Skip to content
PodcastsNewsFocus on Africa

Focus on Africa

BBC World Service
Focus on Africa
Latest episode

1029 episodes

  • Focus on Africa

    US calls for Sudan arms embargo

    26/08/2026 | 22 mins.
    US President Donald Trump's senior Africa envoy has asked the UN to extend its arms embargo from Darfur to all of Sudan, amid a recent escalation in the conflict. Now in its fourth year, the war in Sudan has killed tens of thousands of people and forced 14 million more to flee their homes. An arms embargo covering the Darfur region has been in place for more than two decades - and will expire next month if not amended or renewed.
    And, following immense drought and land degradation in the Sahel region, restoration efforts have begun aimed at helping vulnerable groups who are battling the impact of climate change in the region.
    Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
    Producers: Bella Twine, Blessing Aderogba and Helen Oyibo
    Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga
    Technical Producer: David Nzau
    Editors: Daniel Dadzie and Maryam Abdalla
  • Focus on Africa

    Pirate attacks on Somalia's shipping lanes

    25/08/2026 | 22 mins.
    Somali piracy is rising again. The buccaneers capitalize on security gaps, targeting cargo ships and demanding multi-million dollar ransoms. On Sunday, nine people were reportedly killed in a drone strike on a small boat off the coast of Somalia, in a series of attacks linked to the hijacking of a Cameroon-flagged vessel.
    And in Mozambique, a simple paper appointment book is helping tackle long clinic queues hoping to bring healthcare services closer to pregnant women
    Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
    Producers: Keikantse Shumba, Carolyne Kiambo and Blessing Aderogba
    Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga
    Technical Producer: David Nzau
    Editors: Daniel Dadzie and Maryam Abdalla
  • Focus on Africa

    Nigeria plans to decriminalise attempted suicide

    24/08/2026 | 22 mins.
    The Nigerian government plans to decriminalise attempted suicide. It is currently an offence punishable by up to one year in prison, a fine or both. Suicide is a major public health concern, with the country recording around 300,000 attempts every year, and at least 7,000 deaths. We hear from a survivor and a mental health expert.
    And, as more countries move to ban social media access for teenagers because of safety concerns, we hear from two young people who are members of TikTok's Global Youth Council.
    Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
    Producers: Bella Twine, Keikantse Shumba, Ayuba Iliya and Helen Oyibo
    Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga
    Technical Producer: David Nzau
    Editors: Daniel Dadzie and Maryam Abdalla
  • Focus on Africa

    Surviving an acid attack

    21/08/2026 | 22 mins.
    Imagine living with the lifelong physical and psychological scars of an attack fuelled by misogyny or romantic rejection. It’s the brutal reality for many women globally, yet the stigma of acid violence forces most survivors into silence. Focus on Africa podcast host Nkechi Ogbonna sits down with two survivors. They share their raw stories of living with the trauma, finding the strength to heal, and rebuilding their lives.
    Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
    Producers: Carolyne Kiambo and Keikantse Shumba
    Senior Producer: Priyanka Sippy and Bella Twine
    Technical Producer: Jonathan Mwangi
    Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo and Maryam Abdalla
  • Focus on Africa

    Moroccan Influencer jailed over public indecency

    20/08/2026 | 22 mins.
    A Moroccan influencer is serving a ten month jail sentence for violating public decency laws. Soukaina Janah was found guilty of inappropriate behaviour while marketing a dress on TikTok. She has also been banned from using her social media accounts for three years.
    Also, rising water levels in Kenya's Baringo lake is driving crocodiles into people's homes.
    Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
    Producers: Ayuba Iliya, Helen Oyibo, Basma El Atti and Keikantse Shumba
    Senior Producer: Bella Twine
    Technical Producer: Jonathan Mwangi
    Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo, Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla
More News podcasts
About Focus on Africa
Two essential stories to round off your working day. Explaining the news from Africa. Hosted by Nkechi Ogbonna.
Podcast website

Listen to Focus on Africa, Off Duty | The Guardian Investigates and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app

Get the free radio.net app

  • Stations and podcasts to bookmark
  • Stream via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
  • Supports Carplay & Android Auto
  • Many other app features
Focus on Africa: Podcasts in Family
  • Podcast The Cruelty
    The Cruelty
    True Crime