Zimbabweans are once again experiencing triple-digit inflation, ahead of August’s presidential election. We look at the state of the economy, which is once again a huge point of contention ahead of the vote. Plus, as soldiers from Morocco and Israel carry out joint drills for the first time we examine what the two countries are hoping to get out of their new kinship. And after many of us were gripped by the search for the Titan submersible, we speak to the Egyptian man who holds the record for t...
Jun 29, 2023•28 min
We discuss the living legacy of Ghanaian author and champion of women's rights Ama Ata Aidoo, who died recently at the age of 81 with journalist Dr Sharihan Al-Akhras. Also in the pod: we discuss with journalist Mark Lobel the story of a young man who was trafficked to London for an illegal organ donation operation. And Serge Stroobants, from the Institute for Economics and Peace's tells us why 2022 was the "worst year in conflict, this century".
Jun 28, 2023•25 min
As the Kremlin sends the Wagner boss to Belarus following a dramatic weekend in Russia, what happens to the thousands of Wagner mercenaries serving in Africa? We discuss three possible scenarios with Senior Analyst for the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime, Julia Stanyard Also in the pod: How disposing of plastics without care can end up clogging up drains and causing floods And, we speak with Luis Munana from the acclaimed Netflix series Young, African and Famous...
Jun 27, 2023•24 min
We look at how clan affiliations which cross national borders have set the tone for the recent fighting which has engulfed Sudan. Plus, as the US dollar becomes more expensive for many African countries, could some be poised to abandon it? And we look at the exhibition bringing the migration stories of African women to the Venice Biennale.
Jun 26, 2023•28 min
We focus on Ciyaal Weero, the Mogadishu gangs terrorising residents of Somalia's capital. They emerged in outlying districts of the city in late 2021, and have been using extreme violence to rob and extort people. Plus, we speak to the lawyer who represented the family of a Nigerian man who died whilst being restrained by police in Switzerland in 2018, after all of the officers in question were acquitted over his death. And we catch up with South Africa’s Nandi Madida to talk about how she’s usi...
Jun 23, 2023•28 min
Italy's former PM Silvio Berlusconi died on 12th June. Known for his lavish spending on Milan football club and his tumultuous relationship with Italian justice, the late media magnate had also a lesser-known passion: relaxing in Malindi. He was once quoted saying that he just 'could not get enough of the Kenyan coast'. Today, Malindi attracts European tourists, particularly Italians. A former manager of the super-luxury hotel Lion in the Sun, where Berlusconi stayed, reveals how the once fishin...
Jun 22, 2023•27 min
Sierra Leone is experiencing election fever ahead of its fifth election since the end of a brutal civil war in 2002. More than three million voters are expected to choose the next president, parliamentarians and local councillors. And in the pod: A new report into human trafficking states that the number of boys caught up in the system has risen sharply. Why is this? Also: we speak to Bogolo Joy Kenewendo. Not so long ago she was one of the youngest government ministers in Africa. How did she ma...
Jun 21, 2023•28 min
Mali's ruling military junta held a constitutional referendum on Sunday, but turnout was around 27%, with many people refusing to take part. We look at what was on the table, and what the outcome could mean in terms of the return to democracy. Plus, as South Africa takes a step towards making universal healthcare a reality, we speak to the head of the country's National Health Insurance about why some people aren't happy about the situation. And we speak to the director of a museum in Nigeria pr...
Jun 20, 2023•31 min
Nine Egyptian nationals suspected of involvement in the sinking of a boat carrying hundreds of migrants off the Greek coast last week have pleaded not guilty after appearing in court. The men were arrested on suspicion of people smuggling and other offences following the disaster, which saw at least 78 people killed. We talk to someone who has been involved in migrant boat rescue missions in the Mediterranean Sea. Also in the pod: The effect of power shortages on South Africa's water supply. And...
Jun 19, 2023•24 min
As African leaders visit Ukraine and Russia to help negotiate peace , we ask what unique perspectives they can bring to succeed where others have failed. Also in the pod: can you really buy your way out of a climate catastrophe? Our Environment Correspondent tells us why buying carbon credits could be insufficient at preventing overshooting our global temperature targets. And, as Belgium refurbishes a museum holding African artefacts, we reignite a conversation between two young Congolese activi...
Jun 16, 2023•25 min
Nigerian students to get interest free loans for higher education. Thanks to President Bola Tinubu's new student loan bill. How will it work in practice? Also in the pod: There has been a furious reaction in Egypt to Netflix’s recently released “Queen Cleopatra” miniseries. We look at why many in the country are upset that a black actor was cast in the leading role. And American pop diva Beyonce on a global tour but why isn’t Africa part of her world?
Jun 15, 2023•28 min
How Nigeria's decision to drop a decades-long fuel subsidy scheme has impacted petrol prices in neighbouring Benin. Also in the pod: six years since the BBC uncovered a sex for grades scandal, Nigerian lawmakers have passed a bill to fight sexual harassment in universities. And the president of Uganda was a recent target of disinformation. We find out what happened and give some tips as to how you also can spot false information online.
Jun 14, 2023•25 min
The Kenyan government is reconsidering a controversial tax change that widens the tax base to include social media influencers and cryptocurrency holders. It's not the only country proposing drastic changes. Opponents of these changes are alarmed saying that this is coming when the cost of living is very high. Also in the pod: South Sudan is facing the fallout from the conflict in neighbouring Sudan. There are fears that the war in Sudan will have a regional impact as more people seek refuge. An...
Jun 13, 2023•27 min
The European Union offers to help Tunisia with accessing IMF loans, but in exchange it expects the north African country to gatekeep migrants. Also in the pod: With the BRICS Summit coming up soon, why is South Africa finding it so difficult to keep a neutral stance with Russia? We take a deep-dive in the historical relations between Russia and South Africa And... We hear from a Ghanaian writer and pastor's wife who is rewriting the script about women and sexuality
Jun 12, 2023•27 min
What is behind this week's deadly fuel protests in Angola? Several people were killed in Huambo, as taxi drivers demonstrated against a sharp rise in petrol prices. In Nigeria: calls for an investigation into the mystery of a vanishing plane. And a chat with Uganda's first wildlife vet Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka. What does she do and why did she choose that career?
Jun 09, 2023•30 min
Kenya and Nigeria are top targets of cybersecurity breaches in Africa, according to a recent report. The co-Founder of Nairobi's AfricaHackon Security tells us why cyber attacks in Africa are on the up. Also in the pod: Our co-host Richard Kagoe takes a look at how climate change and unending conflict are fueling a humanitarian crisis in the Sahel region. And with Kenya proposing to convert a place infamous for hosting a deadly cult into a memorial site, we ask what exactly is a cult and - could...
Jun 08, 2023•24 min
Racism in football: Last month monkey chants were hurled at Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr during a match, we hear from a member of Fifa's now disbanded Anti-Racism taskforce. Why is this a hard issue to deal with? Also in the pod: June 7 is designated by the African Union as African border day? What does this mean? And Chido Mpemba the AU's Special Envoy for Youth Affairs tells us what are her priorities.
Jun 07, 2023•27 min
Dakar's time of reckoning. Following days of violent protests triggered by the sentencing of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, the city counts its victims. Also in the pod: Does ChatGPT speak your language? We speak to the people expanding the language capabilities of machine learning systems. And we discuss ‘brain drain’ from the continent with two Ghanaian nurses who are currently working in the UK
Jun 06, 2023•24 min
Many postgraduate students, including those from Africa, will lose the right to bring their families with the recent UK Immigration rules change. Audrey Brown unpacks the effects on prospective students. Also in the pod: Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni says an attack late last month on the Ugandan peacekeeping mission in Somalia left over 50 soldiers dead. Al-Shabaab claims they killed many more. How will it affect Uganda - and the reputation of the army? And going back to my roots. A British...
Jun 05, 2023•26 min
Sudan what next after the US imposes sanctions on the waring factions? Also, the latest from the political crisis in Senegal. Plus, the Gambia's economic crisis, a warning of debt distress. And our Resident Presidents have got something to tell us. Those stories in this the final edition of the Africa Today Podcast, produced and presented by Esau Williams.
Jun 03, 2023•23 min
A verdict against Senegalese opposition politician, Ousmane Sonko, has been announced. What impact would it have on his aspirations for higher office? And the controversial 'patriot' clause makes its way through Zimbabwe's parliament. Those stories in depth in t his podcast presented by Esau Williams
Jun 01, 2023•24 min
Sudan's war has not let up and no ceasefire is apparent and as fighting intensifies, people are desperately trying to flee... Foreign embassies are evacuating their citizens and those Sudanese who can afford it are crossing to neighbouring Egypt. Tens of thousands of foreign students remain stranded... We hear how Nigeria's government is planning to evacuate them. Elsewhere, at least 58 bodies have been found in Masindi in Kenya, the victims of a religious cult.. It's feared more corpses may be ...
Apr 24, 2023•25 min
Intense fighting has continued in Sudan, casting doubt over whether the rival military factions will commit to a 24-hour the humanitarian truce. We hear from the vice-president of the Doctors’ Union on the targeting of hospitals, and the inability to treat the injured. Plus, the leader of Tunisia's opposition Ennahda Party has been detained, and the authorities have banned meetings at all of its offices. And the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) celebrates sweeping the board in...
Apr 18, 2023•28 min
We focus on Sudan where fighting has rocked the capital and other cities since Saturday, in bloody clashes which have left nearly 100 dead. The forces of General Fatah Al Burhan, commander in chief of the army, and his rival, General Mohamed Hamndan Dagalo, head of the Rapid Support Forces are talking tough. Will either heed ceasefire calls coming from the UN and African and international bodies? We hear from activists on the ground who say they only have food for one more day, and foreign stude...
Apr 17, 2023•25 min
Fears over the fate of 400 people stranded off the coast of Malta after they fled from Libya. Also, thousands of Ethiopians take part in huge protests in Gonder, Betchena and Gojam in Amhara to denounce plans by the Federal government to disband the Amhara special forces. And the strange case of convicted South African rapist and muderer Thabo Bester who's been extradited from Tanzania. These stories and more in this podcast presented by Bola Mosuro.
Apr 10, 2023•24 min
How did a convicted rapist manage to fake his own death and escape a high security prison in South Africa? Also, Zimbabwean opposition spokeswoman found guilty for communicating falsehoods prejudicial to the government. Plus, we meet the pilot who had to deal with a real life snake on a plane in South Africa. Those stories and more in this podcast with Audrey Brown,
Apr 05, 2023•26 min
Protests in Kenya for a second Monday running, as promised by Riyla Odinga. Also, business people in Kenya are callng for the political empass to be resolved. And the American vice president, Kamala Harris, is in Ghana. What's on her agenda? We'll hear from our correspondent in Accra. Those stories and more in this podcast with Audrey Brown.
Mar 27, 2023•28 min
South Africa's opposition Economic Freedom Fighters call for a shutdown of the economy... we'll hear how it went. Also, as Ramadan approaches, Egyptians despair over the rising cost of food. Plus, music and money from Malawi's artists to help victims of Cyclone Freddy. And how clever is Artificial Intelligence when it comes to knowledge about Africa? Those stories and more in this podcast presented by Audrey Brown.
Mar 20, 2023•33 min
More bodies recovered in the wost-hit areas of Malawi, following the devastation caused by Storm Freddy. Also, why are religious communities in the Kenyan coastal town of Mombasa staging anti-LGBTQI protests? Plus our resident presidents are tackling a major issue... stay tuned... Those stories and more in this podcast presented by Victoria Uwonkunda.
Mar 17, 2023•25 min
We'll be in Malawi for the latest on efforts to help people caught in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Freddy. Also, Anthony Blinken is the first US Secretary of State to visit Niger, but why now? And what needs to be done to help children recover from the psychological effects of the war in Tigray? Those stories and more in this podcast presented by Audrey Brown.
Mar 16, 2023•22 min
