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BBC World Service

Two essential stories to round off your working day. Explaining the news from Africa. Hosted by Nkechi Ogbonna.

Focus on Africa

For months now, power blackouts have been disrupting life and business for thousands of people in Gambia. The crisis has recently sparked protests in the capital Banjul and surrounding areas and at least 20 people have been arrested. The country's main power provider, NAWEC, says the outage is the result of rising demand, limits on electricity imports, and technical challenges. As public frustration grows, President Adama Barrow who is seeking a controversial third term in the December elections, has pledged improvements in coming months. We hear from those affected. 
And a new study suggests most women in five African countries prefer cash over digital payment methods. 

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Ayuba Iliya and Bella Twine 
Technical Producer: Davis Mwasaru
Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga
Editors: Daniel Dadzie and Maryam Abdalla

Gambia in crisis as blackouts persist

In January 2027, Nigeria will be heading to the polls. But there’s one thing still largely missing from the ballot, women. According to Nigerian civil society organisation, policy and legal advocacy centre, Nigeria has one of the lowest rates of women’s political representation in the world. 

In fact, women make up less than 5% of members of parliament. And currently only 54 women hold positions across 990 seats in State Houses of Assembly, and 15 states have no female legislators at all.

Focus on Africa host, Nkechi Ogbonna, spoke to Ufuoma Nnamdi-Udeh, the Executive Director of Enough is Enough, a civic society organisation and Zainab Buba Galadima, a politician based in Abuja.
 
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Keikantse Shumba, Fana Negash, Bella Twine and Carolyne Jotham
Technical Producer: Davis Mwasaru
Senior Producer: Priyanka Sippy and Blessing Aderogba
Editors: Daniel Dadzie and Maryam Abdalla

Is Nigeria ready for a female leader?

South Africa has been shaken by a string of unexplained deaths, with nine women found dead in and around Kempton Park, northeast of Johannesburg, over the past two months. South Africa has one of the world’s highest rates of gender-based violence, with women being killed at five times the global average, according to UN Women. The killings have reignited concerns about women's safety and intensified pressure on police to find answers. President Cyril Ramaphosa has pledged that authorities will use every available resource to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.

And we hear from African music star Fally Ipupa on representing the Democratic Republic of Congo on the world stage amid the country's worsening displacement crisis. Fresh from making history with his album XX and receiving Congo's highest honour, he reflects on his global success and national pride.

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Keikantse Shumba, Ayuba Iliya, Bella Twine and Charles Gitonga
Technical Producer: Davis Mwasaru
Senior Producer: Blessing Aderogba
Editors: Daniel Dadzie and Maryam Abdalla

South Africa probes discovery of women bodies

More than 2,000 people have fled across the Red Sea into neighbouring Djibouti as fighting in Yemen escalates. The renewed conflict between the Iran-backed Houthi movement and the Saudi-backed Yemeni government has also displaced more than 100,000 people inside Yemen. Iran‑aligned Houthi rebels have seized Yemen’s entire Red Sea coast after fierce battles with government forces, tightening their hold on crucial shipping lanes.
With thousands more seeking safety across the Red Sea. We take a closer look at the human cost of the conflict and why the latest developments matter for Africa.
And as African cities expand, forests, wetlands and other natural spaces are being cleared for development. Experts say this is altering how cities absorb heat, manage flooding and store carbon. We explore the importance of natural ecosystems to African cities.

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Keikantse Shumba, Ayuba Iliya, Bella Twine and Charles Gitonga
Technical Producer: Davis Mwasaru
Senior Producer: Blessing Aderogba
Editors: Daniel Dadzie and Maryam Abdalla

Thousands flee to Djibouti amid Yemeni fighting

Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote has launched Africa's largest-ever share sale, offering a stake in his oil refinery to the general public. The initial public offering (IPO) covers roughly 3% of the Dangote Refinery and aims to raise $1.6 billion across Africa, targeting up to 10 million shareholders.

Hours after the offer went live, several stockbroking applications reported downtime due to unusually heavy traffic from potential investors believed to be rushing to buy stakes in the company. We explore how young people across the continent are reacting and what this means for them.

And African literature continues to gain global recognition as we hear from writers from Kenya, Cameroon, Nigeria, Egypt and Zimbabwe shortlisted for the 2026 Caine Prize for African Writing. What do their stories reveal about the evolution of the continent?

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Keikantse Shumba, Ayuba Iliya, Bella Twine and Charles Gitonga
Technical Producer: Davis Mwasaru
Senior Producer: Blessing Aderogba
Editors: Daniel Dadzie and Maryam Abdalla

What does Dangote's IPO mean for young investors?

Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye is expected to hold talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington this week as Senegal seeks a new IMF programme. Earlier, the government introduced measures aimed at easing the cost of living and reached a staff-level agreement with the IMF on a new $2.2 billion, three-year lending programme to support economic and financial reforms. However, the deal still requires approval from the IMF Executive Board.

Meanwhile, on the streets of Dakar, protesters are calling for lower prices on essential goods and services, including food, fuel, electricity and rent. We examine the impact of Senegal's hidden debt crisis of more than $11 billion on ordinary citizens, how the country reached this point and what plans are in place to address the challenges.

And we hear from a Ugandan designer whose creativity captured global attention at the recently concluded Miss World pageant in Vietnam. Her striking design, worn by Miss World Uganda, brought to life the seven anatomical layers involved in a Caesarean section, earning international recognition and sparking conversations far beyond the world of fashion.

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Keikantse Shumba and Charles Gitonga
Technical Producer: Davis Mwasaru
Senior Producer: Blessing Aderogba
Editors: Daniel Dadzie and Maryam Abdalla

IMF talks amid Senegal debt crisis

Earlier this year, a young Nigerian went viral after saying he would rather be a donkey in Malawi than a graduate in Nigeria. And he wasn't alone. Another young man made headlines after taking to the streets of Abuja with a placard declaring that he had a BA, MSc and PhD - but still couldn't find a job. 

Young Nigerians account for the largest share of the country's unemployed population and for many graduates earning a degree has not translated into finding a job. A recent report by ActionAid and Plan International put the number of unemployed young people at 80million, many of which have received formal education to the tertiary level. 

So, why are so many young Nigerian graduates struggling to find work? Is the problem with Nigeria's education system, the economy, or something else?

Focus on Africa podcast host, Nkechi Ogbonna, travelled to Lagos to hear from people on different sides of the issue: Olamide Adeyeye, who works with a job-search platform; 23-year-old Titilayo Nwosu, a botany graduate from Nnamdi Azikiwe University; and Dr Suraj, a lecturer at the University of Lagos. 

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Keikantse Shumba,Carolyne Jotham and Faith Oshoko 
Technical producer: David Kinyanjui
Senior producers: Blessing Aderogba and Priya Sippy
Editors: Daniel Dadzie and Maryam Abdalla.

Was my university degree worth it?

A succession battle is intensifying in Uganda’s Tooro Kingdom ahead of the late king’s burial. Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma has been named the next monarch, but the decision is being challenged by members of King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV’s immediate family, raising questions about the kingdom’s future leadership.

And Ethiopia is preparing to welcome the year 2019 on September 11. On New Year's Eve, Ethiopians at home and across the world will celebrate Enkutatash, the start of a new year in the Ethiopian calendar. We explore the traditions and how the occasion is marked.

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Keikantse Shumba, Bella Twine and Fana Negash
Technical Producer: Davis Mwasaru
Senior Producer: Blessing Aderogba
Editors: Daniel Dadzie and Maryam Abdalla

Controversy Over Ugandan Kingdom's Royal Succession

The recent killing of eight women across Cameroon in a single week has sparked outrage and renewed calls for specific legislation to tackle gender-based violence. The country has been grappling with femicide in recent years, with human rights organisations accusing the government of not doing enough to protect women. We explore what's behind the violence and why activists are pushing for stronger protections for women. 

And a conversation about the challenges facing African and African-American talent in the global film industry, from stereotypes and typecasting to pay disparities and limited opportunities for career growth.

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Keikantse Shumba and Ayuba Iliya
Technical Producer: Davis Mwasaru
Senior Producer: Blessing Aderogba
Editors: Daniel Dadzie and Maryam Abdalla

Is Cameroon doing enough on femicide?

Undocumented foreign traders in Kenya have 90 days to legalise their status. This follows a directive from President William Ruto that they should not compete with Kenyans in small businesses. The trade ministry said some foreigners exploit visa rules to work in the country without the required permits. And in Sudan, we hear from a photographer who fled the violence in El-Fasher, a key city in Darfur, that is now under control by the Rapid Support Forces. He now lives in Tawila camp about 60km north of Darfur. For years, he documented the war. Now, his camera is chasing smiles despite the conflict. 

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Bella Twine
Technical Producer: David Kinyanjui 
Senior Producer: Blessing Aderogba 
Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo and Maryam Abdalla

Kenya gives foreign traders 90-day ultimatum

Last Saturday, gunfire and attacks near the airport were witnessed in Niamey, Niger's capital city. Defecting soldiers known as the Armed Forces for the Restoration of the Fatherland, attempted a coup which was later contained by the military with the support of its Russia Africa corps. Authorities in the country have not said how many soldiers were involved in the coup, or how many people were killed in the ensuing violence. The current military leader General Abdourahamane Tiani came to power in 2023 after ousting then democratically-elected president Mohamed Bazoum. We look at what the latest mutiny means for the country's stability. 
 
And as a new report shows women make up only 6% of pilots globally, we find out if perceptions about women in aviation are changing in African countries.
 
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna 
Producers: Keikantse Shumba, Bella Twine, Blessing Aderogba and Ayuba Iliya 
Technical Producer: Maxwell Onyango 
Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga 
Editors: Daniel Dadzie and Maryam Abdalla

Niger arrests soldiers behind failed mutiny

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