Africa Today

At least 24 African countries have signed controversial bilateral health agreements with the United States under Donald Trump’s new aid strategy, while others, including Zimbabwe, have rejected it. Supporters say it gives governments more control over their health systems, but critics question accountability, data protection and continued US influence. We unpack what the deal means and why it’s dividing opinion across the continent.And as the world marks World Hearing Day, we turn to the 40 million people across Africa living with hearing loss. With sign language officially recognised in only four countries- South Africa, Uganda, Kenya and Zimbabwe, we head to Nairobi, where a young tech startup is using AI to translate spoken and written English into sign language in real time.Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producer: Keikantse Shumba and Dingindaba Buyoya Technical Producer: Jonathan Mwangi Senior Producers: Bella Twine and Blessing Aderogba Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

As the US-Israel conflict with Iran intensifies, concerns grow over its effects on Africa, including the security and economic impacts. Thousands of Africans working or traveling in Gulf cities like Dubai, UAE, and Doha, Qatar, are already facing disruptions, with some reportedly stranded at airports. Meanwhile, several African countries have called for urgent de-escalation to prevent the crisis from worsening.At the same time, Ghana has removed Kotoka’s name from its airport, restoring it to Accra International Airport. The government says national monuments should reflect democracy, not coups. The decision has sparked debate among Ghanaians, coming sixty years after a military coup that reshaped the country’s political history.Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producer: Ayuba Iliya, Keikantse Shumba and Godwin Asediba Technical Producer: Jonathan Mwangi Senior Producers: Bella Twine and Blessing Aderogba Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

Around the world, one in six people will experience infertility in their lifetime, according to the World Health Organisation. In Africa, there is still a lot of stigma that surrounds infertility, but now, more people are starting to speak out about their struggles on social media. Focus on Africa podcast host, Nkechi Ogbonna, sat down for a chat with Matshepo Segole, from Johannesburg, South Africa who has built a community on TikTok for women navigating infertility, and Jonathan Luwagga, who is British-Ugandan. He has been sharing his story on social media to encourage more men to speak out about this issue. Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Fana Negash and Carolyne Kiambo Technical Producer: Herbert Masua Senior Producer: Priya Sippy Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

The president of Israel Isaac Herzog has just concluded an official state visit in Ethiopia. We look at the historic ties between the two countries, and what the visit means for the horn of Africa region. Also, a report by the Alliance for Malaria Prevention warns that progress made in containing the disease could be stalling due to global aid funding cuts. The report predicts that a reduction of financing by 30 percent could see an additional 146 million malaria cases by 2030. We speak to the Executive Director of the Alliance. Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Keikantse Shumba, Blessing Aderogba and Albert Kirui Technical Producer: Herbert Masua Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

In this episode, we look at what the release of lawyer Ahmed Souab means for freedom of expression and the people of Tunisia. The Tunisian lawyer and critic of he current government, has been serving a five-year sentence after warning that judicial independence in Tunisia was collapsing. His detention sparked anger among political and civil groups who saw it as part of a wider crackdown on dissent.We also explore the myths, mysteries, and cultural significance of the Argungu Fishing Festival in Kebbi State, Nigeria. After a six-year break, some 50,000 fishermen gathered at the Matan Fada River, each determined to catch the biggest fish.Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producer: Ayuba Iliya Technical Producer: Herbert Masua Senior Producers: Bella Twine and Blessing Aderogba Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

In this episode, we examine how Spain’s plan to offer over 500,000 migrants legal status will affect African migrants in the country. Following an announcement by Spain's government, several in support of the proposal say it’s practical and crucial for Spain’s economy, while critics warn it could encourage irregular migration. We speak to a young Nigerian man in the queue for documentation. And we take a look at a recently released UNESCO report that shows Africa is giving the creative industries greater priority in comparison to other regions, with 62% of countries now including culture in development plans.Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Technical Producer: Herbert Masua Senior Producers: Bella Twine and Blessing Aderogba Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

For the second week, Gabon has suspended social media platforms like Whatsapp, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram - in a move it says is aimed at curbing the spread of false information and cyberbullying. What does this mean for the youth, as well as the right to access information in the country?And what does it take for an African athlete to make it to the Winter Olympics? We speak to 24-year-old skier Mialitiana Clerc, who represented Madagascar at this year's edition in Italy. Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Bella Twine and Basma El Atti Technical Producer: Herbert Masua Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

We speak to a Kenyan man who says he believed he was travelling to Russia to join a basketball team but was instead coerced into military service. He describes signing a contract in Russian, witnessing death in battle, and fighting in a war he says he never agreed to join.Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Carolyne Kiambo and Fana Negash. Technical Producer: Herbert Masua Senior Producer: Priya Sippy. Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

Nigeria’s Senate has passed a controversial electoral law after tense debates over how election results should be transmitted during elections. At the centre of the dispute was a provision allowing election officials to revert to manual transmission of results if electronic methods failed. Opposition lawmakers had sought to remove the clause, arguing that it could undermine transparency. And Ndaba Mandela, grandson of Nelson Mandela, says African youth are still missing from leadership conversations, and speaks on the potential of Africa's youth, leadership and gender based violence. Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Keikantse Shumba and Blessing Aderogba Technical Producer: Herbert Masua Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

University students in Senegal have been protesting in demand of payment of their stipend from the government. They say the allowance, paid to students mostly from low-income backgrounds, has not been disbursed for months. A week ago, a protest at the country's main Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar left one student dead after a confrontation between the protestors and the police. The push by the learners comes at a time when Senegal is facing a high debt burden. And we hear from award-winning poet Hafsat Abdullahi on the evolution of spoken word poetry in Africa, and its role in cultural preservation and activism. Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Bella Twine and Ayuba Iliya Technical Producer: Herbert Masua Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

The Deputy Executive Director for UN Women, Dr Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda has made an appeal for a ceasefire in Sudan - while speaking at the just concluded Africa Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. UN Women says of the 12 million people displaced by the Sudan war, more than half of them are women and children. This adds to the documented cases of mass and systemic rape and the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war.   And Zambia's inflation is at its lowest for the first time in three years. At 9.4%, the government says the favourable cost of living is as a result of strong copper sales and low food prices. We hear from Zambians.   Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Keikantse Shumba, Blessing Aderogba and Kennedy Gondwe Technical Producer: Herbert Masua Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

An investigation by Reuters news agency has revealed that Ethiopia built a secret training camp for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) - a group involved in the Sudan war. Satellite images released by Reuters show that the camp is located in western Ethiopia near the border with Sudan. Experts say this is the first time Ethiopia has been directly linked to the war between the RSF and the Sudan Armed Forces. We look at Ethiopia's alleged involvement, alongside other countries like Chad, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. And, a look at the life and legacy of Ebo Taylor, the Ghanaian Highlife musician who died recently. We speak to Ghanaian artist, Gyakie on growing up listening to Ebo's sound. Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Bella Twine, Keikantse Shumba and Mark Wilberforce Technical Producer: Herbert Masua Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

In this episode of Focus on Africa: The Conversation, we explore the world of dating apps on the African continent. Around 350 million people worldwide are using dating apps to look for romantic connections. But the picture looks different in Africa.We hear from a Nigerian couple who met on a popular dating app and ended up getting married. And a Kenyan woman who says her experience with the apps left her heartbroken. Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Carolyne Kiambo, Fana Negash and Makuochi Okafor Technical Producer: David Nzau Senior Producer: Priyanka Sippy Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

Authorities in Senegal are investigating a transnational network of criminals accused of committing henious crimes against children. The police in the west African country say that the network was operating in coordination with a French national who was arrested in France in April last year. The suspects are accused of paedophilia, pimping, rape of minors under 15, sodomy and intentional transmission of HIV/AIDS.   And we speak with a founder and director of Kabusa Oriental Choir from Nigeria about their 'Valentine is coming' viral hit song.     Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Keikantse Shumba and Chiamaka Dike Technical Producer: David Nzau Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

In an exclusive interview with Focus on Africa, Lieutenant General John Brennan, the Deputy Commander of US Africa Command (AFRICOM), says that over 90% of revenue generation and recruitment by Islamic State (IS) terror organisation is now happening in Africa. He also discusses how the US is seeking to deepen its military cooperation with African countries such as Nigeria, Kenya, Somalia and Mali.And ahead of Valentine's Day celebrations, central banks in Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda have banned the use of bank notes to make cash bouquets - saying the practice destroys the integrity of their currencies. Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Bella Twine, Daniel Dadzie and Ayuba Iliya Technical Producer: David Nzau Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

Over 200 cases of the Foot and Mouth Disease have been confirmed in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal province. The highly contagious viral disease that affects cows, sheep, goats and other split hoofed animals has also been confirmed in Zimbabwe, Botswana, Eswatini and Mozambique. We hear what this means for farmers and the economy.Also - between Morocco and Algeria, who really owns the caftan? Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Keikantse Shumba and Basma El Atti Technical Producer: David Nzau Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

Following a months-long delay, the US recently renewed the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) - a key trade deal between Washington and dozens of African countries that was first enacted in 2000. AGOA enables African countries to export select goods to the US duty free. While previous US administations renewed the deal for periods of upto 10 years, President Trump's government has offered to extend it for just one year. We look at what this means for the 32 African countries that currently benefit from the agreement.And we speak to Ntungamili Raguin, the 17-year-old tennis player from Botswana who made history at the just concluded Australian Open, where he reached the round of last 16 in the junior tournament.Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Bella Twine, Priya Sippy and Blessing Aderogba Technical Producer: David Nzau Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

The UNFPA has warned that world fertility rates are facing an 'unprecedented decline'. In its 2025 report, it said many people are having fewer children than they want, or none at all, because of factors like the cost of living and difficulties finding a suitable partner.At the same time, a growing number of people are actively choosing a child-free life, and more women are now opting for sterilisation procedures like tubal ligation. Focus on Africa podcast host, Nkechi Ogbonna, spoke to 29-year-old Naisula Sironka, from Kenya, who has chosen to be child-free and underwent tubal ligation in 2024.Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Fana Negash and Carolyne Kiambo Technical Producer: David Nzau Senior Producer: Priya Sippy Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

In Nigeria's commercial capital Lagos, authorities have demolished Makoko - the country's biggest informal waterfront settlement. The Lagos state government says some structures built beneath high-tension power lines pose a serious safety risk. But the scale of demolitions has left thousands of residents displaced and families say they were given little warning and no clear relocation plan. And in Sierra Leone, President Julius Maada Bio has announced January 18th as Remembrance Day for victims of the civil war. Between 1991 and 2002 the west African country's military alongside UN peacekeeping troops fought against rebel groups, resulting in the killing of thousands of people and displacement of more than half of Sierra Leone's population at the time.Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Bella Twine, Keikantse Shumba, Chiamaka Dike and Ayuba Iliya Technical Producer: David Nzau Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

A vessel carrying Russian oil suffered an explosion off the coast of Senegal last December, prompting investigations into the presence of a Russian shadow fleet in African waters. The tanker is reportedly among several vessels trying to flout US, EU and UK sanctions on Russia.And - even though the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is over, several incidents from the tournament hosted by Morocco have raised questions about African identity.Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Bella Twine, Basma El Atti and Blessing Aderogba Technical Producer: David Nzau Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla