A stand off as Somalia demands release of a cargo ship carrying military equipment that was seized by semi-autonomous Puntland. The ship was reportedly transporting military equipment to Turkey’s military base in Mogadishu. Why indigenous plants are making a comeback in African diets? And after Nigeria's Super Falcons historic victory at WAFCON, in Morocco, we ask what does this mean for the future of African women's sport ? Presenter: Richard Kagoe Producers: Charles Gitonga in Nairobi with Sun...
Jul 28, 2025•32 min
This week the International Criminal Court sentenced two commanders of a civilian militia in the Central African Republic to a total of 27 years in prison. One of them, Patrice-Edouard Ngaïssona, had formerly been the head of the country’s football federation. What was the conflict that engulfed CAR a decade ago, and what were the crimes that led to the ICC convictions? Also in this episode, the impact that continuing aid cuts are having on women and girls in Somalia. And we uncover the melodic ...
Jul 25, 2025•34 min
Good news about the state-of-the-art treatment facility in Ghana for cleft lip patients And as the number of billionaires on the continent rises, we ask - are billionaires good or bad for Africa? Why are violence and insecurity on the increase in Haiti despite the presence of an international force?. Does the Kenyan contingent have adequate resources? Presenter : Richard Kagoe Producers: Alfonso Daniels, Yvette Twagiramariya, Sunita Nahar and Tom Kavanagh Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technica...
Jul 24, 2025•34 min
The city of Goma in the conflict-hit east of the Democratic Republic of Congo was seized by the M23 armed group earlier this year after intense fighting with government forces. How has the city changed after six months under the group’s control? After retired police officers in Nigeria held demonstrations earlier this week calling for better pensions, we look at wider pension provision and ask if young Nigerians see pension planning as a secure path to protecting their retirement? And could ther...
Jul 23, 2025•29 min
How young people in South Africa are navigating the lack of consistent power supplies Who are the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and why are Uganda and the DR Congo governments struggling to defeat them? And the taxes, charges and fees paralyzing air travel in Africa Presenter: Richard Kagoe Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Stefania Okereke and Sunita Nahar in London. Blessing Aderogba in Lagos Technical Producer: Philip Bull Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthe...
Jul 22, 2025•34 min
Burkina Faso's military rulers have disbanded the country's electoral commission calling it a waste of money. The government says the interior ministry will handle elections in the future. Will this move by the ruling junta further delay democratic elections? Hundreds of thousands of premature deaths occur each year in Africa due to illnesses caused by cooking with polluting fuels like wood, charcoal and even animal dung. So what is being done to ensure more people have access to clean cooking? ...
Jul 21, 2025•33 min
Sudan: More than 450 civilians have been killed in recent attacks in North Kordofan . Why is the RSF paramilitary increasingly targeting the state? The kingdom of Lesotho recently declared a 'State of disaster'-What can youth facing unemployment do ? And how sinkholes in South Africa are affecting people's lives Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Richard Kagoe in Nairobi, Blessing Aderogba in Lagos and Sunita Nahar in London. Technical Producer :Gabriel O'Regan Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga...
Jul 18, 2025•31 min
Cameroon's Paul Biya has the distinction of being 'the world's oldest sitting president' and yet at age 92, he is seeking to run for an eighth term, that will see him serve until he is almost 100 years old. How much popular support does he have, and how strong is the opposition? Sudan's newly appointed prime minister, Kamal Idris, has named his cabinet ministers who will form his "government of hope". How will they function in the country still in the grip of war? And after the announcement by E...
Jul 17, 2025•33 min
Gen Z’s have largely led opposition street protests in Kenya. However, it's taking a toll on their mental health. We talk to an activist and a psychiatrist on how to cope. Why was a French sports journalist recently sentenced to 7 years in jail in Algeria? Was it for talking to a banned separatist movement- or due to diplomatic rows between Algeria and France? Plus, a report says more than a quarter of Africa's freshwater fish species are threatened with extinction. Presenter: Richard Kagoe Prod...
Jul 16, 2025•35 min
Residents of South Sudan's capital Juba have voiced concern for their safety after the arrival of eight deportees from the United States. The Trump administration have described them as ‘violent criminals’. Who are these men, what did they do and how did they end up in South Sudan? Also, another peace deal in the Central African Republic, but will it hold? And as we enter the half way point for the Women's Africa Cup of Nations we look at the challenges women once faced - and still face - in the...
Jul 15, 2025•29 min
Former Nigerian president, Muhammadu Buhari has died at 82. He was a two-time leader who first led Africa's most populous country as a military ruler, then later as a democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023. What will be his legacy and how will he be remembered? What's the truth behind recent coup rumours in Ivory Coast? And we remember Arthur Ashe, so far the only black male Wimbledon tennis champion, who defied apartheid in South Africa Presenter: Richard Kagoe Producers: Stefania O...
Jul 14, 2025•31 min
A recent US-brokered peace deal may have raised hopes of stability in eastern DRC. However, miners have told the BBC that M23’s control of mineral-rich areas could keep the conflict going. US aid cuts are forcing HIV clinics across Africa to shut down, with South Africa hit hardest. Experts are also warning that this could stall vaccine research and reverse years of progress. And Uganda has overtaken Ethiopia as Africa’s top coffee exporter, shipping 47,000 tonnes in just one month. How did they...
Jul 11, 2025•35 min
US President Donald Trump announced recently that he would impose a new 30% tariff on imports from South Africa. They kick in next month. What effect will this have on the nation? The United Nations Refugee Agency says the insurgency in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province is intensifying – and spreading And we meet one of Cameroon's first scientific diving marine scientists. Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Tom Kavanagh and Nyasha Michelle in London.Charles Gitonga in Nairobi. Technical Produce...
Jul 10, 2025•32 min
Ghanaian authorities have rescued more than 70 young men from a trafficking ring in Nigeria. The men thought they were heading for football contracts or overseas opportunities. Why has football become a gateway for trafficking? Leaders from five African countries - Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal - have been invited to a meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House. What will they discuss? And we hear how women in Morocco are keeping the art of rug-weaving ali...
Jul 09, 2025•28 min
The first malaria medicine suitable for babies and very young children is approved for use. How increased taxes on remittances from USA could hurt Africa. Plus, a new tool to help children with communication impairments. Presenter: Richard Kagoe Producers: Tom Kavanagh and Stefania Okereke in London, Blessing Aderogba in Lagos Technical Producer: Pat Sissons Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.
Jul 08, 2025•29 min
Two people have reportedly died of gunshot wounds after police opened fire during protests in Kenya. It's the latest in a wave of anti-government rallies that began last year. The demonstrations mark the 35th anniversary of the historic Saba Saba protests that launched Kenya's push for multiparty democracy. Security forces blocked all major roads into central Nairobi ahead of the protests. We'll hear analysis. Also, we are in Morocco as the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) gets underway. H...
Jul 07, 2025•32 min
Starting pistol fired ahead of Nigeria's 2027 elections. Two main opposition leaders form alliance in bid to unseat President Bola Tinubu and the ruling party. We meet a Kenyan breastmilk champion -who is donating litres of breast milk to families in need. Plus, what are natural assets and why do we need to value them in Africa? Presenter : Charles Gitonga Producers: Blessing Aderogba in Lagos, Sunita Nahar in London, and Richard Kagoe in Nairobi. Technical Producer: Philip Bull Senior Producer:...
Jul 04, 2025•35 min
Jihadist militants have launched a series of simultaneous attacks on military posts across numerous towns in Mali. It's the third major assault on Mali's army over the last month. Why is there an increase in these attacks, and what's the impact on neighbouring countries? Also, the kidnapping epidemic in Nigeria that's got many living in fear. And did you know that Ghana shares an old friendship with India? But how does the recent visit by India's Prime Minister benefit Ghana? Presenter: Charles ...
Jul 03, 2025•31 min
Mothers in the DRC struggling to raise children fathered and abandoned by UN peacekeepers amid fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Also in the programme: we ask South Africa's minister of police whether he's lost control of the spiralling gang violence in Cape Town. And the rising wave of South Korean culture sweeping across Africa. Presenter: Richard Kagoe Producers: Blessing Aderogba, Nyasha Michelle, Bella Hassan Yvette Twagiramariya, Amie Liebowitz Technical Producer: Philip Bull S...
Jul 02, 2025•30 min
Angola was certified as polio-free in 2015, but is now combatting a new outbreak of the disease after several cases were reported in a Western province. What has caused the virus to come back? A new report says Islamist militants are using Starlink technology to ramp up operational capabilities in Niger. And why are South Sudanese women fashion's favourites and are being sought after on the catwalk? Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Charles Gitonga in Nairobi. Yvette Twagiramariya, Bella Hassan...
Jul 01, 2025•33 min
At least seven people reportedly killed, and many others wounded during recent anti-government protests in Togo’s capital Lome. The Togolese government denies the allegations. Who is Victoire Ingabire and why has the Rwandan government locked her up again? Plus, a look ahead to the Women's African Cup of Nations in Morocco Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Blessing Aderogba in Lagos, Victor Sylver, Yvette Twagiramariya and Tom Kavanagh in London Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Produce...
Jun 30, 2025•33 min
Civil organisations in Mozambique say at least 120 children have been kidnapped by insurgents in the north of the country. The Human Rights Watch group warn of a rise in abductions in the country's troubled nothern province of Cabo Delgado. The children are reportedly being used by Al-Shabab, an insurgent group linked to the so-called Islamic State, to transport looted goods, cheap labour and in some cases as child soldiers. We'll hear from someone closely monitoring the kidnappings. Also, are t...
Jun 27, 2025•34 min
People from Kenya’s growing Gen Z movement hold protests demanding justice and police accountability. We ask whether the police is acting on behalf of the Kenyan government. The protests marked the anniversary of last year’s deadly anti-tax demonstrations. Also in the programme: a quarter of a century after their land was seized, a small group of white farmers in Zimbabwe accept a controversial compensation deal from the government. And why food drops in South Sudan conducted by a American compa...
Jun 26, 2025•35 min
A new bout of intercommunal violence in Chad, has left more than 40 people dead, according to the Chadian Government. This includes women and children. What's behind the recent rise in violence? Also, the border town of Zalambesa re-opened after years of tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Will it stay that way? And we discuss the mixed reviews of Tyler Perry's latest movie, Straw. Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Joseph Keen, Nyasha Michelle, Alfonso Daniels and Yvette Twagiramariya Techni...
Jun 25, 2025•35 min
More than 200 gunmen on motorbikes recently attacked a Niger army base leaving at least 34 soldiers dead. Meanwhile dozens of civilians were reportedly killed in another attack in the region. Why is western Niger vulnerable to attacks by militant Islamists? Concerns after Sudan orders universities in Khartoum to reopen And how Nelson Mandela used sport to help transform South Africa, 30 years on from the Springboks victory in the Rugby World Cup. Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers:: Sunita Nah...
Jun 24, 2025•34 min
The South African city of Cape Town is one of the wealthiest cities in Africa, but it's also one of the most unequal. The city has now become the country's gang capital with more than a hundred gangs fighting for control of the lucrative drugs trade. We hear from a local journalist who grew up near one of the most volatile communities in the country, Hanover Park. Also, why the UNESCO protected town of Djenne in Mali is becoming a burden for locals. And the African diaspora community wanting to ...
Jun 23, 2025•29 min
There is a glimmer of hope that three decades of conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo could end after the government agreed a draft peace deal with Rwanda, a country accused of funding the M23, a group that has taken over some significant towns in the east of DRC. Representatives of the two countries will formally sign the agreement next week. But will this deal brokered by the United States work where others have failed? Also, Egypt scrambles for gas supplies after Israel's oil refineri...
Jun 20, 2025•29 min
Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu has ordered security agencies to bring an end to the wave of killings in Benue state. It's believed that more than 200 people were killed in attacks across various communities. What's behind the increase in violence? Also, a young man from the DRC is on the path to sainthood in the Catholic Church. Who was he and what did he do to achieve this? And we discuss the state of the book industry on the continent, following the first ever UNESCO report on the issue, with...
Jun 19, 2025•39 min
The Anglophone Crisis in Cameroon is severely impacting education. With widespread school closures and displacement of teachers and students. Over 200,000 students are reportedly out of school. Is China’s recent offer to extend zero-tariff treatment to almost all African countries a reason to celebrate? And why Kenyan smallholder farmers went to court to fight for the right to sell indigenous seeds. Presenter:: Audrey Brown Producers: Bella Hassan in London. Blessing Aderogba in Lagos and Richar...
Jun 18, 2025•28 min
Zambia's former president, Edgar Lungu, reportedly left instructions that his political rival and current president Hakainde Hichilema "should not come anywhere near his body". Edgar Lungu died on the 5th of June and ever since, his family and the Zambian government have been locked in a tussle over his funeral. However, following days of negotiations, arrangements for his burial have now been finalised. This isn't the first time Zambia has experienced burial disputes for deceased former heads o...
Jun 17, 2025•38 min
