Focus on Africa

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