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.
Bonus: Death in Dubai from World of Secrets
Monic dreams of leaving her home in rural Uganda for a different life. So when a “friend” promises her a job in Dubai, it feels like the chance she’s been waiting for. Monic is elated, she is the first of her 11 siblings to travel abroad. But just a few…
Nigeria's presidential pardons spark controversy
Nigeria's president Bola Tinubu pardons many individuals-some posthumously. How were the decisions arrived at? Why are marriages and births declining in Tunisia? And are journalists in Tanzania exercising a lot of caution ahead of the general elections? Presenter: Nyasha Michelle Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Sunita Nahar, Patricia Whitehorne…
What led to the downfall of Madagascar's president
An elite military unit says it has seized power in Madagascar from President Andry Rajoelina following weeks of youth-led protests. Where did it all go wrong for the entrepreneur and former DJ, who first became president in 2009 when he was just 34. Being a park ranger in Africa can…
Cape Verde’s football team make history
Cape Verde have become the second-smallest nation ever to reach the World Cup-how did they do it? What was Egypt's role in mediating the deal to end the Gaza war? And how did The UAE became one of the biggest state investors in Africa? Presenter: Nyasha Michelle Producers: Sunita Nahar,…
Militants' blockade paralyses Mali-Senegal trade corridor
Mali's military government is reportedly engaged in talks with the militant group Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) amid an ongoing blockade which has paralysed a key trade route for fuel, food, and essential goods. Could the crisis also threaten Mali’s stability and governance? A BBC Africa Eye investigation in Cape…
Madagascar: President asks for year to resolve problems
Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina has asked for one year to fix the country's challenges, promising that if they persist, he will resign. He said this during a town-hall style meeting at his palace with various groups of government supporters. Many attendees had the opportunity to ask the president questions or…
Eswatini accepts 10 US deportees
Eswatini accepts 10 more US deportees, despite rights groups in the southern African state mounting legal action to block the plan. We ask what has the Eswatini government got in return? Nigeria's Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaj, resigns after allegations that he forged his academic credentials. And…
Darfur: Militia leader convicted of war crimes
A Sudanese militia leader has been found guilty of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Darfur region more than 20 years ago. Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman, also known as Ali Kushayb, is the first person to be tried by the International Criminal Court for the atrocities in…
Ghana: Why are children dying in boarding schools?
Nearly a decade ago in Ghana, 15-year-old Kevin Moses died at Achimota High School. In a landmark ruling last year, Ghana’s High Court found the school negligent for Kevin's death. The school has appealed that decision. Between May 2023 and February 2024, six students died while in boarding school. Why…
Can Botswana continue to depend on its diamond industry?
In an exclusive interview with the BBC's Waihiga Mwaura, Botswana's President Duma Boko, outlines his plan to reduce his country's reliance on the diamond industry amid falling global demand, and how he is pushing for a 0% tariff deal with the US. Guinea is showing signs of economic progress under…
Morocco's Gen Z protests rise and spread
Violent clashes, arrests and deaths during Morocco’s GenZ 212 protests Why Senegal's fishermen are blaming a BP natural gas project for lack of fish And Nigeria's First Lady raises $13million for national library – but why has it taken so long? Presenter : Nyasha Michelle Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Mark Wilberforce,…
Ex-DRC president sentenced to death
The former president of the Democratic Republic of Congo is sentenced to death in absentia for crimes against humanity, treason and backing the Rwandan-supported M23 rebels in eastern Congo. The court has ordered his arrest, but his whereabouts remain unknown We look at the man and his life. Also in…
AGOA: US-Africa trade deal set to expire
AGOA: Why is a vital US-Africa trade deal set to expire? And why will women be more affected? Oil workers go on strike at Dangote Refinery in Nigeria following dismissal of hundreds of staff. And professional boxing suspended in Ghana following the death of two boxers in 6 months. Presenter…
Why is Gen Z protesting in Madagascar?
Authorities in Madagascar impose a curfew in the capital, Antananarivo, after protests over frequent power and water shortages turn violent. As the police continue to patrol the streets, we ask whether the government has improved conditions in the country? Also in the programme: The Island of Seychelles, one of the…
Who is Malawi's old next President?
Malawi re-elects former President Peter Mutharika. At 85. How did he beat other contenders? What's life like in Bunagana town along Uganda's recently reopened border with rebel held eastern DR Congo Nigerian women push for more female MPs. Does reserving seats for women in parliament help ? Presenter: Charles Gitonga…
A landmark deal for HIV jab
A new HIV prevention drug will be made available at a lower cost in over 100 low-income countries within two years, including across Africa. It's a move expected to give millions access to the breakthrough treatment and potentially bring the world closer to ending the HIV/Aids epidemic. So, how affordable…
The two African countries which don’t recognise Palestine
UNGA: More than 150 member states recognise the State of Palestine-Cameroon and Eritrea will not. South Africa's police discover illicit drugs worth $20 million on a farm. Plus, we discover the nutritional benefits of eating dried fish. Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Patricia Whitehorne, Makuochi Okafor, Mark Wilberforce, Sunita Nahar and…
US deportees to sue Ghana's government
A group of deportees from the US have sued the Ghanaian government, alleging they've been detained illegally. We talk to the lawyer representing these deportees and ask what legal framework underpins this US-Ghana deportation deal? And how does this situation tests the principles of human rights? Also in the programme:…
Togo: Ex Defence Minister arrested
Togolese Prime Minister Faure Gnassingbe’s sister-in-law, who’s also the ex Defence Minister, has been arrested after calling for end to family rule. How aid cuts and crocodile attacks are contributing to malnutrition in northern Kenya. And why do Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso apparently want to leave the International Criminal…
Guinea: Why the constitutional referendum matters
Guineans will vote in a referendum on a new constitution on Sunday, that would permit junta leader Mamady Doumbouya to run for president, despite his promise not to do so when he seized power four years ago. Political analyst Renna Hawili explains the other major proposals. Also, will a new…