Focus on Africa

South Africa's president declares gender-based violence and femicide a national crisis after planned protests   A campaign to encourage us to donate our bodies to medical science   And Audrey Brown bids farewell to Focus on Africa     Presenter Audrey Brown   Producers: Nyasha Michelle, Yvette Twagiramariya, Patricia Whitehorne, Stefania Okereke and Sunita Nahar in London. Charles Gitonga is in Nairobi. Technical Producer: Francesca Dunn Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors:  Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

A special BBC investigation has collated data which shows there have been thousands of reports of rape between July 2023 and May 2025, in the conflict between militias and Ethiopian government forces in the Amhara region. We hear a personal testimony and also find out more about the scale of the abuses.Also in the podcast, why the advocacy and campaigning organisation Child Online Africa is pushing for a new continent-wide eSafety Commission. And what is it really like to own a football team? We hear from Cameroonian sports entrepreneur, Kingsley Pungong, whose portfolio includes at least two clubs.Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Sunita Nahar and Yvette Twagiramariya in London. Plus Madina Maishanu in Abuja Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Amnesty International alleges that the Kenyan government used digital tools to suppress Gen Z organised demonstrations   Has the rift between Senegalese President Faye and Prime Minister Sonko widened?   Also, Nigeria has Nigeria canceled mother-tongue teaching in primary schools and reinstated  English- why?   Presenter: Nyasha Michelle   Producers:  Joseph Keen, Saleck Zeid, Stefania Okereke and Elphas Lagat in London with Madina Maishanu in Abuja Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Chris Ablakwa Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

At least 20 schoolgirls are still missing in Nigeria's north-western Kebbi State after they were kidnapped at dawn from their dormitories at a secondary school. How can mass abductions in Nigeria be stopped?South Africa fears a "cleansing agenda" after the controversial arrival of 153 passengers from Gaza in the country.And how Ethiopia plans to tackle its housing crisis, which has been fuelled by rapid urbanisation.Presenter: Nyasha Michelle Producers: Sunita Nahar, Yvette Twagiramariya and Joseph Keen in London Technical Producer: Gabriel O'Regan Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

The DR Congo and the M23 rebels sign a framework agreement in Qatar for a peace deal to end fighting   Will Nigeria's seemingly endless academic staff strikes end?   And Nigeria's Eagles to miss the World Cup after defeat by DR Congo's Leopards   Presenter: Nyasha Michelle Producers:  Sunita Nahar and Joseph Keen in London with Madina Maishanu in Abuja. Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

South Sudan's President Salva Kiir has sacked his Second Vice-President Dr Benjamin Bol Mel, who was seen as a possible successor. So with First Vice-President Riek Machar under house arrest charged with treason, how will this latest move by the president affect political stability in the country?Africa finally has its own drug-regulation body following the launch of the African Medicines Agency (AMA). Will it help to transform healthcare systems on the continent?And how much is it costing Angola to have Argentine international football star, Lionel Messi, take part in a friendly match celebrating  the country's 50 years of independence?Presenter: Nyasha Michelle Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Stefania Okereke, Piers Edwards and Elphas Lagat Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne Technical Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Wife and son of Gabon's ousted leader get 20-year jail terms in two-day corruption trial.Mauritania's president, Mohamed Ould Cheikh Al-Ghazouani, recently sacked some senior government officials. Can he win the fight against corruption?And Zambia's ambitious plans to diversify from minerals to agriculture and livestock by 2030Presenter: Nyasha Michelle Producers:  Yvette Twagiramariya, Stefania Okereke, Joseph Keen , Saleck Zeid and Elphas Lagat. Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne Technical Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Can new tougher measures announced by Sierra Leone's President Bio really be effective in combating kush, the illegal psychoactive blend of addictive substances that is devastating the country.What caused the fatal helicopter crash in Ghana that killed eight people, including two high profile government ministers?And why has Senegal dismissed the IMF’s debt restructure plan as "a disgrace"?Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Sunita Nahar, Yvette Twagiramariya, Mark Wilberforce, Joseph Keen and Stefania Okereke Technical Producer: Philip Bull Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Editor: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Can Mali's military junta maintain its hold on power despite a jihadist blockade?   What role are mercenaries playing in Africa's  current conflicts.   And the genesis of a new type of Algerian rai protest music known as "Way Way"     Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Patricia Whitehorne, Bella Hassan and Mark Wilberforce in London with, Madina Maishanu in Abuja. Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editor: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

The South African city of Johannesburg has well over 100 abandoned and derelict buildings plagued by rubbish and open sewage and some have been taken over by criminal gangs. Many are also home to some of the city's most vulnerable residents. As Johannesburg gears up to host leaders from the world's major economies for the G20 summit, what is being done to address the issue of 'hijacked' buildings? BBC Africa Eye has been there to investigate, and we hear more from their reporter. For nearly five years, Burundians have endured crippling shortages of fuel, electricity, and clean water. What is behind the triple crisis that is paralysing most of the country?And why have protesters targeted the new multi-million dollar Museum of West African Art in Nigeria, forcing organisers to cancel preview events ahead of its grand opening.Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Todah Opeyemi in Lagos. Mark Wilberforce, Sunita Nahar, and Alfonso Daniels in London Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

What can Africa expect from the COP 30 climate conference? Sudan's paramilitary RSF agrees to a humanitarian ceasefire, but the government wants guarantees from the international community And why are marginalised cultures being celebrated during Fashion Week in Namibia? Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Tanya Hines and Yvette Twagiramariya in London. Todah Opeyemi is in Lagos and Madina Maisanu in Abuja Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Nigeria rejects claims of a “Christian genocide,” saying violence stems from terrorism and land disputes, not religion, and that both Christians and Muslims have suffered attacks. Some Christian leaders however say there have been instances of Christians being specifically targeted.Also in the programme: Malaria elimination is stalling in southern Africa as cases rise due to climate change, resistance, and reduced funding.   And Ghana is sending relief packages to Jamaica following the devastation of Hurricane Melissa. It's more than relief,  it's reinforcing historical and cultural connections between the two countries.Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers:  Stefania Okereke, Sunita Nahar and Mark Wilberforce in London Senior Producer: Yvette Twagiramariya Technical Producer: Philip Bull Editors  Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

The arrest of senior Nigerian military officers and the sacking of security officials fuels speculation of an alleged coupUgandan born Zohran Mamdani wins New York City mayoral electionPlus the AI aunty helping to fight gender based violence.Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Todah Opeyemi in Lagos. Yvette Twagiramariya, Sunita Nahar, Bella Hassan and Mark Wilberforce in London. Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer Craig Kingham . Editors Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.

Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been sworn in after the deadly protests that followed her election victory. Can she use her second term to unite the country?   At least 40 people have died in multiple landslides that struck Kenya and Uganda's mountainous border region in the Great Rift Valley.  What makes that belt susceptible to such calamitous events and are they happening more frequently?   And after two decades and an estimated cost of nearly $1bn, Egypt’s Grand Museum has opened its doors. One of the most anticipated exhibits is the tomb of Tutankhamun which is displayed in full for first time. But who was the young pharaoh, often referred to as the ‘boy king’?Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Sunita Nahar, Mark Wilberforce, and Stefania Okereke Technical Producer: Craig Kingham Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

South Africa's municipality of Ekurhuleni's attempt to expropriate land without compensation is under mediation after the private owners of the land sought compensation. The outcome of this landmark case will shape the future of land ownership and property rights across South Africa. Why illegal mining is a public health concern in Ghana. Are young Africans really among the most lonely on the planet?Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Elphas Lagat ,Mark Wilberforce, Bella Hassan and Makouchi Okafor in Lagos. Technical Producer: Jonny Hall Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

New research reveals how digital platforms are being weaponised to abuse and exploit women in Kenya. We hear from a victim of online sexual abuse who gives a harrowing account of her experience, and also speak to a Digital Rights adviser on what needs to be done to protect women. Plastic waste is not only bad for the environment but can also be harmful to human beings. We hear about the risks, and also how one project in Lagos is turning discarded plastic into fashion.And we hear more about the Seychelles' Kreol Festival, which celebrates the nation's creole heritage and is now in its 40th year.Presenter: Nyasha Michelle Producers: Mark Wilberforce, Stefania Okereke, Sunita Nahar, Yvette Twagiramariya, and Tanya Hines Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Alice Muthengi, Maryam Abdalla and Sam Murunga

Why has the Gambian government issued a strong warning to ex -President Yahya Jammeh following his announcing plans to return from 9 years in exile?.   Nigeria, South Africa, Mozambique, and Burkina Faso removed from a global money-laundering watchlist. How can they benefit?   And how years of drought is decimating wealth, and thousands of lives in the  self-declared Republic of Somaliland.      Presenter: Nyasha Michelle Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Stefania Okereke and Mark Wilberforce in London. Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard.

Authorities in Kenya intercept more than a tonne of methamphetamine in the Indian Ocean as part of the country's ongoing fight against narcotics trafficking and addiction Thousands of Tunisians protest in the southern city of Gabes, calling for a chemical plant to be shut down because they say it's ruining their children's healthAnd three Sudanese football clubs are hoping to find refuge in Rwanda from the ongoing civil war in Sudan. Fierce rivals Al-Hilal and Al-Merrikh, as well as Al-Ahli Wad Madani have been welcomed into the Rwandan league this season, a move that the Sudanese clubs say will keep their players active and their fans hopefulPresenter: Nyasha Michelle Producers: Mark Wilberforce, Stefania Okereke, Alex Lathbridge, and Charles Gitonga Technical Producer: Pat Sissons Senior Producer: Sunita Nahar Editors: Maryam Abdalla and Sam Murunga

As the strategic city of el-Fasher finally falls to the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group, we analyse what it means in Sudan’s ongoing civil war. How the world’s oldest president, Paul Biya of Cameroon, is set to change things as he wins a disputed eighth term that could keep him in power until the age of 99. And why are South Africans trying to save an ancient language, which has just one speaker? Presenter: Nyasha Michelle Producers: Mark Wilberforce, Stefania Okereke, Sunita Nahar and Yvette Twagiramariya Technical Producer: Pat Sissons Senior Producer: Piers Edwards Editors: Maryam Abdalla and Sam Murunga

As Tanzania gears up for elections on 29 October, we hear from two young people about the issues that matter to them and whether youth concerns have been featured in the electoral campaigns.How a young Senegalese footballer's dream of joining a professional club ended in tragedy after he was tricked and lured to Ghana by fake football agents.And how Africa is rapidly becoming a compelling destination for outsourcing services.Presenter: Nyasha Michelle Producers: Mark Wilberforce, Stefania Okereke, Sunita Nahar and Yvette Twagiramariya Technical Producer: Craig Kingham Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Maryam Abdalla and Sam Murunga