http://www.bbc.co.uk 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. News en Thu, 10 Oct 2013 12:47:01 +0200 Thu, 08 May 2025 16:20:00 +0200 30 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss iono.fm 2.5.3.0 2013 no Daily feeds@iono.fm (Feed Manager) https://cdn.iono.fm/files/p4/logo_4_20250908_202335_1400.jpeg http://www.bbc.co.uk Africa news and analysis from the BBC's Focus on Africa. BBC episodic BBC bbc@iono.fm false GB https://iono.fm/e/1732867 https://iono.fm/e/1732867 Senegal is set to hosts the Youth Olympic Games begining October 31st, the first Olympic sporting event to be held on African soil.

And climate shocks in Liberia inspire climate justice advocate and environmental conservationist Charles Wellington Morgan Jr to launch an ambitious campaign to plant one million coconut trees coconut along the country’s coastline, using nature to help protect vulnerable communities.

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Blessing Aderogba and Bella Twine
Technical David Kinyanjui
Senior Producer: Keikantse Shumba
Editors: Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla ]]> News Mon, 26 Oct 2026 18:00:00 +0200 0 0 Senegal unions strike over rising costs 0 0 BBC full 22:59 Africa Today https://iono.fm/e/1732206 https://iono.fm/e/1732206
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Fana Negash, Carolyne Kiambo and Keikantse Shumba
Technical Producer: Herbert Masua
Senior Producer: Priya Sippy
Editors: Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla ]]> News Fri, 23 Oct 2026 17:00:00 +0200 0 0 The cost of alcohol addiction 0 0 BBC full 22:59 Africa Today https://iono.fm/e/1731798 https://iono.fm/e/1731798
And, we hear from Nigerian dancer and choreographer Benjamin Daniel, popularly known as Bendancer, about his bid to break the Guinness World Record for the longest dance marathon by an individual. He reflects on the determination, discipline and motivation behind his remarkable endurance challenge in Lagos.

Presenter: Blessing Aderogba
Producers: Ayuba lliya
Technical Producer: Herbert Masua
Senior Producer: Keikantse Shumba
Editors: Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla ]]> News Thu, 22 Oct 2026 17:00:00 +0200 0 0 Mozambique rehabilitates militants in peace effort 0 0 BBC full 22:59 Africa Today https://iono.fm/e/1731723 https://iono.fm/e/1731723
And, two years after an invasive plant threatened Cameroon’s Lake Ossa, conservationists say they’ve cleared most of it, with more sightings of the vulnerable African manatee. We speak to the man behind the effort.

Presenter: Blessing Aderogba
Producers: Ayuba lliya, Keikantse Shumba and Bella Twine
Technical Producer: Herbert Masua
Senior Producer: Daniel Dadzie
Editors: Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla ]]> News Wed, 21 Oct 2026 17:00:00 +0200 0 0 What you need to know as Ebola reaches Nigeria 0 0 BBC full 22:59 Africa Today https://iono.fm/e/1730844 https://iono.fm/e/1730844 Also, the World Bank is reporting that Sub-Saharan Africa’s economy should grow by 4.3% this year, higher than the UN projection for the whole world, which is 2.6%. But young people tell us the figures do not translate to jobs for them.
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Blessing Aderogba, Ayuba lliya, Keikantse Shumba and Bella Twine
Technical Producer: Herbert Masua
Senior Producer: Daniel Dadzie
Editors: Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla ]]> News Tue, 20 Oct 2026 17:00:00 +0200 0 0 Kenyan cult leader guilty of 191 murders 0 0 BBC full 22:59 Africa Today https://iono.fm/e/1730323 https://iono.fm/e/1730323
Meanwhile new data from the World Health Organisation shows that less than four out of every ten women in Africa who suffer from breast cancer survive. We speak to one of the survivors from Ghana.

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Keikantse Shumba and Bella Twine
Technical Producer: Herbert Masua
Senior Producer: Daniel Dadzie
Editors: Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla ]]> News Mon, 19 Oct 2026 17:00:00 +0200 0 0 Fuel prices increase across Africa 0 0 BBC full 22:59 Africa Today https://iono.fm/e/1729647 https://iono.fm/e/1729647
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Keikantse Shumba, Fana Nagesh and Carolyne Jotham
Technical Producer: Davis Mwasaru
Senior Producers: Priya Sippy and Daniel Dadzie
Editors: Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla ]]> News Fri, 16 Oct 2026 17:00:00 +0200 0 0 The cost of a toxic workplace 0 0 BBC full 22:58 Africa Today https://iono.fm/e/1729027 https://iono.fm/e/1729027
Also, women make up nearly half of sub-Saharan Africa’s agricultural workforce, yet research suggests they are less productive than men in the sector. Limited access to land ownership, inheritance rights and finance can prevent women from reaching their full potential, affecting agricultural output. The Kenya Pastoral Market Development Programme is helping women in pastoral communities strengthen their financial independence and increase their incomes.

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Keikantse Shumba and Ayuba Iliya
Technical Producer: Davis Mwasaru
Senior Producer: Daniel Dadzie
Editors: Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla ]]> News Thu, 15 Oct 2026 19:00:00 +0200 0 0 Can Africa's drivers afford Formula 1 dreams? 0 0 BBC full 22:59 Africa Today https://iono.fm/e/1728564 https://iono.fm/e/1728564
And across Africa, the death penalty debate continues, with some countries moving towards abolition while others are expanding or considering the use of capital punishment.

Presenter: Blessing Aderogba
Producers: Rukia Bulle and Ayuba Iliya
Technical Producer: Davis Mwasaru
Senior Producer: Keikantse Shumba
Editors: Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla ]]> News Wed, 14 Oct 2026 17:30:00 +0200 0 0 How Kabila's rebel coalition impacts DRC peace efforts 0 0 BBC full 22:58 Africa Today https://iono.fm/e/1728110 https://iono.fm/e/1728110
And, community safe spaces are providing critical support to help young people manage the mental stress associated with HIV, teenage pregnancy, and other structural challenges.

Presenter: Blessing Aderogba
Producers: Ayuba Iliya
Technical Producer: Davis Mwasaru
Senior Producer: Keikantse Shumba
Editors: Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla ]]> News Tue, 13 Oct 2026 17:30:00 +0200 0 0 Djibouti shipwreck survivors recount ordeal 0 0 BBC full 22:58 Africa Today https://iono.fm/e/1727401 https://iono.fm/e/1727401 Trump described this year's Nobel Peace Prize decision as "disgraceful" and "embarrassing," and said he had never heard of the South African jurist. In an interview with the BBC, Pillay reflects on her lifelong commitment to human rights, justice, equality, and international law.

And, BBC Eye investigates how three mourners were shot and killed at a Kenyan stadium during the national farewell of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in October 2025.

Presenter: Blessing Aderogba
Producers: Rukia Bulle, Daniel Dadzie and Ayuba Iliya
Technical Producer: Davis Mwasaru
Senior Producer: Keikantse Shumba
Editors: Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla ]]> News Mon, 12 Oct 2026 17:20:00 +0200 0 0 Nobel Peace Prize winner Navi Pillay speaks to the BBC 0 0 BBC full 22:59 Africa Today https://iono.fm/e/1726781 https://iono.fm/e/1726781
Nkechi Ogbonna speaks to 29-year-old Joy Aliba from Uganda and 34-year-old Mary Usaji from Kenya, who both left their traditional office jobs for remote work. They share what prompted the change, how it has transformed their working lives, and whether the reality matches their expectations.

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Fana Negash and Carolyne Kiambo
Senior Producer: Priya Sippy
Technical Producer: David Nzau
Editors: Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla ]]> News Fri, 09 Oct 2026 17:00:00 +0200 0 0 Is remote working really the dream? 0 0 BBC full 22:59 Africa Today https://iono.fm/e/1726367 https://iono.fm/e/1726367
And a new generation of African travel creators are using social media to show global audiences the continent's beauty through food, fashion, scenery and culture. We speak to a young Liberian creator about why she's on this journey.

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Victor Chege, Ayuba Iliya and Blessing Aderogba
Technical Producer: David Nzau
Senior Producer: Priya Sippy
Editors: Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla ]]> News Thu, 08 Oct 2026 17:00:00 +0200 0 0 Search operations continue after Nigeria plane crash 0 0 BBC full 22:58 Africa Today https://iono.fm/e/1725922 https://iono.fm/e/1725922
In Liberia, hundreds of chimpanzees used in decades of medical experiments were left behind after the research ended. We look at what happens to lab animals when scientists no longer need them.

Presenter: Blessing Aderogba
Producers: Victor Chege and Charles Gitonga
Technical Producer: David Nzau
Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga
Editors: Daniel Dadzie and Maryam Abdalla ]]> News Wed, 07 Oct 2026 17:00:00 +0200 0 0 Ebola reaches Kenya. What's the response? 0 0 BBC full 22:58 Africa Today https://iono.fm/e/1725507 https://iono.fm/e/1725507
And in Ghana, authorities are enforcing a long-ignored ban on preaching in moving commercial vehicles, with offenders facing fines, jail time, or both.

Presenter: Blessing Aderogba
Producers: Ayuba Iliya and Keikantse Shumba
Technical Producer: David Nzau
Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga
Editors: Daniel Dadzie and Maryam Abdalla ]]> News Tue, 06 Oct 2026 17:00:00 +0200 0 0 Burkina Faso opens landmark gold refinery 0 0 BBC full 22:59 Africa Today https://iono.fm/e/1725039 https://iono.fm/e/1725039
And, scientists studying a species of primates only found in Madagascar uncover surprising similarities between their vocal calls and the techniques used by human opera singers.

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Victor Chege, Keikantse Shumba, Ayuba Iliya and Blessing Aderogba
Technical Producer: Herbert Masua
Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga
Editors: Daniel Dadzie and Maryam Abdalla ]]> News Mon, 05 Oct 2026 17:08:00 +0200 0 0 Ethiopia conflict stirs regional tensions 0 0 BBC full 22:59 Africa Today https://iono.fm/e/1724353 https://iono.fm/e/1724353
Among the detained was former defence and foreign minister, Petros Solomon. Two years later, his wife, Asther Yohannes, was also arrested.

Focus on Africa host, Nkechi Ogbonna, has been speaking to their daughter, Hanna Petros Solomon about her search for her parents, and UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Eritrea, Dr Mohamed Abdelsalam Babiker about the fate of those detained.

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna

Producers: Fana Negash and Carolyne Jotham

Technical Producer: Jonathan Mwangi

Senior Producers: Priyanka Sippy

Editors: Daniel Dadzie, Maryam Abdalla ]]> News Fri, 02 Oct 2026 17:00:00 +0200 0 0 Where are Eritrea’s missing political prisoners? 0 0 BBC full 22:58 Africa Today https://iono.fm/e/1723932 https://iono.fm/e/1723932
And as Nigeria marks 66 years of independence on October 1, we look back at key moments in the country's history, and how plays and films are keeping those stories alive.

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Keikantse Shumba, Rukia Bulle, Ayuba Iliya and Blessing Aderogba
Technical Producer: Jonathan Mwangi
Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga
Editors: Daniel Dadzie and Maryam Abdalla ]]> News Thu, 01 Oct 2026 17:00:00 +0200 0 0 Who is Morocco's first woman prime minister? 0 0 BBC full 22:59 Africa Today https://iono.fm/e/1723467 https://iono.fm/e/1723467
And we hear from Ghana's Abigail Anderson who is using modelling and content creation to raise awareness about the condition and what its like to pursue a career in modelling for people with vitiligo

Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Rukia Bulle and Blessing Aderogba
Technical Producer: Jonathan Mwangi
Senior Producer: Keikantse Shumba
Editors: Daniel Dadzie and Maryam Abdalla ]]> News Wed, 30 Sep 2026 16:38:00 +0200 0 0 Nigeria's Dangote Kenya refinery breaks ground 0 0 BBC full 22:58 Africa Today https://iono.fm/e/1722916 https://iono.fm/e/1722916
And one man is making school desks out of plastic bags to help address Ghana's waste problem. Makafui Awuku is the founder of Mckingtorch Africa, and he recycles the plastic sachet bags into school desks

Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: , Rukia Bulle and Blessing Aderogba
Technical Producer: Jonathan Mwangi
Senior Producer: Keikantse Shumba
Editors: Daniel Dadzie and Maryam Abdalla ]]> News Tue, 29 Sep 2026 17:09:00 +0200 0 0 South Africa reels from spate of mass shootings 0 0 BBC full 22:58 Africa Today