Focus on Africa

BBC

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

  • 31 minutes 14 seconds
    Sierra Leone: Who is Hawa Hunt and why was she arrested?

    There is growing concern that a law introduced in 2021 is being used to muzzle freedom of expression in Sierra Leone. Hawa Hunt, a social media infleuncer with Siera Leonean and Canadian citizenship is the latest victim of the Cybersecurity and Crime Act 2021. She is accused of insulting President Julius Maada Bio and his wife Fatima Bio in a video posted on Facebook in 2023 just as the country was preparing for elections. Her dramatic arrest during a live television show was a national talking point. Her daughter, Alicia reflects on the struggle to free her mother.

    Also, a BBC Eye investigation reveals how highly addictive pills produced in India are flooding the streets of West Africa

    And Senegal begins refining its own oil, will the locals benefit ?

    Presenter: Charles Gitonga Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne Producers: Patricia Whitehorne, Nyasha Michelle and Bella Hassan in London. Frenny Jowi in Nairobi and Blessing Aderogba in Lagos. Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

    21 February 2025, 2:31 pm
  • 31 minutes 55 seconds
    Kenya slammed for hosting Sudan rebels

    Sudan's military led government are upset by Kenya's decision to host a conference of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces

    Is there a regional power play behind Mauritania and Morocco's electricity exchange agreement ?

    And what's the deadly bacteria that's making Lake Victoria turn green?

    Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Frenny Jowi in Nairobi with Sunita Nahar, Stefania Okereke, Nyasha Michelle and Bella Hassan in London. and Blessing Aderogba in Lagos Technical Producer : Philip Bull Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

    20 February 2025, 2:22 pm
  • 31 minutes 26 seconds
    USAID Suspension: Where next for Africa?

    Experts say the health of millions of Africans is at stake following the suspension of much needed USAID funds. Programs that the US organisation funds on the continent are vast and crucial. What do African governments need to do to fill the gap?

    Also, a new report says that the recruitment of children as soldiers on the continent remains a challenge. We hear from a former child soldier.

    And a proposal for a fresh approaching in saving the African rhino, but this time, everyone is included in the conversation for conservation!

    Presenter: Charles Gitonga Technical Producer: Philip Bull Producers: Patricia Whitehorne, Nyasha Michelle and Stefania Okereke Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

    19 February 2025, 1:47 pm
  • 32 minutes 17 seconds
    Deadly collapse at Mali gold mine

    The collapse of an illegally operated gold mine in western Mali at the weekend killed dozens of people

    The world’s ‘first openly gay imam’ who was shot dead in South Africa, Muhsin Hendricks, is remembered

    What can be done about overcrowding in prisons in Africa?

    Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Sunita Nahar and Stefania Okereke in London. Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical producer: Gabriel O'Regan Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.

    18 February 2025, 2:35 pm
  • 32 minutes 26 seconds
    African Union members elect new leader

    African Union members have elected Djibouti's Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf as the next chair of the AU Commission. Mr Ali Youssouf defeated Kenya’s former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and former Foreign Minister of Madagascar Richard Randriamandrato. What are some of the challenges he faces?

    Also, why is Gambia running short on medicines?

    And are tech-savvy Gen Z's really more vulnerable to cyber attacks?

    Presenter: Charles Gitonga Technical Producer: Philip Bull Producers: Patricia Whitehorne, Sunita Nahar, Nyasha Michelle and Stefania Okereke in London. Blessing Aderogba in Lagos. Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

    17 February 2025, 2:21 pm
  • 34 minutes 13 seconds
    Why has Sierra Leone imposed a fishing ban?

    A month-long fishing ban in Sierra Leone leaves families struggling to cope.

    Who are AfriForum- the white Afrikaner minority group that's behind Donald Trump's intimidation of South Africa?

    And we meet Nada Hafez -The Egyptian fencer whose Olympic pregnancy stunned the world.

    Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Patricia Whitehorne, Nyasha Michelle, Frenny Jowi and Paul Bakibinga. Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.

    14 February 2025, 2:44 pm
  • 32 minutes 51 seconds
    The case against Rwanda

    The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights is holding a public hearing in Tanzania, on a case filed by DR Congo against Rwanda. The country accuses Rwanda of violating its sovereignty, orchestrating violence, and destabilizing the DRC. Rwanda denies the accusations. How significant is this?

    Also, a look at the growing economic partnership between the United Arab Emirates and Zimbabwe. What difference does it make to ordinary Zimbabweans?

    And why a separatist fighter in Cameroon handed over his weapons to become a teacher..

    Presenter: Charles Gitonga Technical Producer: Phillip Bull Producers: Sunita Nahar, Stefania Okereke, Yvette Twagiramariya and Bella Hassan Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

    13 February 2025, 1:49 pm
  • 31 minutes 14 seconds
    Did Shell ignore clean-up warnings in Nigeria?

    Did Shell ignore clean-up warnings in southern Nigeria?

    Why residents of Cape Town’s brightly coloured Bo-Kaap neighbourhood are concerned about tourism numbers

    And calls for AI to bridge the gender equality gap in Africa

    Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Frenny Jowi in Nairobi with Patricia Whitehorne and Nyasha Michelle in London. Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Francesca Dunn Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

    12 February 2025, 3:07 pm
  • 31 minutes 15 seconds
    DR Congo sentences over 100 to death

    In January this year DR Congo's Justice Minister Constant Mutamba said 127 people, aged between the ages of 18 and 35, had received the death sentence. Rights groups said that number was higher. The DRC government had announced it would resume executions in 2024 following a two-decade hiatus. Who are these men and why have they been sentenced to death?

    Also, why are global powers interested in the Seychelles, the smallest country in Africa?

    And we hear why, it really does take a village to raise a child!

    Presenter: Charles Gitonga Technical Producer: Frank McWeeny Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya and Bella Hassan Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

    11 February 2025, 2:12 pm
  • 31 minutes 2 seconds
    Will DR Congo ceasefire calls be heeded ?

    After a recent summit, leaders from east and southern Africa called for an immediate ceasefire to end the fighting in eastern DR Congo. Willing the warring parties listen?

    After a fire kills 16 children in Zamfara state, north western Nigeria, how can schools there be made safer?

    How will Sam Nujoma the first president of Namibia be remembered?

    Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Victor Sylver, Patricia Whitehorne, and Nyasha Michelle in London with Frenny Jowi in Nairobi. Technical Producer: Frank McWeeny Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

    10 February 2025, 2:47 pm
  • 30 minutes 56 seconds
    South Africa's response to US threats

    South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has moved to defuse a row with the new US administration over a new land law by speaking to Elon Musk. However, President Ramaphosa has said his country "will not be bullied". What's at stake for the country?

    Also why have Moroccans decided to call a general strike? It's the first one in almost a decade

    And Rwanda faces allegations of sports washing, a claim the country denies. What's going on?

    Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Bella Hassan and Nysaha Michelle Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

    7 February 2025, 2:29 pm
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