Deutsche Welle Under the Baobab

Under the Baobab

Under the Baobab is DW's weekly vodcast where Africa's biggest issues meet real talk, sharp minds and bold solutions. Hosts Mimi Mefo Newuh and George Okachi are joined by experts and everyday change-makers from Africa.

From elections and governance to human rights, misinformation, youth leadership and social movements, this is where tough questions are asked and fresh perspectives emerge.

West Africa, which includes nations like Nigeria, Ghana, and Cameroon, takes center stage.

While international media often focuses on crises such as military coups, political instability and economic turmoil, Under the Baobab goes deeper. The show aims to carve out a unique and essential storytelling space that highlights not just challenges but also innovation, resilience and the diverse societies, cultures and economies that are often overlooked in mainstream coverage.

With global implications and pan-African relevance, the vodcast unpacks what's happening in West Africa, while also covering key developments across the entire continent.

Join hosts Mimi Mefo Newuh and George Okachi as each week, they sit down with thought leaders, experts and everyday change-makers from across Africa.

If you're looking for smart, timely and unapologetically African discussions, this is your place under the baobab tree.
Weekly English South Africa News
16 Episodes

Why is Sierra Leone changing its election rules?

Sierra Leone wants to change key election rules, including lowering the presidential threshold from 55% to 50%+1. The opposition is challenging the reforms in court. Will they strengthen democracy or weaken voter power?
21 Aug 29 min

Africa vs. AIDS: The 2030 deadline no one is ready for

Donor funding slashed. Clinics closing. Prevention programs collapsing. With less than four years to end AIDS as a public health threat, Africa faces a brutal choice: fund its own future or watch decades of progress unravel. Under The Baobab confronts the leaders, the numbers, and the hard truth about who…
14 Aug 29 min

Can Zambians trust the electoral commission?

As Zambian prepare to vote on August 13, the countrys' electoral commission faces one of its biggest tests yet: a new voter register, new constituencies, ballot security, campaign tensions and public questions over trust.
7 Aug 29 min

World Cup 2026: How can African nations' teams fix performance gaps

The 2026 World Cup is officially in the books, leaving behind a fascinating puzzle for African football. Ten African teams arrived; nine made history by storming into the knockouts. But it was only pushed to the quarter-finals. As we analyze the performance gaps holding the continent back, we demand accountability:…
17 Jul 29 min

Are African migrants safe in South Africa?

Many African migrants in South Africa with work permits, jobs and families, still fear for their safety. Can trade unions help tackle xenophobia, challenge the myths and address the real causes of unemployment?
10 Jul 29 min

Has President Tinubu failed to secure Nigerians?

As schoolchildren remain at risk of kidnapping and communities live in fear, Under The Baobab asks the questions millions of Nigerians are asking: What's gone wrong? What are the solutions? And when will citizens feel safe again? In this episode, we sit Under the Baobab with Nigeria’s Defense Minister, General…
3 Jul 29 min

Gen Z protests to aspirant: Can Boniface Mwangi lead Kenya?

Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi joined Gen Z on the streets of Nairobi to protest against the Finance Bill 2024. Now he is asking for their votes. Recorded live at the Global Media Forum in Bonn, DW's Under the Baobab puts the outspoken Kenyan activist-turned-politician in the hot seat.
1 Jul 30 min

Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP's Nigeria 2027 election gamble

Fresh cracks have emerged in Nigeria's PDP party as a faction nominated former President Goodluck Jonathan as its sole 2027 presidential aspirant. Abdullahi Ibrahim, PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, joins DW Under The Baobab to examine if Jonathan has what it takes to tackle Nigeria's pressing challenges.
12 Jun 29 min

Can Ghana's Black Stars deliver at the World Cup?

Are Ghana's Black Stars ready to rise, or heading into another storm? Henry Asante Twum of the Ghana Football Association joins Under The Baobab for exclusive insight into what's really going on behind the scenes.
5 Jun 29 min

South Africa's 'xenophobia' crisis: How safe are Ghanaians?

Is it xenophobia, a migration crisis, or a failure of African leadership? After South Africa's foreign minister insisted the country remains safe for Africans, Ghana's High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quashie, joins us Under The Baobab to respond.
29 May 29 min

Who controls South Africa's streets?

South Africa once depended on African solidarity during apartheid. Today, many Africans say they no longer feel safe there. Is this a migration crisis, xenophobia, or a deeper crisis of identity?
22 May 29 min

Rising xenophobia against Nigerians?

Across the African continent, xenophobia has led to stereotyping, violence and sometimes death. Is the current spate of anti-immigrant sentiment in South Africa and Mozambique a sign of discrimination, weak diplomacy, or deeper systemic issues? Professor Jude Osakwe of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) joins DW's Mimi Mefo Newuh…
8 May 29 min

Who's to blame for Cameroon's woes?

Supporters say President Paul Biya stabilized Cameroon. Critics say he's stalled democracy amid long festering armed conflict and economic stagnation. So how does Cameroon move forward? Political scientist and Biya's ex-Minister of Forestry and Wildlife Elvis Ngolle Ngolle joins Mimi Mefo and George Okachi Under The Baobab.
30 Apr 29 min