Focus on Africa

Over 50,000 Ethiopians have crossed over into Kenya, fleeing renewed fighting in Somali and Oromia regions of Ethiopia. Thousands of these are under temporary international protection status from the UNHCR as they undergo registration. We hear from a BBC reporter following the story in Moyale, a town at the border of Kenya and Ethiopia.
And, for almost every young girl in school in Sub-Saharan Africa, a low hair cut is mandatory. Critics question the practice while others endorse it.
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producer: Keikantse Shumba, Ayuba Iliya and Blessing Aderogba
Technical Producer: Maxwell Onyango
Senior Producer: Bella Twine
Editors: Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla

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

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 Ogbonna
Producer: Keikantse Shumba
Technical Producer: Maxwell Onyango
Senior Producer: Bella Twine
Editors: Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla

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

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