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
A conversation with AfDB president, Akinwumi Adesina
The president of the African Development Bank, Akinwumi Adesina, will soon be stepping down from the role after serving the maximum two terms. In an interview with podcast host Audrey Brown, he reflects on the achievements and challenges of the past 10 years in office. A new study reveals the…
Somalia offers US control of port
Somalia offers the US full control over the airbase and port of Berbera in Somaliland The juntas in West Africa impose tariffs on imported goods from Ecowas countries - what effect will this have. Can music cheer up Sierra Leone - reportedly one of the most unhappy places on the…
Stranded: Exposing the UK’s immigration scammers
A BBC investigation has found the UK visa system is being undermined by scammers who are swindling migrants out of thousands of pounds, by promising them jobs in Britain which often do not exist. We hear more from the BBC Africa Eye reporter. Why is Kenya risking the wrath of…
Is South Sudan edging back to civil war?
The UN warns that tensions and use of forbidden weapons are pushing South Sudan to the brink of another civil war Why is the army in the DR Congo unable to defend its citizens and territory? As Uganda's high court rules that names of landmarks and roads in the capital…
Sudan's army retake Khartoum
Sudan's army has chased out the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces from the capital city, Khartoum - but how significant is this development, and could it signal a major breakthough in the two year war? We hear from Mohanad Hashim, who is from the capital and has been following the war…
Is Rwanda planning to attack Burundi ?
Burundi's president alleges that Rwanda plans to attack his country. Why are relations poor between the two nations? How crypto mining is bringing power to rural Zambia. And can animation be a tool for political and social change ? Views from an award-winning Ghanaian animator-Francis Yushau Brown Presenter: Audrey Brown…
Is Chad aiding Sudanese rebels?
A Sudanese commander accuses Chad of allowing the United Arab Emirates to use Chadian airports to supply weapons to rebels in Sudan. But where's the evidence? Also in the programme: Eritrea kicked out USAID in 2005. Two decades on, what impact has it had? And the Kenyan woman who defied…
Why has a river in Zambia 'died'?
A vibrant river reportedly ‘died' overnight in Zambia after an acidic waste spill at a Chinese-owned mine How the Sudan crisis is affecting gum arabic production And can AI help African farmers produce more? Presenter : Charles Gitonga Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Amie Liebowitz and Bella Hassan. Senior Producer : Paul…
Why did Kenya exit IMF programme?
Kenya and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will discuss a new lending programme and abandon the current one, as the country struggles to get its economy back on track. Kenya needs continued financial support from the fund to keep up with debt repayments that have accumulated as a result of…
Jihadist attacks intensify near Somali capital
Why are Al Shabab jihadists intensifying attacks near Somalia's capital Mogadishu ? Lessons for Africa from the covid pandemic 5 years on. We meet the inspiring mother-daughter duo gearing up for the Safari Rally in Kenya. Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers : Alfonso Daniels, Khadra Salad, Yvette Twagiramariya, Stefania Okereke and…
DR Congo and Rwanda call for ceasefire
The Democratic Republic of Congo's President Félix Tshisekedi and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame have called for an "immediate ceasefire" in eastern DR Congo, following talks in Qatar. It's the first time the two leaders have met since Rwanda-backed M23 rebels stepped up an offensive in the region, where authorities…
Angola refuses entry to African opposition leaders
Angola recently refused entry to opposition leaders from across Africa. Why is South Africa's ambassador to the United States 'no longer welcome’? And Nigeria is projected to witness an obesity explosion in the next 30 years-why? Presenter : Audrey Brown Producers: Frenny Jowi, Yvette Twagiramariya and Blessing Aderogba Senior Producer:…
Tigray: Why have fears of war emerged?
Ethiopia and Eritrea could be headed towards war, according to regional experts and officials. The warnings stem from fresh instability in Ethiopia's Tigray region, where a civil war from 2020-2022 resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths. What's behind the recent tension? Also, why is there a rise in the…
Why is far-right French leader Marine Le Pen in Chad?
France's far-right leader, Marine Le Pen, is visiting Chad this weekend where she will meet President Mahamat Déby. It's her second visit following a meeting with Déby's late father, President Idriss Déby, in 2017. Why is the French opposition leader back in Chad? Also, why do some African parents choose…
Nigeria: What's it like for female politicians?
Last week Nigerian lawmakers suspended senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months after she alleged being sexually harassed by the senate president, Godswill Akpabio. He strongly denies the allegations. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has now made an impassioned plea at the UN, calling for better treatment of women in politics. What's it like…
What’s causing insecurity in South Sudan?
South Sudan’s unity government, led by President Salva Kiir with former rebel leader, Riek Machar as First Vice President, is facing mounting tensions, and clashes between forces allied to the president and first vice president are threatening a fragile power-sharing agreement. Could the young nation be heading towards a new…
Mozambique: New deal does not include main opposition
Mozambique’s President Daniel Chapo has started a dialogue with opposition parties on ending post-electoral tensions and reaching a political compromise. But his main political opponent was not included. Can there be a compromise deal without the participation of Venancio Mondlane? Why do so many African women die of breast cancer?…
Sudan: "The war has destroyed the spirit of Ramadan"
Calls for a ceasefire in Sudan during the month of Ramadan have been ignored. As the war approaches the three -year mark, those observing Ramadan in the country say, this year is the toughest yet. Also, the BBC's International correspondent Orla Guerin returns to DR Congo and tells us what's…
Will a west African single currency work?
The Ecowas countries are aiming to roll out a regional single currency - the Eco - in 2027. But past launch dates have come and gone, so will they meet the new target date and will a single currency work?Malawi's agriculture minister refutes the claim that a global decline in…
Algeria and France in diplomatic row
French Prime Minister François Bayrou recently announced that his government will be "re-examining" a 1968 migration pact which has historically made it easier for Algerians to settle in France. The announcement came after years of diplomatic friction, which seems to be escalating. What's going on?Also, Tanzania reverses the trend on…