BBC Africa Today

Africa Today

Africa news and analysis from the BBC's Focus on Africa. The Africa Today podcast contains the day's top stories from African news - available to download Monday to Friday from 1630 GMT.
Daily English United Kingdom News
21 Episodes
1 – 20

DR Congo sentences over 100 to death

In January this year DR Congo's Justice Minister Constant Mutamba said 127 people, aged between the ages of 18 and 35, had received the death sentence. Rights groups said that number was higher. The DRC government had announced it would resume executions in 2024 following a two-decade hiatus. Who are…
11 Feb 8AM 31 min

Will DR Congo ceasefire calls be heeded ?

After a recent summit, leaders from east and southern Africa called for an immediate ceasefire to end the fighting in eastern DR Congo. Willing the warring parties listen?After a fire kills 16 children in Zamfara state, north western Nigeria, how can schools there be made safer?How will Sam Nujoma the…
10 Feb 9AM 31 min

South Africa's response to US threats

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has moved to defuse a row with the new US administration over a new land law by speaking to Elon Musk. However, President Ramaphosa has said his country "will not be bullied". What's at stake for the country? Also why have Moroccans decided to call…
7 Feb 8AM 34 min

Major data breach in Kenya

Kenya's Business Registration Service (BRS) reveals a major data breach has exposed sensitive information of numerous private companiesWill the killing of several key jihadist militants spell the end of IS in Somalia?And how will the late Aga Khan, leader of millions of Shia Ismaili Muslims, be remembered?Presenter: Blessing AderogbaProducers: Charles…
6 Feb 9AM 31 min

Uganda: Military courts ruled 'unconstitutional'

Uganda’s Supreme Court recently ruled that trying civilians in military courts is unconstitutional. Human rights groups welcomed the decision as a major step in protecting the right to a fair trial, but the government criticized the move. Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni said his government would continue to prosecute civilians in…
5 Feb 8AM 33 min

Trump threatens South Africa funding cut

President Donald Trump has said he will cut all future funding to South Africa over allegations that it was confiscating land. South Africa's President Ramaphosa says that is not true.Concerns that the conflict in eastern DR Congo could spread deadly diseases.And what is are the reasons behind Namibia's high unemployment…
4 Feb 9AM 33 min

Gabon's election: A fresh start?

Gabon's military government recently announced that the presidential elections will be held on the 12th of April. It's a key step to re-establish civilian rule following a coup in August 2023. How significant is this?Also we'll look at the links between Sierra Leone's President and one of Europe's most wanted…
3 Feb 9AM 33 min

Why has a Libyan suspect got Italy's PM investigated?

Who is Osama Najim, the Libyan suspect wanted by the ICC for alleged war crimes?What is the reason behind the high-level diplomatic spat between Rwanda and South Africa over the fighting in DR Congo?Plus, why Kenya is putting its nuclear program on holdPresenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Bella Hassan, Amie Liebowitz…
31 Jan 9AM 30 min

What's Africa's reponse to Deepseek?

A Chinese-made artificial intelligence (AI) model called DeepSeek is stunning investors and sinking some tech stocks. It's also quickly impressing AI experts and has the attention of the entire tech industry and the world. How does it work and has it inspired Africa or not?Also, why does Namibia have some…
30 Jan 8AM 38 min

US aid cut hits African healthcare

There are concerns that an international US foreign aid cut will reverse gains, especially in the fight against HIVWho are the M23 - the group operating in eastern DR Congo?And how a non-alcoholic bar in Ghana is challenging the drinking culturePresenter Charles Gitonga Producers: Frenny Jowi in Nairobi with Yvette…
29 Jan 9AM 32 min

Rare criticism for Zimbabwe's President

A group of prominent Zimbabwean war veterans, including a senior figure from the ruling Zanu PF party, have issued a rare rebuke against the country's president Emerson Mnangagwa. They've accused him of seeking to violate the country's constitution by pushing for a third term in office. What does this mean…
28 Jan 8AM 39 min

DR Congo crisis: rebels claim Goma takeover

Rwandan-backed rebels have taken over most of the city of Goma in eastern DR Congo. There are reports of Congolese and Rwandan troops exchanging fire across the border. Calls for European Union member countries to respect the human rights of migrants in North Africa. Plus, we remember one of the…
27 Jan 8AM 35 min

Sudanese women suffer sexual violence in Libya

The UN refugee agency says more than 200,000 Sudanese have arrived in Libya since the start of the war. Women are amongts those hoping to find a better life there. Instead, the women say they have faced abuse and raped. Five women have told the BBC they were tortured and…
24 Jan 8AM 33 min

Mobile tariff hike approved in Nigeria.

Nigeria's telecoms regulator has approved a tariff hike by operators-customers are groaning.   A year after ground-breaking malaria vaccination campaigns were launched in Africa-we assess the progress.   And why is Benin granting citizenship to descendants of the victims of the transatlantic slave trade?   Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Blessing…
23 Jan 9AM 34 min

Can Mozambique’s political leaders unite the country?

Can Mozambique’s newly sworn in President Daniel Chapo and the main opposition leader Venancio Mondlane, put their differences aside for the benefit of the country’s future? The United Nations estimates that more than 50m children globally do not have birth certificates – and most of those children live in Africa…
22 Jan 10AM 32 min

Nigeria approves Shell's exit from Niger Delta

Nigeria approves Shell's watershed exit from oil-rich Niger Delta-but activists are not pleased.Tanzania's Samia Suluhu Hassan receives an early nomination for being the ruling party's presidential candidate.And why are some African countries moving towards banning wigs in court?Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Bella Hassan and Sunita Nahar in London, Charles Gitonga…
21 Jan 9AM 37 min

The tragic story of Samantha Pendo

Why has the case against the Kenyan police officers allegedly involved in the death of six-month old Samantha Pendo been delayed yet again? Seven years on, her parents are still seeking justice after a court hearing into the case was adjourned for the third time. What happens to stolen funds…
20 Jan 9AM 33 min

Why Mali seized gold from a mining giant.

Canadian mining giant Barrick halted its operations in Mali after the government seized gold stocks worth $245 million.What's the story behind the Nigerian words added to the Oxford English dictionary ? And what the death of the warlord turned politician Prince Yormie Johnson means for Liberia.Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Frenny…
17 Jan 8AM 38 min

What next for Mozambique?

Mozambique’s new president, Daniel Chapo, has been sworn in, after winning a violently disputed election held in October last year. Many people have been killed in clashes with the police and the opposition is still calling for protests. So what next for Mozambique under President Daniel Chapo? How will the…
16 Jan 10AM 35 min

Bodies retrieved from South African mine

Dozens of survivors and dead pulled from an abandoned South African gold mineHow Russia is expanding its partnership in Africa's nuclear sector And ice hockey gains popularity in Kenya. Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Victor Sylver, Nyasha Michelle, Priya Sippy and Sunita Nahar Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris…
15 Jan 9AM 32 min
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