Africa Daily

In February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, leading to disruptions in the supply of gas across Europe. Germany is now looking to Africa, among other regions, for solutions. Last month, the country’s Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck visited South Africa and Namibia, to sign green hydrogen deals worth millions of dollars. Green hydrogen can best be described as a clean energy source that only emits water vapour and leaves no residue in the air, unlike coal. But the deal between Germany and the two nations is raising questions, considering that Africa is having energy problems of its own. Who stands to benefit the most from these negotiations? Africa or Europe? Presenter: Mpho Lakaje Guests: Lungile Mashele, James Mnyupe and Fausi Najjar

It’s estimated that Africa needs $3 trillion to transition to green energy – and that it needs to do it fast. Surely that’s impossible? After all, multinational development banks – like the World Bank – which traditionally lead on this type of investment hold just $1.5 trillion dollars of investment potential. But today’s guest on Africa Daily argues that it can be done, saying the continent’s natural capital – like wind, sun and hydro - could be worth $4.6 trillion by 2030. Alan Kasujja speaks to Dr Hubert Danso, one of a group of financiers in Africa who, between them, control billions of dollars of investments across the continent. “We should be asking ourselves how can we position Africa, with all of its natural and human resources, to be able to be a major manufacturing player which is one of the largest and greatest growth opportunities of our generation.”This audio was updated on 24th January 2023.

Watamu is a beautiful beach resort on the Kenyan Coast blessed with white sands, mangroves, and an abundance of wildlife including manta rays and sea turtles.But there’s trouble in paradise.Tourism was decimated by Covid-19. Plastic pollution on the beaches has increased. Fish stocks have plummeted. During lockdown and school closures, young people loitered idly on the beach.So one teacher decided to take action.For Africa Daily, Alan Kasujja speaks to Lydia Ireri and her student Warah Kazungu about how they’re trying to make their local community ‘better than they found it’.“I lost my parents to HIV Aids when I was 11 so I grew up as a girl who was taken care of by the community. And so I feel like this is a good way to give back to the people who helped me, especially my teachers.”To see photos of Lydia and her students, go to bbcworldservice.com/africadaily

We hear a lot in the news about the treacherous journeys people take to escape conflict, violence, poverty and political instability. Thousands have drowned trying to cross the Mediterranean sea from the coasts of Libya and Tunisia.Many fleeing countries on the African continent, travel through several countries to get to the Sahara desert in order to reach the coast. It’s a route which has been described as being fraught with danger, some estimate it costs even more lives than crossing the Mediterranean Sea.The cost for taking these risky journeys is huge and for those who survive and make it to Europe, there’s also the cost to their mental health.Africa Daily's Alan Kasujja has been speaking to the BBC's Osob Elmi about her interviews with people who left Somalia in the years after the country’s brutal civil war.

On Wednesday a small group of people attempted to protest on the streets of Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. They said they were dissatisfied with the East African regional force which has been deployed in an attempted to restore peace in the region. The border region in the east of the country has seen decades of violent conflict. In recent years, larger rebel groups such as M23 and the Allied Democratic Forces have made headlines. But there are hundreds of smaller groups contributing to the instability there. So, who are they?#AfricaDaily

Dozens of people were killed in a bomb blast at a church in the Democratic Republic of Congo last weekend. In Nigeria, a priest was killed and another was abducted in the last few days. By mid-January, women and children were kidnapped in Burkina Faso. These are just a few of recent incidents where people in various African countries have been targeted. What do they have in common? The Islamic State-affiliated groups in those countries have claimed responsibility for the attacks. And this is just a small snapshot of what’s been happening on the continent in recent years. A BBC analysis has uncovered that attacks by Islamic State or IS in sub-Saharan Africa are on a “steady rise“. Alan Kasujja is finding out why this rise and speaks with Abdirahim Saeed, a journalist with the BBC Monitoring. He specialises in extremist jihadist groups.

After a video of the president of South Sudan wetting himself at an official function was shared widely on social media, six journalists were arrested. The incident occurred in December as Salva Kiir stood for the national anthem - but the journalists were taken for questioning on January 3rd. But while many people assumed it would quickly blow over, the men, who all work for the national broadcaster SSBC, are still being held incommunicado two weeks later. The government’s Information Minister said that people should wait to know why the journalists were detained. So what does this mean for press freedom in South Sudan? And will this have a chilling effect on the work of the media there? For Africa Daily, Alan Kasujja speaks to Oyet Patrick of the South Sudan Union of Journalists.

“The resolution is there that Lesotho must be given its country back” Lesotho is a country which – seen on the map – is very unusual. It is surrounded like an island on all sides by South Africa – meaning if it imports goods by road they have to be brought in via its bigger neighbour. But Lesotho’s parliament is soon to debate whether the country should demand land back from South Africa. The motion was brought by the small Lesotho Covenant Movement party – which says it has approached the United Nations and that this is a historical matter that should have been attended to decades ago.But is this just political posturing or a serious demand? And what chance does it stand of becoming a reality?Presenter: Alan Kasujja Guests: Tseliso Monaheng, Kenneth Matee and Clayson Monyela

Children in Lilongwe and Blantyre haven’t been able to return to school after the Christmas holidays. Schools have been closed to help stop cholera spreading. Cases have surged in recent weeks and 750 people have died since the outbreak started in March. So, can these measures help bring the situation under control? #AfricaDaily

Edwin Chiloba was a rising star in Kenya’s LGBTQ community. The model and fashion designer was also making a name for himself as an activist. But last week his body was found dumped in a metal box on the roadside near Eldoret and investigations into his murder are ongoing. Initially some people feared he may have been killed due to his sexuality, but police say one of the suspects they have arrested was a friend.His death has brought about a painful time for many in the community.Host: Alan Kasujja Guest: Chris Muriithi