459 episodes

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.

Focus on Africa BBC Podcasts

    • News

Listen on Apple Podcasts
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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.

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

    Kenya: Why are these protests different?

    Kenya: Why are these protests different?

    Kenya braces itself for more marches next week when lawmakers take a final vote on the controversial tax proposals. But who are the young people taking to the streets and are they really changing the face of protest in Kenya?
    Also what are the factors hampering Burundi's economy
    And why are South African traditional healers, or Sangomas as they're known, being trained to test clients for HIV?
    Presenter: Audrey Brown
    Producers: Rob Wilson, Susan Gachuhi, Bella Hassan and Nyasha Michelle
    Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
    Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark
    Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

    • 32 min
    How do Hajj pilgrims cope with a heatwave in Saudi Arabia?

    How do Hajj pilgrims cope with a heatwave in Saudi Arabia?

    Hundreds of Muslim worshippers have reportedly died during Hajj, the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca. Most of the deaths have been because of heat-related illnesses. Saudi Arabia has been hit by sweltering temperatures this year.  What measures are in place to help travellers mitigate the risks from these high temperatures?
    Also, why are cases of sexually transmitted infections on the rise on the continent?
    And why do many students from across Africa prefer studying at Western Universities? What's the attraction and how are they treated once they get into a University in the West?
    Presenter: Audrey Brown
    Producers: Frenny Jowi, Susan Gachuhi, Patricia Whitehorne, Nyasha Michelle and Bella Hassan.
    Technical Producer :Jack Graysmark
    Senior Producer:Paul Bakibinga
    Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

    • 32 min
    The harsh conditions facing Sudanese refugees in Egypt

    The harsh conditions facing Sudanese refugees in Egypt

    Amnesty International is calling on Egypt to stop arresting Sudanese people seeking refuge from war. The human rights watchdog says Egypt must also stop sending refugees back to Sudan. Our correspondent in Cairo tells us how these refugees are perceived and treated.
    Also why is violence once again on the rise in Mozambique's Cabo Delgado Province?
    And how did Famo, a genre of music in Lesotho, came to be associated with gang violence?
    Presenter: Audrey Brown
    Producers: Bella Hassan, Rob Wilson, Patricia Whitehorn and Nyasha Michelle
    Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
    Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer

    • 34 min
    Kenya: Why have some proposed taxes been scrapped?

    Kenya: Why have some proposed taxes been scrapped?

    Kenya's government has bowed to public pressure and scrapped plans to introduce new taxes on items like bread and motor vehicles. Why were Kenyans so angry with the tax increments?
    Ethiopia one of sub-Saharan Africa's major economies, opens up its banking sector to foreign investors. What will it mean for the country?
    And why is Sierra Leone considering updating its child protection laws?

    • 23 min
    Why a university protest got female students arrested in South Sudan?

    Why a university protest got female students arrested in South Sudan?

    Female students at the University of Juba in South Sudan say, they were arrested and beaten by police following a protest against a rise in hostel fees.  It's caused concern amongst civil society groups in the country.  We'll hear reaction from Jackline Nasiwa, a human rights defender and director of Centre for Inclusive Governance, Peace and Justice in South Sudan.
    Also a task team in Sierra Leone finds that the addictive drug Kush is one hundred times more potent than heroin
    And can AI help farmers on the continent with pest control?
    Presenter: Charles Gitonga
    Producers: Rob Wilson, Bella Hassan and Frenny Jowi
    Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
    Technical Producer: Jonny Hall
    Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

    • 25 min
    Is democracy working in Nigeria?

    Is democracy working in Nigeria?

    Nigeria, a nation once notorious for military rule, is marking 25 years of democracy, at a time when several of its West African neighbours have had coups in recent years. But as many Nigerians struggle to earn enough to live on, amid an economic crisis and dramatically rising prices, some appear to be very unhappy with how they are being governed. So, is democracy working in Nigeria?
    Also, why are young people being targeted to smoke e-cigarettes?
    And we'll learn more about the social media influencer from Kenya, spreading disinformation about climate change.
    Presenter:Charles Gitonga
    Technical Producer:Nick Randell
    Producers: Joseph Keen, Rob Wilson, Bella Hassan and Patricia Whitehorne
    Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
    Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

    • 28 min

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