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Artwork for Focus on Africa

Focus on Africa

BBC World Service
Nigeria
Food Prices
Libya
Muammar Gaddafi
Kenya
Russia
Economic Policy
Tripoli
Inflation
Debt
Labor Protests
Donkey Skin Trade
Transport Costs
Khalifa Haftar
Turkey
Agricultural Produce
Subsidies
South Africa
Egypt
Macky Sall

Two essential stories to round off your working day. Explaining the big topics and news from Africa, the people behind them, plus an African perspective on global stories. Hosted by Nkechi Ogbonna. Five days a week, ready by late afternoon, Monday to Friday.

PublishesDailyEpisodes884Founded18 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
News

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Artwork for Focus on Africa

Latest Episodes

In Nigeria's commercial capital Lagos, authorities have demolished Makoko - the country's biggest informal waterfront settlement. The Lagos state government says some structures built beneath high-tension power lines pose a serious safety risk. But t... more

A vessel carrying Russian oil suffered an explosion off the coast of Senegal last December, prompting investigations into the presence of a Russian shadow fleet in African waters. The tanker is reportedly among several vessels trying to flout US, EU ... more

Ethiopia's national airline has resumed flights to the northern Tigray region after being suspended for a week amid military tensions. The suspension heightened fears of renewed conflict between the national army and Tigrayan forces - who accuse Addi... more

A BBC Africa Eye investigation has been told that a high-ranking police officer in Tanzania's main city Dar es Salaam was linked to the abduction of several activists, who allege they were subsequently abused by other officers. They claim their ordea... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Sean Jacobs
Founder of Africa is a Country and South African writer
Africa is a Country
Episode: What is Russia's shadow fleet doing in African waters?
Dennis Reva
Maritime researcher with the Institute of Security Studies
Institute of Security Studies
Episode: What is Russia's shadow fleet doing in African waters?
Dr. Terry Smith
Specialist in helmet safety studies
Episode: What's fuelling renewed tensions in Ethiopia's Tigray?
Kalkidan Ibeltal
Colleague from the Newsday program
BBC
Episode: What's fuelling renewed tensions in Ethiopia's Tigray?
Boniface Mwangi
A Kenyan activist who experienced torture in Tanzania.
Episode: BBC Africa Eye investigates Tanzania abductions
Agatha Atuhire
A Ugandan activist who suffered torture in Tanzania.
Episode: BBC Africa Eye investigates Tanzania abductions
Zithobe Macheli
A skincare influencer, beauty writer and consultant from South Africa
Episode: Are beauty products serving black women?
Jessica Molefe
A makeup artist from Botswana and recent judge of Miss Botswana 2025
Episode: Are beauty products serving black women?
Thomas Nadi
BBC correspondent in Accra
BBC
Episode: Ghana cocoa farmers decry delayed payments

Hosts

Nkechi Ogbonna
Host of Focus on Africa, known for her engaging interviews and insightful discussions about African stories and perspectives.
Nyasha Michelle
Host known for her captivating storytelling and expert commentary on critical issues facing Africa.
Audrey Brown
Host and journalist with a strong background in covering African affairs, providing context and depth to discussions.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 1k ratings
  • Filos in a lot of news gaps

    Good coverage, usually by Africans, of a continent that tends to be covered very superficially in Western media

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bilas Peles
    United States10 months ago
  • Great story on swimming

    Compliments of the season from Houston, Texas! Thank you for the story on swimming and for your transparency about your own experience with drowning. I learned to swim at the age of 40 and it was life changing. I pray that you will meet your goal to learn to swim this year. You can do it! And we’re cheering you on.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CFWyatt
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great podcast - very informative.

    I really enjoy listening to this podcast. Learning a lot!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ella1234567891011121314151617
    Denmark2 years ago
  • Reparations

    Generally good show but a stupid recent guest, a black “British” woman asking for reparations, she completely dodged the fact that the Africans themselves enslaved and sold other Africans to the Europeans, we already paid you for the slaves when you sold them to us we’re not paying you again so stop being greedy, it’s not our fault you squandered the wealth, also she had nothing good to say about the UK (she could have mentioned the fact we eradicated slavery, an act which many African people ha... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    N0H1570ry
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Bring back Africa Today

    I used to listen daily to Africa Today….it was so informative and I learnt so much about the whole continent. This current format is a real disappointment. It’s a longer version of Africa Daily with Alan Kasujja, and really, he can’t be beat. Go back to Africa Today, and I will listen daily, instead of once in a long while.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    lekkersoosafirecracker
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the informative and insightful coverage of African affairs, emphasizing the representation of diverse stories.
A segment of the audience expresses concern over changing formats and the perceived loss of earlier coverage styles, showing a longing for continuity.
Overall, feedback reflects a strong appreciation for the hosts' efforts to present nuanced discussions surrounding critical issues affecting the continent.
Many enjoy the perspectives provided by African voices that challenge mainstream narratives often prevalent in Western media.
Some feedback indicates desires for deeper analysis and coverage of less-represented regions within Africa, highlighting listeners' engagement with the material.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#54
South Africa/News
Apple Podcasts
#184
Japan/News
Apple Podcasts
#223
United Arab Emirates/News
Apple Podcasts
#242
Norway/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

BBC Africa Eye investigates Tanzania abductions
Q: Did we speak to Mafuele?
Peter affirms they reached out but received no response from Mafuele or the police regarding the allegations made against them.
BBC Africa Eye investigates Tanzania abductions
Q: Were you able to authenticate these allegations from Boniface, from Sativa and even Agatha?
Yes, Peter details that they cross-referenced accounts and medical records which corroborate the activists' claims.
BBC Africa Eye investigates Tanzania abductions
Q: What exactly was happening in Tanzania that led to his abduction?
Peter notes there was a crackdown on criticism and dissent, resulting in activists and critics going missing, with little trace of their imprisonment or abuse.
BBC Africa Eye investigates Tanzania abductions
Q: Could you kindly tell us what exactly we just heard?
Peter explains the horrific situation surrounding the abduction of activists in Tanzania, focusing on Sativa, who had been shot after his abduction and lost in a failed assassination attempt.
What is Russia's shadow fleet doing in African waters?
Q: Are these authorities aware that these vessels are using their flags and who becomes responsible?
It's complicated; historically, African states may not fully realize their vessels are being exploited, leading to reputational risks.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Focus on Africa

What is Focus on Africa about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Content focuses on significant stories from Africa, highlighting crucial issues, events, and trends affecting the continent. Episodes often feature in-depth discussions on topics such as political developments, social justice issues, environmental concerns, and human rights. The podcast provides personal accounts from affected individuals and expert commentary, offering listeners a well-rounded perspective on complex narratives. A distinctive feature is the emphasis on an African viewpoint, aiming to inform and engage audiences with diverse stories that reflect the continent's realities. This differentiates it from mainstream narratives often found in Western media, making it appealing for those interested in authentic African journalism an... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Focus on Africa?

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How many listeners does Focus on Africa get?

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How many subscribers and views does Focus on Africa have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Focus on Africa has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Focus on Africa?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Focus on Africa:

1. Global News Podcast
2. The Interview
3. Al Jazeera News Updates
4. The Inside Story Podcast
5. Newshour

How many episodes of Focus on Africa are there?

Focus on Africa launched 18 years ago and published 884 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Focus on Africa?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Focus on Africa?

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What guests have appeared on Focus on Africa?

Recent guests on Focus on Africa include:

1. Sean Jacobs
2. Dennis Reva
3. Dr. Terry Smith
4. Kalkidan Ibeltal
5. Boniface Mwangi
6. Agatha Atuhire
7. Zithobe Macheli
8. Jessica Molefe

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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