvette Twagiramariya in London
Technical Producer: Craig Kingham
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.

Apr 24, 2025 • 29min
'Ethiopians are one shock away from catastrophe'
In a stark warning, the head of the UN's food aid agency in Ethiopia said millions in the country are "one shock away from falling into a catastrophe".
Zlatan Milišić's statement came as he announced that because of a lack of funding the World Food Programme was "being forced to halt treatment" for more than half a million malnourished women and children, starting from next month. How did Ethiopia get here?Also, French President Emmanuel Macron brings new promises to cyclone-battered Mayotte. Is it enough?And a prestigious award for Tunisian environmental campaigner, Semia Gharbi, who dared to challenge authorities over illegal waste dumping!Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Technical Producer: Gabriel O'Regan
Producers: Blessing Aderogba in Lagos. Tom Kavanagh, Patricia Whitehorne and Yvette Twagiramariya in London.
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

Apr 23, 2025 • 28min
A cocktail of long jail terms for Tunisian opposition leaders
Why were Tunisian opposition figures jailed on terror and conspiracy charges ?Are new cybersecurity laws in Zambia really aimed at quashing political dissent ?And Pope Francis remembered by someone who knew himPresenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Frenny Jowi in Nairobi with Tom Kavanagh, Victor Sylver, Yvette Twagiramariya and Bella Hassan in London
Technical Producer: Philip Bull
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Apr 22, 2025 • 28min
Haiti: A growing challenge for Kenyan officers?
Haiti is facing a ‘point of no return’, says the UN's special envoy to the country, María Isabel Salvador. She also said that Member States must increase support to Haiti’s security forces, particularly the Multinational Security Support Mission, "not as a matter of choice but of necessity”. What does this mean for Kenyan officers on the ground? Also, Amnesty International says Ethiopia's so-called “corridor development” project is sparking fear and uncertainity amongst residents And what are Ponzi schemes and why do so many people fall victim to it? Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Technical Producer: Philip Bull
Producers: Richard Kagoe in Nairobi. Tom Kavanagh and Yvette Twagiramariya in London and Blessing Aderogba in Lagos.
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Apr 21, 2025 • 29min
What was Pope Francis's relationship with Africa?
Pope Francis visited Africa multiple times and the continent has one of the fastest growing Catholic populations in the world. As tributes pour in after the announcement of his death, we hear from our Global Religion reporter on what his legacy will be in Africa.What's behind the deadly clashes between nomads and farmers in Nigeria's Benue and Plateau states?And why hearing loss is becoming a silent epidemic on the continent.Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Bella Hassan and Yvette Twagiramariya in London. Richard Kagoe and Frenny Jowi in Nairobi, and Blessing Aderogba in Lagos
Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark
Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Apr 18, 2025 • 38min
Humanitarians working in Sudan speak
Sudan is facing the largest humanitarian crisis globally. As the country’s civil war enters its third year, the United Nations and Non-Governmental organisations say it civilians are continuing to pay the price, due to inaction. Humanitarians, some in the country, share their experiences. Also, what is the International Parliamentary group known as IPAC, and is China pressurising foreign politicians in Africa to withdraw from it?And, is there freedom of worship for Christians in a majority muslim Somalia? Find out from a Christian leader.Presenter: Audrey Brown
Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne
Producers: Bella Hassan and Amie Liebowitz
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Apr 17, 2025 • 32min
Sudan’s rebel forces declare rival government
Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have declared the formation of a rival government in areas under their control, will that change the course of the civil war that is now entering its third year? Will former president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Joseph Kabila who is planning to return to country, help to find a solution to the conflict with M23 rebels? Why are Kenyan ants of interest to smugglers?Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Tom Kavanagh in London, and Blessing Aderogba in Lagos
Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne
Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard