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Focus on Africa: Daily Summaries Delivered
by BBC World Service
Two essential stories to round off your working day. Explaining the news from Africa. Hosted by Nkechi Ogbonna.
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- 2 days ago22 min
Senegal hosts 2026 Youth Olympics
The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games are underway in Senegal with nearly 3,000 young athletes from more than 200 countries gathered to compete across a wide range of sports including archery, artistic gymnastics, athletics, basketball and so much more. However, these Games are taking place at a challenging time for Senegal, which is facing growing economic pressures. And, reparations for slavery are gaining renewed attention as Commonwealth leaders meet in Antigua with King Charles' speech recognising transatlantic slave trade as a ‘shameful chapter’ that ‘fills my heart with horror’ but falls short of an official apology. Listen to African presidents debate reparations at the annual Elevate Africa event in Accra, Ghana. Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producer: Albert Kirui and Blessing Aderogba Technical Producer: Maxwell Onyango Senior Producer: Bella Twine Editors: Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla
- 3 days ago22 min
Nigeria, DRC deteriorate in governance ranking
The 2026 Ibrahim Index of African governance has found broad progress on economic opportunity and human development over the past decade, but also excessive decline in security, human rights and public participation at a time when Africa has suffered global shocks like the COVID-19 pandemic, decrease in development aid and the impact of conflict from across the world. And, what does it look like to run a cat cafe in Nigeria where people hold several perceptions about the animal? We speak to 'Jason the cat guy' to find out. Presenter: Nkechi OgbonnaProducer: Keikantse Shumba Technical Producer: Maxwell OnyangoSenior Producer: Bella TwineEditors: Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla
- 6 days ago22 min
Do women in South Africa feel safe?
The killing of at least ten women in Johannesburg since July once again put the spotlight on violence against women in South Africa. In response, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a four-point plan to tackle gender-based violence and femicide. This included clearing unresolved cases, reducing forensic backlogs, improving safety in high-risk communities, and addressing alcohol-related violence. But a month later, campaigners say questions remain about what progress has been made and whether the government will meet its promises.Focus on Africa has been speaking to 25-year-old gender based violence advocate Cameron Kasambala and Zizipho Mtwesi, National Project Coordinator at Father A Nation, an organization that promotes positive masculinity and works to prevent gender-based violence. Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producer: Bella Twine, Fana Negash and Carolyne Jotham Technical Producer: David Kinyanjui Senior Producer: Keikantse Shumba and Priya Sippy Editors: Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla
- 1 weeks ago22 min
Russia-Africa summit: Putin seeks to expand ties
Russia's President Vladimir Putin has called his country 'Africa's best partner' as he sought to woo African leaders attending a two-day summit in Moscow this week. While addressing a plenary attended by several African presidents, Putin added that it was unfair that Africa lacks permanent representation at the UN Security Council. This year's event, at its third edition, focused on trade, investment, energy, agriculture and technology, at a time when Russia’s role in Africa is facing scrutiny with Amnesty International urging African leaders at the summit to investigate allegations that Africans and other foreign nationals were misled into joining Russia’s war in Ukraine. And, a Malawian man Emmanuel Maliro is raising awareness about kidney disease after discovering he was born with one kidney. Presenter: Blessing Aderogba Producer: Victor Chege Technical Producer: David Kinyanjui Senior Producer: Keikantse Shumba Editors: Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla
- 1 weeks ago22 min
Israel election: Why Africa is watching closely
Israel is having its elections and the country's longest serving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is fighting for a come back and his main challenger is of Morrocan descent. Gadi Eisenkot was born in Tiberias in Israel to working class parents from Morocco. We explore the impact of this election on Africa.And a young Somali tour guide Sucdi Abdul Fattah, is using TikTok to showcase her country’s beauty and challenge perceptions.Presenter: Blessing Aderogba Producers: Victor Chege , Ayuba Iliya and Bella Twine Technical David Kinyanjui Senior Producer: Keikantse Shumba Editors: Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla
- 1 weeks ago22 min
Algeria approves troops deployment to Niger
Algeria is to send troops to Niger in its first foreign deployment since sending forces to Egypt during the Arab-Israeli war in 1973.The deployment follows a visit to Algiers by Niger's defence minister, as the country seeks support against armed groups, some of which are linked to al-Qaeda or Islamic State. The deployment comes as the two neighbours rebuild ties after a diplomatic rift in 2025, when Niger recalled its ambassador to Algiers. The Algerian Parliament approved the deployment with the aim of protecting Algerian energy investments the government says.And, Ugandan doctors are on a mission to significantly reduce emergency response times on the country's busiest roads. They are helping strengthen emergency response systems and improving care for patients when they need it most.Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Blessing Aderogba, Ayuba Iliya and Bella Twine Technical David Kinyanjui Senior Producer: Keikantse Shumba Editors: Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla
- 1 weeks ago22 min
Senegal unions strike over rising costs
A three-day workers’ union strike in Senegal over the rising cost of living disrupts livelihoods and fuels concerns about preparations for the upcoming Youth Olympic Games, The strike, called by the Front for the Defence of Workers (FSDT), which brings together 13 union confederations, began on Wednesday 21st October. The industrial action unfolded against the backdrop of a serious debt crisis and growing pressure on the government to deliver economic improvements. Senegal is set to hosts the Youth Olympic Games begining October 31st, the first Olympic sporting event to be held on African soil.And climate shocks in Liberia inspire climate justice advocate and environmental conservationist Charles Wellington Morgan Jr to launch an ambitious campaign to plant one million coconut trees coconut along the country’s coastline, using nature to help protect vulnerable communities.Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Blessing Aderogba and Bella Twine Technical David Kinyanjui Senior Producer: Keikantse Shumba Editors: Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla
- 1 weeks ago22 min
The cost of alcohol addiction
The World Health Organization says that while most Africans do not drink alcohol, those who do can drink heavily. So are some young people turning to alcohol to cope with stress, work pressures, and mental health challenges? And are women facing a different set of pressures? We heard from 26-year-old Kenyan content creator Chebet Ronoh, who has documented her struggles with alcohol and relapse, and addiction therapist Caroline Kagia, who achieved sobriety after struggling with alcoholism for nearly two decades. Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Fana Negash, Carolyne Kiambo and Keikantse Shumba Technical Producer: Herbert Masua Senior Producer: Priya Sippy Editors: Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla
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About Focus on Africa
Two essential stories to round off your working day. Explaining the news from Africa. Hosted by Nkechi Ogbonna.
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