Africa Daily

South Africa is no stranger to xenophobic violence. In recent years, reports of attacks against immigrants have become common. Somali nationals are often targeted – and so, when a recent shooting was reported in a Western Cape township, the Somali community got worried. Why exactly?Host: Karnie Sharp (@KarnieSharp on Twitter) Guests: Mpho Lakaje, reporter; Ali Osman, South African Somali Community Board. #AfricaDaily

It’s probably fair to say that the one thing the whole world has collectively been thinking about in the last year is Covid and the vaccines that will defeat the infection. Although some countries in Africa have done well at getting their citizens the jab, Africa remains the least vaccinated continent. Lately, there’s been a lot of discussion about what difference could be made to the situation if the big pharmaceutical companies waived their intellectual property rights on their vaccines -- allowing countries to copy and produce the formula cheaply. Today Nancy Kacungira looks at whether Africa can produce its own vaccines. Host: Nancy Kacungira (@Kacungira on Twitter) Guests: Rhoda Odihambo, BBC Africa Health correspondent/ Catherine Kyobutungi, Executive Director of the African Population and Health Research Centre.

Her critics describe her as populist and a demagogue. But Abir Moussi’s sudden popularity has taken many in Tunisia by surprise. She’s known for attention-grabbing stunts and for peddling conspiracy theories – and yet some believe she’s the answer to the country’s many problems. But is that really the case? And what does her rise tell us about Tunisia today?Host: Nancy Kacungira (@Kacungira on Twitter) Guest: Youssef Cherif, Director, Columbia Global Center, Tunis.#AfricaDaily

One wife. Several husbands. Why not? South Africa is considering an update to its marriage laws. Among other things, it could make polyandry legal. If the changes go through, this would be a big first for Africa - but perhaps unsurprisingly, not everyone’s up for it.Host: Nancy Kacungira (@Kacungira on Twitter) Guests: Latashia Naidoo, investigative journalist; Reverend Kenneth Meshoe, African Christian Democratic Party leader; Elizabeth Retief; Aaron Motsoaledi, South Africa’s Minister of Home Affairs.#AfricaDaily

The Democratic Republic of Congo is looking for help from it’s neighbours to solve the problem of rebel militias in the east of the country. The government recently imposed temporary martial law in the troubled eastern provinces of North Kivu and Ituri - a region that has more than one hundred known armed groups. These groups have been responsible for thousands of deaths and led to the displacement of millions of people. A delegation from the Ugandan army recently arrived in the region to help set up a joint operation. And the Rwandan President, Paul Kagame, has offered his support in the country’s struggle to restore peace in the region. In today’s episode of Africa Daily Nancy Kacungira looks at whether there’s a solution to the violence in the country.

European, American and African leaders, together with financial institutions, are looking for ways to help restart growth in Africa after the Covid health crisis. Described as the “New Deal” for African economies, leaders aim to find solutions to Africa’s international debt, which could see the continent fall into recession. In Africa Daily Nancy Kacungira has been looking at the extent of Africa’s debt problem and how a deal might help the continent.

For a long time, African literature didn’t get the recognition it deserved – certainly in the west. But walk into any bookshop nowadays and the shelves are piled high with African authors. More and more are winning international book awards, including Chigozie Obioma and Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi – who we hear from in today’s episode. So, what’s prompted this change? And what does it take for African writers to get global recognition? Victoria Uwonkunda finds out in today’s episode of Africa Daily. Host: Victoria Uwonkunda (@Msuwonkunda on Twitter) Guests: Chigozie Obioma and Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi

Covid-19 is, once again, spreading in the Seychelles. In just a few months, the country has managed to vaccinate most of its people against the virus. But a recent rise in the number of cases has many scratching their heads. What went wrong – if anything at all?Host: Victoria Uwonkunda (@Msuwonkunda on Twitter) Guests: Sharon Ernesta, Seychelles News Agency ; Dr Christian Happi, African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases.#AfricaDaily

Who’ll be king of the hoops? Africa’s top basketball teams are joining a brand new league backed by the American NBA. It’s called the Basketball Africa League (BAL) - and it will kick off in Kigali, Rwanda on 16 May. The tournament is yet another sign the NBA has its eyes on the continent - but what does it all mean for the continent? Host: Victoria Uwonkunda (@Msuwonkunda on Twitter) Guests: BBC reporter Isaac Fanin; DJ Poizon Ivy.#AfricaDaily

West Africa’s seas are under threat.Illegal fishing is destroying marine life and crushing people’s livelihoods. Local fishermen point their fingers at foreign vessels – mainly Chinese, but also European.By some estimates, illegal fishing is costing the region at least two billion dollars a year.But a new surveillance centre in the Gulf of Guinea is trying to stop this from happening.Will it make a difference?Hosted by Victoria Uwonkunda (@Msuwonkunda on Twitter)#AfricaDaily

Young Ghanaians have had it with their politicians.For more than a week now, many have been using social media to send their government a message: #FixTheCountry.Their list of grievances is long: they complain about unemployment, poor roads, power cuts, water shortages, rising living costs… You name it.The Ghanaian government says that “a flame has been lit”, and that this is an opportunity to get people talking about problems that affect us all.But how easy can it be to fix a country?Hosted by Victoria Uwonkunda (@Msuwonkunda on Twitter)#AfricaDaily

Increasing incidents of insecurity in Nigeria have led to mounting pressure on President Muhammadu Buhari to take control of the situation. And recently parliament even urged President Buhari to declare a nationwide state of emergency. The country has struggled to end a jihadist insurgency in the north-east now for more than a decade, a conflict that has, according to the Nigerian government and the United Nations, killed tens of thousands of people and forced millions to leave their homes. In south-east Nigeria they’ve seen a surge in deadly attacks targeting police and other security forces in the past few months. All of this has been compounded by a sharp rise in abductions targeting civilians in schools. Alan Kasujja now looks at why there’s a security crisis in Nigeria.

The Zulu nation is still in shock.The death of Queen Shiyiwe Mantfombi Dlamini Zulu caught South Africa by surprise.She became leader of the Zulu nation last month, after her husband, King Goodwill Zwelithini, died.The Zulu royals have no formal political power, but remain hugely influential figures.For that reason, deciding who’s next in line for the throne is actually a big deal.Problem is: a bitter family feud has made it hard to guess who’ll succeed Queen Mantfombi.So, what happens now? Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter)#AfricaDaily

Has the LRA finally hit the end of the road? The Lord’s Resistance Army was once a force to be reckoned with in northern Uganda. But today their forces are depleted and their leader, Joseph Kony, is in hiding. On Thursday, one of Kony's top commanders, Dominic Ongwen, will be sentenced by the International Criminal Court. And yet, for some people back in Uganda, finding some sense of closure is still proving hard. But why? And what happens now to whatever’s left of the LRA? Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter)#AfricaDaily

East Africa is not done with oil – not quite yet.A major oil pipeline will soon be built across Uganda and Tanzania. This could mean good money for both countries, as well as new jobs for people there.But activists worry about the impact the project will have on the environment.Amid a global climate emergency, they also say it’s misguided to invest in fossil fuels.So why does this project matter so much? And how will it affect everyone’s lives?Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) #AfricaDaily

Red bandanas. Gold chains. Gang signs.A new generation of Ghanaian drill artists has taken the music charts by storm.Inspired by US drill and UK grime, they created “Asakaa” - Ghana’s fresh take on drill music.Their critics say they’re making a cheap replica of American gang culture.But on streaming platforms their songs have been played millions of times.So what’s behind the rise of this new movement?And how did Kumasi, Ghana’s second largest city, came to be at the heart of it all?Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) #AfricaDaily

Recent images of Algerians queuing up for milk paints a picture of just how difficult it’s become for people trying to get the very basic food staples they rely on. Not just milk but things like chicken, red meat and now even potatoes. Potatoes, once accessible and cheap are now very expensive. The country’s concentration on its oil industry has meant it’s not done enough to reduce its reliance on food imports. Algeria imports around 70 per cent of its food requirements. The fall in oil prices and the coronavirus pandemic have just added to the cost of basic food. In Africa Daily Alan Kasujja looks at why Algerians are struggling to put food on the table.

What’s Somalia come to?For months now, holding elections has proven to be a real nightmare. Politicians are at loggerheads – and so are their supporters, who last week clashed in Mogadishu. But how exactly did we get here? And where did things go wrong?Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) #AfricaDaily

Your perfect night out will have to wait.In some countries, lockdowns or curfews have forced bars, restaurants, clubs to shut their doors.The pandemic has taken its toll on the so-called night-time economy.And, for many of these businesses, surviving meant coming up with new ideas to reach customers.So, how exactly has the continent's nightlife changed - and will it ever be the same?Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) #AfricaDaily

Buying a house is part of adult life – or, at least, that’s what we were told growing up. But for thousands of people in Ghana, this remains a lifelong dream. For years, the country has struggled with what politicians describe as a housing crisis. Many Ghanaians simply can’t afford the current price tag of houses being built. The government’s taking action – but how quickly will things change? Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) #AfricaDaily

Is this the end of Malawi’s “green gold”? Tobacco is by far Malawi’s most lucrative export. And yet, President Lazarus Chakwera says farmers need to turn to other crops. The world is changing, moving away from smoking – and farmers need to change with it, he says.But which other crops can allow Malawi to prosper like tobacco did? And how easily can farmers adapt? Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) #AfricaDaily

In the fight against Covid-19, every vaccine counts.And yet, both Malawi and South Sudan say they might destroy as many as 70,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca jab.The World Health Organization pleaded with them not to.So what exactly is behind their plan? And what does it tell us about Africa’s struggle to immunise more than a billion people?Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter)#AfricaDaily

Can anyone thrive amid the madness of Covid-19?The pandemic has battered South Africa’s economy. When the country went into lockdown last year, many businesses struggled to survive.In the months that followed, a staggering 2.2 million people lost their jobs.And yet, amid the economic devastation left behind by Covid-19, there are stories of hope.For many businesses, this was just the opportunity they needed to prosper.But who are they? And what was the secret to their success?Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter)#AfricaDaily

Chad’s on full alert. Earlier this week, President Idriss Déby was reportedly killed during a battle with rebel forces. Since then, the army has appointed his son as leader. But the opposition says Chad “is not a monarchy”. Tensions are running high. Government and parliament have been dissolved. A curfew remains in place. Chad’s neighbours are nervous too: the country’s been a key player in the fight against jihadists across the Sahel. So, what happens now? Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) #AfricaDaily

Covid-19 has put teenage girls’ futures at risk.Thousands of young girls across the continent never returned to school after lockdowns were lifted.And this is because, while they were away, many of these teenagers got pregnant.In fact, spikes in teen pregnancies have been reported in several countries across sub-Saharan Africa.So how did the problem get so bad? And what exactly can be done about it?Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter)#AfricaDaily

Twitter’s got its eye on Ghana. The social media giant wants to open new headquarters in Accra - the company’s first in Africa. Twitter’s also recruiting a dozen people to help it expand its reach across the continent. The news has been welcomed by many users, including the Ghanaian president himself. But how much of a difference could their move actually make? And can Africa really become a new home for big tech? Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) #AfricaDaily

The African Continent Free Trade Agreement came into force this year with the aim of creating a borderless market for services, goods and commodities worth trillions of dollars for the region. It’s a high ambition for the 54 nation bloc and the World Bank estimates that the new trade regime could unlock growth in income of up to four-hundred and fifty billion dollars. It is expected to boost intra-African trade, generating millions of jobs for the continent’s youthful population. But little trade currently goes on between African countries and Bogolo Kenewendo, a former minister for trade in Botswana, says it’s not just tariffs that have hindered the process. She says it’s also about such things as product standard associations which are closely linked to colonial systems. She says for a country like Botswana it makes it easier to accept standard approved products from countries like the United Kingdom than it is from Uganda. The former minister says that this means that “instead of seeing each other as allies, we’ve seen competing sectors as just that, competing”. In Africa Daily Alan Kasujja looks at why more trade isn’t being done between African countries and what needs to change.

Tanzania’s new President seems to be taking the country in a new direction. She’s the only woman running an African country, having replaced John Pombe Magufuli, a popular leader in Tanzania, who died in March. Within the first week of taking office, she set up a taskforce to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic. The severity of the virus had been downplayed by the man she succeeds. And she’s also allowed some media outlets that had been censored to reopen. She’s signing big deals with her neighbours too! In her first state visit to Uganda, she launched a billion-dollar project with President Museveni, setting up the fuel pipeline that will run between the two countries. A project she hopes will bring jobs and prosperity to the East African community. In Africa Daily Alan Kasujja has been finding out how’s she’s doing.

South Africa’s President, Cyril Ramaphosa has said Africa needs the skills and capacity to manufacture its own Covid-19. vaccines. At a conference of African leaders, he said the world was watching “vaccine apartheid”. And it’s a fact that of the hundreds of millions of vaccines that have so far been given, less than two percent have been to Africans. Up until now Africa has had a low number of Covid-19 infections compared to Europe or the United States. This is because many African governments reacted quickly - they closed borders and imposed restrictions. But the World Health Organisation has warned another wave of Covid-19 infections could happen and that less developed heath care systems could find themselves struggling. So how concerned should we be by these new variants? Prof Salim Abdul Karim is the co-chair of the South African Covid-19 advisory committee. He said, “because we are still seeing transmission, we are seeing new variants”. He said when they discovered the new South African variant “they were very concerned” because this new variant “was able to cause infections in individuals who had already been infected” in the first wave. So, with Covid-19 variants spreading how worried should Africa be about them?

In Africa an estimated 160 million people live with water scarcity. Either because there isn’t enough water or it isn’t safe to consume. And the problem is worst in big urban areas. For places like Nairobi the problem is getting bigger with more people settling in the city. It's particularly bad in some areas, places like Dandora Phase 4 in the suburbs. Caroline Achieng used to sell tea there but the water shortages have forced her out of her trade. “If you wanted water, you would have to wake up at one am and fetch it.” She said “right now there is no water in the taps”. City authorities have blamed what have been described as water cartels for the problem. Those, who either hoard or sell water for profit. But is it really as simple as that? Professor George Okoye at Nairobi University says the city is “nineteen years late” with its infrastructure investment. In today’s Africa Daily Alan Kasujja looks at why cities like Nairobi are short of water

The singer Akon has said he's building a new city in Uganda, to add to the one he's already planning in his home country of Senegal. His plans include gravity-defying skyscrapers, luxury apartments and places for study, work and leisure - all within a short walk of each other. The city will even have its own cryptocurrency - "Akoin". It's a far cry from the problems that blight many African cities: poor housing, water shortages and electricity black-outs. These futuristic cities are cropping up across the continent, but some experts wonder if they really are the utopia they seem. Sakhile Mngadi is a city councillor for Durban and an architect. He said many of the futuristic cities "aren't really speaking to the context they live in." So how do you build a hi-tech city that also benefits the people that live there? That's what Alan Kasujja's been finding out in today's episode of Africa Daily

Darfur’s recent history is one of violence.But, after Sudan’s Omar al-Bashir was ousted from the presidency in 2019, there was hope.A transitional government was formed – and with it came promises of stability.A peace agreement was signed with rebel factions that, for years, had fought the government.And yet, despite those deals, a new wave of violence has hit West Darfur.Who’s behind? And how did it come about in the first place?Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) #AfricaDaily

Kenya’s running low on anti-HIV drugs.Antiretrovirals can be really helpful when it comes to keeping people living with HIV healthy.But for the last couple of months, they’ve been hard to come by in Kenya.This is partly due to a tax dispute between the government and donors who import the drugs.Health workers on the ground tell a different story though.Some say access to these life-saving drugs has been a problem for a while.So, how’s this affecting the lives of the estimated 1.5- million Kenyans living with HIV?Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter)#AfricaDaily

West Africa is the home of cocoa.Roughly 60 per cent of the world’s cocoa supply comes from Ghana and Ivory Coast.But farmers there complain they’re not getting paid fairly for their crops.By some estimates, many of them make less than a dollar a day from growing cocoa.And yet, the chocolate industry makes billions and billions of dollars around the world.So, where’s the money going? And how can the farmers get a larger slice of the (chocolate) cake?Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter)#AfricaDaily

One dam. Three countries. A big headache.Ethiopia couldn’t be more proud of it, but the Grand Renaissance Dam has proven controversial.The dam is being built on the Blue Nile River.When complete, it will be Africa's biggest hydroelectric power plant.Problem is: both Egypt and Sudan fear the dam will limit their access to water. Ethiopia, on the other hand, says the project is vital to its development.Negotiations between all three countries are going nowhere.So, how did we get there? And how can the deadlock ever be broken?Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter)#AfricaDaily

Is police abuse gone from Nigeria?Late last year, a wave of protests against police brutality shook Nigeria to the core. At the heart of it was the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (Sars), a much-hated police unit.As the so-called #EndSars protests spread across the country, the world’s eyes were on Nigeria.And, at the time, politicians responded with promises of change and reform. But, six months on, what happened to those pledges? And how much has #EndSars really changed the country?Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter)#AfricaDaily

Feet up, phones switched off.Alan and the Africa Daily team are taking a quick break for Easter. But don’t worry: we’ll be back with another episode on 6 April.#AfricaDaily

Black is beautiful. Never forget that.And yet, skin bleaching products are everywhere you look – be it in billboards or social media.Both men and women are doing it, even if they don’t always want to admit to it in public.The problem is: making your skin lighter could actually be dangerous to your health.That’s why some countries are taking action to regulate these products or ban them altogether.But why just now? And what does skin bleaching tell us about our own ideals of beauty?Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter)#AfricaDaily

This is the golden age of gaming.Never before has there been so much money to be made in video games.Africa’s game makers want their story to be one of success. And there’s no shortage of talent: just look at South Africa, Kenya, or Cameroon.But how easy is it for them to take on an industry dominated by big Western players?What’s stopping from being the next big thing in gaming?Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter)#AfricaDaily

South Africa’s teachers are worried.Children seem to be dropping out of school at alarming rates.Experts say the problem isn’t new, but it certainly hasn’t been helped by Covid-19.The pandemic has forced many families to pull their kids out of the classroom – but at what cost?And what exactly is South Africa doing to deal with the problem?Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter)#AfricaDaily

Kenya’s largest refugee camps are shutting down.Combined, the Dadaab and Kakuma camps are home to more than 410,000 people.But the Kenyan government has suggested these camps have become a security risk.Both camps have been run with the help of the United Nations.And their refugee agency has now been given 14 days to come up with a closure plan.But how easy will it be to move that many people amid a pandemic? Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter)#AfricaDaily

Should hijabs be allowed in mission schools?Tensions are running high in Kwara state, Nigeria. Churches, schools, and shops have been attacked. Scuffles have been reported.It all started when ten mission schools refused entry to Muslim girls wearing their hijabs.Christians in the community say the veils go against the foundations of these schools.Muslims families argue their rights, as Nigerian citizens, have been trampled on.But how deep do these tensions run? And what can Nigeria do about them?Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter)#AfricaDaily

Streaming African films has never been easier.Platforms like Netflix have been putting good money into films from across the continent.For directors and actors, this is a welcome chance for them to share their work with the world.And, amid a pandemic, it also gave them some unexpected income when the sets shut down.But not everyone agrees these big new players are changing the industry for the better.So, is Netflix really a lifeline for the African film industry?Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter)#AfricaDaily

They leave a trail of chaos and destruction.A group of insurgents calling themselves “al-Shabab” are waging war in northern Mozambique.They’re linked to the Islamic State group and accused of heinous crimes – including beheadings.The violence got so serious, Mozambique has even looked abroad for help.But how did this insurgency begin? And what do these militants want?Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter)#AfricaDaily

Welcome to the pandemic Olympics. First, the Tokyo Olympics were postponed for a year because of Covid-19. Now, international fans are being told to stay home to avoid spreading the virus. The pandemic has changed the face of the Olympics in ways that no one could have anticipated. But speak to the athletes hoping to bring home some gold, and you’ll see their excitement is real. So how is the continent gearing up for the Games? And how different will it look? Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) #AfricaDaily

30 years in office – and counting.Young Chadians have only known one president for their whole lives: Idriss Deby. He came to power in a coup, back in 1990, and has remained in power ever since.Now, he’s running for president again: if elected, this could be his sixth term in office.In the last few weeks, anti-government protests were banned and internet access limited.And this has only added to the anger of those Chadians who feel “enough is enough”.So, how did Mr Deby manage to stay in power for so long?Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter)#AfricaDaily

Enough with the snacks: Africa’s got an obesity problem.And this is leading to major health issues like heart and liver disease across the continent. At a glance, this might seem rather peculiar, considering malnutrition is still a huge issue in Africa. So, what exactly is going on? How did obesity become a problem in countries known for their incredible produce and healthy, balanced diets? Where did it all wrong?And more importantly: what can we all do about it?Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter)#AfricaDaily

Why travel to a war-torn country?Yemen’s been going through a nasty civil war for most of the last decade. The situation’s got so bad, aid agencies have described it as the “world’s worst humanitarian crisis”. But despite all this, several thousands of East Africans are still travelling there.They risk their lives crossing the Red Sea, only to face possible detention on arrival.So, why are they making this dangerous journey? And is it really worth it?Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter)#AfricaDaily

What’s John Magufuli up to?It’s been more than two weeks since Tanzanians last saw their president. Opposition politicians have suggested that he’s in a serious condition, after supposedly contracting Covid-19.But several members of his government have said the president’s in good health. They’ve described allegations of his supposed illness as “rumours”. And yet, there’s still no actual sign of the president: no photos, interviews, or public appearances.So, what do we actually know about the president’s whereabouts? Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter)#AfricaDaily

Salons shut. DIY haircuts. Lockdowns throughout the continent have forced salons and barber shops to shut their doors. Without them, many of us have had to find creative ways to keep our looks sharp. And, for shrewd businesses, this has been an opportunity like no other. In online tutorials or home care products, they have found new sources of much-needed cash. But will this be enough to keep the hair care industry afloat amid the pandemic? Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) #AfricaDaily