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.
Zambian influencer imprisoned for hate speech
Zambian-American influencer Ethel Chisono Edwards, also known as 'One Boss Lady', has been a vocal critic of Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema. She was convicted under the Cyber Security Act and the Cyber Crimes Act, two controversial laws that were recently amended to stipulate harsher penalties. The case has raised concerns…
Nigeria's kidnapping crisis leaves parents scarred
Nigeria: A deep dive into the spike in school mass abductions by armed groups in northern Nigeria. We hear from the parents of some of the victims and ask: Who is behind the kidnappings and what's the government doing about it? And how are mental health institutions perceived in Africa?…
Is Egypt reasserting its influence in Africa?
A rare conversation with Egypt's Foreign Minister about the Sudan War and the tensions with Ethiopia over the river Nile, and Focus on Africa moves its hub from London to Nairobi. Egypt's Foreign Minister Dr Badr Abdelatty has denied that his country is supporting the Sudanese Armed Forces in the…
Zambia President Faces Backlash Over Constitution Amendments
Zambia: President Hakainde Hichilema faces challenges over proposed constitutional changes Why Zimbabwean short film RISE deserves an Oscar nomination Should footballers from the diaspora be allowed to join African national teams after they qualify for the World Cup? Presenter : Nyasha Michelle Producers: Sunita Nahar, Yvette Twagiramariya, Alexander Lathbridge, Stefania…
Why Maasai leaders want luxury camp removed
Kenya’s Maasai Mara Game Reserve is at the centre of a legal battle over a new Marriott Ritz-Carlton luxury safari lodge. Why are Maasai leaders calling for the camp to be removed? Also in the podcast, we hear from Malian refugees who allege war crimes committed by the now largely…
Guinea-Bissau: General sworn in after coup
A military general has been sworn in as Guinea-Bissau's transitional president following the 15th coup in the country. Why is the country prone to coups? BBC speaks to families of missing students in Niger state as Nigeria declares a state of emergency following a surge in kidnappings. And we look…
Mali settles gold mine dispute
The Malian government and Canadian mining firm Barrick have ended their two year tax dispute and have agreed a multi-million dollar settlement. So what does the agreement involve? Why did a volcano in Ethiopia erupt after laying dormant for more than 10,000 years? And we find out why Madagascar's beloved…
Guinea- Bissau: Rivals claim victory over election
In Guinea-Bissau, rivals Embalo and Dias claim victory in a tense presidential election as official results remain pending. In Nigeria, separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu has been sentenced to four life terms for terrorism and treason. What does it mean for the group calling for separatism. And in Tunisia, an Indigenous…
Selling body parts for 'rituals' in Sierra Leone
A BBC Africa Eye documentary has exposed the practice of selling body parts for magic rituals in Sierra Leone. We speak to the reporter who went back to the town where an 11-year-old boy was murdered as part of a suspected black magic killing four years ago. Why were two…
Gender-based violence declared a national crisis in South Africa
South Africa's president declares gender-based violence and femicide a national crisis after planned protests A campaign to encourage us to donate our bodies to medical science And Audrey Brown bids farewell to Focus on Africa Presenter Audrey Brown Producers: Nyasha Michelle, Yvette Twagiramariya, Patricia Whitehorne,…
Amhara conflict: Thousands of reports of rape and assault
A special BBC investigation has collated data which shows there have been thousands of reports of rape between July 2023 and May 2025, in the conflict between militias and Ethiopian government forces in the Amhara region. We hear a personal testimony and also find out more about the scale of…
Did Kenyan authorities use technology to silence Gen Z protestors?
Amnesty International alleges that the Kenyan government used digital tools to suppress Gen Z organised demonstrations Has the rift between Senegalese President Faye and Prime Minister Sonko widened? Also, Nigeria has Nigeria canceled mother-tongue teaching in primary schools and reinstated English- why? Presenter: Nyasha Michelle Producers: …
Search continues for schoolgirls abducted in Nigeria's Kebbi State
At least 20 schoolgirls are still missing in Nigeria's north-western Kebbi State after they were kidnapped at dawn from their dormitories at a secondary school. How can mass abductions in Nigeria be stopped? South Africa fears a "cleansing agenda" after the controversial arrival of 153 passengers from Gaza in the…
Are DR Congo and M23 rebels nearing a peace deal?
The DR Congo and the M23 rebels sign a framework agreement in Qatar for a peace deal to end fighting Will Nigeria's seemingly endless academic staff strikes end? And Nigeria's Eagles to miss the World Cup after defeat by DR Congo's Leopards Presenter: Nyasha Michelle Producers: Sunita…
South Sudan: Why was a powerful vice-president fired?
South Sudan's President Salva Kiir has sacked his Second Vice-President Dr Benjamin Bol Mel, who was seen as a possible successor. So with First Vice-President Riek Machar under house arrest charged with treason, how will this latest move by the president affect political stability in the country? Africa finally has…
Gabon's ex first lady and son get sentenced
Wife and son of Gabon's ousted leader get 20-year jail terms in two-day corruption trial. Mauritania's president, Mohamed Ould Cheikh Al-Ghazouani, recently sacked some senior government officials. Can he win the fight against corruption? And Zambia's ambitious plans to diversify from minerals to agriculture and livestock by 2030 Presenter: Nyasha…
Sierra Leone steps up fight against kush
Can new tougher measures announced by Sierra Leone's President Bio really be effective in combating kush, the illegal psychoactive blend of addictive substances that is devastating the country. What caused the fatal helicopter crash in Ghana that killed eight people, including two high profile government ministers? And why has Senegal…
Can Mali's Junta withstand a jihadist blockade?
Can Mali's military junta maintain its hold on power despite a jihadist blockade? What role are mercenaries playing in Africa's current conflicts. And the genesis of a new type of Algerian rai protest music known as "Way Way" Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Patricia Whitehorne,…
Can Johannesburg reclaim 'hijacked' buildings?
The South African city of Johannesburg has well over 100 abandoned and derelict buildings plagued by rubbish and open sewage and some have been taken over by criminal gangs. Many are also home to some of the city's most vulnerable residents. As Johannesburg gears up to host leaders from the…
What will COP30 change for Africa?What will COP30 change for Africa?
What can Africa expect from the COP 30 climate conference? Sudan's paramilitary RSF agrees to a humanitarian ceasefire, but the government wants guarantees from the international community And why are marginalised cultures being celebrated during Fashion Week in Namibia? Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Tanya Hines and Yvette Twagiramariya in London…