Focus on Africa

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  ordeals happened as the government was cracking down on dissent ahead of the October 2025 presidential election.
 
And West African words and expressions like “abeg” or “biko” were included in the latest update of the Oxford English Dictionary. How does it benefit the culture?
 
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Keikantse Shumba and Blessing Aderogba
Technical Producer: David Nzau
Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga
Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

Africa’s beauty and personal care industry is growing, as more people look to achieve glowing skin and the perfect make up look.
But many products on the market still do not cater to black skin. Last year, a study by US-based Environmental Working Group (EWG) found that over 3000 beauty products targeting black women contain health hazards. 
Focus on Africa: The Conversation host, Nkechi Ogbonna spoke with Zithobe Macheli, a skincare influencer from South Africa and Jessica Molefe, a make-up artist from Botswana to get their thoughts on this growing industry.
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Carolyne Kiambo and Fana Negash
Technical Producer: Terry Chege
Senior Producer: Priya Sippy
Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

The military government in Guinea-Bissau has suspended a scientific trial for the hepatitis B vaccine administered to newborns. The trial is funded by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to the tune of $1.6 million and conducted by scientists from the University of Southern Denmark. The Bissau government says the study will be subjected to a technical and ethical review.
And, almost three decades after his death, Nigeria's Fela Kuti, who pioneered the Afrobeats music genre, is set to be feted with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Bella Twine, Blessing Aderogba and Mark Wilberforce
Technical Producer: Terry Chege
Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga
Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

January is marked worldwide as cervical cancer awareness month. According to the World Health Organisation, cervical cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer, yet it kills over 350,000 women globally every year. We look at how Kenya, where more than half of those diagnosed die within a year, is approaching the disease; and how Botswana manages to keep prevalence low. Also, weddings are a big deal in Nigeria, but what options do couples have when that dream wedding is just too expensive?
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Keikantse Shumba, Blessing Aderogba and Chiamaka Dike
Technical Producer: Maxwell Onyango
Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga
Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

Morocco and Egypt are the only African nations in President Trump's Board of Peace. The body was initially meant to help implement a ceasefire in Gaza, but Trump says it could serve a wider role in ending global conflicts. We look at why Morocco and Egypt got the invitation to join the Board and what influence African countries will have, if any.
Also, seven years after a corruption scandal involving an Icelandic company and some government officials rocked Namibia’s fishing industry, the case is finally heading to trial. The whistleblower who leaked the evidence speaks for the very first time. 
 
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
 
Producers: Bella Twine, Basma El Atti and Blessing Aderogba
 
Technical Producer: Maxwell Onyango
 
Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga
 
Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla