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 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…
Mali: Another alleged attempted coup
Dozens of soldiers have been arrested in Mali accused of plotting to topple the country's military leaders, sources say. The wave of arrests reflect tension within the military government. The authorities have not yet commented on the arrests. We'll hear analysis. Also, more than 400 people have died and over…
Activists block foreigners from South African hospitals
Doctors Without Borders and other NGOs have raised concerns about anti-migrant groups preventing non-South Africans from accessing healthcare services. The South African government has called on all communities to uphold the rule of law, respect human dignity. So why are activists blocking health clinics and hospitals? The African Union sends…
How safe are Zambians at site of toxic spill?
The Zambian government has dismissed claims of dangerous pollution in the Copperbelt mining region, following safety concerns raised by the US embassy. On Wednesday, the US issued a health alert, ordering the immediate withdrawal of its personnel due to concerns of "widespread contamination of water and soil", linked to a…
Deadly clash at Uganda- South Sudan border
What's behind deadly clashes at Uganda’s border with South Sudan? Why are heatwaves happening more often on the African continent And plans by Somalia to revive its airline after three decades Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Tom Kavanagh in London, Blessing Aderogba with Makuochi Okafor in Lagos and Richard Kagoe in…
Rwanda agrees migrant deal with the US
Rwanda has confirmed it will accept up to 250 migrants from the US, in a deal agreed with President Donald Trump's administration. Under the scheme the deportees would be given "workforce training, health care, and accommodation to jump start their lives in Rwanda", according to Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo…
Ghana: resurgence of violence in Bawku
Ghana: Hundreds of soldiers deployed to Bawku town in the Upper East Region, after attacks on two schools killed several students. What is behind the resurgence of violence? Why has Tanzania barred foreign nationals from owning and operating small-scale businesses? What does Kenya stand to gain following proposed plan to…
The women luring girls into sex trade in Kenya
Two undercover investigators, posing as sex workers spent months infiltrating the sex trade in the town of Maai Mahiu. The expose by BBC Africa Eye shows how women, known as "madams" have involved children as young as 13 in prostitution in Kenya. Hear reporter, Njeri Mwangi, narrate the details of…