Africa Daily

How do you force a country to go offline? Internet shutdowns are becoming more common in parts of Africa. But stopping people from going online comes at a cost – both political and economic. So, why do some governments keep doing it? And what can the tech giants do about it? Host: Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) Guest: Julie Owono, executive director of Internet Without Borders. #AfricaDaily

Lagos and Abuja in Nigeria have seen a luxury property market boom despite a downward trend in country’s economy. Developers boast that their million-dollar luxury flats continue to be in demand, with rich buyers continuing to invest in what they believe to be a safer place for their money. In the next edition of Africa Daily, Alan Kasujja looks at why such properties remain in demand and what thi...

What does it take to end an insurgency? Four years of fighting have left deep bruises in northern Mozambique. Those who were not killed in the violence have had to flee for their lives. Neighbouring countries are worried too – so, they’re working with the government to come up with solutions. But how do you fix a problem of this magnitude? Host: Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) Guests: Charles M...

Should we all be planting more trees? Ghana’s forests have been depleted, but the government wants to restore them to their former glory. Earlier this month, it challenged Ghanaians to plant five million trees in a single day – a nationwide stand against climate change. But is it enough? Host: Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) Guests: Thomas Naadi, BBC Ghana correspondent; Joshua Amponsem, climat...

Drop your hand hoes, the drones are here! Some Togolese farmers have begun using specialist drones to help them with simple tasks, like spraying chemicals on their crops. But with a hefty price tag, are drones really the answer to their problems? How much of a difference will they make? Host: Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) Guests: Edeh Dona Etchri, e-Agribusiness founder; Carlos, rice farmer i...

What is Russia's game plan in the Central African Republic? A private military firm from Russia has been hired to help defend the country. But, in recent months, UN experts have accused the company of various human rights abuses. So, what exactly are they doing there? And why? Host: Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) Guest: Beverly Ochieng, BBC Monitoring #AfricaDaily

Uganda’s motorcycle taxi riders could be hindering the country’s fight against HIV. While HIV has declined in Uganda over the past few decades, sexual health experts fear it could be increasing in certain parts of the population. A new study by Makerere University found that boda boda riders are engaging in transactional sex with customers. In Africa Daily Alan Kasujja looks at why they are partic...

Watch out for the new kid in the block. South Sudan may be a young country – but when it comes to basketball, it’s quickly becoming a powerhouse for the sport in Africa. Both the men’s and the women’s national teams want a slice of glory at the AfroBasket tournaments happening this year. Could this be their moment? Host: Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) Guest: James Copnall, BBC World Service pr...

Can Ethiopia make this election count? A war, a possible famine, ethnic tensions: it’s fair to say the country’s got a lot on its plate right now. And yet, amidst all this, a general election is being held – the first one since Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed took office in 2018. Not everyone’s convinced the results will be meaningful, but why exactly? How much does this vote matter? Host: Alan Kasujja...

The age of cannabis has begun – or has it? Morocco has become the latest country in Africa to allow farmers to grow cannabis for medicinal and industrial use. Entrepreneurs say there’s good money to be made by exporting the crop to the rest of the world. But how big is this opportunity? Host: Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) Guests: Tony Budden, founding partner, Hemporium; Linda Siboto, co-foun...

Has global warming made us more depressed? There’s no doubt climate change is totally changing the world we live in, but some of these changes are more unexpected than others. Take mental health: scientists say problems like depression and anxiety are spreading faster due to the impact of climate change. How come? And what can be done about it? Host: Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) Guests: Rose...

The World Health Organisation has said there is a threat of a third wave of Covid in Africa, describing new infections as real and rising. The strain named Delta and first identified in India has now been identified in at least a dozen African countries. The situation has been made worse by the slow pace at which Africa has been able to access and provide vaccinations across the continent. In the...

Africa’s is the most sun-rich continent in the world – and yet, over 570 million people in sub-Saharan countries have no access to electricity. So, why aren’t these countries tapping into the potential of solar power? And what role can entrepreneurs play in solving energy shortages? Host: Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) Guests: Victor Koyier, analyst, Africa Solar Industry Association; Andrew S...

Can you ever be too old for politics? Judging by the average age of our leaders, probably not. African presidents are, on average, in their early sixties. And yet Africa remains the youngest continent in the world, with more than half of its people under 25. Why is this a problem? And, more importantly, what exactly is holding young people back? Host: Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) Guests: Wil...

Laurent Gbagbo has good reason to be cheerful. The International Criminal Court is no longer breathing down the neck of the former Ivorian president: in March, it upheld his acquittal on charges of crimes against humanity. And the current government says Gbagbo is now free to return home, something he intends to do this month. But will he get a hero’s welcome when he lands in the capital? Host: Al...

Twitter has been suspended in Nigeria after what could be described as a spat between the social media giant and president Buhari. It’s unclear for how long this suspension is going to last, but the government’s pretty mad: they say the platform is being used to destabilise the country and to encourage criminality. Nigerians on Twitter are having none of it. So, what exactly is going on? Host: Ala...

Students in eSwatini have been protesting to demand justice for a young man they allege was killed by the police. The body of Thabani Nkomonye was found in a field just outside Manzini – one of the country’s main cities. Police say he died in a car crash. But students allege he is the latest victim of police brutality. In Africa Daily Alan Kasujja looks at why students have been taking action. Hos...

Mount Nyiragongo, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Over the past couple of weeks, it’s erupted, spewing fast-flowing lava down its slopes - some of it heading towards the city of Goma just a few kilometres away and home to more than six million people. The lava has destroyed thousands of homes and killed dozens of people. In Africa Daily Alan K...

There’s a new kind of music from South Africa that’s got everyone talking. It was born in the country’s deep house and jazz music scene about 10 years ago. It’s called Amapiano - and it’s a genre that lends itself to collaboration between artists -- a collaboration that has helped spread the word. What’s more, artists are expressing themselves in their own native languages. In the next edition of...

For most people having a bank account, being able to save our money or borrow, whether it's for a personal reason or business venture, is an essential part of life. But nearly 2 billion people around the world have no access to a bank account or digital access to money services. For sub-Saharan Africa the unbanked represent over 60 per cent of the population. In Africa Daily Karnie Sharp now looks...

On December 2019 following days of heavy rain a landslide hit, killing 28 people and destroying many homes in Bushika county, Uganda. It wasn’t the first landslide and extreme weather conditions, due to climate change, are creating the conditions for these kinds of disasters to occur around Mount Elgon. Survivors say more could have been done to stop the death of so many people and are taking the...

When the South African President Cyril Ramaphosa appeared before a commission of inquiry in Johannesburg recently – he did what no other sitting ANC President had done before – give evidence against members of his own party. The inquiry into allegations of state capture was set up a few years ago to investigate whether the Gupta family influenced government policies in return for lucrative contrac...

The number of kidnappings is on the rise in Nigeria – but senators want to put a stop to it by punishing people paying ransoms to release their loved ones. Under a new draft bill, Nigerians could face up to 15 years in prison if they’re caught handing over the money. But will this really solve the problem? Host: Karnie Sharp (@KarnieSharp on Twitter) Guests: David, kidnap victim; Charles Inko Tari...

Paying off your student loan is never easy – but, for thousands of young Kenyans, this has become an impossible mission. Good jobs are hard to come by and the pandemic hasn’t been kind to those trying to start a career. Thousands of young graduates are defaulting on their debt. How did things get so bad? Host: Karnie Sharp (@KarnieSharp on Twitter) Guest: Lennies Sikuku, young graduate; David Adud...

Three coups in less than a decade: to say Malian politics have been rocky is an understatement. On Monday, a government reshuffle turned sour led to the arrest of the president and prime-minister. The army is once again in charge. The media talk of yet another coup – so, how did we get here? Host: Karnie Sharp (@KarnieSharp on Twitter) Guest: Beverly Ochieng, BBC Monitoring. #AfricaDaily