Africa Daily

“Tug at my jacket – tell me what needs to be done.”Later today, Botswana’s newly-elected president, Duma Boko, will be inaugurated in Gaborone – but he still found time this week for a discussion of his agenda with Africa Daily’s Mpho Lakaje.In a wide ranging discussion he talks about signing a new deal with global diamond giant De Beers, how he wants to help people to become entrepreneurs, and why he wants to grant permits to undocumented Zimbabweans to make the system more ‘orderly’ and to allow Batswana to acquire more skills.He also argues that politicians need to be more accessible if they are to do their jobs.

In today's podcast, we explore the tradition of bridal counselling in Zambia. Before marriage, elderly women share tips on how to run a home, how to look after the husband, how to look after the children, how to resolve conflict and there are lessons about sex too. For many, this training is a way to strengthen a marriage, but for some women it’s meant lasting harm. ‘Bride of Zambia’ is a short film which tells the story of a young Zambian-American woman who reluctantly has this counselling ahead of her wedding after arguing with her mother about the merits of this practice. It’s a story that’s resonated with some women in Zambia, sparking conversation on social media about a tradition that’s rarely discussed in public. In today’s Africa Daily, Alan Kasujja speaks to the film's director, Tisa Chigaga, and to Samfrosa Chibwe, a woman who says watching the film brought up memories of the counselling she received before her wedding. Alan also speaks to Tisa’s mother, Mwila Chigaga, to share an elder’s perspective on why she still considers this a vital tradition.

This week Botswana’s president-elect Duma Boko will be inaugurated in an event that’s expected to be attended by dignitaries from across the continent. The 54-year-old lawyer and his Umbrella for Democratic Change beat Mokgweetsi Masisi’s Botswana Democratic Party, which had been in power for 58 years. When he officially takes over as the country’s president, Mr Boko will be hoping to create jobs particularly for young people who’ve been agitating for change. But some are still wondering how he managed to beat Mokgweetsi Masisi by such a big margin. In this episode, Alan Kasujja attempts to understand what exactly went wrong for Mr Masisi and his Botswana Democratic Party. Guests: Mmapula Molapong and Tendai Mbanje

Last month, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) awarded Nigeria victory in a forfeited 2025 Nations Cup qualifier against Libya, and fined Libya $50,000.It came after an investigation found that a plane carrying the Nigerian squad had been deliberately redirected to the wrong airport – where the Super Eagles were left for nearly 20 hours without food, water or internet access. The incident has yet again exposed the unorthodox – and unsporting - tactics which are often used against visiting teams in African football. So why has psychological and physical intimidation been allowed to continue?Presenter: Mpho LakajeGuests: Sports journalist Oluwashina Okeleji, and Isha Johansen, former president of Sierra Leone Football Association, and a member of FIFA’s council, and the CAF executive committee.

Redi Tlhabi, a South African broadcaster based in Washington, D.C., delves into the important connections between the 2024 US election and African nations. She explores how candidates' policies—Trump's focus on domestic issues versus Harris's climate and partnership initiatives—could reshape US engagement in Africa. Tlhabi discusses the emotional impact of US politics on global perceptions, the ongoing struggle for Africa's representation at the UN, and the evolving landscape of immigration policies affecting African communities.

After two years of conflict in Ethiopia’s Tigray Region, the 2022 Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA) finally put a stop to the fighting between the federal government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). Both sides agreed to work together to find lasting solutions, including the restoration of constitutional order in Tigray.Two years on, some say the Ethiopian government is downplaying the seriousness of the current situation in the country - while aid agencies warn of significant food shortages and humanitarian needs. BBC Africa Daily’s Alan Kasujja speaks to BBC correspondent Kalkidan Yibeltal who was recently in Mekelle, the capital of Tigray, for 6 days.

Today Alan Kasujja sits down with Ghanaian artist, Israel Derrick Epeti, to discuss the environmental disaster that’s caused by illegal mining. Mercury is being used to extract gold by miners digging on a massive scale in forests and farms across the west African country. The 26-year-old artist recently visited the town of Twifo Praso to see for himself how the Pra River is polluted by chemicals. “I was able to paint with the water on my canvas. That’s how bad it was”, he tells Alan. He further says “if this is not curbed, it will affect each and everyone in the country. We might need to import water from outside”. According to the Institute for Security Studies, galamsey, a term used in Ghana to describe illegal mining, involves large firms operating against the law. It is carried out by Ghanaians and foreigners, including Chinese and West African nationals from Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast. The government has introduced a variety of interventions to stop the problem, including the deployment of the army.

“The stigmatisation extends to the fact that in some cultures, there’s a presumption that if an elderly person is talking bizarrely or behaving unusually, they’re suspected of being witches or wizards or something like that.”Three and a half million people are currently estimated to live with dementia in Africa. Dementia is an umbrella term use to describe neurological conditions which lead to the loss of memory, language, and the ability to think clearly. People can start to struggle to get dressed. They can forget things they’ve known all their lives: how to get home, or even who their loved ones are. And it can affect their behaviour. But there’s been very little research done on African patients. And studies - especially using genetics - have been heavily reliant on Caucasian populations. This is why a group of scientists in Africa have set up the Africa Dementia Consortium to improve the research and knowledge of Dementia in Africa.Mpho Lakaje speaks to one of the scientists involved, Professor Njideka Okubadejo, a Professor of Neurology at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, as well as Sseku Safic from the Mount Meru Hospital in northern Tanzania, who has set up the only memory clinic in the country.

“We sit on some of the best grains in the world… things that can grow in really tough environments and give you harvests several times a year.”Celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson was born in Ethiopia but was adopted by a Swedish couple and taken to Sweden as a small child after his mother died of tuberculosis.After travelling across Europe and to Japan for his training, he rose to prominence as a chef in the US - cooking for the rich and famous including Barack and Michelle Obama, Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela and Oprah Winfrey. He's recently opened a restaurant in Addis Ababa – to add to those he already runs in New York City and elsewhere.And now he's on a mission to get people to eat more African grains like millet, teff, and sorghum - arguing they’re more sustainable, climate resistant and nutritious.For Africa Daily, Mpho Lakaje talks to him about his passion for African grains as well as what influenced him in his journey to becoming a successful businessman and chef.

"I started out life not being acutely aware of being blind. I was more aware of what I could do as opposed to the reality of being blind and the accompanying limitations."Nigerian musician Cobhams Asuquo has produced for some of Africa’s biggest stars and become a celebrated musician himself. In today’s Africa Daily, Cobhams talks to Alan Kasujja about turning obstacles into opportunities. He's been using his platform for an even greater cause—advocating for childhood immunisation. With the release of No More Zero Dose, an anthem featuring stars like Timi Dakolo and Omawumi, Cobhams is trying raise awareness about the millions of children in Africa who still lack access to vaccines. Presenter: Alan Kasujja Guest: Cobhams Asuquo