Africa Daily

The phrase ‘sanctions have been imposed’ frequently features when countries are at the centre of a big news story. Recently we’ve mentioned that some of Niger’s neighbours brought in sanctions after the military takeover. And the warring parties in Sudan have faced sanctions from the UK since the conflict started there. They are seen by some countries as a way of leveraging their influence to get a preferred outcome. But, what exactly are sanctions? How are they supposed to work? And do they actually have any impact?#AfricaDaily

When a firework blew up in Ubokobong Amanam’s hand, he was left with life changing injuries. He needed a prosthesis to replace the fingers he lost, but none of those on the market matched his complexion. The accident inspired his brother John to work on making something better for him. But they didn’t stop there…they now run a company making prostheses (artificial body parts) for the African market and employ 35 people. And next they have their sights on the world of robotics. #AfricaDaily

From buying goods to communicating with friends, mobile internet has completely changed how we live our lives. In the continents biggest cities, speedy 4G makes transactions quick and reliable. But in rural areas and poorer countries, data can be slower, temperamental and much more expensive. It means that many people are priced out of getting on line and are missing out on all the benefits that come with it. So, why is data still too expensive in some parts of the continent?

“If that path is clogged with trees or it’s difficult to get through but it’s the only path you have to a better circumstance, you will go a lot further through that path and you will trek a lot further before giving up than someone who has, perhaps, six or seven paths at their disposal”As the Women’s World Cup draws to a close, Alan Kasujja looks at whether or not poverty plays any part in propelling athletes to greatness.Footballers like Malawi’s Tabitha Chawinga, Sadio Mane of Senegal, South Africa’s Steven Pienaar and Englishman Marcus Rashford, grew up in tough conditions.But this did not stop them from playing the beautiful game at the highest level possible.So, what exactly is it about their background that makes them tick?Presenter: Alan KasujjaGuests: Tabitha Chawinga and Ryan Tehini

“It’s becoming a luxury now to purchase a pad.” Women in Ghana protested outside the parliament building in Accra in June chanting for ‘tax free periods’. It followed a rise in taxes on sanitary pads. And now, a BBC survey has found that of all women on the continent, Ghanaian women on low incomes have to spend the biggest proportion of their wages on even the cheapest sanitary protection – a staggering 13%. Because of the cost, many women and girls in Africa will use makeshift protection, including rags, corn leaves and even dried cow dung. And while campaigners in Kenya and South Africa have succeeded in driving down the cost – some say it’s not enough, and that women should be given access to free sanitary products. For Africa Daily, Alan Kasujja sits down to discuss the issues with three campaigners from South Africa, Nigeria and Zimbabwe. Presenter: @kasujja Guests: @Nokuzola_SA, @anittanesh and @faleyeibrahimFor more on the BBC report on the cost of sanitary ware see: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-66423981

Finding a place to live can be challenging in a growing, expensive city like Lagos. But single women might find it particularly difficult. They report being turned down by landlords even when they can afford an apartment and have the funds to pay rent in advance. So, why is it so hard to find a place to stay?

“If I take one step to my right I will be in Kenya and if I take one step to my left, I will be in Somalia."A phased reopening of the border between Kenya and Somalia was meant to be happening last month. But that reopening was then postponed by Kenya's interior minister – citing security concerns. So what has the response been on both sides of the border?GUESTS: Abdikafi Adan Mohamed, Mohamed Mohamed and Waihiga Mwaura (@waihigamwaura)

Over the last few years there’s been a surge in violence between police and gangs in Haiti, with an eyewatering 80 percent of the capital Port-au-Prince under the control of gangs. The government has been calling for international intervention but its neighbours including the US have opted to keep out. So why has Kenya decided to get involved? It has offered to send 1000 police officers to lead a multinational force. For Africa Daily, Alan Kasujja looks at what the force will be dealing with if approved by the United Nations.

“I think my mum’s passing was a way of bringing me back to serve humanity. Maybe that’s what she’d have wanted to do for herself. Maybe I’m doing my mum’s work.”80 million Africans are now above the age of 60. And with improved healthcare that’s a number that’s set to climb drastically in the coming years.Traditionally, elderly people have been cared for by their families, but now more young people are moving from villages to the city for work, leaving their parents or grandparents on their own. For today’s Africa Daily, Mpho Lakaje investigates the issues involved, and speaks to a woman who gave up her high-powered job to become a ‘beggar for the elderly’ because she felt she'd failed to look after her own mother when she became ill and died from cancer.

Last week, President Bazoum, the first democratically elected president to succeed another in Niger, was detained by his own guards. A military junta is now running the country. Niger was one of the few democracies left in the Sahel. From Mali in the west to Sudan in the east, a whole swathe of Africa is now run by the military. President Bazoum was a key ally to western countries, which have denounced the coup. And tensions are rising between countries in the region, who are split over what should happen next. So, what does the coup mean for Niger and the wider region?