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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

Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te has finally visited Eswatini where his arrival had been expected since April. The state visit was cancelled last minute, and Taiwan blames China - saying Beijing applied pressure on African countries not to allow the plane carrying President Ching-te to use their airspace on the way to the Kingdom of Eswatini. We look at the significance of this visit and Taiwan's diplomatic ties to the Southern Africa kingdom.

Also, we have a fire chat with Ghanian musician Stonebwoy, whose Accra-famous music festival known as BHIM is going global, headlining at the OVO Wembley Arena in London this August.

Presenter : Charles Gitonga
Producer: Rukia Bulle, Blessing Aderogba and Mark Wilberforce
Technical Producer: Maxwell Onyango
Senior Producer: Bella Twine
Editors: Priyanka Sippy and Maryam Abdalla

What Eswatini risks by standing with Taiwan

As the world marks World Press Freedom Day, UNESCO has awarded the 2026 Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize to the Sudanese Journalists Syndicate, recognising their courage in reporting amid threats to their safety and rights. Since Sudan’s war began in 2023, more than 30 journalists have been killed and over 500 violations recorded, making it one of the most dangerous places in the world for journalists.

At the same time, we explore how memes and AI-generated political images are increasingly shaping global power and narratives around the US–Israel war with Iran, raising new questions about influence, information, and the future of digital diplomacy.

Presenter : Charles Gitonga
Producer: Rukia Bulle
Technical Producer: Maxwell Onyango
Senior Producers: Blessing Aderogba and Bella Twine
Editors: Priya Sippy and Maryam Abdalla

Sudanese journalists win World Press Freedom Prize

For the longest time, Africa’s migration story has largely been one way: people leaving the continent in search of opportunity. But that story is beginning to shift. Africa’s young diaspora who were born and raised in Europe, the United States and Canada are increasingly choosing to move to countries their parents once left.

Focus on Africa podcast host Charles Gitonga spoke to Dr Maryam Abdishakuur who grew up in Denmark and moved back to her native country, Somalia in her twenties, and Danielle Wanjiku Natche, who grew up in the US and moved to Kenya - where her mother is from - in 2019.

Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Fana Negash and Basma El Atti 
Technical Producer: Terry Chege
Senior Producer: Carolyne Kiambo
Editors: Priyanka Sippy and Maryam Abdalla

'Is diaspora written on my forehead?'

Uganda’s new bill could jail citizens for up to 20 years for unauthorised foreign funding, citing concerns over foreign influence on national policy. This has raised questions about the future of civil society, independent organisations, and political freedoms in the country. We look at what the Sovereignty Bill could mean for Ugandans if passed into law.

Meanwhile, in northern Zimbabwe, a conservationist is working with rural communities to transform how people live alongside lions, finding practical solutions to long-standing human–wildlife conflict. Her approach is now gaining international attention, earning her the 2026 Whitley Award.

Presenter : Charles Gitonga
Producer: Ayuba Iliya
Technical Producer: Terry Chege
Senior Producers: Keikantse Shumba and Blessing Aderogba 
Editors: Priyanka Sippy and Maryam Abdalla

Uganda sovereignty bill: protection or policing?

In South Africa, rising anti-immigration protests are once again putting xenophobia in the spotlight. We hear from two South Africans with opposing views to understand what’s fuelling the anger, from economic pressure to questions of identity and belonging.

Then, we turn to sport, where Kenyan athlete Sebastian Sawe is making global headlines. After a record-breaking performance in London, he has become the first runner to break the two-hour marathon barrier in a competitive race. We look at what this achievement means for the future of long-distance running and what it takes to reach such extraordinary levels.

Presenter : Charles Gitonga
Producer: Rukia Bulle
Technical Producer: Mbarak Abdallah
Senior Producers: Keikantse Shumba and Blessing Aderogba
Editors: Priyanka Sippy and Maryam Abdalla

South Africans debate the migrant question

We look at what’s behind the coordinated attacks in Mali by the Azawad Liberation Front and JNIM, which are raising fresh questions about how much control the military-led government really has and whether its alliance with Russia’s Africa Corps is making a meaningful difference in tackling insecurity.

At the same time, condom prices could rise by up to 30%, a growing concern for African countries that rely on imports and shrinking aid. Experts warn this could affect HIV prevention across the continent.

Presenter : Charles Gitonga
Producer: Ayuba Iliya and Chiamaka Dike
Technical Producer: Mbarak Abdallah
Senior Producers: Blessing Aderogba and Keikantse Shumba
Editors: Priyanka Sippy and Maryam Abdalla

What’s driving the coordinated attacks across Mali?

Tanzania is under growing scrutiny after a government report revealed there were 518 deaths during the October 2025 elections. The report says 197 of those killed died from gunshot wounds.

However, the report doesn’t say who was responsible for the deaths, recommending further investigations. We unpack what it means and what comes next.

Plus, in Zimbabwe, we hear how one woman is turning personal pain into purpose by building a support network for families raising children born with cleft lip and palate, helping them access care and challenge stigma.

Presenter : Charles Gitonga
Technical Producer: Mbarak Abdallah
Senior Producers: Blessing Aderogba and Keikantse Shumba
Editors: Priyanka Sippy and Maryam Abdalla

Tanzania’s report on election violence sparks debate

One testing centre in Nigeria told the Focus on Africa Podcast that the number of paternity tests it conducted rose by 28.8% in 2025 compared to the previous year. Focus on Africa Podcast host Nkechi Ogbonna spoke to Peter Ngumba, a lab technologist in Kenya who, through his work conducting DNA tests, decided to test the paternity of his own two children.
 
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Fana Negash, Carolyne Kiambo Jotham, Chiamaka Dike, Keikantse Shumba and Basma El Atti 
Technical Producer: Davis Mwasaru
Editors: Maryam Abdalla and Priya Sippy

Why more men are getting paternity tests

In Madagascar, the arrest of Gen Z protesters is fuelling growing doubts about the military leadership that emerged after the 2025 uprising, as young activists question whether anything has truly changed. Elsewhere on the continent, a new report reveals a deepening economic squeeze: African countries are now paying nearly twice as much to borrow as they did in 2020, as shrinking aid forces governments to rely more heavily on costly debt.

Presenter : Charles Gitonga
Producers: Chiamaka Dike and Ayuba Iliya
Technical Producer: Davis Mwasaru
Senior Producers: Blessing Aderogba and Keikantse Shumba
Editors: Priyanka Sippy and Maryam Abdalla

Madagascar: Gen Z arrests fuel doubts over military rule

A major gas pipeline is being planned from Nigeria to Morocco, running along the Atlantic coast through countries including Ghana and Senegal, before potentially linking up to Europe. The $25 billion project is aimed at boosting energy access across West Africa, but it is still awaiting a final green light, expected later this year.

Also, Masai giraffe numbers have fallen by more than half in the past 30 years. Now, scientists in Tanzania are using artificial intelligence to track the species more quickly, offering new hope for their recovery.

Presenter : Charles Gitonga
Producer: Chiamaka Dike
Technical Producer: Davis Mwasaru
Senior Producers: Blessing Aderogba and Keikantse Shumba
Editors: Priyanka Sippy and Maryam Abdalla

What does the Morocco–Nigeria gas pipeline involve?

Zambia has acted quickly to close the border with Tanzania after a surge in Covid-19 cases near the national boundary.
 
Sierra Leone grapples with a spate of violence in areas supportive of the main opposition party.
 
And we hear from France-based singer YSEE on Tony Allen’s final recording before his passing.

Zambia closes Tanzania border as COVID-19 cases surge

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