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
NachrichtenKultur & GesellschaftReisen
Focus on Africa Folgen
Two essential stories to round off your working day. Explaining the big topics and news from Africa, the people behind them, plus an African perspective on global stories. Hosted by Nkechi Ogbonna. Five days a week, ready by late afternoon, Monday to Friday.
Folgen von Focus on Africa
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Folge vom 19.03.2026Deadly blasts hit north-eastern Nigerian city
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Folge vom 18.03.2026Senegal stripped, Morocco awarded titleWe 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
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Folge vom 17.03.2026Rise in White South Africans Returning HomeThousands 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
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Folge vom 16.03.2026Africa Eye: Somali soldiers fighting ISThe 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