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.
Why did South Africa reverse a VAT increase?
South Africa's finance minister drops plan to increase value-added tax (VAT), in a major climbdown to prevent the collapse of the coalition government. 10,000 illegal settlers reportedly removed from Ghana's largest forest reserve. And why is Uganda’s treasured shea butter becoming harder to harvest ? Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Frenny…
'Ethiopians are one shock away from catastrophe'
In a stark warning, the head of the UN's food aid agency in Ethiopia said millions in the country are "one shock away from falling into a catastrophe". Zlatan Milišić's statement came as he announced that because of a lack of funding the World Food Programme was "being forced to…
A cocktail of long jail terms for Tunisian opposition leaders.
Why were Tunisian opposition figures jailed on terror and conspiracy charges ? Are new cybersecurity laws in Zambia really aimed at quashing political dissent ? And Pope Francis remembered by someone who knew him Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Frenny Jowi in Nairobi with Tom Kavanagh, Victor Sylver, Yvette Twagiramariya and…
Haiti: A growing challenge for Kenyan officers?
Haiti is facing a ‘point of no return’, says the UN's special envoy to the country, María Isabel Salvador. She also said that Member States must increase support to Haiti’s security forces, particularly the Multinational Security Support Mission, "not as a matter of choice but of necessity”. What does this…
What was Pope Francis's relationship with Africa?
Pope Francis visited Africa multiple times and the continent has one of the fastest growing Catholic populations in the world. As tributes pour in after the announcement of his death, we hear from our Global Religion reporter on what his legacy will be in Africa. What's behind the deadly clashes…
Humanitarians working in Sudan speak
Sudan is facing the largest humanitarian crisis globally. As the country’s civil war enters its third year, the United Nations and Non-Governmental organisations say it civilians are continuing to pay the price, due to inaction. Humanitarians, some in the country, share their experiences. Also, what is the International Parliamentary group…
Sudan’s rebel forces declare rival government
Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have declared the formation of a rival government in areas under their control, will that change the course of the civil war that is now entering its third year? Will former president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Joseph Kabila who is planning…
Kidnappings increase in South Africa
An American pastor who was kidnapped by armed men during a church service in South Africa last week has been rescued following a "high-intensity shoot-out". Police say three people were killed. Josh Sullivan was found unharmed in the township in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape province. Why is South Africa…
Will Africa benefit from rising gold prices?
Will African gold producers benefit from a surge in prices this year? There's been a price hike after the start of a global trade war An inquest into the apartheid-era death of Nobel laureate Albert Luthuli reopens nearly 60 years later People displaced by the Uganda oil pipeline complain that…
RSF takeover Zamzam camp in Darfur
The UN says more than 100 civilians, among them at least 20 children and a medical team, have been killed in a series of attacks in Sudan's western Darfur region. The attacks, on the city of el-Fasher and two nearby camps, Zamzam and Abu Shouk, have been blamed on the…
Rwanda asks UK to extradite genocide suspects
More than 30 years after the genocide in Rwanda, the country has asked Britain to extradite six suspects on UK soil. Can the suspects face trial in UK for the alleged crimes? As Gabon seeks to transition to a democratic system, could the coup’s mastermind General Brice Oligui Nguema win…
Former Gambian soldier trialled in the US
A former Gambian soldier, Michael Sang Correa, is standing trial in a US federal court in Denver, Colorado. Correa faces charges of torture and conspiracy to commit torture. Who is he and why is he being trialled in a US court? Also, what to do about the widespread use of…
Can Tanzania benefit from US-China tariff wars ?
With US-China tariff wars escalating- how could Tanzania benefit? Is South Sudan on the verge of a return to civil war? And why a TV dating show in Ethiopia is causing controversy. Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Frenny Jowi in Nairobi, Tom Kavanagh, Nyasha Michelle and Patricia Whitehorne in London and…
US cancels visas for South Sudanese nationals
The US this week announced that it would revoke the visas of all South Sudanese passport holders. This was in reaction, to the refusal by immigration authorities at Juba international airport to accept a deported individual. Who is the man at the heart of the dispute and what options does…
Who is Trump's envoy to Africa?
Who is Massad Boulos the man steering the US and the DR Congo towards a mineral deal? What's Uganda's role in the DR Congo crisis? And are African youth more resilient than their western peers? Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Frenny Jowi and Charles Gitonga in Nairobi, Blessing Aderogba in Lagos…
How will new US tariffs affect Lesotho?
Algeria says it shot down a military drone near the border with Mali, while Mali says one of its unmanned aircraft crashed. The incident comes amid escalating tensions between Algeria and its southern neighbour. So why have the two countries grown apart? We take a closer look at the impact…
Will Trump's tariffs hurt Africa?
Are benefits from the African Growth and Opportunities Act (Agoa) dead in the water after steep US tariffs on Africa are announced? Senegal's parliament approves revisions to a controversial amnesty law And raising awareness of autism in Somali culture Presenter : Audrey Brown Producers: Daniel Dadzie, Bella Hassan and Yvette…
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…
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…
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…