Focus on Africa

The South African city of Johannesburg has well over 100 abandoned and derelict buildings plagued by rubbish and open sewage and some have been taken over by criminal gangs. Many are also home to some of the city's most vulnerable residents. As Johannesburg gears up to host leaders from the world's major economies for the G20 summit, what is being done to address the issue of 'hijacked' buildings?...

What can Africa expect from the COP 30 climate conference? Sudan's paramilitary RSF agrees to a humanitarian ceasefire, but the government wants guarantees from the international community And why are marginalised cultures being celebrated during Fashion Week in Namibia? Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Tanya Hines and Yvette Twagiramariya in London. Todah Opeyemi is in Lagos and Madina Maisanu...

Nigeria rejects claims of a “Christian genocide,” saying violence stems from terrorism and land disputes, not religion, and that both Christians and Muslims have suffered attacks. Some Christian leaders however say there have been instances of Christians being specifically targeted. Also in the programme: Malaria elimination is stalling in southern Africa as cases rise due to climate change, resis...

The arrest of senior Nigerian military officers and the sacking of security officials fuels speculation of an alleged coup Ugandan born Zohran Mamdani wins New York City mayoral election Plus the AI aunty helping to fight gender based violence. Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Todah Opeyemi in Lagos. Yvette Twagiramariya, Sunita Nahar, Bella Hassan and Mark Wilberforce in London. Senior Producer...

Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been sworn in after the deadly protests that followed her election victory. Can she use her second term to unite the country?   At least 40 people have died in multiple landslides that struck Kenya and Uganda's mountainous border region in the Great Rift Valley.  What makes that belt susceptible to such calamitous events and are they happening more freq...

South Africa's municipality of Ekurhuleni's attempt to expropriate land without compensation is under mediation after the private owners of the land sought compensation. The outcome of this landmark case will shape the future of land ownership and property rights across South Africa. Why illegal mining is a public health concern in Ghana. Are young Africans really among the most lonely on the plan...

New research reveals how digital platforms are being weaponised to abuse and exploit women in Kenya. We hear from a victim of online sexual abuse who gives a harrowing account of her experience, and also speak to a Digital Rights adviser on what needs to be done to protect women. Plastic waste is not only bad for the environment but can also be harmful to human beings. We hear about the risks, and...

Why has the Gambian government issued a strong warning to ex -President Yahya Jammeh following his announcing plans to return from 9 years in exile?.   Nigeria, South Africa, Mozambique, and Burkina Faso removed from a global money-laundering watchlist. How can they benefit?   And how years of drought is decimating wealth, and thousands of lives in the  self-declared Republic of Somaliland.      P...

Authorities in Kenya intercept more than a tonne of methamphetamine in the Indian Ocean as part of the country's ongoing fight against narcotics trafficking and addiction Thousands of Tunisians protest in the southern city of Gabes, calling for a chemical plant to be shut down because they say it's ruining their children's health And three Sudanese football clubs are hoping to find refuge in Rwand...

As the strategic city of el-Fasher finally falls to the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group, we analyse what it means in Sudan’s ongoing civil war. How the world’s oldest president, Paul Biya of Cameroon, is set to change things as he wins a disputed eighth term that could keep him in power until the age of 99. And why are South Africans trying to save an ancient language, which has just one s...

As Tanzania gears up for elections on 29 October, we hear from two young people about the issues that matter to them and whether youth concerns have been featured in the electoral campaigns. How a young Senegalese footballer's dream of joining a professional club ended in tragedy after he was tricked and lured to Ghana by fake football agents. And how Africa is rapidly becoming a compelling destin...

We mark the 80th anniversary of the Fifth Pan-African Congress- a landmark event in Manchester, England that changed Africa Why people with albinism in Tanzania face rising fear ahead of elections The plight of Cameroon's female gold miners Presenter: Nyasha Michelle Producers: Mark Wilberforce, Stefania Okereke, Sunita Nahar and Yvette Twagiramariya in London. Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Tech...

A BBC investigation uncovers dozens of social accounts using stolen identities of Somali and Muslim influencers and posting political propaganda content. We hear more about what was uncovered and who might be behind this widespread operation. Chad’s parliament has overwhelmingly approved a controversial constitutional amendment removing presidential term limits. What will this mean for 41-year-old...

Sudan war: Can Khartoum airport reopen just hours after a drone attack?   15 years after Boko Haram militancy started, why does a jihadist threat still remain in Nigeria's northeastern Borno state   Ivory Coast: With the main opposition candidates barred from running, is President Alassane Ouattara set  for a controversial fourth term?     Presenter: Nyasha Michelle Producers: Stefania Okereke, Al...

The last ebola patient in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been released from a treatment centre in Kasai province. Can the country now be declared free of this latest outbreak? What is behind the escalating tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea over control of the Red Sea? And we hear from the Nigerian scientist, who has been recognised with a global award from the International Institute...

Can Madagascar's new president, Col Randrianirina, deliver change demanded by Gen Z Mada? Are West Africa’s illicit economies fueling the region’s wars and causing instability ? And a look at plans by the WHO to integrate traditional and modern medicine. Presenter: Nyasha Michelle Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Mark Wilberforce, Stefania Okereke and Saleck Zeid in London. Senior Producer: Paul B...

Kenya's opposition leader, and former prime minister, Raila Odinga, has died suddenly at the age of eighty. We explore his legacy in Kenya and the rest of Africa. The world's largest producer of cobalt is the Democratic Republic of Congo. It replaces the ban with quotas but what does that mean for the DRC economy and its local mining communities? And did you know that young women can get perimenop...

Nigeria's president Bola Tinubu pardons many individuals-some posthumously. How were the decisions arrived at?   Why are marriages and births declining in Tunisia?   And are journalists in Tanzania exercising a lot of caution ahead of the general elections?   Presenter: Nyasha Michelle Producers:  Yvette Twagiramariya, Sunita Nahar, Patricia Whitehorne  and Bella Hassan in London. Technical Produc...

An elite military unit says it has seized power in Madagascar from President Andry Rajoelina following weeks of youth-led protests. Where did it all go wrong for the entrepreneur and former DJ, who first became president in 2009 when he was just 34. Being a park ranger in Africa can be one of the most dangerous professions in the world. We hear from a ranger at Zambia's South Luangwa National Park...

Cape Verde have become the second-smallest nation ever to reach the World Cup-how did they do it? What was Egypt's role in mediating the deal to end the Gaza war? And how did The UAE became one of the biggest state investors in Africa? Presenter: Nyasha Michelle Producers: Sunita Nahar, Bella Hassan and Yvette Twagiramariya in London Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Jonathan Gre...

Mali's military government is reportedly engaged in talks with the militant group Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) amid an ongoing blockade which has paralysed a key trade route for fuel, food, and essential goods. Could the crisis also threaten Mali’s stability and governance? A BBC Africa Eye investigation in Cape Town, South Africa, reveals how self-appointed healers and shamans are o...

Cameroon holds presidential elections this Sunday with Paul Biya, the world's oldest ruler, seeking another seven-year term. At 92 years old, there have been concerns about his health and ability to rule. The credibility of the election commission has also been questioned. And insecurity is rife in the English speaking parts of  the country.  So, can the polls on Sunday be free and fair? Also in t...

Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina has asked for one year to fix the country's challenges, promising that if they persist, he will resign. He said this during a town-hall style meeting at his palace with various groups of government supporters. Many attendees had the opportunity to ask the president questions or simply share their views. We hear analysis. Also, South Africa’s highest court rul...

Eswatini accepts 10 more US deportees, despite rights groups in the southern African state mounting legal action to block the plan. We ask what has the Eswatini government got in return? Nigeria's Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaj, resigns after allegations that he forged his academic credentials. And nurses and midwives protest in Ghana for not being paid their salaries fo...

A Sudanese militia leader has been found guilty of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Darfur region more than 20 years ago. Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman, also known as Ali Kushayb, is the first person to be tried by the International Criminal Court for the atrocities in Darfur. We get analysis. Also, what's Africa's reaction to the appointment of the Anglican church's first...