Focus on Africa

A new report by the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change says that most countries, including those in Africa, will find it difficult to have full autonomy over AI systems. According to the Institute, only 32 countries worldwide host AI-specific data centres, leaving around 160 nations dependent on foreign infrastructure. We hear how the situation is for African countries.

And, Nigeria wants to resume oil drilling in Ogoniland in Southern Rivers State; thirty years after environmental activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight others were executed following a protest that saw the killing of four tradional chiefs of an oil producing community known as Ogoni. This led to the suspension of exploration by oil giant Shell – the company accused of causing the environmental damage. We hear the views of the Nigerian government and environmental activists.

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Keikantse Shumba, Bella Twine, Ayuba Ilya and Blessing Aderogba
Technical Producer: Maxwell Onyango
Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga
Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

A recent report by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime reveals that a third of cocaine consumed in Europe is transported via West Africa. Since 2019, the region has become a key global hub for cocaine smuggling from Latin America to markets in Europe and Asia, according to the organisation. We look at how the region gained this reputation as a hub of global trafficking.
Also Uganda, Tanzania and Ethiopia are among African countries where internet blackouts have been witnessed recently. We explore the technologies and techniques that youth in these countries are using to stay online.
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Keikantse Shumba, Bella Twine, Chiamaka Dike and Blessing Aderogba
Technical Producer: Maxwell Onyango
Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga
Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

In this episode, we look back at the Africa Cup of Nations, where Senegal edged hosts Morocco in extra-time in a dramatic final. We explore the key moments and what they reveal about African football’s future.
We also investigate a darker story: Across West Africa, criminal gangs are luring young people with fake overseas jobs. BBC Africa Eye follows Interpol’s anti-trafficking unit in Sierra Leone and a father searching for his missing children.
Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Keikantse Shumba and Bella Twine
Technical Producer: Maxwell Onyango
Senior Producer: Blessing Aderogba
Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

Think back to when you were younger, what did you want to do when you grew up? A recent study in Kenya found that many young people would choose to be a TikToker or a YouTuber over a more conventional career, like a doctor or a lawyer.
Nowadays, content creators have become as influential as athletes and artists, but while Africa’s content creator ecosystem is growing rapidly, more than half of the continent’s creators earn less than $70 a month.
Focus on Africa: The Conversation host Charles Gitonga sat down with Chef Abbys - a Ghanaian TikToker with millions of followers - to find out what it takes to make it big in the industry.
Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Fana Negash and Carolyne Kiambo
Senior Producer: Priya Sippy
Technical Producer: Terry Chege
Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

Focus on Africa’s Charles Gitonga joined The Global Story podcast hosts Asma Khalid and Tristan Redman to explain why the United States, Russia and China are so interested in Africa. The US recently moved to extend the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a major trade deal allowing many African countries to export goods to the American market tariff-free, while also tying promises to end the conflict in eastern DR Congo to access rare earth minerals. China sees Africa as a key part of its Belt and Road Initiative, investing heavily in infrastructure across the continent. Meanwhile, Russia has positioned itself as an alternative partner to the Central African Republic and Sahel countries, particularly in security and military cooperation.
Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Keikantse Shumba and Hannah Moore
Senior Producer: Blessing Aderogba
Technical Producers: Terry Chege and Philip Bull
Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla