Zimbabwe’s central bank introduced a policy last year to sell gold coins in a bid to stabilise the country’s economy and combat inflation. They were meant to be an alternative to dollars as a way of safeguarding people‘s wealth – even when the local currency was losing its value. But with the top tier coin worth $2,000 and the smallest currently valued at $188 – they’re not something the average Zimbabwean can afford. So are these coins all they’re cracked up to be? Africa Daily’s Mpho Lakaje fi...
Feb 06, 2023•15 min
Today’s guest on Africa Daily is a young woman who seemed to have it all. Noella got a job as a reporter with a local TV station in Nairobi – and then, around six years ago, she got a scholarship to study filmmaking in the US. But then she had her first manic episode and woke up in a psychiatric ward in North Carolina. She was told she had unspecified bipolar – but didn’t understand what it meant and how it would change her life. Now she’s made a film for BBC Africa Eye called ‘What is Eating My...
Feb 03, 2023•15 min
The debate over whether sex work should be decriminalized has been going on for years in South Africa. But the shocking discovery of the bodies of six women in October last year heightened the debate. They were believed to be sex workers – and campaigners said that only by making them legal – allowing them to seek help from the police without fear - would such people be protected. Now, the South African government is pressing ahead and changing the law. For today’s Africa Daily, Mpho Lakaje spea...
Feb 02, 2023•19 min
Burundi’s economy has been battered: first by years of conflict, then Covid-19. And so the World Bank has stepped in and provided $40 million in aid – with another $150 million still to come. Hundreds of thousands of the poorest households will receive cash – with some targeted at setting up new businesses. So, can Burundi strike a balance between handouts and hand-ups? And can the people receiving the aid eventually become self-reliant? For today’s Africa Daily, Mpho Lakaje discusses this quest...
Feb 01, 2023•16 min
It’s not easy being Gay, Queer or Transgender in many African countries. In some it’s illegal, in others it’s just socially unacceptable. But a BBC investigation has found how both gangs and the police are using dating apps to target LGBT people in Egypt. It came to light after a series of videos – made by gangs – were shared millions of times, showing young people stripped naked, abused and forced to say they are gay to the camera. The victims were asked for money and the videos sent to their f...
Jan 31, 2023•17 min
Africa is home to more than a sixth of the world’s Catholics, and that share is rising. But Africans are significantly under-represented in the Vatican, and other regions such as Latin America currently have far more sway in Rome. As the Pope travels to the DRC and South Sudan this week, many Africans in the Church are hoping he is sincere when he says their voices need to be heard. And despite concerns from more conservative figures on the continent, Pope Francis seems focused on his progressiv...
Jan 30, 2023•16 min
Lebanon is in the midst of one of the most severe and prolonged economic depressions the world has seen. More than 80% of the population live in poverty and their currency has reached a record low. It’s left many struggling to afford essential goods like food, fuel and medicine. Ethiopians make up the majority of the 250,000 domestic workers there. For many of them, life has become so much worse. Migrant domestic workers operate under what’s called the “kafala system” a labour sponsorship that f...
Jan 27, 2023•16 min
Since the end of last year both old and new naira notes have been in circulation. But from 31st January, the old notes will no longer be accepted as legal tender. President Buhari says the introduction of these new cash notes will help to tackle corruption, counterfeit money and the illicit hoarding of cash. Nigeria has the biggest economy in Africa. It’s also often labelled the ‘cash-king’ of the African continent, because the majority of people there make payments with cash. So how are Nigeria...
Jan 26, 2023•16 min
In February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, leading to disruptions in the supply of gas across Europe. Germany is now looking to Africa, among other regions, for solutions. Last month, the country’s Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck visited South Africa and Namibia, to sign green hydrogen deals worth millions of dollars. Green hydrogen can best be described as a clean energy source that only emits water vapour and leaves no residue in the air, unlike coal. But the deal between Germany and the two nati...
Jan 25, 2023•19 min
It’s estimated that Africa needs $3 trillion to transition to green energy – and that it needs to do it fast. Surely that’s impossible? After all, multinational development banks – like the World Bank – which traditionally lead on this type of investment hold just $1.5 trillion dollars of investment potential. But today’s guest on Africa Daily argues that it can be done, saying the continent’s natural capital – like wind, sun and hydro - could be worth $4.6 trillion by 2030. Alan Kasujja speaks ...
Jan 24, 2023•19 min
Watamu is a beautiful beach resort on the Kenyan Coast blessed with white sands, mangroves, and an abundance of wildlife including manta rays and sea turtles. But there’s trouble in paradise. Tourism was decimated by Covid-19. Plastic pollution on the beaches has increased. Fish stocks have plummeted. During lockdown and school closures, young people loitered idly on the beach. So one teacher decided to take action. For Africa Daily, Alan Kasujja speaks to Lydia Ireri and her student Warah Kazun...
Jan 23, 2023•16 min
We hear a lot in the news about the treacherous journeys people take to escape conflict, violence, poverty and political instability. Thousands have drowned trying to cross the Mediterranean sea from the coasts of Libya and Tunisia. Many fleeing countries on the African continent, travel through several countries to get to the Sahara desert in order to reach the coast. It’s a route which has been described as being fraught with danger, some estimate it costs even more lives than crossing the Med...
Jan 20, 2023•16 min
On Wednesday a small group of people attempted to protest on the streets of Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. They said they were dissatisfied with the East African regional force which has been deployed in an attempted to restore peace in the region. The border region in the east of the country has seen decades of violent conflict. In recent years, larger rebel groups such as M23 and the Allied Democratic Forces have made headlines. But there are hundreds of smaller groups contribut...
Jan 19, 2023•20 min
Dozens of people were killed in a bomb blast at a church in the Democratic Republic of Congo last weekend. In Nigeria, a priest was killed and another was abducted in the last few days. By mid-January, women and children were kidnapped in Burkina Faso. These are just a few of recent incidents where people in various African countries have been targeted. What do they have in common? The Islamic State-affiliated groups in those countries have claimed responsibility for the attacks. And this is jus...
Jan 18, 2023•13 min
After a video of the president of South Sudan wetting himself at an official function was shared widely on social media, six journalists were arrested. The incident occurred in December as Salva Kiir stood for the national anthem - but the journalists were taken for questioning on January 3rd. But while many people assumed it would quickly blow over, the men, who all work for the national broadcaster SSBC, are still being held incommunicado two weeks later. The government’s Information Minister ...
Jan 17, 2023•13 min
“The resolution is there that Lesotho must be given its country back” Lesotho is a country which – seen on the map – is very unusual. It is surrounded like an island on all sides by South Africa – meaning if it imports goods by road they have to be brought in via its bigger neighbour. But Lesotho’s parliament is soon to debate whether the country should demand land back from South Africa. The motion was brought by the small Lesotho Covenant Movement party – which says it has approached the Unite...
Jan 16, 2023•16 min
Children in Lilongwe and Blantyre haven’t been able to return to school after the Christmas holidays. Schools have been closed to help stop cholera spreading. Cases have surged in recent weeks and 750 people have died since the outbreak started in March. So, can these measures help bring the situation under control? #AfricaDaily
Jan 13, 2023•21 min
Edwin Chiloba was a rising star in Kenya’s LGBTQ community. The model and fashion designer was also making a name for himself as an activist. But last week his body was found dumped in a metal box on the roadside near Eldoret and investigations into his murder are ongoing. Initially some people feared he may have been killed due to his sexuality, but police say one of the suspects they have arrested was a friend. His death has brought about a painful time for many in the community. Host: Alan Ka...
Jan 12, 2023•18 min
On the 1st of April last year a massive fire swept through the huge Waheen Market in Hargeisa. It was the beating heart of the city - the capital of the unrecognised Republic of Somaliland - and played a role in the lives of hundreds of thousands of people there and across the region. It burned for more than 24 hours - completely destroying thousands of businesses. So how has the city recovered – as well as individual traders? Alan Kasujja (@kasujja) reports for Africa Daily. Guest: Abdirashid D...
Jan 11, 2023•18 min
If you’ve ever been stuck in Nairobi traffic, you’ll know that the emissions from cars and trucks is no joke. According to the World Health Organisation, air pollution contributes to 18,000 deaths per year in Kenya. The government is taking the issue seriously and has set targets to cut emissions by 2030. First on their hit list are older trucks, which are thought to be significantly worse polluters. The government has banned the import of trucks older than three years. And by the summer importi...
Jan 10, 2023•19 min
A warning that listeners might find some of the stories being recounted too upsetting. After two long years, and in a region ravaged by a war that has left thousands dead, people in Tigray could finally travel to the rest of Ethiopia and the world last December. For the lucky ones who got tickets, this felt like a Christmas miracle. Alan Kasujja has been speaking to two sisters who were finally reunited and celebrated the Ethiopian Christmas together for the first time in almost 3 years. So, how...
Jan 09, 2023•14 min
Fighting between rival jihadist groups in Nigeria’s Borno state was raging throughout December. One source believes as many as 200 militants could have been killed in the clashes. The so called Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) started life as a splinter group from the infamous Boko Haram. Since the death of Boko Haram’s leader in 2021, ISWAP have gained dominance and sought to expand their sphere of influence in the last year. But the two groups have become fierce rivals and there are ...
Jan 06, 2023•19 min
A recent list of countries with the world’s best cuisine has generated strong debate on social media. Taste Atlas, who describe themselves as a ‘’world atlas of traditional dishes, local ingredients, and authentic restaurants” published their 2022 list of the best 95 cuisines in the world. Algeria, South Africa and Tunisia were the only three African countries to make it to the top 50. Taste Atlas say rankings are based on audience votes for ingredients, dishes and beverages. Italy, Greece, Spai...
Jan 05, 2023•18 min
Edson Arantes do Nascimento – famously known as Pelé blessed us with one of the greatest talents as he dazzled on the football pitch and took the world by storm. As Brazil said goodbye to its biggest son, the world was there alongside them especially Africans who are looking back and remembering an icon of the game. So today we are looking at how a young black Brazilian boy became a global legend. Alan Kasujja sits down with African journalists, Usher Komugisha and Oluwashina Okeleji and BBC Bra...
Jan 04, 2023•18 min
News, news, news – we love it here on Africa Daily. We like to chat about what’s happening where, to whom, why…. Another man who lives and breathes the news it is Patrick Gathara. He’s a man of many talents – drawing political cartoons, but also writing editorials for international outlets like the Washington Post and Al Jazeera as well as curating the news website ‘The Elephant’ in his home country of Kenya. He’s also a big user of Twitter – posting some of the longest running threads in order ...
Jan 03, 2023•14 min
In our last episode of 2022, Africa Daily’s Alan Kasujja looked back on the year with the help of friends of the programme Mpho Lakaje in South Africa, Beverly Ochieng in Nairobi and Thomas Naadi in Ghana. So today – with the start of the new year, the team turn their attention to next year – and try and predict what’s to come. Never an easy task… Presenter: Alan Kasujja @kasujja Guests: @BeverlyOchieng of @bbcmonitoring, @Mpholakaje and @Thomas_Naadi
Jan 02, 2023•12 min
What were the factors that affected your life last year? Insecurity? The cost of fuel and bread? Power cuts? Politics? The Africa Daily ‘family’ gets together to talk about some of the biggest issues which impacted the continent over the last year. “You and I, Alan, should move to Zambia – that’s where we should be man!” With presenter Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja), @BeverlyOchieng of @bbcmonitoring in Nairobi, Africa Daily’s @Mpholakaje in Johannesburg and @Thomas_Naadi, the BBC’s correspondent in Gh...
Dec 30, 2022•21 min
DISCLAIMER: This episode originally aired on 23 June 2022. There’s been a noticeable change in the images of Africa we are now seeing on our screens. These pictures are so different from the ones the media has often shown of the continent. Gone are the children looking desolate and hungry with extended bellies, surrounded by flies, now it’s the images of rich, beautiful and increasingly famous people, living their best lives for the world to see. This is the new opulent and glitzy reality world ...
Dec 29, 2022•17 min
DISCLAIMER: This episode first aired on 20 September 2022 Across Africa, if you ask people how they plan to improve the lives of their children, the answer is often ‘through education’. But what if the school system isn’t set up for how their brain works? We now know that dyslexic brains work differently to those of other people – with more activity in the frontal lobe and less in other areas. This means people with the condition can struggle with reading, writing, spelling and memory. They can ...
Dec 28, 2022•16 min
DISCLAIMER: This episode originally aired on 18 August 2022. In recent years Uganda has made great progress in treating patients with kidney failure. They can now receive dialysis at several hospitals, which can sustain their health for many years. But for those who need a kidney transplant, for the time being they have no option but to travel overseas. Doctors at Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala have been working to make transplants possible on Ugandan soil. But with no legal framew...
Dec 27, 2022•24 min
