Focus on Africa

As medical experts work to contain the spread of hantavirus on board a stranded cruise ship in the Atlantic ocean, we hear from a representative of the World Health Organisation in Cape Verde. What's hantavirus, how does it spread and what happens to those on board the MV Hondius luxury cruise liner?
Also, seven years after the enactment of the law promoting inclusion for persons living with disability in Nigeria, advocates say implementation remains weak.
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Rukia Bulle, Bella Twine and Ayuba Iliya
Technical Producer: Maxwell Onyango
Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga
Editors: Priyanka Sippy and Maryam Abdalla

Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te has finally visited Eswatini where his arrival had been expected since April. The state visit was cancelled last minute, and Taiwan blames China - saying Beijing applied pressure on African countries not to allow the plane carrying President Ching-te to use their airspace on the way to the Kingdom of Eswatini. We look at the significance of this visit and Taiwan's diplomatic ties to the Southern Africa kingdom.
Also, we have a fire chat with Ghanian musician Stonebwoy, whose Accra-famous music festival known as BHIM is going global, headlining at the OVO Wembley Arena in London this August.
Presenter : Charles Gitonga
Producer: Rukia Bulle, Blessing Aderogba and Mark Wilberforce
Technical Producer: Maxwell Onyango
Senior Producer: Bella Twine
Editors: Priyanka Sippy and Maryam Abdalla

As the world marks World Press Freedom Day, UNESCO has awarded the 2026 Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize to the Sudanese Journalists Syndicate, recognising their courage in reporting amid threats to their safety and rights. Since Sudan’s war began in 2023, more than 30 journalists have been killed and over 500 violations recorded, making it one of the most dangerous places in the world for journalists.
At the same time, we explore how memes and AI-generated political images are increasingly shaping global power and narratives around the US–Israel war with Iran, raising new questions about influence, information, and the future of digital diplomacy.
Presenter : Charles Gitonga
Producer: Rukia Bulle
Technical Producer: Maxwell Onyango
Senior Producers: Blessing Aderogba and Bella Twine
Editors: Priya Sippy and Maryam Abdalla

For the longest time, Africa’s migration story has largely been one way: people leaving the continent in search of opportunity. But that story is beginning to shift. Africa’s young diaspora who were born and raised in Europe, the United States and Canada are increasingly choosing to move to countries their parents once left.
Focus on Africa podcast host Charles Gitonga spoke to Dr Maryam Abdishakuur who grew up in Denmark and moved back to her native country, Somalia in her twenties, and Danielle Wanjiku Natche, who grew up in the US and moved to Kenya - where her mother is from - in 2019.
Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Fana Negash and Basma El Atti
Technical Producer: Terry Chege
Senior Producer: Carolyne Kiambo
Editors: Priyanka Sippy and Maryam Abdalla

Uganda’s new bill could jail citizens for up to 20 years for unauthorised foreign funding, citing concerns over foreign influence on national policy. This has raised questions about the future of civil society, independent organisations, and political freedoms in the country. We look at what the Sovereignty Bill could mean for Ugandans if passed into law.
Meanwhile, in northern Zimbabwe, a conservationist is working with rural communities to transform how people live alongside lions, finding practical solutions to long-standing human–wildlife conflict. Her approach is now gaining international attention, earning her the 2026 Whitley Award.
Presenter : Charles Gitonga
Producer: Ayuba Iliya
Technical Producer: Terry Chege
Senior Producers: Keikantse Shumba and Blessing Aderogba
Editors: Priyanka Sippy and Maryam Abdalla