Focus on Africa

BBC
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Focus on Africa

The biggest African news stories, ad-free

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Three essential stories to round off your working day. Explaining the big topics and news from Africa, the people behind them, plus an African perspective on global stories. Hosted by Audrey Brown. Five days a week, ready by late afternoon, Monday to Friday.

  1. 12 HRS AGO

    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 pitfalls and barriers limiting women entrepreneurs from growing their businesses online - so how can these issues be addressed? And some of Britain's prestigious boarding schools are setting up campuses in Nigeria. Who will benefit? Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Sunita Nahar, Tom Kavanagh and Amie Liebowitz here in London. Frenny Jowie in Nairobi Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Technical Producer: Jonny Hall Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

    35 min

  2. 1D AGO

    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 globe? Rapper Drizilik thinks so. Presenter: Wahiga Mwaura Producers: Bella Hassan, Daniel Dadzie and Yvette Twagiramariya Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

    25 min

  3. 2D AGO

    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 Serbia, considered to be an ally, by recognising Kosovo and its claim to independence from Serbia? And why is Ghana's Chief Justice facing renewed efforts to remove her from office? Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Sunita Nahar, Amie Liebowitz and Nyasha Michelle in London. Daniel Dadzie in Accra, and Frenny Jowi in Nairobi Technical Producer: Gabriel O'Regan Senior Journalist: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

    28 min

  4. 5D AGO

    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 should be 'decolonised'- one lawyer begs to disagree Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Sunita Nahar, Patricia Whitehorne and Bella Hassan Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

    36 min

  5. 6D AGO

    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 since it began. He has just returned from a trip there. Why has Burkina Faso’s military rulers disbanded the country’s main journalists’ association and detained its leaders? And could Africa lead the way in pioneering plant-based vaccines? We hear from a leading immunologist on how she and her team are developing plant-based immunisation technology. Presenter: Audrey Brown Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Producers: Stefania Okereke, Amie Liebowitz and Elizabeth Kazibure in London. Daniel Dadzie in Accra Senior Journalist: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

    30 min

  6. MAR 26

    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 Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Bella Hassan and Daniel Dadzie Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Jonny Hall Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

    32 min

  7. MAR 25

    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 tradition and paid her own dowry. Presenter : Audrey Brown Producers: Frenny Jowi and Stefania Okreke Senior Producer : Sunita Nahar Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

    27 min

  8. MAR 24

    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 Bakibinga Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

    33 min
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    4.6
    out of 5
    53 Ratings

    About

    Three essential stories to round off your working day. Explaining the big topics and news from Africa, the people behind them, plus an African perspective on global stories. Hosted by Audrey Brown. Five days a week, ready by late afternoon, Monday to Friday.

    Information

    • Channel
      BBC
    • Creator
      BBC World Service
    • Years Active
      2007 - 2025
    • Episodes
      663
    • Rating
      Clean
    • Copyright
      © (C) BBC 2025
    • Show Website
      Focus on Africa
    • Provider
      BBC Studios Distribution Limited

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