Africa Today

Somali piracy is rising again. The buccaneers capitalize on security gaps, targeting cargo ships and demanding multi-million dollar ransoms. On Sunday, nine people were reportedly killed in a drone strike on a small boat off the coast of Somalia, in a series of attacks linked to the hijacking of a Cameroon-flagged vessel. And in Mozambique, a simple paper appointment book is helping tackle long clinic queues hoping to bring healthcare services closer to pregnant women Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Keikantse Shumba, Carolyne Kiambo and Blessing Aderogba Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga Technical Producer: David Nzau Editors: Daniel Dadzie and Maryam Abdalla

The Nigerian government plans to decriminalise attempted suicide. It is currently an offence punishable by up to one year in prison, a fine or both. Suicide is a major public health concern, with the country recording around 300,000 attempts every year, and at least 7,000 deaths. We hear from a survivor and a mental health expert. And, as more countries move to ban social media access for teenagers because of safety concerns, we hear from two young people who are members of TikTok's Global Youth Council. Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Bella Twine, Keikantse Shumba, Ayuba Iliya and Helen Oyibo Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga Technical Producer: David Nzau Editors: Daniel Dadzie and Maryam Abdalla

Imagine living with the lifelong physical and psychological scars of an attack fuelled by misogyny or romantic rejection. It’s the brutal reality for many women globally, yet the stigma of acid violence forces most survivors into silence. Focus on Africa podcast host Nkechi Ogbonna sits down with two survivors. They share their raw stories of living with the trauma, finding the strength to heal, and rebuilding their lives.Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Carolyne Kiambo and Keikantse Shumba Senior Producer: Priyanka Sippy and Bella Twine Technical Producer: Jonathan Mwangi Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo and Maryam Abdalla

A Moroccan influencer is serving a ten month jail sentence for violating public decency laws. Soukaina Janah was found guilty of inappropriate behaviour while marketing a dress on TikTok. She has also been banned from using her social media accounts for three years. Also, rising water levels in Kenya's Baringo lake is driving crocodiles into people's homes. Presenter: Nkechi OgbonnaProducers: Ayuba Iliya, Helen Oyibo, Basma El Atti and Keikantse Shumba Senior Producer: Bella TwineTechnical Producer: Jonathan MwangiEditors: Rhoda Odhiambo, Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla

Uganda's parliament has approved plans to deploy it's troops to Gaza under a U.S.-backed International Stabilization Force mission. This is an invitation from President Donald Trump's Board of Peace initiative which is meant to oversee post war transition. The International Stabilisation Force (ISF) would be made up of countries willing to send their troops to take over some of the security tasks that were managed by Hamas for so many years. And, for World Photography Day, we follow a Congolese photographer’s journey through the lens, as he captures the meaning of home.Presenter: Nkechi OgbonnaProducers: Keikantse Shumba and Ayuba IliyaSenior Producer: Bella TwineTechnical Producer: Jonathan MwangiEditors: Rhoda Odhiambo, Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla

An international medical charity is warning that children in southwest Somalia face alarming food shortages. A survey by Doctors Without Borders found half the children screened were acutely malnourished and one quarter severely malnourished. According to a survey by Doctors Without Borders, that was conducted over 800 households in 14 displacement sites in Baidoa, it found that over 200 families are surviving on just one meal a day. And Cannabis remains one of Africa's most controversial policy issues. While supporters point to economic and medical benefits, critics warn it could result in higher rates of abuse. Presenter: Nkechi OgbonnaProducers: Keikantse Shumba and Ayuba Iliya Senior Producer: Bella TwineTechnical Producer: Jonathan MwangiEditors: Rhoda Odhiambo, Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla

Security officers in Zambia have arrested 11 people including opposition candidate Brian Mundubile. The government claims that they could be planning a revolt. Incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema who is running for second, five-year term is taking an early lead in the count. The main opposition party has disputed the results.And why are African vultures classified as endangered birds? Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Keikantse Shumba and Helen Oyibo Senior Producer: Bella Twine Technical Producer: Jonathan Mwangi Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo, Charlse Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla

A recent report by Cognitive Market Research says the global placenta powder market is expanding rapidly, driven by growing demand for placenta-based cosmetics and dietary supplements. But across Africa, deep-rooted cultural traditions mean the organ is usually buried, not consumed. So, why are some modern African mothers breaking with tradition? Focus on Africa host Nkechi Ogbonna spoke to maternal health advocate Ruth Sally Kodam and a placenta encapsulation specialist, Mary-Nissi Lemon, to understand the placenta and the different practices to either preserve or consume it. Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Bella Twine, Fana Negash and Carolyne Jotham Senior Producers: Charles Gitonga and Priya Sippy Technical Producer: David Kinyanjui Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo and Maryam Abdalla

South Africa says it is asking Nigeria, Malawi and Ethiopia to share the cost of deporting tens of thousands of illegal immigrants to their home countries. The country's Department of Home Affairs says it spent nearly $18 million in the exercise, far exceeding the budgetary allocation. About 82,000 people were repatriated to their home countries since anti-migrant protests started. And a UN report says one in three people can’t afford a healthy diet, despite a decline in global hunger in recent years. How are families across Africa coping with the affordability crisis?Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Basma El Atti, Keikantse Shumba and Ayuba Iliya Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga Technical Producer: David Kinyanjui Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo and Maryam Abdalla

Deaths from the Ebola outbreak in eastern DR Congo have crossed the 2,000 mark. Officials have described the outbreak as the fastest spreading in the country’s history, blaming the rapid rates of infection on late detection and insecurity. The confirmation makes it the second most deadly outbreak, behind the 2018-2020 one which killed 2,300 people. Over 4,300 infections have been confirmed since the outbreak was declared in May. We hear from the World Health Organisation on containment measures. And as extreme weather patterns including flooding and heatwaves become more frequent, we look at some of the skills you need to survive. Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Bella Twine, Victor Chege, Keikantse Shumba and Ayuba Iliya Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga Technical Producer: David Kinyanjui Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo and Maryam Abdalla

Zambia's 8 million registered voters are expected to cast their ballots on August 13, when the country will hold presidential and parliamentary elections. Fourteen candidates are gunning for the presidency but many see it as a two-horse race between incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema and opposition leader Brian Mundubile. The vote comes amid concerns of high cost of living and unemployment. We look at how candidates used music on the campaign trail to sway voters. And we explain the often-strained relationship between rap music and politics as Moroccan rapper El Mehdi Lyoubi better known to his fans as Mehdi Black Wind is on trial for controversial lyrics. Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Basma El Atti, Keikantse Shumba and Ayuba Iliya Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga Technical Producer: David Kinyanjui Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo and Maryam Abdalla

BBC Africa Eye has seen evidence suggesting a South African police detective, Lieutenant Colonel Frans Mathipa, was shot dead by the country’s special forces while investigating the disappearance of a suspected Islamic State group militant.  A former South African counter-terrorism police chief has told the BBC that the suspected IS militant, known as Abdella Abadigga, was being protected and used as an intelligence asset before he went missing.  Seven special forces soldiers and one other are due to stand trial in connection with the detective’s murder. Of those, seven are accused, alongside four others, of abducting and murdering Abadigga. They deny the allegations. And how one of Kenya's tallest men, Bradley Marongo went from being a commercial bus conductor to actor and content creator.Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Priya Sippy, Keikantse Shumba and Ayuba Iliya Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga Technical Producer: David Kinyanjui Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo and Maryam Abdalla

What do you think of when you hear South Sudan? Well, these days you might be thinking of the catwalk. The country is producing some of the world’s top international models like Anok Yai, Adut Akech and Alek Wek. Currently nine of the world’s top 50 models ranked by models.com are originally from South Sudan. Despite this, there are still challenges around visas and access to the international stages. Focus on Africa host, Nkechi Ogbonna, spoke to two rising stars from the industry, 19-year-old, Khloe Nyanda and 21-year-old Abraham Ajuong about their careers so far. Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Bella Twine, Fana Negash and Carolyne Jotham Senior Producers: Keikantse Shumba and Priya Sippy Technical Producer: Herbert Masua Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo and Maryam Abdalla

As tensions between the United States and Iran continue, security in the Strait of Hormuz remains under scrutiny. On 3 August, a Liberian-flagged vessel was attacked off the coast of Oman, leaving one crew member missing after a major fire, the latest in a series of attacks on ships flying Liberia's flag. With Liberia operating the world's largest shipping registry by gross tonnage, what do these attacks mean for the country?And, a newly identified dinosaur species from Zimbabwe, named Musango matusadonaensis, is giving scientists fresh insight into what southern Africa looked like around 210 million years ago during the Late Triassic period.Presenter: Nkechi OgbonnaProducers: Bella Twine, Blessing Aderogba and Ayuba Iliya Senior Producers: Keikantse Shumba Technical Producer: Herbert MasuaEditors: Rhoda Odhiambo and Maryam Abdalla

Zambia heads to the polls next week to elect a President, lawmakers and local council leaders. The election has been widely perceived as a two horse race following the emergance of an opposition coallition candidate. In an exclusive interview with President Hakainde Hichilema we ask why he is seeking another five year term in office and what he hopes to do differently if re-elected.Also, the Ngorongoro Conservation Site in Tanzania is at the centre of a controversy as the host community is asking to be delisted from the UNESCO World Heritage site list following concerns that it is negatively affecting the lives of locals.Presenter: Nkechi OgbonnaProducers: Bella Twine and Ayuba Iliya Senior Producers: Keikantse Shumba and Blessing AderogbaTechnical Producer: Herbert MasuaEditors: Rhoda Odhiambo and Maryam Abdalla

A tiny enclave named Ceuta has become the flashpoint of a migration crisis between Morocco and Spain. Geographically situated in Africa, but under Spanish control, Ceuta has become a destination of over 60 000 migrants risking it all in the dangerous 5km swim from the Northern city of Finiduk in Morocco to the Spanish enclave. At least 72 people have died, according to authorities. And, a proposal to place The Nile crocodiles around an Israeli prison sparks conversations on human rights and abuses The aim is to deter Palestinian security detainees from attempting to escape from the Israeli prisons but the proposal is also facing criticism from human rights groups who say it goes beyond prison security. Presenter: Nkechi OgbonnaProducers: Basma El Atti, Bella Twine and Carolyne JothamSenior Producers: Keikantse Shumba and Blessing AderogbaTechnical Producer: Herbert MasuaEditors: Rhoda Odhiambo and Maryam Abdalla

Zambia voters will head to the polls on the 13th of August in what is shaping up to be one of the country's most closely watched elections. Incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema is seeking a second term but faces a strong challenge from a united opposition. While several candidates are contesting the election, the race is widely seen as being between President Hichilema and Brian Mundubile, a lawyer, Member of Parliament, and the presidential candidate backed by an opposition alliance. We speak to opposition candidate Brian MundubileAnd young girls in northwestern Nigeria are defying insecurity challenges to pick interest in Cricket. Nigeria Cricket Federation has been honoured with the international Cricket Council (ICC) Criiio Cricket Festival of the Year award for a programme introducing girls to cricket in a region affected by kidnapping, and armed banditry Presenter: Nkechi OgbonnaProducers: Blessing AderogbaSenior Producers: Keikantse ShumbaTechnical Producer: Herbert MasuaEditors: Rhoda Odhiambo a

Africa's video gaming industry is booming. The sector generated more than $1 billion in revenue in 2024, with mobile gaming making up around 90% of the market, according to KPMG. Although the industry has long been dominated by men, more women are entering the space, building careers as content creators, professional gamers and esports competitors. But breaking into the industry isn't always easy. Many female gamers continue to face abuse and harassment online. So what is it like to be a woman in Africa's gaming community? And why are more young Africans choosing gaming as a full-time career?Focus on Africa's Nkechi Ogbonna speaks to 30-year-old Techna from South Africa, who left her job to become a full-time gamer, and 25-year-old Saphra from Kenya about the opportunities, challenges and future of gaming on the continent.Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Fana Negash, Carolyne Jotham, Bella Twine and Brian Khisa Senior Producers: Keikantse Shumba and Priya Sippy Technical Producer: Davis Mwasaru Editors: R

In Burkina Faso, the military-led government has launched a controversial campaign targeting what it describes as religious extremism. Transitional leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré, appears to be at odds with sections of the country's Muslim community after the arrests of some clerics and signing of a new law aimed at curbing radicalisation and extremist preaching. The government has announced plans to recall about 800 Burkinabè students studying Islamic law in Arab countries, while introducing a requirement for government approval before students can pursue similar studies abroad.And today marks International Day of Friendship by the United Nations, a day that recognises how friendships between individuals, communities and cultures can foster understanding, strengthen connections and even contribute to peace. We speak to two sets of old friends who have known each other for more than two decades. Presenter: Nkechi OgbonnaProducers: Bella Twine and Ayuba IliyaSenior Producers: Keikantse ShumbaTechnical Producer:

South Africa has announced plans to expand its strategic oil reserve for the first time since the apartheid era. this is in its response to the global supply shocks. The proposal aims to reserve approximately 36 million barrels, comprising 70% crude oil and 30% refined petroleum products, to meet 60 days of National demand. The proposal also requires licensed oil marketers to hold an additional 21 days of oil stock as a buffer. The government says this will mitigate oil supply shocks in cases of emergencies. And an exclusive chat with award winning Ugandan hip-hop artist and pioneer of the music genre Uga-flow, Navio, on East Africa's music scene and how he's stayed relevant, more than 20 years in the industryPresenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Bella Twine and Ayuba Iliya Senior Producers: Keikantse Shumba Technical Producer: Davis Mwasaru Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo and Maryam Abdalla