Africa Today
Africa news and analysis from the BBC's Focus on Africa. The Africa Today podcast contains the day's top stories from African news - available to download Monday to Friday from 1630 GMT.
20 Episodes
Why Mali seized gold from a mining giant.
Canadian mining giant Barrick halted its operations in Mali after the government seized gold stocks worth $245 million.What's the story behind the Nigerian words added to the Oxford English dictionary ? And what the death of the warlord turned politician Prince Yormie Johnson means for Liberia.Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Frenny…
What next for Mozambique?
Mozambique’s new president, Daniel Chapo, has been sworn in, after winning a violently disputed election held in October last year. Many people have been killed in clashes with the police and the opposition is still calling for protests. So what next for Mozambique under President Daniel Chapo? How will the…
Bodies retrieved from South African mine
Dozens of survivors and dead pulled from an abandoned South African gold mineHow Russia is expanding its partnership in Africa's nuclear sector And ice hockey gains popularity in Kenya. Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Victor Sylver, Nyasha Michelle, Priya Sippy and Sunita Nahar Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris…
Kenyan court rules suicide criminalisation unconstitutional
Kenya's high court has struck down a law that criminalised the act of attempting suicide. We hear from one of the petitioners who brought the challenge, on why the judge's ruling is important.Also in the podcast, we revisit the dumpsite in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, that collapsed and killed more…
MSF suspends activities in Khartoum hospital.
Medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) pulls out of the largest free hospital in Sudan’s capital Khartoum. Fears over a cargo of explosive fertiliser in a harbour in Ivory CoastAnd who are the Baye Fall muslims in Senegal?Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Amie Liebovitz and Nyasha Michelle in London and Blessing…
Who is behind the border attack in Benin?
Benin forces have suffered heavy losses in an attack which the military chief described as 'a heavy blow'. The assault happened at one of Benin's most well-equipped military positions. So who was behind the attack and what does it tell us about Benin's security preparedness?Also in the podcast, after São…
Why is Johannesburg facing a water crisis?
What can be done to tackle a water crisis in South Africa's largest city Johannesburg?Can Somalia's army tackle jihadists when peacekeeping forces withdraw? After space debris landed in a Kenyan village we ask : will this become more common?Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Sunita Nahar, Yvette Twagiramariya, Nyasha Michelle and Bella…
Violence surges in eastern DRC
The M23 rebel forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo have captured the key town of Masisi in the in the mineral-rich North Kivu province, in renewed, intense fighting. Why has there been an upsurge in the the violence and why is seizing control of Masisi so significant? Also in…
South Africa plans higher alcohol tax
Will increasing tax in South Africa help stop excessive drinking?Why are Nigeria's rice farmers struggling despite government policies to boost local production.And as more athletes break records we ask: just how long will records continue being broken?Presenter :Audrey Brown Producers: Blessing Aderogba in Lagos, Susan Gachuhi and Frenny Jowi in…
55 African airlines banned from Europe
55 African airlines have been banned from EU skies after a newly revised blacklist was released. Which airlines are they and why the ban? Also why are some Kenyan farmers resisting government plans to vaccinate their livestock?And the legacy of Dada Masilo, the young South African dancer who died at…
How did Egypt win its battle against hepatitis C?
Egypt once had the highest rate of hepatitis C in the world, but has now almost completely wiped out the liver attacking virus in less than 10 years. How did they do that?Could the African mealworm be a solution to tackling plastic waste? Kenyan researchers say the larvae of the…
Why are more Francophone countries cutting ties with France?
Ivory Coast has confirmed, French troops stationed in the region for decades, will begin withdrawing from Ivorian soil this month. This marks another shift in the growing trend across West Africa, where France is seeing a reduction in their military presence. An analyst explains the genesis of this resentment.Also, French…
What can Africa expect from President Trump’s second term?
During his first term as US president, Donald Trump had a very limited engagement with Africa, so what will his return to the White House mean for the continent? We hear from a political analyst on the potential opportunities and perils for US-Africa relations. Did you know that drowning is…
How South Africa’s drug trade is rooted in apartheid rule
South Africa has become a key player in the International drugs trade, that's according to the global crime index. The country has a growing domestic market and now shares trade connections with South America, Europe, Hong Kong and Australia. We'll hear from South African journalist and author Caryn Dolley who…
Who is behind the abduction of youths in Kenya?
More than 80 people have been abducted over recent weeks in Kenya, sparking a rise in public anger and more protests on the streets. But why are the kidnappings happening and who is being targeted? We talk to our reporter in Nairobi who has been following events.Also in this episode,…
Ivory Coast : What is “ Ivoirité ” ?
What is “ Ivoirité ” ? We explore this controversial concept and its effects as Ivory Coast prepares for general election in 2025. Also, why women in Morocco are welcoming a review of child custody, divorce, and polygamy law, and why dolls aren’t just dolls- find out how they can…
Why has Air Tanzania been banned from EU Airspace?
Air Tanzania, has been added to the European Union Aviation Safety Agency's (EASA) list of airlines that have been restricted from operating within the European Union. So what are the shortcomings? We sought answers from an aerospace expert. Did you know that South Africa’s unique succulent plants are under threat…
How Sudanese Christians celebrate Christmas in exile
Thousands of Sudanese Christians face Christmas away from home as the Sudan war continues. We hear from one woman who was born into a Muslim family but converted to Christianity, on how her community tries to help those fleeing the war, and how she maintains Christmas traditions despite living in…
What is behind recent stampedes in Nigeria?
Dozens of people have died in stampedes to collect Christmas hampers in Nigeria raising concerns about safety at these events. Also in the programme, why South Sudanese civil servants have not been paid their salaries for nearly a year, and what South African shop owners are saying about the government's…
Why Malawi seeks billions in unpaid taxes
Malawi's government is demanding billions in unpaid taxes and royalties from a US-based gemstone company for rubies exported over the last 10 years. The companies deny the claimsThe tale of the child bride social media sensation in South Sudan.And a couple share their painful experience with infertilityPresenter Audrey Brown Producers:…