Podcast
Focus on Africa
Hosted by BBC World Service · EN
Two essential stories to round off your working day. Explaining the news from Africa. Hosted by Nkechi Ogbonna.
123episodes
Episodes
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Deadly wildfires ravage Algeria
2w ago00:22:59Tap to summarizeThe Algerian government has said that six people have died in wildfires in several provinces in recent days, as a deadly heatwave ravages the country. Officials have also instructed provincial governors to carry out comprehensive assessments of the damage to help guide future compensation for affected communities. The fires come as several Mediterranean countries, including France and Italy, are struggling with severe wildfires driven by extreme summer temperatures. Since the beginning of July, civil defence teams have responded to nearly 1,500 wildfires nationwide, more than double the number reported during the previous year. Also, a new Google Trends report shows more Nigerian youth are using AI to learn foreign languages such as French and German, as well as sign language. Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Keikantse Shumba and Blessing Aderogba Senior Producers: Caroline Mwangi and Charles Gitonga Technical Producer: Maxwell Onyango Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo and Maryam Abdalla
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Ebola: Kenya denies hosting US aid workers
3w ago00:22:59Tap to summarizeKenyan authorities have denied reports that seven aid workers are quarantined in an Ebola facility in Central Kenya. Members of the public and civil society groups have raised concerns following reports that the aid workers who worked at Ebola health facilities in the Democratic Republic of Congo are quarantined at a US military base in the country. And, we shed the spotlight on foundational learning in Africa. According to UNICEF, four out of five children across Africa are unable to read or understand a simple sentence by the age of 10.Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Bella Twine, Keikantse Shumba, and Blessing Aderogba Senior Producers: Caroline Mwangi and Charles Gitonga Technical Producer: Maxwell Onyango Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo and Maryam Abdalla
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Wife of Tanzania's Lissu speaks to BBC
4w ago00:22:59Tap to summarizeOnce the target of an assassination attempt, Tanzania's opposition leader Tundu Lissu is now behind bars awaiting trial for treason. His case has become a test of political freedoms in the country and drawn international attention. BBC Africa Eye has now spoken exclusively to Lissu's wife, Alicia Magabe, about the toll his incarceration has taken on his family. And Lesotho's women are highly educated, but many are still being left behind in the workplace and in leadership. We ask why. Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Ayuba Iliya and Bella Twine Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga Technical Producer: David Nzau Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo and Maryam Abdalla
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"I'm 23 and losing my hair"
4w ago00:22:59Tap to summarizeAlopecia, the medical term for hair loss, affects an estimated 160 million people worldwide. Some forms of the condition disproportionately affect black women, due to a combination of factors including hairstyles that place tension on the hair, as well as genetic and hormonal influences. Now, some dermatologists are also saying they're seeing more cases, particularly among younger people. Meanwhile, researchers in Japan have hinted at potential new treatments for hair loss. Focus on Africa podcast host Nkechi Ogbonna spoke to 23-year-old Sharon Chepkoech, known online as Kechi, from Kenya, and 47-old-year Mpume Dlamini from South Africa about their experience of living with alopecia and how they are using social media to raise awareness of the condition.Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Fana Negash, Carolyne Kiambo and Keikantse Shumba Senior Producer: Priya Sippy and Bella Twine Technical Producer: Jonathan Mwangi Editors: Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla
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Nigeria investigates AI and tech firms
Jul 900:22:59Tap to summarizeA compliant submitted by the Nigerian Press Organisation, which represents newspaper owners, journalists’ unions, broadcasters and online publishers, has prompted the country's President Bola Tinubu to issue an investigation by the country's competition regulator into major technology companies over alleged anti-competitive practices and unauthorised use of news content. Growing influence of big-tech companies in Africa has sparked concerns over dominance in digital advertising, the use of news content without fair compensation, algorithms that control what people see, and the impact of artificial intelligence on journalism and copyright.Also, we take a look at a new Malawian National Action Plan that seeks to improve the rights of people with albinism in the workplace. We hear from Malawi's Bonface Massah, head of the Africa Albinism Network, who also lives with albinism.Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Ayuba Illya, Helen Oyibo and Blessing Aderogba Senior Producer: Bella Twine Technical Producer: Jonathan Mwangi Editors: Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla
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UN warns of Sudan's El-Obeid siege
Jul 800:22:58Tap to summarizeThe UN's humanitarian coordinator for Sudan, Denis Brown has warned that the humanitarian crisis in Sudan's besieged city of El-Obeid is worsening as fighting and a blockade by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces continue. He says repeated drone strikes have hit power stations and water facilities, leaving civilians without essential services. The UN Human Rights Council has also ordered an urgent investigation into alleged crimes committed during the fighting in Sudan’s El-Obeid amid growing fears that violence in the city could escalate into mass atrocities.Also, at least 400 dogs have been killed in the Ethiopian town of Hossana after rabies related complications killed three children and left dozens of others in hospital, sparking outrage among dog owners. We hear from those impacted.Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Keikantse Shumba, Ayuba Illya and Blessing Aderogba Senior Producer: Bella Twine Technical Producer: Jonathan Mwangi Editors: Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla
Transcribe →DRC: Tshisekedi's third term bid contested
Jul 700:22:59Tap to summarizeThe Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Senate adopted a constitutional revision bill in June, which has raised fierce controversy as it would effectively reset presidential term limits. The legislation paves the way for a public vote on a new constitution. Under this proposal, President Félix Tshisekedi's previous terms in office would be discounted, essentially allowing him to seek a third term as if it were his first. A planned demonstration against the constitutional changes has now been postponed until July 22nd following a mediation led by Burundian President and African Union Chairperson, Évariste Ndayishimiye. Also, what does the growing trend of AI use mean for Africa's animation film? We speak to creative director and animator, Chief David Nyamyweya.Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Ayuba Iliya and Blessing Aderogba Senior Producer: Bella Twine Technical Producer: Jonathan Mwangi Editors: Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla
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Africa's last teams standing at the World Cup
Jul 600:22:59Tap to summarizeAll but two African teams have been eliminated from the World Cup. Out of the 10 African teams participating when the tournament kicked off in the US, Canada and Mexico, Egypt is at the round of 16, preparing to face Argentina. Morocco has advanced to the quarter-finals having defeated Canada. And it's the rainy season in West Africa, and recent flooding has caused more than 78 deaths in cities in Ghana, Ivory Coast and Togo. We explore the impact of climate disasters on mental health. Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Keikantse Shumba and Blessing Aderogba Senior Producer: Bella Twine Technical Producer: Jonathan Mwangi Editors: Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla
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Solo-maxxing: are people opting out of dating?
Jul 300:22:59Tap to summarizeHave you heard of solo-maxxing, or "by yourself maxxing"? It's a social media trend in which young people are embracing single life by opting out of dating and choosing to spend more time on their own. Instead, they're prioritising personal wealth, career growth and emotional independence. So, what's driving this trend? Is it a new kind of freedom, or are young people giving up on dating altogether? BBC Focus on Africa podcast host Nkechi Ogbonna spoke to Kenyan content creator Chantelle Petit and British Somali podcaster Ahmendur Hirad about their solo-maxxing journeys, the motivations behind their choices, and the challenges they've faced along the way.Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Keikantse Shuma, Fana Negash and Carolyne Kiambo Senior Producers: Bella Twine and Priya Sippy Technical Producers: David Kinyanjui Editors: Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla
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Rights group accuses RSF of crimes against humanity in Sudan
Jul 200:22:59Tap to summarizeRights group, Amnesty International, says it documented the use of ethnic slurs during attacks on non-Arab communities, which the organisation says points to ethnic persecution. The report says the crimes were committed by paramilitary group, Rapid Support Forces - RSF - during the group's offensive on the city of El Fasher in Sudan's North Darfur region last year. The report shows children were among the hardest hit and that hundreds of thousands have been displaced, many repeatedly exposed to attacks while fleeing, and others orphaned, abducted or forcibly recruited. And, what investments are urgently needed to unlock the full potential of Africa's entertainment industry? We speak to creative entertainment couple Darey Art Alade and Deola Art Alade.Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Keikantse Shumba, Ayuba Iliya and Blessing Aderogba Senior Producer: Bella Twine Technical Producer: David Kinyanjui Editors: Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla
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