Being online has become a huge part of our lives. Everywhere you look, you see people on their phones in homes, schools, work and markets.These devices are not just almost glued to our hands for fun, they are also crucial to people’s businesses and livelihoods.So earlier this year when Nigerian telecommunication companies announced they would be raising their prices, with some services increased by 50 percent, it got many Nigerians talking.These companies say they are doing this because they have to meet their costs as a result of economic factors such as inflation. So what is the price of being online and how are Nigerians being affected?Host: Alan Kasujja Guests: BBC reporter in Lagos, Yusuf Akinpelu and Taofeek Adeshina, photographer based in Lagos.

Muhsin Hendricks, the world's first openly gay imam, was shot dead in South Africa on Saturday, leaving many in mourning. The 57-year-old was a trailblazer, known for his advocacy and for creating safe spaces for queer Muslims. From founding The Inner Circle, a support group for queer Muslims, to leading an inclusive mosque, his work gave many a sense of belonging. Alan Kasujja speaks to those who knew and were inspired by him—including activists and religious leaders—to explore the impact of his life and tragic death. Presenter: Alan Kasujja Guests: Nicole McCain, Rev. Sharon Cox and SimSim.

“Our minerals, yes, are important for the advancement of the world, but they are also important for the progress of our people. We could share these minerals with the world, but our people must come first” - Shanty Tshiela Byart-Mutombo, DRC company owner On Friday, the 14th of February, the M23 rebels started entering Bukavu, having already captured another strategic city, Goma. The Rwandan-backed militants' progress comes despite international calls for a ceasefire and a resumption of talks aimed at ending the conflict in the DRC. For more than three decades, armed groups have competed with the central government for power and control of the mineral-rich country. The conflict has claimed countless lives over the years, with hundreds of thousands of people being displaced in the last few weeks alone. Its impact is being felt by citizens and businesses countrywide. Today Alan Kasujja sits down with local entrepreneur Shanty Tshiela Byart-Mutombo, to find out what it’s like to run a company during such a difficult time.

Midwife or mid-husband? That’s a common question on social media posts highlighting the work of the very few men who help women to deliver babies. Midwifery is a profession that has traditionally been dominated by women. Less than 1% of people registered as midwives globally are men. According to research conducted by the University of Northampton in the UK, 19 countries have no men registered as midwives and five countries legally prohibit men from being midwives.In today’s Africa Daily podcast, Alan Kasujja speaks to 63-year-old Robert Aule, a man who has helped to deliver more than 500 babies over the last four decades in one of the most remote regions in Kenya. Could the recruitment of men help to deal with the shortage of midwives?

“The writers of our time who used to criticise the government are no longer there.”Today on the podcast, Alan has the pleasure and privilege of speaking to one of Africa’s great writers: the South Sudanese author Taban Lo Liyong.In the 1960s he rubbed shoulders with independence politicians like Jomo Kenyatta and Kwame Nkrumah and with giants of African literature like Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe and Ngugi wa Thiong’o. He was taken to Uganda as a young child and spent his formative years there – but now lives in his native South Sudan. On today’s podcast he discusses language, the impact of HIV Aids, and why he’s not ready to stop work at the age of 93 years. He says he still has two more books in him…

“This is the new reality that we are going to have to face and it is a fantastic opportunity for us to redefine our position away from the US trying to tell us who we can or cannot be, because they really don’t care about us” - Ugandan coffee farmer Robert Kabushenga In the year 2000, the United States government set up the African Growth and Opportunity Act also known as AGOA. It's aim was to give qualifying sub-Saharan African countries access to the US market, without paying import taxes, thus promoting economic growth in Africa. But there’s no certainty that president Donald Trump will renew the deal when it expires later this year, especially considering many of the moves he's made in recent weeks. His administration cut off financial aid to countries like South Africa and many others around the world. So, what lies ahead for trade relations between Africa and the United States? Presenter: Alan Kasujja Guests: Ugandan coffee farmer Robert Kabushenga, Eswatini economics lecturer Sanele Sibiya and South African exporter Nhlanhla Dlamini

Tommy Charles, the team lead of the Sierra Leone Open Mapping Initiative, discusses the rising temperatures in Freetown and its harsh impacts on daily life. He shares insights from a recent Urban Heat Hackathon, where technology and urban greening emerged as key solutions. With the help of mapping technology, they are identifying hot spots and advocating for community engagement. The conversation highlights innovative strategies like tree planting and the use of satellite imagery to combat extreme heat in crowded areas.

Tensions between South Africa and the United States are heating up over land expropriation laws aimed at rectifying apartheid injustices. A pressure group of Afrikaners has been lobbying for U.S. support, fearing the new laws could undermine their rights. Meanwhile, Elon Musk's comments on the political climate spark further debate on diplomatic ties. The podcast also delves into the ongoing racial and political challenges in post-apartheid South Africa, shedding light on the complex dynamics of these international relations.

Meskerem Tadesse Goshime, the Confederation of African Football’s head of women’s football, discusses the inspiring growth of women’s football in Morocco. The conversation reveals how cultural shifts have allowed more girls to play, with packed stadiums and increasing TV audiences as evidence. Young Imane shares her journey as a budding player amidst challenges, while forward Rosella Ayane highlights the Atlas Lionesses’ historic achievements, including their World Cup qualification. Together, they explore the hopes and aspirations for a brighter future in the sport.

It’s now two weeks since the rebel M23 group took over Goma in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo – so what has the experience been like for the city’s inhabitants? For today’s Africa Daily, Alan Kasujja speaks to two people who live in Goma: one woman who has stayed and says finding food is almost impossible, and an activist who has fled the city after receiving threats of abduction and death from the M23.