Sinopsis
News and analysis from the BBC's Focus on Africa. The Africa Today podcast is published from Monday to Friday. It contains the day's top African stories.
Episodios
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Djibouti launches a crackdown on migrants
21/05/2025 Duración: 29minWhy is Djibouti reportedly targeting Somalis and Ethiopians in a major anti-immigration crackdown?Can DR Congo's former President Joseph Kabila's immunity from prosecution be lifted by authorities?And what is driving the loss of Africa’s tropical forests?Presenter: Richard Kagoe Producers: Bella Hassan, Yvette Twagiramariya and Blessing Aderogba Technical producer: Chris Kouzaris Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
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South Sudan: A country constantly in crisis
20/05/2025 Duración: 32minThere are concerns that South Sudan will relapse into an all-out civil war. But, why is peace in the world's youngest democracy so fragile? Also, what some young Africans think about the UK's tightening immigration policies.And how a swimming coach in Nigeria is providing inspiration and life lessons to children with disabilities.Presenter: Audrey Brown Technical Producer: Jonny Hall Producers: Tom Kavanagh, Blessing Aderogba and Sunita Nahar Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editiors: Andre Lombard and Andre Muthengi
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Child sex abuse uncovered in South Africa's illegal mines
19/05/2025 Duración: 26minA BBC investigation has found evidence that children are being trafficked into illegal mines and sexually abused across South Africa. Were assets of the Gambia's ex-leader Yahya Jammeh sold for a song?And a landmark ruling in Nigeria finds that the Football Federation's negligence contributed to the death of a footballerPresenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Bella Hassan, Patricia Whitehorne and Tom Kavanagh Technical Producer: Jonny Hall Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
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Why is Burkina Faso's Ibrahim Traoré 'popular'
16/05/2025 Duración: 37minBurkina Faso's military ruler, 37 year old Captain Ibrahim Traoré, has skilfully built a persona of a pan-Africanist leader, determined to free his nation from what he sees as, 'the clutches of Western imperialism and neo-colonialism'. This message has resonated across Africa and beyond on social media. But what's fact and what's fiction? Why has Ethiopia's government banned the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) from taking part in elections? And Benin's bid to become Africa's cycling superpower. Presenter: Audrey Brown Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Patricia Whitehorne and Bella Hassan Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
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Mali’s junta dissolves all political parties
15/05/2025 Duración: 27minMali's military junta has dissolved all political parties in the country. Why are the youth dissenting?Why are Nigerians being trafficked to Ivory Coast?And plans by Ethiopia to allow foreigners and companies to buy property in the countryPresenter: Blessing Aderogba Producers: Nyasha Michelle and Tom Kavanagh in London, Richard Kagoe and Frenny Jowi in Nairobi. Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
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Ethiopia: Why are health workers striking?
14/05/2025 Duración: 27minMedical professionals in various parts of Ethiopia are on strike. They say they are seeking adjustments in salaries, improved benefits and better working conditions. We hear from Ethiopian doctors.Also, as the movie industry expands in Africa, so do concerns about the safety of actors.And we'll meet 19 year old Makhosazana "Khosi" Dlomo, who is breaking barriers as the first black female competitor in tent pegging.Presenter: Audrey Brown Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris Producers: Bella Hassan, Blessing Aderogba and Yvette Twagiramariya Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
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More than 100 dead in Congo floods
13/05/2025 Duración: 31minThe UN says "a double crisis" is facing the DR Congo, as it suffers flooding and mass displacement caused by ongoing conflict.Why is Sierra Leone’s largest diamond miner laying off more than 1,000 workers?And we visit churches in South Africa where polygamy is allowed.Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Richard Kagoe in Nairobi with Nyasha Michelle, Yvette Twagiramariya and Tom Kavanagh in London Technical Producer: Pat Sissons and Kane Morgan Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
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Zambia: US cuts aid over 'thefts'
12/05/2025 Duración: 34minThe United States said it was pulling the plug on millions of dollars' worth of aid to Zambia's health sector after the country failed to tackle 'systematic' theft of much needed medicines. The US Ambassador to Zambia, Michael Gozales' said that the "difficult" decision was made after repeated warnings to the Zambian government, to safeguard vital drugs meant for the country's most vulnerable patients. We'll hear analysis.Also, why did the International Court of Justice dismiss Sudan's case of genocide against the United Arab Emirates?And the history behind one of South Africa's official languages, Afrikaans, which celebrates 100 years this year!Presenter: Audrey Brown Technical Producer: Pat Sissons Producers: Bella Hassan and Yvette Twagiramariya Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
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What do African youth want from Pope Leo XIV
09/05/2025 Duración: 32minThe Roman Catholic Church has a new leader, Pope Leo XIV. What do youth from the world's youngest Catholic population want?Why did billionaire and philanthropist Bill Gates decide to close his foundation in 2045?And how are parts of Zimbabwe's capital tackling an infestation of bed bugsPresenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Richard Kagoe and Frenny Jowi in Nairobi with Tom Kavanagh in London and Blessing Aderogba in Lagos. Technical producer: Craig Kingham Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.
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Women and the Catholic Church
08/05/2025 Duración: 36minSister Ngalula is the only African woman to be appointed to the Vatican’s International Theological Commission. She previously spoke to the late Pope Francis about the need for more female leadership in the church. She says, although many roles in the Catholic clergy are technically open to women, fear among cardinals and bishops is blocking their participation. We hear from Sister Josée Ngalula.Also, why has the EU declared Tunisia, Morocco and Egypt safe for asylum seekers? And the campaign to add sunscreen onto the list of essential medicines, especially for those with albinism.Presenter: Audrey Brown Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Producers: Bella Hassan, Yvette Twagiramariya and Tom Kavanagh in London Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
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People smuggling between Eritrea and Kenya
07/05/2025 Duración: 30minAn investigation into a new dangerous people smuggling route through Northern Kenya. Why are large and ongoing protests continuing in Morocco? And food fraud: what is it? And why is it dangerous?Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Amie Liebowitz, Stefania Okereke and Tom Kavanagh in London with Blessing Adegroba in Lagos Technical producer: Jonathan Greer Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.
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Port Sudan: Explosions in Sudan's de facto capital
06/05/2025 Duración: 33minMultiple explosions have been heard in Sudan's de facto capital, Port Sudan, for a third day in a row. Prior to the attacks the city had avoided bombardment and was regarded as one of the safest places in the war-ravaged nation. We hear analysis.Also, how and why Togo remains Africa's longest ruling political dynasties.And what is financial abuse and how to spot it? Presenter: Audrey Brown Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya and Nyasha Michelle in London Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
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Is press freedom declining in the Seychelles?
05/05/2025 Duración: 30minSeychelles has long featured high in world press freedom rankings, but has the expulsion of a newspaper editor dented that image? We have a response from the governmentAs a Ugandan UN judge is jailed for forcing her maid to work as a slave-does she have support back home?And we meet Princess Oluwayemisi Oki - the woman behind a movement of female tricycle riders in Nigeria's Ondo state Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Richard Kagoe, Frenny Jowi, Tom Kavanagh and Bella Hassan Technical Producer: Jonny Hall Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
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Ivory Coast: Why opposition leader removed from electoral list?
02/05/2025 Duración: 34minIvory Coast's main opposition leader Tidjane Thiam has been struck off the electoral list. The judiciary has declared he is ineligible to run in October's presidential election due to his citizenship. Tidjane Thiam also held French citizenship which he renounced in order to run for the presidency. A court this week argued, that the former Credit Suisse boss forfeited his Ivorian nationality when he acquired French citizenship in 1987. We'll get analysisAlso, did past African National Congress party (ANC) governments in South Africa interfere with investigation and prosecution of apartheid-era crimes? President Cyril Ramaphosa has set up an inquiry. How will it work?And, how does money laundering work, what is a 'grey list' and how do countries can get off it?Presenter: Charles Gitonga Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark Producers: Tom Kavanagh and Nyasha Michelle in London and Richard Kagoe in Nairobi Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
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Why does insurgency persist in Nigeria?
01/05/2025 Duración: 31minNigeria has appointed Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar as its 15th commander in its fight against militant jihadist insurgency. Why is it proving difficult to tackle?Why are healthcare workers in Mozambique on strike again? And plans to make refugee camps in Kenya self-sufficient after cuts in global aidPresenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Bella Hassan, Yvette Twagiramariya and Frenny Jowi Technical Producer: Philip Bull Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
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Tension on Guinea and Sierra Leone border
30/04/2025 Duración: 26minGuinean troops have fired shots in the disputed town of Yenga, which is on the border with Sierra Leone. What's behind this unprecedented development? Also why are farmworkers in Kenya occupying tea plantations owned by multinational companies? And why we should be eating more fermented foods..Presenter: Audrey Brown Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne Producers: Tom Kavanagh in London and Blessing Aderogba in Lagos Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
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Why is gender violence "widespread" in Namibia?
29/04/2025 Duración: 34minWhy is gender based violence at a pandemic level in Namibia. How can it be reduced?We meet Botswana's Bitcoin Lady who is educating people on cryptocurrencyAnd we meet the artist who has designed more than 2000 album coversPresenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Richard Kagoe, Bella Hassan and Yvette Twagiramariya Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
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BBC Investigation reveals who shot at Kenyan protestors
28/04/2025 Duración: 26minIn June last year, dozens of young Kenyans were killed and others wounded during days of anti -government demonstrations. The protestors wanted to occupy Kenya's parliament, to urge lawmakers not to pass a finance bill. Security forces protecting the premises opened fire at demonstrators, and at least three people were killed. No one has been held responsible for their deaths. An investigation by BBC Africa Eye shows how these protesters were gunned down.Also, how dozens of African migrants have been killed in a US air strike on a detention centre in a Houthi-controlled area in YemenAnd why South Africa is importing weevils to help fight a rapidly growing invasive plant!Presenter: Charles Gitonga Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne Producers: Blessing Aderogba in Lagos and Tom Kavanagh in London Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
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Why did South Africa reverse a VAT increase?
25/04/2025 Duración: 33minSouth Africa's finance minister drops plan to increase value-added tax (VAT), in a major climbdown to prevent the collapse of the coalition government.10,000 illegal settlers reportedly removed from Ghana's largest forest reserve.And why is Uganda’s treasured shea butter becoming harder to harvest ?Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Frenny Jowi in Nairobi with Bella Hassan and Yvette Twagiramariya in London Technical Producer: Craig Kingham Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.
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'Ethiopians are one shock away from catastrophe'
24/04/2025 Duración: 29minIn a stark warning, the head of the UN's food aid agency in Ethiopia said millions in the country are "one shock away from falling into a catastrophe". Zlatan Milišić's statement came as he announced that because of a lack of funding the World Food Programme was "being forced to halt treatment" for more than half a million malnourished women and children, starting from next month. How did Ethiopia get here?Also, French President Emmanuel Macron brings new promises to cyclone-battered Mayotte. Is it enough?And a prestigious award for Tunisian environmental campaigner, Semia Gharbi, who dared to challenge authorities over illegal waste dumping!Presenter: Charles Gitonga Technical Producer: Gabriel O'Regan Producers: Blessing Aderogba in Lagos. Tom Kavanagh, Patricia Whitehorne and Yvette Twagiramariya in London. Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard