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BBC World Service

Two essential stories to round off your working day. Explaining the big topics and news from Africa, the people behind them, plus an African perspective on global stories. Hosted by Nkechi Ogbonna. Five days a week, ready by late afternoon, Monday to Friday.

Focus on Africa

A recent attack in Niger's south-western Tillaberi region led to the deaths of 31 civilians. It adds to a trend of deadly assaults by jihadist militants in the tri border area of Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali. According to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (Acled), Tillaberi was the deadliest region in the Sahel in 2025, with more than 1,200 civilian deaths recorded.
Also, we take a look at how different people form their accents and how an accent may affect perceptions and social status.
 
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Keikantse Shumba, Ayuba Iliya, Makuochi Okafor and Blessing Aderogba
Technical Producer: Maxwell Onyango
Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga
Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

Jihadist attacks on the rise in the Sahel

A new report by the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change says that most countries, including those in Africa, will find it difficult to have full autonomy over AI systems. According to the Institute, only 32 countries worldwide host AI-specific data centres, leaving around 160 nations dependent on foreign infrastructure. We hear how the situation is for African countries.
 
And, Nigeria wants to resume oil drilling in Ogoniland in Southern Rivers State; thirty years after environmental activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight others were executed following a protest that saw the killing of four tradional chiefs of an oil producing community known as Ogoni. This led to the suspension of exploration by oil giant Shell – the company accused of causing the environmental damage. We hear the views of the Nigerian government and environmental activists.
 
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Keikantse Shumba, Bella Twine, Ayuba Ilya and Blessing Aderogba
Technical Producer: Maxwell Onyango
Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga
Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

Who is "in charge" of Africa's AI?

A recent report by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime reveals that a third of cocaine consumed in Europe is transported via West Africa. Since 2019, the region has become a key global hub for cocaine smuggling from Latin America to markets in Europe and Asia, according to the organisation. We look at how the region gained this reputation as a hub of global trafficking. 

Also Uganda, Tanzania and Ethiopia are among African countries where internet blackouts have been witnessed recently. We explore the technologies and techniques that youth in these countries are using to stay online.

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Keikantse Shumba, Bella Twine, Chiamaka Dike and Blessing Aderogba
Technical Producer: Maxwell Onyango
Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga
Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

Global Initiative flags West Africa for cocaine trade

In this episode, we look back at the Africa Cup of Nations, where Senegal edged hosts Morocco in extra-time in a dramatic final. We explore the key moments and what they reveal about African football’s future.

We also investigate a darker story: Across West Africa, criminal gangs are luring young people with fake overseas jobs. BBC Africa Eye follows Interpol’s anti-trafficking unit in Sierra Leone and a father searching for his missing children.

Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Keikantse Shumba and Bella Twine 
Technical Producer: Maxwell Onyango
Senior Producer: Blessing Aderogba
Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

AFCON's Over - what’s the main takeaway?

Think back to when you were younger, what did you want to do when you grew up? A recent study in Kenya found that many young people would choose to be a TikToker or a YouTuber over a more conventional career, like a doctor or a lawyer.

Nowadays, content creators have become as influential as athletes and artists, but while Africa’s content creator ecosystem is growing rapidly, more than half of the continent’s creators earn less than $70 a month.

Focus on Africa: The Conversation host Charles Gitonga sat down with Chef Abbys - a Ghanaian TikToker with millions of followers - to find out what it takes to make it big in the industry.

Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Fana Negash and Carolyne Kiambo
Senior Producer: Priya Sippy
Technical Producer: Terry Chege 
Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

"TikToking my way to millions"

Focus on Africa’s Charles Gitonga joined The Global Story podcast hosts Asma Khalid and Tristan Redman to explain why the United States, Russia and China are so interested in Africa. The US recently moved to extend the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a major trade deal allowing many African countries to export goods to the American market tariff-free, while also tying promises to end the conflict in eastern DR Congo to access rare earth minerals. China sees Africa as a key part of its Belt and Road Initiative, investing heavily in infrastructure across the continent. Meanwhile, Russia has positioned itself as an alternative partner to the Central African Republic and Sahel countries, particularly in security and military cooperation.

Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Keikantse Shumba and Hannah Moore 

Senior Producer: Blessing Aderogba
Technical Producers: Terry Chege and Philip Bull
Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

US, Russia, China influence in Africa?

Somalia has accused the United Arab Emirates of undermining its sovereignty, including allegedly facilitating Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, which Somalia considers part of its territory. In response, Mogadishu has canceled all agreements with the UAE, from ports to defence, raising questions about trade and security. 

We then turn to Botswana, following a recent visit by American YouTuber IShowSpeed to the Diamond Trading Centre in Gaborone, where he held a rough diamond and asked if he could buy it. Botswana’s diamonds are a major part of national wealth, but acquiring them in raw form is strictly regulated. We explore what you need to know about these gems. 

Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Ayuba Iliya, Keikantse Shumba, Bella Twine
Senior Producer: Blessing Aderogba
Technical Producer: Terry Chege
Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

Somalia cancels UAE agreements over sovereignty

Uganda’s election campaign enters its final days ahead of voting on January 15th, with President Yoweri Museveni seeking to extend his four decades in power. His main challenger, opposition figure Bobi Wine, has rallied younger voters amid concerns raised by the UN about the political climate. We hear from voters and from the BBC in Kampala on the mood in the country. Then, we travel to Benin’s coastal city of Ouidah, where thousands gathered for Vodun Days, celebrating a spiritual tradition and its growing global appeal.
 
Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Blessing Aderogba, Bella Twine
Senior Producer: Daniel Dadzie
Technical Producer: Terry Chege
Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

Uganda's Museveni seeks seventh Presidential term

In his first interview since taking office on 1 Jan, the new head of the UN refugee agency, Dr Barham Salih, speaks to the BBC about US concerns over the organisation’s effectiveness and his push for reform. Speaking during his first working visit to Kenya’s Kakuma refugee camp, he stresses the continuing scale of global civilian displacement and the need for more efficient humanitarian responses. We also look at how social media platforms are helping young people across Africa use running to build community, connection and wellbeing in cities including Abuja and Nairobi.

Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Blessing Aderogba, Ayuba Iliya, Keikantse Shumba, Bella Twine, Priya Sippy
Senior Producer: Daniel Dadzie
Technical Producer: Terry Chege
Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

UN refugee chief responds to criticism

Now, despite a start-up boom happening in Africa, a recent study showed that many of Africa’s start-up founders say their jobs have negatively impacted their mental well-being.

60% of founders reported experiencing anxiety, 58% high stress, 52% exhaustion, and 20% depression. Key stressors include fundraising, inflation and economic instability. 

Focus on Africa host Nkechi Ogbonna had a discussion with Jihan Abass, founder of Lami Insurance Technology - a Kenya-based fintech - and Mawano Kambeu, founder of Zambia-based digital company, Dot Com Zambia, to discuss burnout, mental health and navigating Africa’s complex start-up scene.

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Carolyne Kiambo and Fana Weldye
Senior Producer: Priya Sippy
Technical Producer: Terry Chege
Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

Jihadist attacks on the rise in the Sahel

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