South Africa is to reopen an inquest into the death of anti-apartheid figure Steve Biko, who died in police custody. It will officially be registered in court on the anniversary of Biko's death, the 12th of September, almost 50 years ago. We hear reaction from Biko's friend and fellow anti- apartheid campaigner, Saths Cooper. We also remember the legacy Steve Biko left behind. Also, are Islamist militants targeting civilians in Niger? And we meet the Nigerian poet who is the UN's first Global Ad...
Sep 11, 2025•35 min
Will the second Africa climate summit produce tangible solutions to fight for climate justice? Police abuse is widespread in Kenya a new study finds. Rights groups warn the findings expose systemic failures that have left many Kenyans vulnerable to police harassment and violence. And how did Botswana become a leader in eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV? Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Ayuba Iliya in Lagos. Priya Sippy, Stefania Okereke, and Yvette Twagiramariya in London. Sen...
Sep 10, 2025•30 min
A new Ebola outbreak declared in the DR Congo. An emergency response has been launched Over 10 opposition parties form coalition ahead of Ethiopia's next polls And we experience a ride on one of Tanzania's locally manufactured planes Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Sunita Nahar, Stefania Okereke and Priya Sippy in London. Makuochi Okafor in Lagos with Jewel Kiriungi in Nairobi. Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Editors: Maryam Abdalla, Andre Lombard and Ali...
Sep 08, 2025•30 min
Why are fighters from Somalia's Jubaland region crossing the border into Kenya. Their presence is - causing fear and uncertainty Burkina Faso's unelected transitional parliament bans homosexual acts Plus how experts in Africa are tryings to close the AI language gap Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Priya Sippy, Alfonso Daniels, Sunita Nahar, Mark Wilberforce, and Nyasha Michelle in London. Jewel Kiriungi in Nairobi. Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne Editors: M...
Sep 04, 2025•29 min
An extensive earthen wall is being built around the besieged Sudanese city of el-Fasher. Researchers from Yale University say it is intended to trap people inside. Why is there a rapidly growing demand for solar panels in Africa? And we meet Iris- the teaching robot in South Africa. Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Charles Gitonga in Nairobi, Mark Wilberforce, Yvette Twagiramariya and Sunita Nahar in London. Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Editors: Maryam Abd...
Sep 02, 2025•30 min
Two years on from the devastating fire at an abandoned building in Johannesburg that was occupied by squatters, how much has changed? We revisit the scene of one of South Africa's worst tragedies, in which more than 70 people - including children - died, to find out what happened to the survivors. Scientists warn that global warming and climate change could be making flight turbulence more frequent. Will bumpier skies put people off air travel? And lawyers are arguing for easier divorce laws in ...
Sep 01, 2025•32 min
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 Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Makuochi Okafor and Ayuba Iliya in Lagos. Alfonso Daniels, Stefania Okereke and Yvette Twagriyamariya in London and Madina Maishanu in Abuja. Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical P...
Aug 29, 2025•31 min
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 we find out why the population of one of Kenya's iconic tourist attractions - flamingos - has fallen sharply. Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Sunita Nahar, Mark Wilberforce and Priya Sipp...
Aug 28, 2025•28 min
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? Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Priya Sippy and Stefania Okereke in London with Ayuba Iliya in Lagos Technical producer: Jonathan Greer Senio...
Aug 27, 2025•34 min
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, working with a human rights organisation, who has been helping people track down missing relatives. Why are African students ending up on the battlefields of Ukraine after applying to study in Russia? And Fran...
Aug 26, 2025•30 min
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 Waterboer the Namibian teacher who has gone viral with a classroom song about sexual consent Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Priya Sippy, Stefania Okereke, Yvette Twagiramariya and Alfonso Daniels in London with Ayuba Iliy...
Aug 25, 2025•35 min
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 is Succès Masra and what sparked the intercommunal violence that led to the charges against him? And did you know there are four distinct species of the African giraffe? We find out why that d...
Aug 22, 2025•32 min
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 Presenter Audrey Brown Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Stefania Okereke and Priya Sippy in London. Charles Gitonga in Nairobi. Technical producer: Philip Bull Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Maryam Abdalla, ...
Aug 21, 2025•29 min
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 media freedom in the country. Aid agencies warn that a surge in the number of people with the respiratory illness diphtheria is becoming 'the most urgent and dangerous threat' to publ...
Aug 20, 2025•28 min
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 Brown Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Priya Sippy and Stefania Okereke in London Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Maryam Abdalla, Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi....
Aug 19, 2025•32 min
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 it work? Also, the Ugandan ex-military men arrested for allegedly wanting to fight in the Russian-Ukraine conflict And the African Union backs a campaign to end th...
Aug 18, 2025•31 min
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, and now it is a major source of funding of the two-year civil war. We look back at its history in Sudan, and how the war is driving demand. And one year on since Ghana's parliament passed its landmark Af...
Aug 15, 2025•33 min
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 the incident. Also, France's president Emmanuel Macron acknowledges France used "repressive violence" against Cameroonians during and after colonial rule. And how did a Martian meteorit...
Aug 14, 2025•32 min
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 how are young African scientists using Charles Darwin’s historical voyage to protect species on the continent? Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Tom Kavanagh, Patricia Whitehorne and Stefania ...
Aug 13, 2025•39 min
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 6,000 have been affected following a cholera outbreak in Sudan's Darfur region. What are the challenges when it comes to dealing with an epidemic within IDP camps? And how and why an AI gen...
Aug 12, 2025•34 min
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 a delegation to South Sudan to encourage the warring sides in the country to revive a 2018 peace deal and pave the way for elections. Can they bring both s...
Aug 11, 2025•33 min
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 spill at the Sino-Metals mine in February. Zambian journalist, Dingindaba Buyoya tells us about the uneasiness the statement by the USA is causing. Also, as Uganda hosts nearly...
Aug 08, 2025•34 min
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 Nairobi Technical Producer: Chris Ablakwa Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Aug 07, 2025•28 min
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. Human rights experts have raised concerns that removals to a nation that is not a migrant's place of origin - known as a third country - could violate international law. We...
Aug 06, 2025•32 min
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 move 3 UN agencies to Nairobi? Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Tom Kavanagh in London, Blessing Aderogba in Lagos and Richard Kagoe in Nairobi. Technical Producer: Chris K...
Aug 05, 2025•31 min
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 coerced children as young as 13 in prostitution in Kenya. Hear reporter, Njeri Mwangi, narrate the details of the story. Also, the United States last week announced new tariff rates for dozens of African countries. What does Malawi, Nigeria and Ghana and Libya export and how will these new taxes change things? ...
Aug 04, 2025•34 min
DR Congo have agreed a multi-million kit deal with Spanish football club Barcelona, rasing many questions. We hear from Dr Congo's Sports Minister, Didier Budimbu. Also, Northern Nigeria is facing food insecurity with the UN warning that aid cuts will push Nigerians into the arms of Boko Haram jihadists. And Kenya proposes drastic plans to control alcohol intake, following Ghana along the same pathway. So what can Kenya expect? We hear from a Ghanaian influencer. Presenter: Charles Gitonga Produ...
Aug 01, 2025•34 min
What began as a three-day strike by taxi drivers against rising petrol prices in Angola, has escalated into one of the most widespread and disruptive waves of protest the country has seen in recent years. What has life been like in the capital Luanda, against the background of the unrest? Why do fewer than a quarter of South Africans trust their police service? A new survey shows only 22% of South Africans have any confidence in the institution. And we meet the Nigerian film maker, Joel Kachi Be...
Jul 31, 2025•31 min
Kidnappers in Nigeria have killed at least 35 people from Zamfara state despite ransoms being paid for their release. Why is the kidnapping menace in Nigeria not only growing but changing as well ? Why fibroids are particularly a problem for black women And Ghanaian students abroad facing deportation because the government failed to pay their fees Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Blessing Aderogba in Lagos, Charles Gitonga in Nairobi with Patricia Whitehorne and Yvette Twagiramariya in London ...
Jul 30, 2025•38 min
More than 40 people including women and children were killed in an attack by Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), in the town of Komanda, east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The militia group is linked to the so-called Islamic state, a jihadi militant group. Majority of those killed were worshippers at a local church, nearby shops were also attacked and looted. Also, why Cameroonian opposition leader Maurice Kamto is challenging his disqualification from October’s presidential election list. An...
Jul 29, 2025•30 min
