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.
20 Episodes
What is behind recent stampedes in Nigeria?
Dozens of people have died in stampedes to collect Christmas hampers in Nigeria raising concerns about safety at these events. Also in the programme, why South Sudanese civil servants have not been paid their salaries for nearly a year, and what South African shop owners are saying about the government's…
Why Malawi seeks billions in unpaid taxes
Malawi's government is demanding billions in unpaid taxes and royalties from a US-based gemstone company for rubies exported over the last 10 years. The companies deny the claimsThe tale of the child bride social media sensation in South Sudan.And a couple share their painful experience with infertilityPresenter Audrey Brown Producers:…
Why is piracy on Somalia waters increasing?
Piracy off the coast in Somalia, had cost the global economy around 7 billion US dollars just over a decade ago. Since then, international security patrols in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean shipping lane all but eliminated piracy. But in recent months, there’s been a resurgence off the…
Are Kenyan police managing the Haiti crisis?
An underfunded and undermanned contingent of 400 Kenyan police are on a mission to quell gangs in Haiti. How are they coping?More Somali migrants stranded in Libya return home.And Algerian Kamel Daoud was recently awarded a top French prize for his novel Houris- why is it banned in Algeria?Presenter: Charles…
Mass deportation of Sierra Leoneans from Guinea
Over a thousand Sierra Leoneans were recently arrested on the streets of Conakry in Guinea and deported. Sierra Leoneans reciprocated with their own deportation of Guineans. This all resulted in a diplomatic spat between the two countries. We'll get the details.Also is Kenya really increasing state surveillance of its citizens?…
Why are drowning rates worrying Uganda?
The World Health Organization recently published its first-ever report on drowning prevention. The rates are highest in Africa-with Uganda one of the highestAnd a Ghanaian shares his close encounter with jihadists in Burkina FasoAre there academies in Nigeria where people are taught online scamming?Presenter : Charles Gitonga Producers: Susan Gachuhi…
The impact of Cyclone Chido on Mayotte
Residents of Mayotte have spoken of "apocalyptic scenes" caused by the worst storm in 90 years to hit the French Indian Ocean territory. Twenty people have been confirmed dead, but local authorities say that number could rise into thousands. We'll look at the impact.Also a look at the painful legacy…
Why is Ethiopia deporting hundreds of Eritreans?
Ethiopian authorities have reportedly deported hundreds of Eritreans. Many Eritreans there are refugees who fled forced military conscription and government oppression We hear about the lives of Syrians who fled war at home for a new life in Somalia Why did China give the least developed countries it has diplomatic…
Ethiopia and Somalia to end dispute
Ethiopia and Somalia have agreed to end their bitter dispute over Addis Ababa's plans to build a port in the breakaway republic of Somaliland following talks in Turkey. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed the "historic agreement", which he said would eventually ensure landlocked Ethiopia's access to the sea. How…
Zambia's Lungu banned from presidential run
Zambia's constitutional court says former President Lungu is ineligible for re-election. He alleges political interferenceWe'll look at Operation Serengeti, a multinational attempt to stamp out cybercrimePlus, a BBC investigation into how influencers are spreading disinformation on women's health on TikTokPresenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Victor Sylver and Yvette Twagiramariya in London…
Can the AU have influence in Libya?
Congo's President Denis Sassou Nguesso, is visiting Libya, in his capacity as chairman of the African Union's committee on the Libyan crisis. His aim is to get the country's rival governments, led by Prime Minister Abdelhamid Dbeibah in the west and Marshal Khalifa Haftar in the east, to the reconciliation…
Ghana elections: How Mahama made a comeback
After two previous attempts, John Mahama is set to make comeback as Ghana's president. He was the country’s leader from 2012-2016. Ghana’s economy is struggling and corruption endemic. Political analyst Nansata Yakubu explains the huge expectations on a Mahama presidency over the next four years. The menstrual health taboos facing…
People in war-torn Sudan need more help
The BBC's Chief International Correspondent Lyse Doucet has recently returned from Sudan. It's her second visit to the country since April 2023, when the war broke out between the government army and the paramilitary group, the RSF. Lyse says, the humanitarian sitaution in the country is far worse now than…
What challenges for Namibia's first female president?
Namibia has elected its first female president, who is she, and what cultural and political obstacles will she need to overcome?How the rape of a woman in Mauritania has sparked national protests and reflection As surrogacy becomes common in Nigeria, there is a new bill to regulate the practice.Presenter: Audrey…
Ghana Elections. What's at stake?
Ghanaians are preparing to vote in their presidential election this Saturday. The election is being contested between vice-president Mahamudu Bawumia and former president John Mahama. What are the key issues voters will be focusing on? Also, Sierra Leone's desire to return to being a rice exporter, instead of importing the…
Nigeria air strikes: Tudunbiri village mourns
Nigeria air strikes: Tudunbiri village continues to mourn dozens of deaths and cope with injuries one year later onWe look at the impact of mercury poisoning caused by illegal mining in southwestern GhanaAnd how easy is it for you to travel to another African country?Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Bella Hassan…
Why is President Biden visiting Angola?
US President Biden is in Angola for what is likely to be the final foreign trip of his presidency. It’s his first visit to Sub- Saharan Africa and it's part of a promise the president made, during the US-Africa Leaders Summit in 2022, to travel to the continent. But, it…
Is a global plastics treaty closer?
Negotiators in the South Korean city of Busan are trying to reach the first ever a global treaty on plastic. How stress from climate change is leading to increased violence against women.And a film maker’s odyssey to preserve the legacy of a local Ugandan photographer.Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Rob Wilson,…
An increase in internally displaced people in Africa
There are now 35 million people internally displaced across the continent, that's according to a recent report by the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre. That's a threefold increase since 2009, when African governments signed a landmark deal legally binding countries to try and tackle the causes of displacement. So why is…
Nigerian soldiers killed in jihadist attack
Militant Islamists involved in another deadly attack in Nigeria’s Borno State. Why is the army still battling these insurgencies?South Africa opposition parties seek to revive impeachment proceedings against President RamaphosaWhy does President Felix Tshisekedi want to change the Congolese constitution?Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Rob Wilson, Nyasha Michelle, Sunita Nahar and…