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.
Ethiopia opens huge dam despite outside opposition
Ethiopia opens Africa's largest hydroelectric dam on the Blue Nile river deepening a rift with Egypt and Sudan. Authorities in the US have arrested two suspected leaders of the Cameroon separatists' military wing. We find out more about the charges against the two men, and why Cameroon has been blighted…
DR Congo declares new Ebola outbreak
A new Ebola outbreak declared in the DR Congo. An emergency response has been launched Over 10 opposition parties form coalition ahead of Ethiopia's next polls And we experience a ride on one of Tanzania's locally manufactured planes Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Sunita Nahar, Stefania Okereke and Priya Sippy in…
Is the jailing of a former Zambian minister a watershed moment?
Zambia's former Foreign Minister Joseph Malanji has been sentenced to four years in prison with hard labour after being convicted, along with a co-accused of corruption. President Hakainde Hichilema promised to root out corruption when he swept to power four years ago, is he now delivering on that pledge? In…
Somali fighters in Kenya spark fears
Why are fighters from Somalia's Jubaland region crossing the border into Kenya. Their presence is - causing fear and uncertainty Burkina Faso's unelected transitional parliament bans homosexual acts Plus how experts in Africa are tryings to close the AI language gap Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Priya Sippy, Alfonso Daniels, Sunita…
Sudan landslide: Race to find survivors
A landslide that followed days of heavy rain, has killed hundreds of people in the remote Marra Mountains in western Sudan, and trapped survivors in deep valleys. How do aid agencies help people hit by a natural disaster but caught in the middle of a war? A new report…
Barrier built around Sudan’s el-Fasher city
An extensive earthen wall is being built around the besieged Sudanese city of el-Fasher. Researchers from Yale University say it is intended to trap people inside. Why is there a rapidly growing demand for solar panels in Africa? And we meet Iris- the teaching robot in South Africa. Presenter: Audrey…
South Africa building fire: What happened to survivors?
Two years on from the devastating fire at an abandoned building in Johannesburg that was occupied by squatters, how much has changed? We revisit the scene of one of South Africa's worst tragedies, in which more than 70 people - including children - died, to find out what happened to…
Why has Nigeria banned export of shea nuts?
Nigeria has banned for six months exports of shea nuts used for beauty products to help boost the local economy More about Malawi's health boat that provides a lifeline for locals on a remote island And we find out why African made prom dresses are a hit among American teenagers…
Mauritania accused of widespread abuses against migrants
A new Human Rights Watch report says the EU's and Spain’s outsourcing of migration control to Mauritania has worsened abuses against asylum seekers and migrants heading for Europe, but the Mauritanian authorities reject those claims. Why are cybercrimes on the rise in Africa and how can you stay safe? And…
Why has Botswana declared a national health emergency?
Botswana's president Duma Boko, has declared a public health emergency as the country faces a shortage of essential medicines and medical equipment. Africa's defence chiefs discuss collective strategies and joint responses to insecurity in the continent. And why is the northern Nigerian state of Kano losing its famous yellow buses?…
Kenya's starvation cult: New bodies found
There are fears that the mass starvation cult in Kenya is still active after the discovery of new bodies in fresh graves near the site of the Shakahola forest massacre. So far, eleven people have been arrested in connection with these new exhumations. We hear from a Rapid Response Officer,…
UN: Record number of aid workers killed in 2024
UN says a record number of aid workers were killed in 2024. Most in Gaza but dozens also in Sudan, South Sudan, and Nigeria Why is sub-Saharan Africa facing a shortage of child eye doctors? We meet one of the only paediatric opthalmologists in Burkina Faso And we meet Gelda…
Exploring Africa-Japan trade ties
Japan has pledged to work more closely with African countries at global summit on economic development. How can Africa benefit from stronger ties with Japan? The former prime minister of Chad is facing a 20-year prison term after being convicted of hate speech, xenophobia and having incited a massacre. Who…
Uganda to take deported migrants from USA
Uganda agrees a deal with the United States to take in failed asylum seekers provided they are not minors or people with criminal records How does Zambia plan to tackle a gold rush that turned violent? And why are gulper sharks under threat off the coast of Somalia’s Puntland state…
Increased concerns over missing Ethiopia journalists
Two prominent journalists in Ethiopia, Abdulsemed Mohammed and Yonas Amare, have been missing for more than a week after being abducted by what reports say, were men wearing masks and military uniforms. There has been no news about their whereabouts but their disappearances have raised concerns about a crackdown on…
DRC M23 miss peace deal deadline
M23 rebels say they will not return to peace talks in Doha unless the DRC government agrees to its demands. Are the talks dead in the water? Could climate change be creating child brides in Malawi? And we learn about the role of matrilineal leadership in everyday Ghana. Presenter: Audrey…
Can South Africa's national dialogue help solve its problems?
South Africa's President, Cyril Ramaphosa has launched a national dialogue called “uniting voices, shaping the nation". It's an ambitious plan to confront its most pressing challenges and unite a nation still wrestling with the legacy of apartheid, deep inequality, and mounting political tension. Critics say it's been rushed. So, will…
Nigeria negotiates $346m arms deal with US
The US government has approved a $346m arms deal with Nigeria which would include munitions, precision bombs and precision rockets. What is behind the change in a decade-long US policy about selling certain kinds of weapons to Nigeria? The mining of gold has been a key factor of Sudan's economy,…
The Gambia: Why was a baby girl cut?
There's been outrage in The Gambia following the death of a one-month-old baby girl. Reports suggest she was a victim of female genital mutilation (FGM). Although FGM is outlawed in the country, it's a deeply rooted cultural practice that authorities are battling. Three women have been arrested in connection with…
Sudan's conflict: The impact on children
The ongoing war in Sudan and limited access to humanitarian aid has led to starvation amongst those left behind. The United Nations says children are being "reduced to skin and bones." We'll hear from people within the country. Also, are Kenya's dreams of becoming a footballing superpower in jeopardy? And…