Focus on Africa

Have you ever wondered what life is like for Africans in the US who are threatened with deportation? Africans from Somalia, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Cameroon recently won a temporary reprieve in an ongoing legal battle with the Trump administration, which wants to terminate their Temporary Protected Status (TPS). TPS allows migrants at risk in their home countries to stay in the US. We speak to the BBC’s Bushra Mohamed, who was in Minneapolis where fear remains widespread in the African community.
And, Zambia's Drug Enforcement Agency has sounded the alarm on a spike in drug abuse cases. The Commission says the substances most commonly abused by young people include cannabis, cocaine, heroin and some over-the-counter medicines like cough syrup. We speak to Brian Chishimba, who is now leading efforts to raise awareness around mental health and addiction after overcoming his own struggles.
Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Keikantse Shumba and Daniel Dadzie
Technical Producer: Mbarak Abdallah
Senior Producer: Bella Twine
Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

The Ozoro fertility festival, a long-standing tradition in Delta state, southern Nigeria, has come under scrutiny after several videos online appeared to show men chasing after and sexually harassing women. Local police told local news channels that no formal report of rape had been made in connection with the festival. Witnesses, gender activists and local residents say that women were warned not to go out during the festival, and that those found outside were deliberately targeted. This has raised concerns that sexual violence may have been organised or tolerated under the cover of tradition.
Also, we look at how the conflict in the Middle East is affecting the supply of fertiliser on the African continent. Oliver Kirui, a Research Fellow and Country Program Leader for Nigeria and Ghana at the International Food Policy Research Institute, highlights what this means for food security in Africa.
Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Keikantse Shumba, Chiamaka Dike and Daniel Dadzie
Technical Producer: Mbarak Abdallah
Senior Producer: Bella Twine
Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

A Tunis court has jailed 66-year-old Saadia Mosbah, who leads a migrant rights and anti-racism group called Mnemty, which is a civil society organisation addressing issues linked to racism in Tunisia. Her sentencing comes nearly two years after her arrest in May 2024. Tunisian authorities under President Kais Saied have intensified a crackdown on dissent with courts upholding convictions against activists, which critics describe as an escalating crackdown on civil society voices.
Also, do you know exactly how space technology works, and what progress in the sector would mean for Africa’s future? We speak to Temidayo Oniosun, Managing Director of Space in Africa, a marketing intelligence firm for the continent’s space sector to learn more.
Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Keikantse Shumba and Daniel Dadzie
Technical Producer: Mbarak Abdallah
Senior Producer: Bella Twine
Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

The Brazilian Butt Lift surgery is one of the fastest growing cosmetic surgeries in the world, but it is also one of the most dangerous. The risk of death from having a BBL is at least 10 times higher than many other procedures – that’s according to the UK’s National Health Service. 
In several countries in Africa, the demand for BBLs is on the rise, but there are still challenges around regulation. Just recently in Lagos, a young woman reportedly died after a BBL procedure, prompting Nigeria’s Lagos State Government to launch an investigation into her death. In this episode, we hear from two young women, in Kenya and Nigeria, who recently got BBLs to hear about the risks, the post-surgery recovery and the influence of social media on body image.
Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Fana Negash
Technical Producer: Mbarak Abdallah
Senior Producers: Carolyne Kiambo Jotham and Priyanka Sippy
Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

At least 23 people were killed and over 100 injured in multiple explosions in Maiduguri, north-eastern Nigeria, a long-time insurgency hotspot. We examine the effect of the attack on traumatised residents and how they are coping. In response, the Nigerian Army says its troops killed three senior Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) commanders and more than 80 other militants in a major operation in the north-east.
Meanwhile, the percentage of female players registered with the International Chess Federation (FIDE) rose from 10% in 2020 to 16.5% in 2026. Yet top-level chess remains male-dominated, with no women in the top 100. Fewer players, limited female coaches and unwelcoming environments are barriers. We speak to 24-year-old Moroccan champion Sarah El Barbry, who's bringing chess online.
Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Keikantse Shumba and Chiamaka Dike
Technical Producer: Mbarak Abdallah
Senior Producers: Bella Twine and Blessing Aderogba
Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla