Focus on Africa

Two essential stories to round off your working day. Explaining the news from Africa. Hosted by Nkechi Ogbonna. Five days a week, ready by late afternoon, Monday to Friday.

World Service,956 episodes

Episodes

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South Africa: what realities face those fleeing xenophobia?
Ghanaian speaks on fleeing South Africa for fear of attacks as nations plan evacuations
04 Jun 2026,22 mins
Nigerian teachers protest school kidnappings
Protesting teachers urge Nigerian government to rescue dozens of abducted learners
03 Jun 2026,22 mins
What's in Ghana's new anti-LGBTQ+ bill?
Ghana's president promises review of the controversial bill before it becomes law
02 Jun 2026,22 mins
Kenyans protest proposed US Ebola facility
Protests erupt in Central Kenya over US plan to construct an Ebola quarantine centre
01 Jun 2026,22 mins
Gigantomastia: Living with my oversized breasts
More women in Africa are seeking breast reduction procedures.
29 May 2026,22 mins
Kenya's toxic masculinity influencers
A generation of masculinity influencers are building massive online audiences
28 May 2026,22 mins
Ethiopia votes amid press freedom concerns
What's it like for journalists covering Ethiopia's June elections?
27 May 2026,22 mins
Ebola and burial traditions in DRC
In DRC, communities struggle to bury loved ones without increasing transmission risk
26 May 2026,22 mins
What does it mean to be African?
A conversation across generations on African identity, opportunities, and the future
25 May 2026,22 mins
Are billionaires good for Africa?
The number of billionaires on the continent is rising
22 May 2026,22 mins
Who are the Azawad Liberation Front in Mali?
Azawad separatists are behind recent attacks and takeover of several towns. Who are they?
21 May 2026,22 mins
How Arsenal built a loyal African fan base
We look at Arsenal’s massive fan base in Africa after team won the EPL after 22 years.
20 May 2026,22 mins
Ebola: how does contact tracing work?
Ebola virus claims over 130 lives in DRC. We explain how contact tracing is done
19 May 2026,22 mins
Who is in charge in Somalia?
Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's four-year term ended on May 15. What next?
18 May 2026,22 mins
Is African fashion redefining global style?
Over the past few decades, the African fashion industry has been evolving
15 May 2026,22 mins
Did Trump tarrifs shape China-Africa trade deal?
As US increased tariffs to some African countries, China removed them
14 May 2026,22 mins
Could President Ramaphosa be impeached?
What's next for President Ramaphosa after an impeachment process has been revived
13 May 2026,22 mins
What came out of the Africa–France summit?
As the Africa-France summit comes to a close, a counter meeting was arranged in protest
12 May 2026,22 mins
Botswana President backs Africa-France relations
Botswana President, Duma Boko speaks to the BBC during the Africa-France Summit in Kenya
11 May 2026,22 mins
Introducing: World of Secrets Searching for Soldier Dad
DNA detectives track down the British soldiers who fathered children in Kenya
09 May 2026,34 mins
'Why I can't stop bleaching my skin'
The WHO says Africa has the highest rates of skin bleaching globally
08 May 2026,22 mins
Is Ethiopia involved in Sudan war?
Sudan’s military government accuses Ethiopia and UAE after Khartoum airport drone strike
07 May 2026,22 mins
Hantavirus: what you should know
A WHO representative in Cape Verde speaks about the virus-hit cruise ship
06 May 2026,22 mins
What Eswatini risks by standing with Taiwan
Taiwan’s president Lai Ching-te visits Eswatini despite China’s objection
05 May 2026,22 mins
Sudanese journalists win World Press Freedom Prize
A UN award honours Sudanese journalists for courage despite threats to safety and rights
04 May 2026,22 mins
'Is diaspora written on my forehead?'
We hear from young Africans who moved to the countries their parents once left
01 May 2026,22 mins
Uganda sovereignty bill: protection or policing?
Uganda’s new bill could jail citizens for receiving foreign funding without approval
30 Apr 2026,22 mins
South Africans debate the migrant question
Two South Africans debate anti-immigration protests and xenophobic tensions
29 Apr 2026,22 mins
What’s driving the coordinated attacks across Mali?
Mali faces coordinated attacks - what’s behind the growing security concerns?
28 Apr 2026,22 mins
Tanzania’s report on election violence sparks debate
Tanzania report says more than 500 people dead in election violence but who is to blame?
27 Apr 2026,22 mins