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 is Burkina Faso's Ibrahim Traoré 'popular'
Burkina Faso's military ruler, 37 year old Captain Ibrahim Traoré, has skilfully built a persona of a pan-Africanist leader, determined to free his nation from what he sees as, 'the clutches of Western imperialism and neo-colonialism'. This message has resonated across Africa and beyond on social media. But what's fact…
Mali’s junta dissolves all political parties
Mali's military junta has dissolved all political parties in the country. Why are the youth dissenting? Why are Nigerians being trafficked to Ivory Coast? And plans by Ethiopia to allow foreigners and companies to buy property in the country Presenter: Blessing Aderogba Producers: Nyasha Michelle and Tom Kavanagh in London,…
Ethiopia: Why are health workers striking?
Medical professionals in various parts of Ethiopia are on strike. They say they are seeking adjustments in salaries, improved benefits and better working conditions. We hear from Ethiopian doctors. Also, as the movie industry expands in Africa, so do concerns about the safety of actors. And we'll meet 19 year…
More than 100 dead in Congo floods
The UN says "a double crisis" is facing the DR Congo, as it suffers flooding and mass displacement caused by ongoing conflict. Why is Sierra Leone’s largest diamond miner laying off more than 1,000 workers? And we visit churches in South Africa where polygamy is allowed. Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers:…
Zambia: US cuts aid over 'thefts'
The United States said it was pulling the plug on millions of dollars' worth of aid to Zambia's health sector after the country failed to tackle 'systematic' theft of much needed medicines. The US Ambassador to Zambia, Michael Gozales' said that the "difficult" decision was made after repeated warnings to…
What do African youth want from Pope Leo XIV
The Roman Catholic Church has a new leader, Pope Leo XIV. What do youth from the world's youngest Catholic population want? Why did billionaire and philanthropist Bill Gates decide to close his foundation in 2045? And how are parts of Zimbabwe's capital tackling an infestation of bed bugs Presenter: Audrey…
Women and the Catholic Church
Sister Ngalula is the only African woman to be appointed to the Vatican’s International Theological Commission. She previously spoke to the late Pope Francis about the need for more female leadership in the church. She says, although many roles in the Catholic clergy are technically open to women, fear among…
People smuggling between Eritrea and Kenya
An investigation into a new dangerous people smuggling route through Northern Kenya. Why are large and ongoing protests continuing in Morocco? And food fraud: what is it? And why is it dangerous? Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Amie Liebowitz, Stefania Okereke and Tom Kavanagh in London with Blessing Adegroba in Lagos…
Port Sudan: Explosions in Sudan's de facto capital
Multiple explosions have been heard in Sudan's de facto capital, Port Sudan, for a third day in a row. Prior to the attacks the city had avoided bombardment and was regarded as one of the safest places in the war-ravaged nation. We hear analysis. Also, how and why Togo remains…
Is press freedom declining in the Seychelles?
Seychelles has long featured high in world press freedom rankings, but has the expulsion of a newspaper editor dented that image? We have a response from the government As a Ugandan UN judge is jailed for forcing her maid to work as a slave-does she have support back home? And…
Ivory Coast: Why opposition leader removed from electoral list?
Ivory Coast's main opposition leader Tidjane Thiam has been struck off the electoral list. The judiciary has declared he is ineligible to run in October's presidential election due to his citizenship. Tidjane Thiam also held French citizenship which he renounced in order to run for the presidency. A court this…
Why does insurgency persist in Nigeria?
Nigeria has appointed Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar as its 15th commander in its fight against militant jihadist insurgency. Why is it proving difficult to tackle? Why are healthcare workers in Mozambique on strike again? And plans to make refugee camps in Kenya self-sufficient after cuts in global aid Presenter: Charles…
Tension on Guinea and Sierra Leone border
Guinean troops have fired shots in the disputed town of Yenga, which is on the border with Sierra Leone. What's behind this unprecedented development? Also why are farmworkers in Kenya occupying tea plantations owned by multinational companies? And why we should be eating more fermented foods.. Presenter: Audrey Brown Technical…
Why is gender violence "widespread" in Namibia?
Why is gender based violence at a pandemic level in Namibia. How can it be reduced? We meet Botswana's Bitcoin Lady who is educating people on cryptocurrency And we meet the artist who has designed more than 2000 album covers Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Richard Kagoe, Bella Hassan and Yvette…
BBC Investigation reveals who shot at Kenyan protestors
In June last year, dozens of young Kenyans were killed and others wounded during days of anti -government demonstrations. The protestors wanted to occupy Kenya's parliament, to urge lawmakers not to pass a finance bill. Security forces protecting the premises opened fire at demonstrators, and at least three people were…
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…