Africa Today
Africa news and analysis from the BBC's Focus on Africa. The Africa Today podcast contains the day's top stories from African news - available to download Monday to Friday from 1630 GMT.
Nairobi’s governor warns Kenya is sliding into ‘a precipice’
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja warns the anti-government demonstrations called by opposition leader Raila Odinga could see Kenya “sliding into a precipice.” He says the protests are costing lives and livelihoods. Senegalese opposition leader, Ousmane Sonko, has been found guilty of libel and handed a two-month suspended jail sentence. What will…
US Vice President visits Tanzania
The US Vice President is expected to land in Tanzania after visiting Ghana and ahead of reaching Zambia later in the week. The visit comes on the tail of a flurry of visits from top US government figures in Africa. We look at the main talking points of this latest…
Kenya religious leaders call for peace talks amid protests
We visit Kenya after violent protests broke out yesterday called by opposition leader, Raila Odinga. He spoke exclusively to the BBC’s Ferdinand Omondi about the demonstrations. Ivorian director, Habibata Ouarme, discusses her latest film about female genital mutilation and reconstructive surgery. And Angélique Kidjo has become the third African artist…
Monday demonstrations in Kenya
Protests in Kenya for a second Monday running, as promised by Riyla Odinga. Also, business people in Kenya are callng for the political empass to be resolved. And the American vice president, Kamala Harris, is in Ghana. What's on her agenda? We'll hear from our correspondent in Accra. Those stories…
Hotel Rwanda hero set to be freed
Rwanda says it will release the human rights activist Paul Rusesabagina from prison. He was in jail serving a 25-year sentence for terrorism. His co-accused were also granted presidential clemency. A cabinet reshuffle in the Democratic Republic of Congo includes unlikely names and old faces. What does it tell us…
Nigerian politician convicted of organ trafficking by London court
Former Nigerian senator Ike Ekweremadu and his wife Beatrice have been convicted of exploiting a young man from a poor village by bringing him to London to donate a kidney. The couple, and a doctor who was also found guilty, were convicted under Britain's Modern Slavery Act. We hear more…
Uganda reacts to strict anti-homosexuality bill
Uganda has passed one of the toughest pieces of anti-gay legislation in Africa. A rights activist tell us the bill has increased the fear of more attacks on gay people. Five people have died from an outbreak of Marburg virus in Tanzania. It has been three years since Malawi legalised…
Uganda passes harsh anti-LGBTQ bill
Parliament in Uganda has passed a bill that may see people who identify as gay, lesbian or queer be imprisoned for life, if it is signed into law. Kenya has received its first shipment from the ‘Grain from Ukraine’ programme. Senegalese president, Macky Sall, has rejected claims it would unconstitutional…
South Africa's opposition EFF call for a shutdown of the economy
South Africa's opposition Economic Freedom Fighters call for a shutdown of the economy... we'll hear how it went. Also, as Ramadan approaches, Egyptians despair over the rising cost of food. Plus, music and money from Malawi's artists to help victims of Cyclone Freddy. And how clever is Artificial Intelligence when…
More bodies pulled in aftermath of Cyclone Freddy in Malawi
More bodies recovered in the wost-hit areas of Malawi, following the devastation caused by Storm Freddy. Also, why are religious communities in the Kenyan coastal town of Mombasa staging anti-LGBTQI protests? Plus our resident presidents are tackling a major issue... stay tuned... Those stories and more in this podcast presented…
Efforts to help survivors of Cyclone Freddy continue
We'll be in Malawi for the latest on efforts to help people caught in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Freddy. Also, Anthony Blinken is the first US Secretary of State to visit Niger, but why now? And what needs to be done to help children recover from the psychological effects…
Millions affected by floods in Malawi
Up to five million people are affected by floods in Malawi. Things are so bad that even the helpers need help. Also, the US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, is in Ethiopia. What's on the agenda? And Professor Daniele Darlan - who risked her own safety to defend judicial independence…
Malawi Storm Freddy death toll continues to rise
Malawi is reeling from the aftermath of Storm Freddy. Authorities say the death toll has risen to more than 190 people. We hear from those affected. Nigeria’s Central Bank has said 200, 500 and 1000 old banknotes will remain legal tender until the end of the year after months of…
Cyclone Freddy kills dozen in Malawi
Malawi’s government has declared a state of emergency, after Cyclone Freddy killed dozens of people and caused huge damage, with rescue efforts hampered by continuing poor weather. Plus, we look at what Angola’s decision to send troops into eastern Congo means for the dynamics of the ongoing conflict in North…
Africa unites to fight Cholera
Several African nations unite in Malawi in a bid to create a taskforce to curb the spread of deadly Cholera. Also, Mozambique braces itself for a second battering by Cyclone Freddy. And our very own satirical resident presidents have their take on the recent elections in Nigeria. Those stories and…
Uganda debates anti-LGBTQ+ bill
A bill has been tabled in the Ugandan parliament which could see anyone engaging in same-sex relations go to jail for up to ten years. Nigeria has postponed governorship and state assembly elections due to the ongoing dispute over the presidential vote. A solar plant in Kigoma, Tanzania, is providing…
M23 rebels in the DRC on the march despite ceasefire
Congolese M23 rebels continue to seize swathes of territory even though there's supposed to be a ceasefire. And today - International Women's day - we hear about Kenya's first girls only running camp. Plus - three brave female photographers - who are working in conflict zones. Those stories and more…
Will DRC's ceasefire hold?
A ceasefire has come into force in the Democratic Republic of Congo to put an end to fighting between the army and M23 rebels. Aid workers in eastern DRC say that clashes are continuing. South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced the appointment the country's first-ever minister of electricity. We…
Protests in Nigeria continue
Former Nigerian vice President, Atiku Abubakar leads a 'black uniform' march by his party, PDP, to the headquarters of the electoral commission INEC. The Presidential candidate said the February 25th poll was compromised and his party demands a re-run after saying they'll challenge it in courts. Also, a BBC investigation…
Nigeria's chaotic banknote redesign ruled invalid
Nigeria's Supreme Court has overturned a ban on old naira banknotes and ruled that the redesign was invalid. The justices said that not enough notice was given to the public before the old notes were withdrawn. Several anti-France activists stage protests in parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo, to…