Three essential stories to round off your working day. Explaining the big topics and news from Africa, the people behind them, plus an African perspective on global stories. Hosted by Audrey Brown. Five days a week, ready by late afternoon, Monday to Friday.
Three essential stories to round off your working day. Explaining the big topics and news from Africa, the people behind them, plus an African perspective on global stories. Hosted by Audrey Brown. Five days a week, ready by late afternoon, Monday to Friday.
The US government has approved a $346m arms deal with Nigeria which would include munitions, precision bombs and precision rockets. What is behind the change in a decade-long US policy about selling certain kinds of weapons to Nigeria?
The mining of gold has been a key factor of Sudan's economy, and now it is a major source of funding of the two-year civil war. We look back at its history in Sudan, and how the war is driving demand.
And one year on since Ghana's parliament passed its landmark Affirmative Action (Gender Equality) Act, which was hailed as a victory for women's rights, how have things changed?
Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Tom Kavanagh, Nyasha Michelle and Stefania Okereke in London. Charles Gitonga in Nairobi Technical Producer: Philip Bull Senior Journalist: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
There's been outrage in The Gambia following the death of a one-month-old baby girl. Reports suggest she was a victim of female genital mutilation (FGM). Although FGM is outlawed in the country, it's a deeply rooted cultural practice that authorities are battling. Three women have been arrested in connection with the incident.
Also, France's president Emmanuel Macron acknowledges France used "repressive violence" against Cameroonians during and after colonial rule.
And how did a Martian meteorite from Niger end up at an auction?
Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Makuochi Okafor in Lagos. Bella Hassan and Tom Kavanagh in London Technical Producer: Gabriel O'Regan Senior Journalist: Yvette Twagiramariya Editors: Alice Muthengi and Maryam Abdalla
The ongoing war in Sudan and limited access to humanitarian aid has led to starvation amongst those left behind. The United Nations says children are being "reduced to skin and bones." We'll hear from people within the country.
Also, are Kenya's dreams of becoming a footballing superpower in jeopardy?
And how are young African scientists using Charles Darwin’s historical voyage to protect species on the continent?
Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Tom Kavanagh, Patricia Whitehorne and Stefania Okereke in London. Jewel Kiriungi and Charles Gitonga in Nairobi. Technical Producer: Chris Ablakwa Senior Journalist: Yvette Twagiramariya Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Dozens of soldiers have been arrested in Mali accused of plotting to topple the country's military leaders, sources say. The wave of arrests reflect tension within the military government. The authorities have not yet commented on the arrests. We'll hear analysis.
Also, more than 400 people have died and over 6,000 have been affected following a cholera outbreak in Sudan's Darfur region. What are the challenges when it comes to dealing with an epidemic within IDP camps?
And how and why an AI generated model sparked international debate? We hear from the creators.
Presenter: Richard Kagoe Producers: Bella Hassan, Mark Wilberforce and Nyasha Michelle in London. Makuochi Ofakor in Lagos. Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Doctors Without Borders and other NGOs have raised concerns about anti-migrant groups preventing non-South Africans from accessing healthcare services. The South African government has called on all communities to uphold the rule of law, respect human dignity. So why are activists blocking health clinics and hospitals? The African Union sends a delegation to South Sudan to encourage the warring sides in the country to revive a 2018 peace deal and pave the way for elections. Can they bring both sides back to the table? And as Africa Fashion Week London comes to an end, how can African fashion leverage its global appeal?
Presenter: Richard Kagoe Producers: Tom Kavanagh and Stefania Okereke Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
The Zambian government has dismissed claims of dangerous pollution in the Copperbelt mining region, following safety concerns raised by the US embassy. On Wednesday, the US issued a health alert, ordering the immediate withdrawal of its personnel due to concerns of "widespread contamination of water and soil", linked to a spill at the Sino-Metals mine in February. Zambian journalist, Dingindaba Buyoya tells us about the uneasiness the statement by the USA is causing.
Also, as Uganda hosts nearly two million displaced people. Can it cope with the rising numbers?
And the impact of cocoa smuggling on prices for farmers, entrepreneurs and consumers.
Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Bella Hassan, Yvette Twagiramariya and Stefania Okereke in London with Richard Kagoe and Jewel Kiriungi in Nairobi. Technical Producer: Gabriel O 'Regan Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
What's behind deadly clashes at Uganda’s border with South Sudan?
Why are heatwaves happening more often on the African continent
And plans by Somalia to revive its airline after three decades
Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Tom Kavanagh in London, Blessing Aderogba with Makuochi Okafor in Lagos and Richard Kagoe in Nairobi Technical Producer: Chris Ablakwa Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Rwanda has confirmed it will accept up to 250 migrants from the US, in a deal agreed with President Donald Trump's administration. Under the scheme the deportees would be given "workforce training, health care, and accommodation to jump start their lives in Rwanda", according to Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo. Human rights experts have raised concerns that removals to a nation that is not a migrant's place of origin - known as a third country - could violate international law. We'll hear analysis.
Also, a report finds nearly a fifth of cancer drugs are defective in four African countries.
And why the taste for camel milk is gaining popularity in Somalia and beyond!
Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Patricia Whitehorne, Yvette Twagiramariya and Sunita Nahar Technical Producer: Gabriel O' Regan Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi `
Ghana: Hundreds of soldiers deployed to Bawku town in the Upper East Region, after attacks on two schools killed several students. What is behind the resurgence of violence?
Why has Tanzania barred foreign nationals from owning and operating small-scale businesses?
What does Kenya stand to gain following proposed plan to move 3 UN agencies to Nairobi?
Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Tom Kavanagh in London, Blessing Aderogba in Lagos and Richard Kagoe in Nairobi. Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Two undercover investigators, posing as sex workers spent months infiltrating the sex trade in the town of Maai Mahiu. The expose by BBC Africa Eye shows how women, known as "madams" have coerced children as young as 13 in prostitution in Kenya. Hear reporter, Njeri Mwangi, narrate the details of the story.
Also, the United States last week announced new tariff rates for dozens of African countries. What does Malawi, Nigeria and Ghana and Libya export and how will these new taxes change things?
And how are Nigerians reacting to the comments made by the UK's Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who has said she no longer identifies as Nigerian?
Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Sunita Nahar and Yvette Twagiramariya Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
DR Congo have agreed a multi-million kit deal with Spanish football club Barcelona, rasing many questions. We hear from Dr Congo's Sports Minister, Didier Budimbu.
Also, Northern Nigeria is facing food insecurity with the UN warning that aid cuts will push Nigerians into the arms of Boko Haram jihadists.
And Kenya proposes drastic plans to control alcohol intake, following Ghana along the same pathway. So what can Kenya expect? We hear from a Ghanaian influencer.
Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Richard Kagoe in Nairobi. Yvette Twagiramariya, Patricia Whitehorne, Sunita Nahar and Mark Wilberforce in London Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
What began as a three-day strike by taxi drivers against rising petrol prices in Angola, has escalated into one of the most widespread and disruptive waves of protest the country has seen in recent years. What has life been like in the capital Luanda, against the background of the unrest?
Why do fewer than a quarter of South Africans trust their police service? A new survey shows only 22% of South Africans have any confidence in the institution.
And we meet the Nigerian film maker, Joel Kachi Benson, who won an Emmy for a film he made about the young boy dancing in the rain who thrilled the world in a viral video a few years ago.
Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Blessing Aderogba in Lagos. Tom Kavanagh and Nyasha Michelle in London Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Senior Producers: Patricia Whitehorne and Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Kidnappers in Nigeria have killed at least 35 people from Zamfara state despite ransoms being paid for their release. Why is the kidnapping menace in Nigeria not only growing but changing as well ?
Why fibroids are particularly a problem for black women
And Ghanaian students abroad facing deportation because the government failed to pay their fees
Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Blessing Aderogba in Lagos, Charles Gitonga in Nairobi with Patricia Whitehorne and Yvette Twagiramariya in London Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
More than 40 people including women and children were killed in an attack by Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), in the town of Komanda, east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The militia group is linked to the so-called Islamic state, a jihadi militant group. Majority of those killed were worshippers at a local church, nearby shops were also attacked and looted.
Also, why Cameroonian opposition leader Maurice Kamto is challenging his disqualification from October’s presidential election list.
And what's the impact of Africa's disappearing Wetlands?
Presenter: Richard Kagoe Producers: Tom Kavanagh, Nyasha Michelle and Yvette Twagiramariya Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
A stand off as Somalia demands release of a cargo ship carrying military equipment that was seized by semi-autonomous Puntland. The ship was reportedly transporting military equipment to Turkey’s military base in Mogadishu.
Why indigenous plants are making a comeback in African diets?
And after Nigeria's Super Falcons historic victory at WAFCON, in Morocco, we ask what does this mean for the future of African women's sport ?
Presenter: Richard Kagoe Producers: Charles Gitonga in Nairobi with Sunita Nahar and Patricia Whitehorne in London. Technical Producer: Philip Bull Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.
This week the International Criminal Court sentenced two commanders of a civilian militia in the Central African Republic to a total of 27 years in prison. One of them, Patrice-Edouard Ngaïssona, had formerly been the head of the country’s football federation. What was the conflict that engulfed CAR a decade ago, and what were the crimes that led to the ICC convictions?
Also in this episode, the impact that continuing aid cuts are having on women and girls in Somalia.
And we uncover the melodic contributions of Congo's queens of rumba music.
Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Tom Kavanagh, Yvette Twagiramarya, Sunita Nahar and Tanya Hines in London Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Good news about the state-of-the-art treatment facility in Ghana for cleft lip patients
And as the number of billionaires on the continent rises, we ask - are billionaires good or bad for Africa?
Why are violence and insecurity on the increase in Haiti despite the presence of an international force?. Does the Kenyan contingent have adequate resources?
Presenter : Richard Kagoe Producers: Alfonso Daniels, Yvette Twagiramariya, Sunita Nahar and Tom Kavanagh Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Frank McWeeny Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
The city of Goma in the conflict-hit east of the Democratic Republic of Congo was seized by the M23 armed group earlier this year after intense fighting with government forces. How has the city changed after six months under the group’s control?
After retired police officers in Nigeria held demonstrations earlier this week calling for better pensions, we look at wider pension provision and ask if young Nigerians see pension planning as a secure path to protecting their retirement?
And could there be a new type of diabetes that accounts for the rising number of cases among young people in Africa.
Presenter: Richard Kagoe Producers: Tom Kavanagh, Sunita Nahar and Nyasha Michelle in London. Blessing Aderogba in Lagos. Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
How young people in South Africa are navigating the lack of consistent power supplies
Who are the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and why are Uganda and the DR Congo governments struggling to defeat them?
And the taxes, charges and fees paralyzing air travel in Africa
Presenter: Richard Kagoe Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Stefania Okereke and Sunita Nahar in London. Blessing Aderogba in Lagos Technical Producer: Philip Bull Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.
Burkina Faso's military rulers have disbanded the country's electoral commission calling it a waste of money. The government says the interior ministry will handle elections in the future. Will this move by the ruling junta further delay democratic elections?
Hundreds of thousands of premature deaths occur each year in Africa due to illnesses caused by cooking with polluting fuels like wood, charcoal and even animal dung. So what is being done to ensure more people have access to clean cooking?
And why are ancient and cultural heritage sites in Ethiopia facing a crisis.
Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Tom Kavanagh, Sunita Nahar and Nyasha Michelle in London Technical Producer: Philip Bull Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi