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BBC World Service


Three 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 Audrey Brown. Five days a week, ready by late afternoon, Monday to Friday.


Focus on Africa

The Zambian government has dismissed claims of dangerous pollution in the Copperbelt mining region, following safety concerns raised by the US embassy. On Wednesday, the US issued a health alert, ordering the immediate withdrawal of its personnel due to concerns of "widespread contamination of water and soil", linked to a spill at the Sino-Metals mine in February. Zambian journalist, Dingindaba Buyoya tells us about the uneasiness the statement by the USA is causing.

Also, as Uganda hosts nearly two million displaced people. Can it cope with the rising numbers?

And the impact of cocoa smuggling on prices for farmers, entrepreneurs and consumers. 

Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Bella Hassan, Yvette Twagiramariya and Stefania Okereke in London with Richard Kagoe and Jewel Kiriungi in Nairobi. 
Technical Producer: Gabriel O 'Regan 
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

How safe are Zambians at site of toxic spill?

What's behind deadly clashes at Uganda’s border with South Sudan?

Why are heatwaves happening more often on the African continent

And plans by Somalia to revive its airline after three decades

Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Tom Kavanagh in London, Blessing Aderogba with Makuochi Okafor in Lagos and Richard Kagoe in Nairobi 
Technical Producer: Chris Ablakwa
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Deadly clash at Uganda- South Sudan border

Rwanda has confirmed it will accept up to 250 migrants from the US, in a deal agreed with President Donald Trump's administration. Under the scheme the deportees would be given "workforce training, health care, and accommodation to jump start their lives in Rwanda", according to Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo. Human rights experts have raised concerns that removals to a nation that is not a migrant's place of origin - known as a third country - could violate international law. We'll hear analysis.

Also, a report finds nearly a fifth of cancer drugs are defective in four African countries.

And why the taste for camel milk is gaining popularity in Somalia and beyond!

Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Patricia Whitehorne, Yvette Twagiramariya and Sunita Nahar
Technical Producer: Gabriel O' Regan 
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
 `

Rwanda agrees migrant deal with the US

Ghana: Hundreds of soldiers deployed to Bawku town in the Upper East Region, after attacks on two schools killed several students. What is behind the resurgence of violence?

Why has Tanzania barred foreign nationals from owning and operating small-scale businesses?

What does Kenya stand to gain following proposed plan to move 3 UN agencies to Nairobi?

Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Tom Kavanagh in London, Blessing Aderogba in Lagos and Richard Kagoe in Nairobi.
Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris 
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Ghana: resurgence of violence in Bawku

Two undercover investigators, posing as sex workers spent months infiltrating the sex trade in the town of Maai Mahiu. The expose by BBC Africa Eye shows how women, known as "madams" have coerced children as young as 13 in prostitution in Kenya. Hear reporter, Njeri Mwangi, narrate the details of the story.

Also, the United States last week announced new tariff rates for dozens of African countries. What does Malawi, Nigeria and Ghana and Libya export and how will these new taxes change things?

And how are Nigerians reacting to the comments made by the UK's Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who has said she no longer identifies as Nigerian? 

Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Sunita Nahar and Yvette Twagiramariya 
Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

The women luring girls into sex trade in Kenya

DR Congo have agreed a multi-million kit deal with Spanish football club Barcelona, rasing many questions. We hear from Dr Congo's Sports Minister, Didier Budimbu. 

Also, Northern Nigeria is facing food insecurity with the UN warning that aid cuts will push Nigerians into the arms of Boko Haram jihadists. 

And Kenya proposes drastic plans to control alcohol intake, following Ghana along the same pathway. So what can Kenya expect? We hear from a Ghanaian influencer. 

Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Richard Kagoe in Nairobi. Yvette Twagiramariya, Patricia Whitehorne, Sunita Nahar and Mark Wilberforce in London
Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

DR Congo's football deal with FC Barcelona

What began as a three-day strike by taxi drivers against rising petrol prices in Angola, has escalated into one of the most widespread and disruptive waves of protest the country has seen in recent years. What has life been like in the capital Luanda, against the background of the unrest?

Why do fewer than a quarter of South Africans trust their police service? A new survey shows only 22% of South Africans have any confidence in the institution.

And we meet the Nigerian film maker, Joel Kachi Benson, who won an Emmy for a film he made about the young boy dancing in the rain who thrilled the world in a viral video a few years ago.

Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Blessing Aderogba in Lagos. Tom Kavanagh and Nyasha Michelle in London
Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer
Senior Producers: Patricia Whitehorne and Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

What is fuelling Angola's fuel protests?

Kidnappers in Nigeria have killed at least 35 people from Zamfara state despite ransoms being paid for their release. Why is the kidnapping menace in Nigeria not only growing but changing as well ?

Why fibroids are particularly a problem for black women

And Ghanaian students abroad facing deportation because the government failed to pay their fees

Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Blessing Aderogba in Lagos, Charles Gitonga in Nairobi with Patricia Whitehorne and Yvette Twagiramariya in London
Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Nigeria: Why kidnappers killed 35 hostages despite paid ransoms

More than 40 people including women and children were killed in an attack by Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), in the town of Komanda, east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The militia group is linked to the so-called Islamic state, a jihadi militant group. Majority of those killed were worshippers at a local church, nearby shops were also attacked and looted. 

Also, why Cameroonian opposition leader Maurice Kamto is challenging his disqualification from October’s presidential election list. 

And what's the impact of Africa's disappearing Wetlands? 

Presenter: Richard Kagoe
Producers: Tom Kavanagh, Nyasha Michelle and Yvette Twagiramariya
Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

Who is behind a church attack in DR Congo?

A stand off as Somalia demands release of a cargo ship carrying military equipment that was seized by semi-autonomous Puntland. The ship was reportedly transporting military equipment to Turkey’s military base in Mogadishu.

Why indigenous plants are making a comeback in African diets?

And after Nigeria's Super Falcons historic victory at WAFCON, in Morocco, we ask what does this mean for the future of African women's sport ? 

Presenter: Richard Kagoe
Producers: Charles Gitonga in Nairobi with Sunita Nahar and Patricia Whitehorne in London. 
Technical Producer: Philip Bull
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.

Somalia: The “hole” at the heart of a seized arms ship

The Focus on Africa Podcast turns 1. On this special edition, we look back at the year that's been. We re-visit kidnappings in Nigeria, we head back to the Seychelles where an opposition leader was accused of witchcraft and remember the challenges and opportunities of being a first-born daughter.

Presenters: Richard Kagoe and Audrey Brown
Producers: Rob Wilson, Nyasha Michelle, Daniel Dadzie, Patricia Whitehorne, Stefania Okereke, Sunita Nahar, Lola Schroer, Amie Liebowitz, Nour Abida and Tom Kavanagh in London. Charles Gitonga, Susan Gachuhi, Frenny Jowi in Nairobi and Todah Opeyemi in Lagos
Senior Journalists: Karnie Sharp and Paul Bakibinga 
Technical Producer: Jonny Hall
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

One year anniversary of the Focus on Africa Podcast

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