Focus on Africa

Investigations continue following the death of 20-year-old Karen Lojore at Afrobeats artiste Asake's concert in Nairobi. Karen died following a crowd crush as fans tried to access the show. Concerns about safety and crowd control at large entertainment events have been raised. We hear from Karen’s aunt as the family prepares to lay her to rest, and from a Kenyan journalist who was inside the venue and describes the moments as the situation escalated.Then, we turn to West Africa’s end-of-year cultural phenomenon, Detty December. In Lagos and Accra, December is now synonymous with packed concerts and booming nightlife. But as the season grows more expensive, some locals are questioning who it’s really for. Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Chiamaka Dike, Bella Twine, Keikantse Shumba, Blessing Aderogba Technical Producer: Mbarak Abdallah Senior Producer: Daniel Dadzie Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

Nigeria is facing renewed concern over mass kidnappings, after reports of another abduction involving dozens of people. This happened hours after 130 schoolchildren who were earlier abducted were returned to state authorities. Also Kenya’s marathon great Eliud Kipchoge speaks to the BBC about discipline, motivation and what continues to drive him after years at the top of his sport. Often described as one of the greatest distance runners of all time, he reflects on pressure, purpose and life beyond records and medals.Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Bella Twine, Keikantse Shumba, Chiamaka Dike, Blessing Aderogba Technical Producer: Mbarak Abdallah Senior Producer: Daniel Dadzie Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

Nigeria is facing renewed concern over mass kidnappings, after reports of another abduction involving dozens of people. This happened hours after 130 schoolchildren who were earlier abducted were returned to state authorities. Also Kenya’s marathon great Eliud Kipchoge speaks to the BBC about discipline and what continues to drive him after years at the top of his sport. Often described as one of the greatest distance runners of all time, he reflects on life beyond records and medals.Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Bella Twine, Keikantse Shumba, Chiamaka Dike, Blessing Aderogba Technical Producer: Mbarak Abdallah Senior Producer: Daniel Dadzie Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

AFCON is back, and Morocco is hosting the tournament for the first time since 1988. The tournament itself began with big news on a change in calendar. We tell you about it and take you to the heart of the action, exploring the atmosphere, ticketing and visa changes, and the teams to watch.You will also hear from Mahad Mohamud, an Uber driver deported from Minneapolis in the US to Somalia, who talks about militant threats to his life and the challenge of starting over. Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Bella Twine, Keikantse Shumba, Blessing Aderogba Technical Producer: Mbarak Abdallah Senior Producer: Daniel Dadzie Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

Traveling within Africa on an African passport remains a challenge, according to the African Development Bank Group. Their research shows that Africans can travel without a visa for only 28% of intra-African trips, while 51% of Africans need a visa before crossing borders within the continent.In this episode, we speak to Ras Mubarak, a former Ghanaian MP, who is currently on an epic road trip across Africa. His mission? To highlight the difficulties of African visa systems and advocate for freer and faster movement across the continent.Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Carolyne Kiambo Technical Producer: Jonathan Mwangi Senior Producer: Priya Sippy Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

The county government of Kenya's capital Nairobi is joining the growing movement which recognizes menstrual pain as a legitimate reason for paid time off. Women working for the city authorities will now be allowed to take two days of menstrual leave per month. Also, Namibia's first female President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah speaks to the BBC about her country's new oil discoveries, and the fight against gender-based violence and inequality. Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Bella Twine, Keikantse Shumba and Daniel Dadzie Technical Producer: Jonathan Mwangi Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group says it will retreat from the captured town of Uvira in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Rebel leader Corneille Nangaa says his fighters will withdraw from Uvira at the request of the US. Earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had said the capture of Uvira by rebel forces violated the Rwanda-DR Congo peace deal signed in Washington on 4th December. And in Kenya, three siblings born deaf are challenging stereotypes by dominating the race track as they gear up towards winning medals on the global stage.Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Bella Twine and Daniel Dadzie Technical Producer: Jonathan Mwangi Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

Search efforts for missing people continue in Morocco's Safi province after weekend flash floods. This, even as the country is set to host the African Cup of Nations - AFCON football tournament in a few days. We hear from residents in Safi, and whether the disaster has dampened the mood ahead of the continental soccer event. Also, are solar-powered vehicles the solution to transportation shortages in Benin? We speak to an entrepreneur at the forefront of bringing renewable energy to the country's transport industry. Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Bella Twine, Basma El Atti and Ayuba Iliya Technical Producer: Jonathan Mwangi Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

We look at how decades of diamond mining along South Africa's west coast have affected the environment and why the local Nama community says mining companies such as De Beers and state-owned Alexkor haven't done enough to rehabilitate their land.Also, after Australia banned use of social media for people under the age of 16, we ask whether African countries should come up with such a ban. Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Bella Twine and Carolyne Mwangi Technical Producer: Jonathan Mwangi Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

Weight-loss injections have become a major talking point, from Hollywood celebrities to TikTok influencers.Originally developed to treat diabetes, these medications were later found to help people shed a lot of weight - a discovery that has rapidly expanded their global use. The World Health Organization has now released its first-ever guidance on prescribing them for obesity.South Africa recently became the first country in Africa to formally approve one version of these drugs for weight loss, and access is slowly spreading across the continent.We follow a Kenyan woman’s experience using the injections and we hear from a South African doctor who explains how they work - and what the latest medical research reveals so far.

Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group says it has captured Uvira town near DR Congo's southeastern border with Burundi. This comes after US President Donald Trump brokered a peace deal between DR Congolese leader Felix Tshisekedi and President Paul Kagame of Rwanda in Washington DC last week. We look at what the renewed fighting means for DR Congo and the peace agreement.Also, a housing deficit poses a threat to Africa's young people with increased difficulty in renting or acquiring homes. Where will Africa's youth live? Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Bella Twine, Keikantse Shumba, Dingindaba Jonah Buyoya and Madina Maishanu Technical Producer: Davis Mwasaru Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

In Tanzania, Independence Day protests stall following stern government warnings but questions over the country's human rights record remain.   And also, tragedy in an attempt to strike gold. We hear how unregulated and risky gold mines are cutting short the lives of school-going teenagers in Sierra Leone.   Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Bella Twine, Keikantse Shumba, Ayuba Iliya and Daniel Dadzie Technical Producer: Davis Mwasaru Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

The US is prioritising asylum applications from white farmers in South Africa where it says there’s a 'genocide' against them, despite the claims being widely discredited. A BBC Africa Eye team spoke to some white Afrikaner farmers and black farmers to gain insight about the situation. Also, a conversation on vaginal wellness. We find out some of the most common products and practices that experts say could be harmful.Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Bella Twine, Keikantse Shumba and Priya Sippy Technical Producer: Davis Mwasaru Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

What does the coup attempt in Benin mean for the West African nation and its citizens? President Patrice Talon has assured the nation that things are 'under control' after the government thwarted Sunday's military takeover. About a dozen soldiers believed to be the leaders of the mutiny have been arrested. Also, did you know dog meat is a staple in some parts of Nigeria, Africa's biggest population? We take you inside one of the largest dog meat markets in the country. Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Bella Twine and Ayuba Iliya Technical Producer: Davis Mwasaru Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

What does it feel like when your photos are taken, manipulated and shared online without your consent? That’s the reality for 23-year-old Debra Nashipae, a Kenyan student and aspiring musician whose images were turned into deepfake pornography – a form of digital abuse that experts say is increasing rapidly. According to UN Women, 90–95% of all deepfakes online are non-consensual pornographic images, and around 90% of those depict women. Their report also highlights that half of the world’s women and girls lack legal protection against this kind of digital violence. In this episode of Focus on Africa: The Conversation, host Nkechi Ogbonna spoke to Debra about her experience, along with her lawyer, Mercy Mutemi, who is advocating for justice and better protection of digital rights. Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Carolyne Kiambo, Fana Weldye, Waihiga Mwaura, Ly Truong Technical Producers: Jonathan Mwangi and Philip Bull Senior Producer: Priya Sippy Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

Zambian-American influencer Ethel Chisono Edwards, also known as 'One Boss Lady', has been a vocal critic of Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema. She was convicted under the Cyber Security Act and the Cyber Crimes Act, two controversial laws that were recently amended to stipulate harsher penalties. The case has raised concerns about freedom of speech in Zambia.Also, did you know that the trafficking and sale of ants is on the rise? We look at the impact of this illegal phenomenon on the environment.Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers:  Bella Twine, Ly Truong and Makuochi Okafor Technical Producers: Jonathan Mwangi and Philip Bull Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

Nigeria: A deep dive into the spike in school mass abductions by armed groups in northern Nigeria. We hear from the parents of some of the victims and ask: Who is behind the kidnappings and what's the government doing about it?And how are mental health institutions perceived in Africa? We speak to someone in Uganda about their mental health journey and experience at the country's main referral facility.Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna Producers:  Bella Twine, Keikantse Shumba and Ly Truong Technical Producer: Jonathan Mwangi and Philip Bull Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

A rare conversation with Egypt's Foreign Minister about the Sudan War and the tensions with Ethiopia over the river Nile, and Focus on Africa moves its hub from London to Nairobi. Egypt's Foreign Minister Dr Badr Abdelatty has denied that his country is supporting the Sudanese Armed Forces in the war against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. He also spoke about tensions with Ethiopia after the collapse of talks over use of the waters of River Nile.And after more than six decades of broadcasting from London, Focus on Africa has just arrived in its new home, Nairobi.Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna Producers:  Bella Twine, Keikantse Shumba and Ly Truong Technical Producer: Philip Bull Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

Zambia: President Hakainde Hichilema faces challenges over proposed constitutional changesWhy Zimbabwean short film RISE deserves an Oscar nominationShould footballers from the diaspora be allowed to join African national teams after they qualify for the World Cup?Presenter : Nyasha Michelle Producers: Sunita Nahar, Yvette Twagiramariya, Alexander Lathbridge, Stefania Okereke, Joseph Keen, and Mark Wilberforce Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Kenya’s Maasai Mara Game Reserve is at the centre of a legal battle over a new Marriott Ritz-Carlton luxury safari lodge. Why are Maasai leaders calling for the camp to be removed?Also in the podcast, we hear from Malian refugees who allege war crimes committed by the now largely disbanded private Russian paramilitary group, Wagner.And a tour guide in Madrid showcases Africa's influence in the city, that is hidden in plain slight.Presenter: Nyasha Michelle Producers: Joseph Keen, Sunita Nahar, Yvette Twagiramariya and Elphas Lagat in London Technical Producer: Pat Sissons Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard