Africa Today

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

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

The United Nations has endorsed a new map projection that more accurately represents Africa’s true size. The "Correct the Map" resolution, sponsored by Togo and backed by African Union (AU) member states, was adopted with the support of 164 countries, including France and the United Kingdom. The United States was the only country to vote against it, while six nations abstained. On this episode, we explore why this new map matters and what it reveals about Africa’s true scale.And Nigeria has one of the world's highest numbers of out-of-school children, with the UN estimating that 19 million are missing out on education. Insecurity remains a major barrier. BBC Eye follows two young girls in Zamfara State who are rebuilding their futures through education after violence forced them out of school.Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Keikantse Shumba and Bella Twine Technical Producer: David Kinyanjui Senior Producer: Blessing Aderogba Editors: Daniel Dadzie and Maryam Abdalla

From selling charcoal, firewood and a popular West Africa staple food locally known as garri, to making waves on the global music scene. Liberian superstar JZyNO has come a long way. He started making music in Liberia before moving to Ghana to pursue his dreams, where he found a more developed music industry. In 2023, he broke onto the international scene with his hit single, Butta My Bread, which has amassed over 300 million views. He sat down with Focus on Africa to reflect on life since his breakout hit, his humble beginnings in Liberia, and what the country needs to do to produce more globally successful artists. Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Godwin Asediba, Keikantse Shumba, Carolyne Jotham and Bella Twine Technical Producer: Maxwell Onyango Senior Producers: Charles Gitonga and Priya Sippy Editors: Daniel Dadzie and Maryam Abdalla

From devastating floods in Nepal to growing weather concerns across Africa, extreme weather is once again putting communities at risk. The United Nations warns that up to 162 million children in Eastern and Southern Africa live in areas exposed to the impending El Niño weather event. Experts say it could be the strongest El Niño in more than 70 years, bringing the risk of intensifying drought, extreme heat and flooding.And we hear from a macro photographer who captures tiny insects in remarkable detail, in the environments they call home, to inspire people to care about their vital role in our ecosystems.Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producer: Keikantse Shumba Technical Producer: Maxwell Onyango Senior Producer: Blessing Aderogba Editors: Daniel Dadzie and Maryam Abdalla

The senior adviser to US President Donald Trump on African and Arab Affairs, Massad Boulos, speaks exclusively to the BBC about why the US is asking the UN Security Council to approve a nationwide arms embargo on Sudan, a move Washington says could help end the war which has been ongoing for more than 3 years. A nationwide embargo would ban the sale, transfer or supply of weapons and military equipment to all sides of the conflict, including the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces.And, despite affecting millions of people worldwide, dyslexia remains widely misunderstood in Africa. The neurodevelopmental learning difference can affect reading, spelling and language processing.We hear from someone living with dyslexia about her experience and the stigma surrounding it.Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Bella Twine and Chiamaka Dike Technical Producer: Maxwell Onyango Senior Producer: Blessing Aderogba Editors: Daniel Dadzie and Maryam Abdalla

Guinea-Bissau awaits the results of Sunday's referendum on a proposed new constitution which aims to increase presidential powers. The vote is seen as an important step ahead of December's general election, which is expected to return the country to civilian rule after last year's military coup. The proposed constitution would give more powers to the president and reduce the number of parliamentary seats from 102 to 65. The military government says the changes would make parliament more effective and help reduce tensions between the president and prime minister.And we enter the world of dressing as your favourite anime or video game character. This, known as Cosplay, is giving young people new ways to bring characters from animation, comics and video games to life, especially from Japanese animation, better known as Anime.Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Keikantse Shumba, Blessing Aderogba and Ayuba Iliya Technical Producer: Maxwell Onyango Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga Editors: Daniel Dadzie and Marya

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

Now, you may have heard about a trial currently happening in the US, it’s a tragic case where a mother has been charged for killing her three children. However, her lawyers have argued she was experiencing with postpartum psychosis at that time. The trial has put a spotlight on postpartum psychosis - which is a rare and severe mental health condition, including symptoms such as mania, depression, confusion, and hallucinations. So, what’s it like to experience postpartum psychosis? And how do you come out on the other side? Focus on Africa host, Nkechi Ogbonna, spoke to Chebet Birir, a 33-year-old journalist from Kenya and a mother of four about her journey with the illness.Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Bella Twine, Keikantse Shumba and Carolyne Jotham Technical Producer: David Nzau Senior producers: Priyanka Sippy and Charles Gitonga Editors: Daniel Dadzie and Maryam Abdalla

American country music star, Dolly Parton passed away this week and her fans across the continent have felt the loss greatly. Her songs, such as Jolene, 9 to 5 and I Will Always Love You, crossed generations, borders and musical genres. We hear from the leader of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, the South African group who worked with Parton on Knockin' on Heaven's Door in 1995, and later collaborated on Peace Train, which appeared on her album, Treasures. And with Nigeria’s elections being months away, can a new Muslim-Christian agreement help ease religious tensions?Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Keikantse Shumba, Carolyne Jotham, Chiamaka Dike and Blessing Aderogba Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga Technical Producer: David Nzau Editors: Daniel Dadzie and Maryam Abdalla

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

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

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

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

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 OgbonnaProducers: Ayuba Iliya, Helen Oyibo, Basma El Atti and Keikantse Shumba Senior Producer: Bella TwineTechnical Producer: Jonathan MwangiEditors: Rhoda Odhiambo, Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla

Uganda's parliament has approved plans to deploy it's troops to Gaza under a U.S.-backed International Stabilization Force mission. This is an invitation from President Donald Trump's Board of Peace initiative which is meant to oversee post war transition. The International Stabilisation Force (ISF) would be made up of countries willing to send their troops to take over some of the security tasks that were managed by Hamas for so many years. And, for World Photography Day, we follow a Congolese photographer’s journey through the lens, as he captures the meaning of home.Presenter: Nkechi OgbonnaProducers: Keikantse Shumba and Ayuba IliyaSenior Producer: Bella TwineTechnical Producer: Jonathan MwangiEditors: Rhoda Odhiambo, Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla

An international medical charity is warning that children in southwest Somalia face alarming food shortages. A survey by Doctors Without Borders found half the children screened were acutely malnourished and one quarter severely malnourished. According to a survey by Doctors Without Borders, that was conducted over 800 households in 14 displacement sites in Baidoa, it found that over 200 families are surviving on just one meal a day. And Cannabis remains one of Africa's most controversial policy issues. While supporters point to economic and medical benefits, critics warn it could result in higher rates of abuse. Presenter: Nkechi OgbonnaProducers: Keikantse Shumba and Ayuba Iliya Senior Producer: Bella TwineTechnical Producer: Jonathan MwangiEditors: Rhoda Odhiambo, Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla

Security officers in Zambia have arrested 11 people including opposition candidate Brian Mundubile. The government claims that they could be planning a revolt. Incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema who is running for second, five-year term is taking an early lead in the count. The main opposition party has disputed the results.And why are African vultures classified as endangered birds? Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Keikantse Shumba and Helen Oyibo Senior Producer: Bella Twine Technical Producer: Jonathan Mwangi Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo, Charlse Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla

A recent report by Cognitive Market Research says the global placenta powder market is expanding rapidly, driven by growing demand for placenta-based cosmetics and dietary supplements. But across Africa, deep-rooted cultural traditions mean the organ is usually buried, not consumed. So, why are some modern African mothers breaking with tradition? Focus on Africa host Nkechi Ogbonna spoke to maternal health advocate Ruth Sally Kodam and a placenta encapsulation specialist, Mary-Nissi Lemon, to understand the placenta and the different practices to either preserve or consume it. Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Bella Twine, Fana Negash and Carolyne Jotham Senior Producers: Charles Gitonga and Priya Sippy Technical Producer: David Kinyanjui Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo and Maryam Abdalla

South Africa says it is asking Nigeria, Malawi and Ethiopia to share the cost of deporting tens of thousands of illegal immigrants to their home countries. The country's Department of Home Affairs says it spent nearly $18 million in the exercise, far exceeding the budgetary allocation. About 82,000 people were repatriated to their home countries since anti-migrant protests started. And a UN report says one in three people can’t afford a healthy diet, despite a decline in global hunger in recent years. How are families across Africa coping with the affordability crisis?Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Basma El Atti, Keikantse Shumba and Ayuba Iliya Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga Technical Producer: David Kinyanjui Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo and Maryam Abdalla