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Over 200 cases of the Foot and Mouth Disease have been confirmed in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal province. The highly contagious viral disease that affects cows, sheep, goats and other split hoofed animals has also been confirmed in Zimbabwe, Botswana, Eswatini and Mozambique. We hear what this means for farmers and the economy. Also - between Morocco and Algeria, who really owns the caftan? Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Keikantse Shumba and Basma El Atti Technical Producer: David Nzau Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

Following a months-long delay, the US recently renewed the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) - a key trade deal between Washington and dozens of African countries that was first enacted in 2000. AGOA enables African countries to export select goods to the US duty free. While previous US administations renewed the deal for periods of upto 10 years, President Trump's government has offered to extend it for just one year. We look at what this means for the 32 African countries that currently benefit from the agreement. And we speak to Ntungamili Raguin, the 17-year-old tennis player from Botswana who made history at the just concluded Australian Open, where he reached the round of last 16 in the junior tournament. Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Bella Twine, Priya Sippy and Blessing Aderogba Technical Producer: David Nzau Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

The UNFPA has warned that world fertility rates are facing an 'unprecedented decline'. In its 2025 report, it said many people are having fewer children than they want, or none at all, because of factors like the cost of living and difficulties finding a suitable partner. At the same time, a growing number of people are actively choosing a child-free life, and more women are now opting for sterilisation procedures like tubal ligation. Focus on Africa podcast host, Nkechi Ogbonna, spoke to 29-year-old Naisula Sironka, from Kenya, who has chosen to be child-free and underwent tubal ligation in 2024. Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Fana Negash and Carolyne Kiambo Technical Producer: David Nzau Senior Producer: Priya Sippy Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

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 the scale of demolitions has left thousands of residents displaced and families say they were given little warning and no clear relocation plan. And in Sierra Leone, President Julius Maada Bio has announced January 18th as Remembrance Day for victims of the civil war. Between 1991 and 2002 the west African country's military alongside UN peacekeeping troops fought against rebel groups, resulting in the killing of thousands of people and displacement of more than half of Sierra Leone's population at the time. Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Bella Twine, Keikantse Shumba, Chiamaka Dike and Ayuba Iliya Technical Producer: David Nzau Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

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 and UK sanctions on Russia. And - even though the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is over, several incidents from the tournament hosted by Morocco have raised questions about African identity. Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Bella Twine, Basma El Atti and Blessing Aderogba Technical Producer: David Nzau Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

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 Addis Ababa of killing civilians using drones.  We hear from people in Tigray.   Also, are you using the right helmet while riding on a motorcycle? We look at the increase in the number of injuries and deaths from motorcycle accidents across many African cities.     Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Carolyne Kiambo, Keikantse Shumba and Ayuba Iliya Technical Producer: David Nzau Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

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

Cocoa farmers in Ghana are disgruntled over delayed payments from the state regulator - COCOBOD. The farmers say the delay is endangering investments for the next farming season. Ghana, which is the world's second largest cocoa producer, changed the system through which farmers receive their payments in an attempt to reduce reliance on debt. And we hear from Giel Malual and John Kuei - the two South Sudanese men who have just completed a walk across the length of mainland UK to raise awareness about the war in Sudan, and mobilise donations to build schools for young refugees displaced by the conflict. Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Bella Twine, Keikantse Shumba, Chiamaka Dike, Blessing Aderogba and Patricia Whitehorne Technical Producer: Maxwell Onyango Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

Around the world, more women are choosing to delay motherhood. In countries like Italy, Spain and South Korea, the average age of first-time mothers has risen to around 32. While many African countries still have some of the youngest ages of first-time mothers - a shift is also happening in parts of continent. So, what’s behind this change? Focus on Africa: The Conversation host, Nkechi Ogbonna spoke with Vanessa Tloubatla, from South Africa, who became a mother at the age of 46; and Barbara Mugeni from Uganda who had her third child at the age of 45. Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Carolyne Kiambo and Fana Negash Technical Producer: Maxwell Onyango Senior Producer: Priya Sippy Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

A recent attack in Niger's south-western Tillaberi region led to the deaths of 31 civilians. It adds to a trend of deadly assaults by jihadist militants in the tri border area of Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali. According to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (Acled), Tillaberi was the deadliest region in the Sahel in 2025, with more than 1,200 civilian deaths recorded. Also, we take a look at how different people form their accents and how an accent may affect perceptions and social status. Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Keikantse Shumba, Ayuba Iliya, Makuochi Okafor and Blessing Aderogba Technical Producer: Maxwell Onyango Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

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