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.
Uganda reacts to strict anti-homosexuality bill
Uganda has passed one of the toughest pieces of anti-gay legislation in Africa. A rights activist tell us the bill has increased the fear of more attacks on gay people. Five people have died from an outbreak of Marburg virus in Tanzania. It has been three years since Malawi legalised…
Uganda passes harsh anti-LGBTQ bill
Parliament in Uganda has passed a bill that may see people who identify as gay, lesbian or queer be imprisoned for life, if it is signed into law. Kenya has received its first shipment from the ‘Grain from Ukraine’ programme. Senegalese president, Macky Sall, has rejected claims it would unconstitutional…
South Africa's opposition EFF call for a shutdown of the economy
South Africa's opposition Economic Freedom Fighters call for a shutdown of the economy... we'll hear how it went. Also, as Ramadan approaches, Egyptians despair over the rising cost of food. Plus, music and money from Malawi's artists to help victims of Cyclone Freddy. And how clever is Artificial Intelligence when…
More bodies pulled in aftermath of Cyclone Freddy in Malawi
More bodies recovered in the wost-hit areas of Malawi, following the devastation caused by Storm Freddy. Also, why are religious communities in the Kenyan coastal town of Mombasa staging anti-LGBTQI protests? Plus our resident presidents are tackling a major issue... stay tuned... Those stories and more in this podcast presented…
Efforts to help survivors of Cyclone Freddy continue
We'll be in Malawi for the latest on efforts to help people caught in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Freddy. Also, Anthony Blinken is the first US Secretary of State to visit Niger, but why now? And what needs to be done to help children recover from the psychological effects…
Millions affected by floods in Malawi
Up to five million people are affected by floods in Malawi. Things are so bad that even the helpers need help. Also, the US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, is in Ethiopia. What's on the agenda? And Professor Daniele Darlan - who risked her own safety to defend judicial independence…
Malawi Storm Freddy death toll continues to rise
Malawi is reeling from the aftermath of Storm Freddy. Authorities say the death toll has risen to more than 190 people. We hear from those affected. Nigeria’s Central Bank has said 200, 500 and 1000 old banknotes will remain legal tender until the end of the year after months of…
Cyclone Freddy kills dozen in Malawi
Malawi’s government has declared a state of emergency, after Cyclone Freddy killed dozens of people and caused huge damage, with rescue efforts hampered by continuing poor weather. Plus, we look at what Angola’s decision to send troops into eastern Congo means for the dynamics of the ongoing conflict in North…
Africa unites to fight Cholera
Several African nations unite in Malawi in a bid to create a taskforce to curb the spread of deadly Cholera. Also, Mozambique braces itself for a second battering by Cyclone Freddy. And our very own satirical resident presidents have their take on the recent elections in Nigeria. Those stories and…
Uganda debates anti-LGBTQ+ bill
A bill has been tabled in the Ugandan parliament which could see anyone engaging in same-sex relations go to jail for up to ten years. Nigeria has postponed governorship and state assembly elections due to the ongoing dispute over the presidential vote. A solar plant in Kigoma, Tanzania, is providing…
M23 rebels in the DRC on the march despite ceasefire
Congolese M23 rebels continue to seize swathes of territory even though there's supposed to be a ceasefire. And today - International Women's day - we hear about Kenya's first girls only running camp. Plus - three brave female photographers - who are working in conflict zones. Those stories and more…
Will DRC's ceasefire hold?
A ceasefire has come into force in the Democratic Republic of Congo to put an end to fighting between the army and M23 rebels. Aid workers in eastern DRC say that clashes are continuing. South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced the appointment the country's first-ever minister of electricity. We…
Protests in Nigeria continue
Former Nigerian vice President, Atiku Abubakar leads a 'black uniform' march by his party, PDP, to the headquarters of the electoral commission INEC. The Presidential candidate said the February 25th poll was compromised and his party demands a re-run after saying they'll challenge it in courts. Also, a BBC investigation…
Nigeria's chaotic banknote redesign ruled invalid
Nigeria's Supreme Court has overturned a ban on old naira banknotes and ruled that the redesign was invalid. The justices said that not enough notice was given to the public before the old notes were withdrawn. Several anti-France activists stage protests in parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo, to…
Nigeria's Obi says he, not Tinubu, won presidential election
Labour Party's Peter Obi, who came third in Nigeria’s presidential election, has vowed to prove in court that his supporters were "robbed" of victory. Madagascans start the process of rebuilding their lives, and homes after bearing the brunt of Cyclone Freddy as it tore through southern African. And two West…
Tinubu is Nigeria's president-elect after disputed election
Nigeria's ruling party candidate, Bola Tinubu, has been declared president-elect of Africa's most populous nation after a weekend election that saw one of the lowest voter turn outs. The main opposition parties have disputed the result, describing the election as a sham and are planning to mount a legal challenge…
Opposition parties call for fresh Nigeria elections
Three opposition parties in Nigeria, The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), have called for Saturday’s presidential election to be cancelled and rerun, over alleged widespread irregularities. But the Independent National Electoral Commission remains steadfast in declaring state results. More fathers are being…
Nigeria awaits election results
Nigerians wait with baited breath following Saturday's general election, but some in Rivers state protest over inability to cast their ballots. There were technical hitches during the voting, and today, some parties object to INEC, the electoral commission not uploading results online. Meanwhile, in Lagos, a major upset in the…
Is Nigeria ready for presidential elections?
A day before Nigeria's general election, the electoral commission says 87 million people are eligible to vote, but is everything ready? Also, one year on from Russia's invasion of Ukraine: Is it all doom and gloom for Africa? Plus our Resident Presidents. More on those stories in this podcast with Paul…
Nigeria Election Special
Voters in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, head to the polls this Saturday, 25 February, to elect a new president and parliamentary representatives. In this special edition we hear why the 2023 general election is so important and what issues have been dominating the political campaigns. We also hear from…