Focus on Africa

South Africa's men's rugby team made history by winning a fourth World Cup title. How did they achieve it, and what does it mean for the nation and the African continent? A BBC investigation reveals that some school teachers in Kenya are still administering corporal punishment, despite the practice having been banned more than 20 years ago. Plus, we meet the winners of the Mr. and Miss Albinism So...

Bola Tinubu was sworn in as Nigeria's president in May this year, after winning the country's most competitive election since the end of military rule in 1999. Defeated candidates Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi challenged his victory in court, alleging the result was manipulated. On Thursday, Nigeria's Supreme Court unanimously ruled against the challenge. What does this mean for politics in Nigeria...

It's three months since the coup in Niger, when Mohamed Bazoum was forced from office. Sanctions have been imposed by ECOWAS and the AU. In an interview with the BBC, the prime minister of Niger’s ruling military junta, Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine says, Niger is being treated unfairly. Also Sudan's warring parties resume talks in Saudi Arabia. Can they agree on a ceasefire? And we'll meet Ghanaian mu...

Zimbabweans are facing another major cholera outbreak. Just over a hundred people have died with around five thousand infected. We look at the many challenges faced by the country as it tries to deal with the current situation. Also two young Tanzanians are still missing in Israel following the attack by the militant group Hamas almost three weeks ago. The father of one of them, 21 year old Joshua...

UAE firm DP World has signed a deal with Tanzania to manage two thirds of Dar-es-Salaam port for the next 30 years. The issue has provoked protests in Tanzania. The UAE is the fourth-largest investor in Africa, after China, Europe and the US. The opposition criticised the deal when details first emerged in July, saying it violated Tanzania's constitution. Will the war between Israel and Hamas affe...

Sierra Leone’s APC opposition party has ended its boycott of parliament. The action had begun after June's presidential election, which the party decried as fraudulent. The All People’s Congress has now agreed to take up its seats in parliament. We hear from a Nigerian pilgrim who escaped from Israel after the conflict there flared up earlier this month. Plus Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Mr Eazi t...

As China marks the tenth anniversary of its Belt and Road initiative in Beijing, we look at benefits for African countries. What are the continent's losses and gains from working with China? Also Ethiopia's prime minister Abiy Ahmed has again said, his country needs its own seaport. Ethiopia is landlocked. So what would he need to do, to make that possible and at what cost? And how Kenya’s Kelvin...

Mozambique's opposition staged demonstrations nationwide to denounce fraud in local elections. The vote is seen as an indicator of what to expect in next year’s presidential election in the country that is rich in natural gas.   The history behind South Africa's complex and complicated relationship between Israel and Palestine   Plus, we meet the Ghanaian woman, Valarie Labi, who makes locally pro...

Thousands of people in Ghana's Volta region have been displaced following spillage of excess water from some of the major dams amid heavy rains. It's the worst floods the region has seen in years. Also, Angolan TikTok influencer Neth Nahara, whose real name is Ana da Silva Miguel is in jail for "outrage" against Angola's president. Is this part of a wider crackdown on free speech on social media?...

The United Nations says the human rights situation in Madagascar is “deteriorating” ahead of next month’s presidential election, as police put down opposition protests. The EU and the US have also voiced concern over the "disproportionate use of force" to disperse demonstrations. Who really benefits from the buying and selling of carbon credits? And Nollywood screen legend Richard Mofe-Damijo talk...

Burkina Faso's military leaders have signed a deal with Russia to build a nuclear power plant, with the hope of increasing its electricity supplies. Burkina Faso is one of the least electrified countries globally, with only 21% of people connected to power. Our West Africa Correspondent Mayeni Jones talks us through the advantages and disadvantages of a nuclear power plant in the Sahel. Also there...

The Bretton wood institutions are meeting in Morocco this year. It's the first such summit on African soil in 50 years. Does this meeting signal a renewed approach to how it works with and supports African economic growth? Also did you know, eggs are currently South Africa's hottest commodity? The country has been grappling with one of its worst outbreaks of bird flu which has resulted in the cull...

Liberians voted in elections on Tuesday, with President George Weah seeking a second term. Observers said polling was peaceful, despite some violence during the campaign. Mr Weah is the favourite to win, with former Vice-President Joseph Boakai considered his main challenger. Did the president deliver in his first term? Are reparations the best way of rectifying the injustices of the past? After G...

What is Egypt's reaction to the war between Israel and Hamas? Israel has continued to heavily bomb the Gaza strip since the attack. Egypt shares a border with Gaza. We find out more about the shared border and get analysis into Egypt's relationship with both the Palestinians and Israelis. Also thousands of tonnes of much needed food aid is stuck on the border between Benin and Niger, unable to get...

The United Nations Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan has accused the government of restricting the democratic and civil space in the country. The claim comes ahead of an exercise to draft a new constitution, ahead of the country’s first election since achieving independence in 2011.   Plus, we hear from an African migrant caught up in the ongoing fighting between Israel and Hamas.   And on...

There is international concern and diplomatic pressure following the attacks and retaliation between Israel and Hamas. Hundreds of people have died, in both Israel and Palestine. We get analysis into how Africa is reacting. Also in Mauritius the courts have decriminalised same sex relations on the basis that the ban reflected colonial era values rather than indigenous ones. We'll hear from a LGBTQ...

Morocco will co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, becoming only the second African country to stage the event. Why did the country succeed with its bid, at the sixth attempt? What are Liberians prioritising ahead of  next week’s general election? The vote will be the fourth since the end of two successive civil wars which ravaged the country. Plus, we meet Bose Ogulu, mother and manager of afrobeats s...

A report submitted to the UN Committee against Torture this week said, torture in Egypt has been used as a political tool to curtail dissent and that it was so widespread it amounted to crimes against humanity. We hear a testimony from an Egyptian female in exile in the United States, who alleges she was tortured in prison, under the current regime. The Egyptian government denies all allegations o...

The main opposition leader in Seychelles, Patrick Herminie, is one of eight people charged with witchcraft, following the exhumation of two bodies. They deny the charges, with Mr Herminie calling the prosecution a "political show" intended to taint his image. Meanwhile, we examine the arrest of Tunisian opposition politician Abir Moussi, and look at why another opposition leader from the country,...

Focus on Africa takes you inside Sierra Leone's overcrowded prisons and looks closely at the country's justice system. Our reporter Umaru Fofana looks into a much needed review on how prisoners are treated. Also the Nobel peace prize-winning gynaecologist Denis Mukwege, who is renowned for helping victims of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, announces his plans to run for pr...

One year on from the most recent coup in Burkina Faso, we look at the current state of play regarding security, the economy and the ruling junta. We examine the political tensions in Mozambique ahead of the country’s local elections next week. Plus, we meet Kenyan stargazer Susan Murabana, who is bringing astronomy to the people.

Thousands of people in Sudan remain displaced with many seeking shelter in schools. The impact of the war has had a devastating effect on the country's youth who now have no formal schools to attend. We'll hear how this ongoing conflict is disrupting the lives of young people in Sudan. Also, there's frustration in Nigeria as the country grapples with ongoing power outages, despite investment in th...

The World Health Organization says the African continent has the highest prevalence of the "silent killer" hypertension.  What are the signs and what can be done? Why is the DR Congo government now calling for an accelerated withdrawal of the UN peacekeeping mission? And good news for Morocco ,a chance to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, and after 50 years ,East Africa will host the tournament...

Kenya says it's confident the deployment of hundreds of its police to Haiti by January will end gang warfare in the country. Last year Haiti's government appealed for help because of spiralling gang violence. Kenya's Foreign Minister Alfred Mutua says it will be an intervention force to disarm what he called the "thugs and the gangs". So does Kenya really have the capabilities to help end Haiti's...

Fighting has reportedly erupted in Ethiopia’s turbulent Amhara region. Reports say local militia fighters clashed with the military, over government plans to disarm local forces. What's behind this escalation, and what does it portend for the future of Africa's second most populous country? We look into why the Egyptian government has ordered a three-month ban on onion exports. And why young women...