Focus on Africa

At least 23 people were killed and over 100 injured in multiple explosions in Maiduguri, north-eastern Nigeria, a long-time insurgency hotspot. We examine the effect of the attack on traumatised residents and how they are coping. In response, the Nigerian Army says its troops killed three senior Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) commanders and more than 80 other militants in a major operation in the north-east.
Meanwhile, the percentage of female players registered with the International Chess Federation (FIDE) rose from 10% in 2020 to 16.5% in 2026. Yet top-level chess remains male-dominated, with no women in the top 100. Fewer players, limited female coaches and unwelcoming environments are barriers. We speak to 24-year-old Moroccan champion Sarah El Barbry, who's bringing chess online.
Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Keikantse Shumba and Chiamaka Dike
Technical Producer: Mbarak Abdallah
Senior Producers: Bella Twine and Blessing Aderogba
Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

We examine the continent’s reaction after Senegal’s 1‑0 AFCON final win from 18 January was overturned, with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) instead awarding Morocco a 3‑0 victory. CAF's disciplinary committee ruled that Senegal’s walk-off protest amounted to a forfeit following Morocco’s challenge to the initial decision. Senegal has now appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
And Sudan’s civil war is now approaching its third year. The conflict began as a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, and both sides have relied heavily on external support from Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Iran. As Iran escalates attacks on Gulf countries in retaliation for US-Isreal strikes, questions are growing about these countries continued support for the warring parties in Sudan.
Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Keikantse Shumba
Technical Producer: Mbarak Abdallah
Senior Producers: Bella Twine and Blessing Aderogba
Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

Thousands of white South Africans abroad, including in the US, are returning home despite President Donald Trump alleging that they’re being targeted, a claim the South African government denies. At least 12,000 have checked their citizenship status in preparation for a permanent return. A South African relocation agency has reported a 70% surge in inquiries over the past six months. We explore what’s driving this trend.
Meanwhile, billions of Muslims around the world watch the sky for the sighting of the crescent moon that marks the end of Ramadan and the start of Eid celebrations. Science is changing how the moon is tracked, so how do astronomy and tradition intersect, and what does the sighting of the moon mean across Africa?
Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Keikantse Shumba and Basma El Atti
Technical Producer: Mbarak Abdallah
Senior Producers: Bella Twine and Blessing Aderogba
Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

The BBC’s Africa Eye embeds with Puntland forces in Somalia’s northeastern Al-Miskaad mountains as they fight Islamic State (IS) militants. Nearly a decade after its defeat in the Middle East, IS has spread across Africa. Somalia’s semi-autonomous region of Puntland has become a key hub, with the UN estimating that IS in Somalia was comprised of up to 800 fighters last year. Over half of these militants were believed to be foreign recruits.
We also look at the rising number of Egyptians migrating irregularly to Europe. Victims' families said that smugglers were demanding thousands of dollars, sometimes issuing death threats, leaving loved ones living in fear. Egyptians now represent the largest African group entering the European Union (EU) and the second largest globally, after Bangladeshis. This episode explores what’s behind this surge in migration.
Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna
Producer: Ayuba Iliya
Technical Producer: David Njenga Kinyanjui
Senior Producers: Bella Twine and Blessing Aderogba
Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

The Israeli military has carried out waves of airstrikes across Lebanon, including the capital Beirut, after Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah launched about 200 rockets into northern Israel. At least 687 people, including 98 children, have been killed in Israeli attacks in Lebanon since then and 800,000 others have been displaced, according to Lebanese authorities.
Caught up in this conflict are tens of thousands of African domestic workers. Many say they cannot leave the country because they are employed under Lebanon’s Kafala system - a legal framework that ties a migrant worker’s residency to their employer, meaning they cannot change jobs or leave without their employer's consent. 
Focus on Africa podcast host, Nkechi Ogbonna, spoke to Banchi Yimer, who left her home country of Ethiopia to move to Lebanon over a decade ago. After workign as a domestic worker for years, she founded an NGO that advocates for the rights of African migrant workers. She spoke to Nkechi from Beirut about the plight of African migrant workers in Lebanon.
Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Carolyne Kiambo
Technical Producer: Jonathan Mwangi
Senior Producers: Priya Sippy
Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla