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.
Cape Verde's historic World Cup debut
Cape Verde's national football team, Blue Sharks, stunned 2010 champions Spain at their first ever World Cup match. From the stadium in Atlanta, to the streets of the archipelago's capital Praia, we hear what the tournament and the result means for fans. And BBC Africa Eye hears from some of…
World Cup: How hate-watching reflects social tensions
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues across the United States, Canada and Mexico, we look at the rise of hate-watching across parts of the continent. The trend was especially visible when Mexico faced South Africa at the opening game last week. Some African fans, especially on social media, openly…
Is the internet dividing men and women?
You may have heard of the manosphere - but what about the femosphere? It's a growing online community of female influencers encouraging women to give up on gender equality, approach relationships strategically and seek financial benefits from men, often in the name of empowerment. While researchers say there's no evidence…
Africa's World Cup dream: controversy and opportunity
Africa's football spirit meets the 2026 World Cup buzz, controversy, and opportunities. The tournament is a landmark moment for African football, coming four years after Morocco became the first African team to reach a World Cup semi-final at the Qatar edition in 2022. But even before the games begin, the…
DRC: How armed conflict is affecting Ebola response
There has been continued violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo in recent months as rebel groups and armed forces wrestle for territorial control. DR Congo's North and South Kivu provinces have been the epicentre of the ongoing Ebola outbreak, along with Ituri Province where more than 560 cases of…
Nigeria: Freed from Boko Haram
At least 360 abductees were rescued by the Nigerian army from an enclave linked to a terrorist group in northeastern Borno State. Most of them being women and children. While the Nigerian Army says the rescue followed weeks of planning and intelligence-led operations that achieved "complete tactical surprise," overwhelming the…
African prisoners of war in Ukraine
Over 3,000 African fighters are involved with the Russian army as claimed by Ukrainian authorities. Many of them say they have been misled or coerced into fighting by illegal recruitment agencies promising a good job and salary in Russia. We speak to the BBC's Sammy Awami who gained access to…
‘More than my ovaries’: Redefining PCOS
PCOS affects an estimated 170 million women worldwide during their reproductive years yet as many as 70% of those affected remain undiagnosed, according the World Health Organization. Experts hope that will change following the condition’s recent renaming to Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), a term they say better reflects its…
South Africa: what realities face those fleeing xenophobia?
Foreign nationals in South Africa are facing renewed fears following the latest wave of xenophobic attacks, which have reportedly killed nine Mozambican nationals. Ghana and Mozambique have begun evacuating some of their citizens, while other countries are considering similar moves. We hear from those fleeing the tensions and how they…
Nigerian teachers protest school kidnappings
Teachers in Nigeria's Oyo, Borno and Lagos states protest kidnappings of teachers and learners. And how poor sanitation puts mothers at risk of maternal sepsis in Zambia.
What's in Ghana's new anti-LGBTQ+ bill?
Ghana’s President John Mahama has said the recently passed anti-LGBTQ+ bill will undergo a review by the Attorney General and legal advisers at the presidency before he decides to sign it into law. The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, was approved by parliament last Friday. The legislation…
Kenyans protest proposed US Ebola facility
Protests erupted on June 1 near a military airfield in Central Kenya where the US government is planning to establish an Ebola quarantine centre for American citizens. Construction on the site was paused last week by a Kenyan court pending a hearing into a lawsuit lodged by campaigners to block…
Gigantomastia: Living with my oversized breasts
For many women, having larger breasts may be down to genetics. But for some, breast growth is extreme, painful and life-altering. The condition is called 'gigantomastia'. A condition that causes excessive breast tissue growth, leading to chronic pain, mobility challenges, and emotional distress. Focus on Africa podcast host Nkechi Ogbonna…
Kenya's toxic masculinity influencers
BBC Global Disinformation reporter Jacqui Wakefield has spent a year examining the rise of two of the most influential manosphere figures. In Kenya, she met Andrew Kibe who has millions of followers online and offline. We hear how these individuals have built massive online audiences and the lucrative business behind…
Ethiopia votes amid press freedom concerns
Ethiopia is scheduled to hold its general election on June 1. Millions of voters will be electing members of the national parliament and leaders of the regional councils fronted by 23 political parties. This election happens amid political and security uncertainties in the populous regions of Oromia and Amhara, while…
Ebola affecting burial traditions in DRC
The World Health Organisations says Ebola is spreading faster than originally thought and has declared a public health emergency of international concern. Ebola has also been reported in DR Congo's North and South Kivu provinces, as well as in neighbouring Uganda, where there have been seven confirmed cases. In the…
What does it mean to be African?
May 25 is Africa Day, observed annually to commemorate the founding of the Organisation of African Unity - now known as the African Union (AU). We spoke to three Africans, a generation X, a millennial and a Gen Z about the dreams and aspirations Africans today. And South African activists…
Are billionaires good for Africa?
About twenty-five years ago, Africa had no dollar billionaires. Today, there are 23. Their combined wealth has grown to more than 100 billion US dollars. At the same time, many people on the continent are living in poverty, and their number has also grown. Focus on Africa Podcast host Charles…
Who are the Azawad Liberation Front in Mali?
In Mali, separatist group, Azawad Liberation Front have renewed attacks in the northern part of the country with the aim of creating an independent Tuareg state. We hear from a Sahel security expert on the origins of the group, and their recent alliance with Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) -…
How Arsenal built a loyal African fan base
After 22 years, Arsenal has won another English Premier League title. The team is one of the most popular European football clubs in Africa, and had been running a multi-million sponsorship deal with the government of Rwanda which concluded at the end of the 2025–26 season. We speak to fans…