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.
Are South African troops ‘stuck’ in DRC?
The first group of South African soldiers deployed to the Democratic Republic of Congo, arrive back in the country today. South Africa sent around one thousand five hundred troops to the DRC as part of a wider peacekeeping mission. In February, at least fourteen soldiers were killed during heavy clashes with…
Why has Ghana’s nurse strike escalated?
Hospital services in Ghana grind to a halt after a nurses' strike escalates What are the implications of Afreximbank's credit rating being lowered to one notch above junk And will Ecowas ever realise its dream of a borderless region? Presenter: Richard Kagoe Producers: Nyasha Michelle, Patricia Whitehorne and Tom Kavanagh…
Kenyan blogger dies in police custody
A 31-year-old blogger, Albert Ojwang, has died in police custody in Kenya. A post-mortem revealed that he was hit on the head and his death was likely to have been caused by assault. The results of the post-mortem contradict police previous claims which said Albert had "sustained head injuries after…
Russia's Wagner Group leaves Mali
Russia says the paramilitary group Wagner has accomplished its mission and has left Mali, although a Russian presence remains in the West African country, through the Africa Corps. So what did the Wagner Group achieve? Why has a separatist movement on the tiny, remote island of Annobón that is part…
Uganda: World Bank lifts loan ban
In 2023, Uganda voted in some of the world's harshest anti-homosexual legislation meaning that anybody engaging in certain same-sex acts can be sentenced to death. The World Bank decided to ban Uganda from receiving loans because of its legislation. The bank now says it's confident that new "mitigation measures" will…
How is Africa affected by the US travel ban?
Is Trump's latest travel ban part of a US disengagement from Africa? Why are many countries now shifting their views on Western Sahara in favour of Morocco? And how can digital skills be made more available for disabled people in Africa? Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Sunita Nahar, Patricia Whitehorne and…
Lesotho: Why are mothers against 'buetoothing'?
Mothers in Lesotho are campaigning against a needle sharing method which exposes drug users to the risks of HIV and other diseases, taking root in the country. What is 'bluetoothing' or 'hotspotting'? Also, the wider impact of the rising Islamist attacks in West Africa And why do people choose Hunger…
Dozens killed in twin Mali attacks
Mali's army says it has repelled attacks by jihadists on two military bases. Why is the Al-Qaeda linked group stepping up attacks? South Africa's continued hunt for an alleged illegal mining kingpin in Lesotho And why is Nigeria the worst place in the world to give birth in? Presenter: Audrey…
Africa to benefit most from Bill Gates fortune
Microsoft founder, Bill Gates says that most of his fortune will be spent on improving health and education services in Africa over the next 20 years. The 69-year-old said, "by unleashing human potential through health and education, every country in Africa should be on a path to prosperity". He also…
Nigerian flooding kills at least 200 people
Nigerian officials have warned there's little hope of finding alive around 500 people still missing after flash floods in Niger state. How are survivors coping? Mauritania’s Sidi Ould-Tah elected as the new president of the African Development Bank. What was the voting process like? And we meet one photographer who…
Joshlin Smith: South Africa's human trafficking problem
A South African woman, Racquel "Kelly" Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis and their friend Steveno van Rhyn have been given life sentences after being convicted of trafficking her missing 6-year-old daughter, Joshlin Smith. The case has captivated and horrified audiences around the world. It has also highlighted the wider issue…
US halts international student visa applications
US embassies globally have halted student visa appointments, as social media vetting expands. How is Africa affected? Why is Zimbabwe's controversial radio tax now being implemented? And how AI can predict and prevent child malnutrition in Kenya? Presenter: Richard Kagoe Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya and Bella Hassan Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris…
African leaders attend Russia's Security Summit
Russia's 13th International Security Summit in Moscow attracts over forty African leaders. How significant is it and what does it mean for the continent, especially for the Sahel? Also, Boeing seals a deal with the US Department of Justice over the fatal crashes of two 737 Max aircraft that killed…
Uganda suspends German military co-operation
Uganda cuts military ties with Germany following diplomatic rift. Somalia's government moves to control clan militias fighting al-Shabab - after allegations of serious atrocities. And will Starlink's strategy of 'winning big by thinking small' help them cover the African continent? Presenter: Blessing Aderogba Producers: Bella Hassan, Tom Kavanagh and Yvette…
Can the UN bridge the political divide in Libya?
The Libyan capital city, Tripoli, has been rocked by clashes between armed rival groups, and pressure is building up on the prime minister to resign as protests erupt in other parts of the country. Can the United Nations mission in Libya (UNSMIL) help to bring stability to the divided country?…
South Africa releases crime stats
As South Africa releases its latest crime statistics. Who are the main victims of violent crime and why does the country have such a reputation? Is there "democratic backsliding" in East Africa? What does this mean? We hear from a human rights activist. And talk to the man behind a…
President Trump confronts President Ramaphosa
The US President Donald Trump, confronted South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa with false claims of white genocide and land seizures during a tense White House meeting. It was reminiscent of the US President's ambush of Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskiy earlier this year. At a time when diplomacy means everything, how…
Djibouti launches a crackdown on migrants
Why is Djibouti reportedly targeting Somalis and Ethiopians in a major anti-immigration crackdown? Can DR Congo's former President Joseph Kabila's immunity from prosecution be lifted by authorities? And what is driving the loss of Africa’s tropical forests? Presenter: Richard Kagoe Producers: Bella Hassan, Yvette Twagiramariya and Blessing Aderogba Technical producer:…
South Sudan: A country constantly in crisis
There are concerns that South Sudan will relapse into an all-out civil war. But, why is peace in the world's youngest democracy so fragile? Also, what some young Africans think about the UK's tightening immigration policies. And how a swimming coach in Nigeria is providing inspiration and life lessons to…
Child sex abuse uncovered in South Africa's illegal mines
A BBC investigation has found evidence that children are being trafficked into illegal mines and sexually abused across South Africa. Were assets of the Gambia's ex-leader Yahya Jammeh sold for a song? And a landmark ruling in Nigeria finds that the Football Federation's negligence contributed to the death of a…