Focus on Africa

Nigeria's Health Minister Muhammad Ali Pate has confirmed their first Ebola case, which also marks the Bundibugyo strain's entry into West Africa. The patient is reported to have visited Uganda, though authorities in Kampala say she also visted the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is the epicentre of the outbreak. Uganda was declared free of the virus in August. We put the frequently asked questions on social media to the World Health Organisation.
And, two years after an invasive plant threatened Cameroon’s Lake Ossa, conservationists say they’ve cleared most of it, with more sightings of the vulnerable African manatee. We speak to the man behind the effort.
Presenter: Blessing Aderogba
Producers: Ayuba lliya, Keikantse Shumba and Bella Twine
Technical Producer: Herbert Masua
Senior Producer: Daniel Dadzie
Editors: Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla

Kenyan high court finds cult leader Paul MacKenzie guilty over the death of 190 children and one adult. Mackenzie ordered members of his cult to starve their children to death so they could "meet Jesus". In 2023, more than four hundred bodies were discovered in mass graves in the forest where his church was located. We hear from one of the first responders onsite in 2023.
Also, the World Bank is reporting that Sub-Saharan Africa’s economy should grow by 4.3% this year, higher than the UN projection for the whole world, which is 2.6%. But young people tell us the figures do not translate to jobs for them.
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Blessing Aderogba, Ayuba lliya, Keikantse Shumba and Bella Twine
Technical Producer: Herbert Masua
Senior Producer: Daniel Dadzie
Editors: Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla

Across the continent, the increasing price of fuel is being felt by households and businesses alike, as governments grapple with the economic impact of rising costs. South Africans are demanding an immediate decrease, as users in Malawi face acute shortages. As the ripple effects of the hike spreads, we hear from Nigeria's Finance Minister, who has announced a discount at the pump for consumers.
Meanwhile new data from the World Health Organisation shows that less than four out of every ten women in Africa who suffer from breast cancer survive. We speak to one of the survivors from Ghana.
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Keikantse Shumba and Bella Twine
Technical Producer: Herbert Masua
Senior Producer: Daniel Dadzie
Editors: Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla

Across Africa, more young workers are questioning what they should have to tolerate at work. From bullying and excessive workloads to poor leadership and low pay, some are choosing to leave jobs that take a toll on their mental health. The World Health Organization estimates that depression and anxiety cost the global economy 12 billion working days every year, amounting to around US$1 trillion in lost productivity. Meanwhile, Gallup’s 2026 workplace report found that just 19% of employees in sub-Saharan Africa were engaged at work. So what makes a workplace toxic, and how can workers tell the difference between ordinary job pressures and an environment that is damaging their wellbeing? We speak to 23-year-old Vivian Eneche and 30-year-old GG Wambara, both of whom quit their jobs for these reasons?
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Keikantse Shumba, Fana Nagesh and Carolyne Jotham
Technical Producer: Davis Mwasaru
Senior Producers: Priya Sippy and Daniel Dadzie
Editors: Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla

Rwanda has secured a 10-year deal to host Formula 1, potentially bringing the sport back to Africa for the first time since 1993. But the cost of developing young talent remains a major barrier. South African driver Mika Abrahams and his mother, Denise, discuss the financial challenges facing aspiring African drivers as they try to progress through the ranks towards Formula 1.
Also, women make up nearly half of sub-Saharan Africa’s agricultural workforce, yet research suggests they are less productive than men in the sector. Limited access to land ownership, inheritance rights and finance can prevent women from reaching their full potential, affecting agricultural output. The Kenya Pastoral Market Development Programme is helping women in pastoral communities strengthen their financial independence and increase their incomes.
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Keikantse Shumba and Ayuba Iliya
Technical Producer: Davis Mwasaru
Senior Producer: Daniel Dadzie
Editors: Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla