Africa Daily

Malawi’s President - Lazarus Chakwera – told rich countries to “pay up or perish with us” ahead of the COP26 climate summit. Developed nations are yet to meet a promise to pay £100bn to poorer countries each year to deal with climate change. Projects to transfer to renewable energy or cope with the impacts of climate change are expensive…more than most countries on the continent can afford. But Africa is the most vulnerable continent to the effects of climate change. So, is COP26 really all about the money? #AfricaDaily Host: Alan Kasujja (@kasujja) Guest: Zawadi Mudibo (@zawadaimudibo)

World leaders are coming together for talks that are seen as crucial to bringing climate change under control. Fossil fuel emissions are causing the world to heat up. It’s causing extreme weather – heatwaves, floods and droughts – which is making life less secure for millions of people. Despite being responsible for a fraction of carbon emissions, Africa is especially vulnerable to the effects of climate change. So, what’s at stake at the COP26 summit for the continent? #AfricaDaily Host: Alan Kasujja (@kasujja) Guest: Peter Musembi (@musembipm)

Would you like to take a swim in the sea? How about something more adventurous…snorkelling or diving maybe? Zandile Ndhlovu is a South African born diver. She loves being in the ocean, but she thinks not enough black people are enjoying a dip. She calls herself the ‘Black Mermaid’ and she’s on a mission to get more people on the continent into the water. And she thinks once people experience the magic of the underwater world, they’ll be more passionate about conserving it. #AfricaDaily Host: Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja) Guest: Zandile Ndhlovu (@ZandiTheMermaid)

Africa is still heavily reliant on fossil fuels to generate electricity. In West and North Africa, oil reigns supreme. And in southern Africa, particularly South Africa, coal still wears the crown. As global leaders prepare to discuss solutions to climate change at the COP26 summit, moving away from fossil fuels will be high on the agenda. But transitioning to renewable energy is difficult and expensive. So, is southern Africa ready to make the switch? #AfricaDaily Host: Alan Kasujja Guests: Felicia Mabasa Barbara Creecy Roger Lilley

Uganda’s government closed schools when the pandemic hit in March 2020. Some children haven’t been back to the classroom since. And others only returned for a few weeks. Uganda is the last country in Africa to keep its schools fully shuttered. President Museveni says in person teaching will resume in January at the earliest. So, has it been worth it? And how are Uganda’s children coping without school?Host: Alan Kasujja (@kasujja) Guests: Miriam Wipfler and Elizabeth Kawesa #AfricaDaily

The recent news of eight Nigerian men accused of an internet dating scam has highlighted the problem faced by the country’s authorities trying to reign in so called cult gangs and their international operations. A case involving the FBI and Interpol revealed a crime that involved the defrauding of more than 100 victims across continents of almost 7 million dollars over the past decade. So, where do these secret societies came from? And what can be done to stop them? Host: Alan Kasujja (@kasujja) Guest: Nicholas Ibekwe (@nicholasibekwe)

France and Mali have been exchanging harsh words in recent weeks. The tension between the two usually close allies started to sour after Paris’s decision to withdraw troops from the country. Now there are reports that the government in Bamako will turn to the Russian private security group Wagner to help maintain security. Wagner provide private soldiers in conflicts around the world, such as Central African Republic. Also, the Kremlin has recently sent in helicopters, weapons and ammunition to Mali. So, has Mali found an ally in Russia? Host: Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja) Guest: Beverly Ochieng (@BeverlyOchieng) #AfricaDaily

Since the end of Apartheid South Africans have largely stuck with parties that represent their own racial group. But with a new generation of voters growing up in a democratic nation, is it time for South Africans to cast off their racial allegiances?Host: Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja) Guests: Godfrey Skosana from the Freedom Front Plus and Jess Griesel from the Economic Freedom Fighters #AfricaDaily

One year ago frustration with police brutality in Nigeria boiled over into massive street demonstrations. Much of the anger was directed at the notorious Special Anti Robbery Squad - or SARS. And soon the slogan “End SARS” was being heard around the world. So, where does Nigeria stand now 12 months on?Host: Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja)Guests: anti corruption activist Hamzat Lawal, photographer Inyene Akpan and author Ike Anya. #AfricaDaily

For those who work to combat domestic violence there are concerns that with the Covid 19 pandemic forcing many people to remain at home, incidents have been soaring. It’s been called a "Shadow Pandemic", with some countries reporting a five-fold increase in calls to helplines. So what more needs to be done for women experiencing gender based violence?Host: Karnie Sharp (@KarnieSharp) Guests: Sandra Oyombe and Elisabeth , a victim of domestic violence. #AfricaDaily

Oil prices have been rising around the world for months. And people in Kenya know that as well as anyone. Fuel prices there were already much higher than in neighbouring countries. As they’ve continued to climb, so have the prices of everyday goods. So, how are people coping with the rising cost of living? And is there any relief on the horizon?Host: Alan Kasujja (@kasujja) Reporting: Peter Mwangangi (@PeteMwangangi) Guests: Phoro Catheirine and Magdalene Wambui#AfricaDaily

Kenya and Somalia are having a bit of trouble with their closest neighbours…each other. For years they have disagreed about where their sea border should be drawn. When Somalia wasn’t happy with the direction of negotiations, they asked the International Court of Justice to step in. But, despite a decision from the court this week, it doesn’t look like the matter will be resolved any time soon. So, can Kenya and Somalia every agree on their sea border?Host: Karnie Sharp (@KarnieSharp) Reporting: Ferdinand Omondi (@FerdyOmondi)#AfricaDaily

People have been dancing the night away to the congolese rumba for more than 70 years.Now the Democratic Republic of Congo and The Republic of Congo have launched a joint campaign to get the genre recognised internationally.They want UNESCO to include it on a list of intangible cultural heritage.For many people, Congolese rumba remains at the core of African music. So, how did it become so beloved?Host: Karnie Sharp (@KarnieSharp) Guest: Gabrielle Mitch (@MitchNina)#AfricaDaily

South Africa launched the continent’s first satellite in 1999. Since then, African countries have launched more than 40 more into orbit. And over the next five years, there are plans to triple that number. So, why is there such a scramble to put satellites in space? And how will they benefit people back on Earth?Host: Karnie Sharp (@KarnieSharp)Guest: Pontsho Maruping#AfricaDaily

Fourteen men are standing trial accused of complicity in the murder of the former president of Burkina Faso, Thomas Sankara. Almost 34 years after his death, Sankara remains an iconic figure to many young people across Africa. His image adorns walls, bars and taxis across west Africa. And words are shared today on social media platforms that he never knew existed. So, why is Thomas Sankara still so important to a generation of young people who were born years after his death? #Africa Daily

Students across Africa have missed out on school thanks to the pandemic. In Rwanda, thousands have failed their exams and the government wants them to catch up. So they’re planning to extend the school day. Is that a good idea? Will extra hours help students make up for lost time? #AfricaDaily Host: Alan Kasujja (@kasujja) Guest: Letisia Murungyi (@Rungisha)

Nigeria’s government has recently announced that civil servants will be granted paternity leave after the birth of a baby. They’ll get two weeks off work to spend with the new arrival, help support the mother and…change nappies. The news has been celebrated by many fathers, with many asking whether it will pave the way for dads to spend more time at home. So, are Nigerian fathers ready to tackle paternity leave?Host: Alan Kasujja (@kasujja) Guests: Dominic Montul Martyn Edosomwam#AfricaDaily

Most countries around the world are in some kind of debt. Money is borrowed to invest in a prosperous future, where paying it back won’t be a problem. In Africa, more and more of that investment is coming from China. It’s helped to build railways, airports and roads. But some of these loans have come at a high cost and repayments are expensive. So, is it still worth it? Is investment from China still a good deal for Africa? Host: Alan Kasujja (@kasujja) Guest: Charles Gitong (@charliegitonga) #AfricaDaily

Climate change is causing more and more extreme weather. And farmers across the continent are facing the consequences. Frequent droughts and floods are ruining their crops. But could scientists have the answer? They’ve helped develop new varieties of grains that are more resilient to the effects of climate change. Will these be enough to save farmers and feed the continent? #AfricaDaily Host: Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja) Guest: Dr Rebbie Harawa and David Tiroto.

Zimbabwe once sat as a powerhouse alongside Africa’s biggest economies. Over the past two decades though, Zimbabwean’s have been on an economic rollercoaster, experiencing crashes, strikes, hyperinflation and unemployment. Millions of people left the country in search of guaranteed work and better wages. Many of them are still overseas.However, in the last few months, the economy has shown the first signs of improvement. The International Monetary fund has predicted growth of 6% this year. And the government is hoping for even better.So, is Zimbabwe’s economy beginning to recover? And is it enough to tempt people home?Host: Alan Kasujja (@kasujja)Guests: Ngonidzashe Kwangwari is a domestic worker living in South Africa Prosper Chitambara is an economist at the Labour and Economic Development Research Institute of Zimbabwe Nyasha Mupaso is a mushroom farmer based in Harare#AfricaDaily

Nigeria is about to become the first country in Africa to launch a digital currency controlled by their central bank. Instead of carrying notes and coins, Nigerians will have the option to carry electronic money in an e-wallet on their phones. The eNaira will be issued directly from the central bank to users, in the hope of brining financial services to millions of unbanked people.And with other country’s in the region making similar plans, could this be the end of cash in west Nigeria?Host: Alan Kasujja (@kasujja)Guests: Charles Gitonga, International Bussiness Journalist with BBC Africa Fadekemi Abiru, Editor in Chief at Sears Business

After four years of brutal attacks by Islamist militants, Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province has been left decimated. Hundreds of thousands of people have fled their homes. In July, Rwandan forces stepped in. Neighbouring countries have since joined them. Things seem to have stabilised. Now, some Mozambican authorities have urged displaced people to return to the region. But is that true? Is it really safe to go home? #AfricaDaily Host: Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja) Guest: Borges Nhamirre (@BorgesNhamirre)

As Sudan and South Sudan prepare to open their shared border, can a revival of social and economic ties help mend relations and bring peace between the two countries? They were at war less than ten years ago, and conflicts over oil territories on the border have continued. But it’s hoped that trade and travel can be a boost for both countries. We’ll hear from both sides of the border about hopes for a better future. Host: Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja) Guests: Hafiz Mohamed Valentino Achak Deng #AfricaDaily

Millions of people visit South Africa each year to enjoy safari’s, culture and nightlife. The tourism industry has been hit hard by Covid-19, but there are other issues it has been struggling with for longer. More than 25 years since the end of apartheid, the sector remains largely in white hands. Very few businesses meet the target of 30% black ownership. So, as the sector tries to recover from the pandemic, what needs to happen to create opportunities for everyone?Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@kasujja) Reporting: Mpho Lakaje Guests: Blessing Manale, Spokesperson, South Africa’s Department of Tourism Thato Mothpeng, National Coordinator, South African Township and Village Tourism Association

Ethiopians who didn’t get a chance to vote in last June’s election get their chance this week. At the time it was argued that logistical and security issues made it difficult to hold elections in many regions. The authorities however continue to say that some regions cannot provide sufficient support to the electoral process and therefore won’t be taking part this week. And some opposition parties are now saying they won’t be taking part at all -- claiming that the result is a foregone conclusion. In the next episode of Africa Daily, Alan Kasujja looks at what this means for the incoming government.Host: Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) Guest: Haymanot Bejiga, BBC journalist in Nairobi

The Olkaria geothermal power station in Kenya opened four decades ago. It’s located in Hell’s Gate National Park and was originally conceived as a research project. But today it’s a viable commercial business that generates electricity using steam rising from deep in the ground. And it’s a renewable source that could bring energy to millions. In the next edition of Africa Daily, Alan Kasujja looks at why this is such a good natural source of energy and how it could be great news for the continent. Host: Alan Kasujja (@ Kasujja on Twitter) Guest: Michael Kaloki, a reporter in Nairobi.

Houses burnt. Empty schools. The recent unrest in Laikipia county has shocked Kenyans. Armed pastoralists are being blamed for the violence. They say they’re being denied access to water and land. But the Kenyan government says the unrest is actually the work of “politicians” - so, what exactly has been going on?Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) Guest: Ferdinand Omondi, BBC reporter.#AfricaDaily

Traditional healers used to be community elders – not anymore. A new generation of young South Africans is embracing what they describe as their “ancestral calling”, and using social media to bring new life to ancient traditions. Who are they – and how does their country see them?Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) Guests: Mpho Lakaje, reporter based in Johannesburg; Rutendo Ngara, cultural expert and academic; Thokozile Mntungwa, young traditional healer.#AfricaDaily

Boko Haram is on the ropes. The group’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, is dead and his followers are more divided than ever. And yet, there seems to be little reason to celebrate: the Islamic State West Africa Province, a former offshoot of the group, is set on continuing their campaign of terror. Can they be stopped?Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) Guests: Audu Bulama Bukarti, analyst with the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change; Mina Al-Lami, jihadism specialist with BBC Monitoring.#AfricaDaily

Rising temperatures. Drier weather. Four years of drought have taken their toll on Madagascar: the country’s now on the brink of the world's first "climate change famine", according to the United Nations. But why exactly? And what can the island-state do about it?Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) Guest: Tiana Andriamanana, Executive Director of Fanamby.#AfricaDaily

The trial of the man who inspired the Hollywood film “Hotel Rwanda” concludes this week in Kigali. Paul Rusesabagina has been on trial charged with crimes related to terrorism, arson, kidnap and murder. The charges relate to rebel attacks that occurred in southern Rwanda in which nine people were killed. Prosecutors are seeking a life sentence, but Mr Rusesabagina has continued to boycott his trail calling it biased. In the next edition of Africa Daily Alan Kasujja looks at the background to this story. Host: Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) Guest: Prudent Nsengiyumva, BBC Great Lakes reporter

Yemi Alade is Afrobeats royalty: don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Her songs have millions of views on YouTube – and her fans are scattered all around the world. It’s fair to say Yemi Alade has pushed Nigerian music to new heights. So, what’s her secret? We went to meet her.Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter)#AfricaDaily

Enough with the petty bribes: Kenyan drivers are fed up with having to pay off police officers every time they’re stopped on the road. Police chiefs are concerned – and they believe the solution might be to scale down roadblocks and static police checks. But how much of a difference will it make?Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter)#AfricaDaily

Former dictator Yahya Jammeh makes for an unlikely ally – and yet, his political clout seems to appeal to Gambian President Adama Barrow. An alliance between their parties has been announced ahead of December’s presidential election. So, what does it all mean for The Gambia?Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) Guest: Mustapha Darboe, Gambian journalist and news editor.#AfricaDaily

Is this what a “brain drain” looks like? For years, thousands of doctors have been leaving Nigeria to search for new jobs abroad. They say their country has denied them fair salaries and adequate working conditions. And yet, the government worries that their departure might further weaken the health system. How big a problem is this?Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) Guests: Dr Ajidahun Olusina, medical doctor in Ogun state; Chuks Akunna, executive director for The Authority newspaper; Dr Ibe Chiemezie, Nigerian medical doctor currently based in the UK.#AfricaDaily

Historically, African women have been told the subject of sex is off limits. But author Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah wants to change all that. She thinks that to get our best sex lives, we need to be able to talk about it - with partners, friends and family. So she spoke to over thirty women from across the continent and diaspora and wrote a book about it: The Sex Lives of African Women. So, what did she find out? And how DO African women talk more about sex? Hosted by Victoria Uwonkunda (@Msuwonkunda on Twitter) Guest: Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah (@nas009 on Twitter)#AfricaDaily

This is not the time to be selfish: politicians and health experts across Africa are losing their cool with Western countries. Barely 3% of the continent has been vaccinated against Covid-19 - and yet, in many wealthier nations, booster jabs are already being considered. Some say this is what a “vaccine apartheid” looks like, but do they have a point?Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) Guest: Dr Richard Mihigo, World Health Organisation. #AfricaDaily

South Africa’s unemployment rate has hit a record high: it’s now 34.4%, which means about 7.8 million people are currently without a job. Young South Africans - especially young graduates - have been hit the hardest. So, how did things get so out of hand? And is the pandemic solely to blame for this?Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) Guests: Mpho, young unemployed South African; Phumlani Majozi, columnist on economics and politics. #AfricaDaily

A president deposed, soldiers at the wheel. Guinea is still reeling from a coup that saw President Alpha Conde toppled. The UN and the African Union are unhappy about it all – but some in the country see this is an opportunity for a new beginning. How likely is it to happen?Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) Guest: Beverly Ochieng, BBC Monitoring. #AfricaDaily

Some Ugandans are feeling left out: they don’t have one of the shiny identity cards that were introduced in 2014. And this is a problem: after all, not having a national ID card means they can’t access healthcare and some other basic services – but how widespread is the problem? Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) Guests: Gilbert Kadilo, public relations officer for Uganda’s National Identification and Registration Authority.#AfricaDaily

Across Africa’s newsrooms, sexual harassment appears to be rife. That’s according to research by Women in News - a media development programme. Half of all the women surveyed said they’d been harassed at work - and only a third had reported it. So, despite all the progress with the #metoo movement, why is sexual harassment still so widespread? And what’s being done to stop it? Hosted by Alan Kasujja Guests: Mary (not her real name) and Molly Chimhanda, senior manager at Women in News.#AfricaDaily

A historic new law is set to reshape Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. But critics say the Petroleum Industry Act fails to adequately reward the communities and regions where Nigeria’s oil is sourced from. Do they have a point?Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) Guests: Dr Isaac Osuoka, community activist with Social Action International; Rolake Akinkugbe-Filani, advisory Board Member for the African Energy Chamber.#AfricaDaily

What’s not to like about seaweed? It’s nutritious, good for the environment, and – as it turns out – surprisingly profitable. Farmers say this could be the crop of the future, and that seaweed farms could soon become a feature of Africa’s vast coastline. So, what’s holding them back?Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) Guests: Mounir Boulkout, SELT Marine Group; Houssam Hamza, Aquaculture Officer with the FAO.#AfricaDaily

Bruises and broken bones. Dambe is not kind to the human body. As extreme as this combat sport may be, it’s amassed legions of fans not only in Nigeria, where it was born, but also around the world. What’s it all about? And how did it become so popular?Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) Guest: Maxwell Kalu, founder and CEO of African Warriors FC; Dogon Kyallu, Dambe fighter.#AfricaDaily

Child marriage isn’t a thing of the past: by some estimates, a third of all Zimbabwean girls are married before they turn eighteen. But the recent death of a fifteen-year-old girl has shaken the nation and kick-started a fresh debate about the problem. Campaigners say child marriages are rising - but why exactly is that? Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) Guests: Respect Ruvimbo Topodzi, former child bride; Judith Chiyangwa, director of The Girls Legacy. #AfricaDaily

In just a few days, Sao Tome and Principe are to hold a runoff of their Presidential elections. Research recently published suggests that when you look at the whole African continent, small islands like this tend to be more democratic and that people have more freedoms. In the next edition of Africa Daily Alan Kasujja looks at whether island-states have Africa’s best democracies. Host: Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on twitter) Guests: Edalina Rodrigues Sanches, research fellow at the University of Lisbon Joaquim Rafael Branco, former Prime Minister of Sao Tome and Principe.

We’re taking a break. Time for a breather. It’s been a busy year. But don’t worry. In just a few weeks, we’ll have some top notch episodes for you. And in the meantime, you can catch up on our back catalogue. Alan and the team will be back on 30 August. #AfricaDaily

If you still haven’t heard of Naija trap, believe us: you will. A new generation of ambitious young rappers is trying to put Nigerian trap on the map. But can they succeed in an industry where Afrobeats is still king? And what exactly makes their beats so unique? Host: Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) Guests: Simi Drey, Nigerian TV and radio presenter; Trill Xoe, Nigerian trap artist. #AfricaDaily

Is this Zambia’s most unpredictable election yet? With a week to go before Zambians choose their president, clashes are being reported in parts of the country. Soldiers are in the streets of Lusaka. Observers say the race for the top job is tight – so, what can we expect from the vote?Host: Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) Guest: Kennedy Gondwe, reporter in Lusaka.#AfricaDaily

Sierra Leone has abolished the death penalty – and in countries where it’s still legal, executions are going down. Last year, only 16 were reportedly carried out in sub-Saharan Africa. So, is the end of capital punishment getting nearer? And what will happen to all the prisoners waiting on death row?Host: Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) Guests: Umaru Fofana, reporter in Sierra Leone; Morris Kabeira, former death row inmate from Kenya.#AfricaDaily