BBC News Africa

Across the world, diagnoses of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder - or ADHD - are rising, including in Africa. While it is estimated that around 7% of children and adolescents are living with ADHD on the continent, doctors in Nigeria and Kenya told Focus on Africa that there has been a surge in diagnoses over the past few years. https://youtu.be/yTx7LsDYYNU What does it really mean to live with ADHD in Africa? Siham Azeroual from Morocco tells FOA the conversation's Nkechi Ogbonna about her journey with ADHD. Check the full episode on BBC Africa channel on Youtube. https://youtu.be/yTx7LsDYYNU Subscribe: http://bit.ly/subscribetoafrica Website: https://www.bbc.com/africa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbcnewsafrica/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bbcafrica/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbcafrica/

A network of Colombian mercenaries backed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) provided critical support to Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) enabling it to capture the western city of el-Fasher last year, a new report says.The investigation, by security analysis organisation the Conflict Insights Group (CIG), used data obtained from tracking the mobile phones of the Colombian fighters. The BBC’s Barbara Plett Usher breaks it down. ⁣ ⁣ Filmed and edited by Gloria Achieng⁣ ⁣ Produced by Jelilat Olawale Subscribe: http://bit.ly/subscribetoafrica Website: https://www.bbc.com/africa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbcnewsafrica/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bbcafrica/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbcafrica/

The Pope is celebrating mass at a church in the Equatorial Guinean town of Mongomo today before visiting a school and a prison on the penultimate day of his 11 day tour of Africa. Pope Leo is also due to travel to Bata, where he will pray at a memorial to the dozens of people who died in a series of explosions in 2021. The Africa visit is set to conclude tomorrow with a mass in a stadium before Leo departs for the Vatican. Subscribe: http://bit.ly/subscribetoafrica Website: https://www.bbc.com/africa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbcnewsafrica/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bbcafrica/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbcafrica/

Four visa denials later - and having picked up a basketball just six years ago - Madina Okot has made history as the first Kenyan to be selected in the first round of the WNBA Draft, joining the Atlanta Dream. She spoke to the BBC’s Anita Nkonge about her journey - the highs, the lows, and her hopes for herself and other young women like her. Edited by Brian Khisa Subscribe: http://bit.ly/subscribetoafrica Website: https://www.bbc.com/africa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbcnewsafrica/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bbcafrica/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbcafrica/

In Nigeria and across the world, fire is both a tool and a threat. Bush burning has been a part of farming practices for generations but with unpredictable weather and rising temperatures due to climate change, a controlled fire can easily turn into a full-blown wildfire. Across Africa, fires account for about 70% of global burned land, making it the most fire-affected region globally. Nigerian ecologist, Iroro Tanshi through her ‘Zero Fire’ initiative is partnering communities across southern Nigeria to protect forests, wildlife and communities from wildfires earning her the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize Award of 2026. Subscribe: http://bit.ly/subscribetoafrica Website: https://www.bbc.com/africa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbcnewsafrica/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bbcafrica/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbcafrica/

🇰🇪 When Cathy found her British father on Facebook at just 10 years old, she hoped for answers. Instead, she was met with silence. A #BBCAfricaEye film and World of Secrets podcast uncovers how nearly 100 children born near a British military base in Kenya were left behind. For the first time in the High Court of England and Wales, commercial DNA databases are being combined with legal action to help Kenyans identify and contact their fathers. 🎥 Watch the full #BBCAfricaEye documentary, 'Abandoned: Searching for Soldier Dad' here: https://youtu.be/6AVzvzRmZCg Subscribe: http://bit.ly/subscribetoafrica Website: https://www.bbc.com/africa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbcnewsafrica/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bbcafrica/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbcafrica/ #Kenya #Documentary #Father #Paternity #Ancestry #BBCAfrica

#BBCAfricaEye follows Kenyans at the centre of a groundbreaking legal battle to track down their British soldier fathers using novel DNA methods. Click here to subscribe to our channel 👉🏽 http://bit.ly/subscribetoafrica Nanyuki, Kenya, is home to one of Britain’s largest overseas military training areas, where thousands of British troops train each year. Over the years, nearly 100 children have been fathered by British soldiers here - with many of their dads disappearing without a trace. Now, in a landmark case, UK scientists and lawyers are aiding these young abandoned adults. By analysing their DNA and uploading it to commercial databases, they are identifying fathers — and in some cases, pursuing legal action through UK courts. This documentary follows three Kenyans who have never known their British fathers but hope they might finally track them down. Could their fight ignite the way for others like them, throughout the world? 00:00 Abandoned: Searching for Soldier Dad 02:55 Cathy's story 04:35 Maggie & Phil: a love story 07:27 Lawyers build the case 11:34 Yvonne's story 14:57 DNA Detectives 17:19 Peter's story 20:18 Cathy tries to reach out 22:40 Results are in 25:53 'Mrs A' reveals the truth 27:50 Connecting with Dad 34:55 Yvonne's dad is hard to track down 36:18 Peter's dad pulls back 37:49 Yvonne's dad: the results 41:39 'Your DNA will always be living' 🎥 Watch this film in SWAHILI here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbwSmZU9bpY and in FRENCH here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMZFdQueq_Q 🎧 Listen to the new investigative podcast, World of Secrets: Searching for Soldier Dad , here: https://www.bbc.com/audio/brand/w13xtvs0 🎞️ Check out all Africa Eye investigations here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLajyiGz4JeyO2qgCvioQO-BzP1XCajJqt 📽️ Watch more investigative journalism from our award-winning #BBCEye investigations team at this documentary playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLz_B0PFGIn4fa8LK1lptsvoA_spfJhzda You may also be interested in watching these BBC Africa Eye documentaries: https://youtu.be/GLFL8XlO9o8 https://youtu.be/tI3AKMFgVKQ https://youtu.be/oWE5ZKv08gA https://youtu.be/JHINoFq8GvE https://youtu.be/7ix5jbCmiDU https://youtu.be/qz0f1yyf_eA Subscribe: http://bit.ly/subscribetoafrica Website: https://www.bbc.com/africa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbcnewsafrica/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bbcafrica/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbcafrica/ #Kenya #Documentary #Paternity #Parenting #Fatherhood #Father #InvestigativeJournalism #BBCAfrica

Across the world, diagnoses of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder - or ADHD - are rising, including in Africa. While it is estimated that around 7% of children and adolescents are living with ADHD on the continent, doctors in Nigeria and Kenya told Focus on Africa that there has been a surge in diagnoses over the past few years. This is partly down to an explosion of information about the condition on social media. But medical professionals also warn that misinformation online is fuelling self-diagnosis. So, what does it really mean to live with ADHD in Africa? And what challenges exist in accessing proper medical support? We hear from 29-year-old Siham Azeroual from Morocco who spent six years trying to get a diagnosis. #focusonafrica #bbcafrica #adhd #autism 00:00-00:37 Coming up 00:40-02:00 Meeting Siham 02:00-05:40 Siham's journey to get a diagnosis 05:40-07:10 Getting diagnosed with ADHD after six years 07:10-09:02 Dr Oyieke on the symptoms of ADHD and autism 09:04-10:30 The stigma around ADHD and autism 10:30-13:30 Dealing with ADHD and autism in the workplace 13:30-15:00 Being a new mother 15:00-16:57 The struggles of getting medication 16:57-18:00 The links between ADHD and autism 18:14-19:15 Tools Siham uses to manage the symptoms 19:15-21:30 Myths around ADHD and autism 21:30-23:15 Siham's support group Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Fana Negash and Basma El Atti Senior Producer: Priya Sippy Editor: Maryam Abdalla Subscribe: http://bit.ly/subscribetoafrica Website: https://www.bbc.com/africa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbcnewsafrica/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bbcafrica/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbcafrica/

Sudan is marking the grim anniversary of three years of war. The conflict, which began in 2023, has devastated communities, killed hundreds of thousands of people and displaced millions. It has also kept around 13 million school-aged children out of education. The United Nations says the continued violence has turned the conflict into the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. Two former child refugees, Giel Malual and John Kuei, decided to walk from one end of the UK to its northern-most tip, to raise money to build schools for children displaced by the war. Produced by Patricia Whitehorne and Jenna Abaakouk Filmed & edited by Jenna Abaakouk Graphics by George Wafula Voiced by Giel Malual Directed by Marko Zoric and Bruno Ferreira Garcez Subscribe: http://bit.ly/subscribetoafrica Website: https://www.bbc.com/africa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbcnewsafrica/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bbcafrica/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbcafrica/

More than 35 million Nigerians, roughly 15% of the population, are estimated to live with some form of disability. They face daily challenges and feel their needs are not taken into account. Biometric scanners reject scarred or worn fingerprints, while facial verification tools exclude some people with visual impairments. In cities, pavements can rise up to 40cm with no ramps for wheelchairs, and stairs continue to make it impossible to access public and private buildings. The gaps are both digital and physical, and are widespread. Reporter Todah Opanyemi Produced by Abayomi Adisa Filmed by: Ifiok Ettang, Mobolaji Olatunde and Donald Wogu Edited by: Ernest Ansah Subscribe: http://bit.ly/subscribetoafrica Website: https://www.bbc.com/africa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbcnewsafrica/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bbcafrica/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbcafrica/

Pope Leo XIV is visiting four African countries on a ten-day tour that began on Monday. Now in Cameroon, he started his trip in Algeria, where he visited the Grand Mosque of Algiers among other places. He's expected to visit two more countries - Equatorial Guinea and Angola. Subscribe: http://bit.ly/subscribetoafrica Website: https://www.bbc.com/africa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbcnewsafrica/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bbcafrica/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbcafrica/

Sudan’s civil war has triggered the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Tens of thousands have been killed and millions displaced, with widespread allegations of ethnic cleansing and acts amounting to genocide. Despite this, the country has been largely forgotten by the international community amid conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. Reporter: Kalkidan Yibeltal Produced by: Kalkidan Yibeltal and Hanna Temuari Edited by: Amensisa Negera Subscribe: http://bit.ly/subscribetoafrica Website: https://www.bbc.com/africa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbcnewsafrica/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bbcafrica/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbcafrica/

A new #BBCAfricaEye investigation, coming from Kenya this Monday. 📽️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for first access: http://bit.ly/subscribetoafrica Nothing stays hidden forever. Subscribe: http://bit.ly/subscribetoafrica Website: https://www.bbc.com/africa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbcnewsafrica/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bbcafrica/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbcafrica/

Nigerian Nobel-winning playwright and political activist Wole Soyinka speaks with the BBC’s Chiamaka Enendu, commenting on a recent UN resolution which described transatlantic slavery as “the gravest crime against humanity”, Soyinka says reparation talks have to go beyond material compensation. Reporter: Chiamaka Enendu Producer: Marco Oriunto Filmed by: James Emmanuel Subscribe: http://bit.ly/subscribetoafrica Website: https://www.bbc.com/africa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbcnewsafrica/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bbcafrica/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbcafrica/

Zaghrouta, a high-pitched, trilling sound used to express joy, has echoed across generations - from Morocco to Botswana.⁣ ⁣ The vocal tradition, often led by women at weddings and celebrations, recently went viral after Sabrina Carpenter appeared surprised by the sound during her performance at Coachella.⁣ ⁣ The BBC’s Basma El Atti explains the moment and the cultural history behind Zaghrouta.⁣ ⁣ Presenter, producer: Basma El Atti Subscribe: http://bit.ly/subscribetoafrica Website: https://www.bbc.com/africa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbcnewsafrica/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bbcafrica/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbcafrica/

Sudan goes into the fourth year of war, as the vicious power struggle between Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces continues. https://bit.ly/3Obo70Z More than 150,000 people have died in the conflict across the country, and about 12 million have fled their homes in what the United Nations has called the world's largest humanitarian crisis. Yet even in the darkest moments, music lives on. Focus on Africa podcast host, Nkechi Ogbonna speaks to one of Sudan's most influential bands, Aswat Almadina, on how music is helping them survive. Subscribe: http://bit.ly/subscribetoafrica Website: https://www.bbc.com/africa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbcnewsafrica/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bbcafrica/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbcafrica/

Sudan’s civil war has triggered the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Tens of thousands have been killed and millions displaced, with widespread allegations of ethnic cleansing and acts amounting to genocide. Despite this, the country has been largely forgotten by the international community amid conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. Subscribe: http://bit.ly/subscribetoafrica Website: https://www.bbc.com/africa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbcnewsafrica/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bbcafrica/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbcafrica/

Police in Zanzibar are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of US influencer Ashly Robinson. Robinson, known online as Ashlee Jenae, died whilst on holiday in Tanzania with her fiancé, Joe McCann. Authorities say she is believed to have attempted to take her own life and are awaiting the results of a forensic examination. They are also questioning her partner as a witness. McCann had proposed to her just days before her death. Reporter: Nyasha Michelle Filmed & Edited by: Aaron Akinyemi Producer: Beryl Munoko Subscribe: http://bit.ly/subscribetoafrica Website: https://www.bbc.com/africa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbcnewsafrica/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bbcafrica/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbcafrica/

The BBC’s Global Disinformation Unit spoke to a Kenyan woman who was approached by a man in the street who said he’s from Russia but she didn’t know he was filming her. She was ridiculed and abused online after the video of this encounter was posted on social media. This is part of a global trend of men secretly filming women and posting the clips on social media, generating millions of views. Reporter: Anita Nkonge Subscribe: http://bit.ly/subscribetoafrica Website: https://www.bbc.com/africa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbcnewsafrica/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bbcafrica/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbcafrica/

Charmain Spiers, originally from Arbroath, a small fishing town on Scotland's east coast, married an African preacher and moved to Ghana. Her family has always believed her husband - a self-proclaimed prophet, named Eric Adusah – was responsible for her death. Her body was discovered in a hotel room and her death was determined as “heroin poisoning”. Her husband was seen at the hotel on the night of her death and a test of her hair showed no long-term heroin use. An investigation team from BBC Disclosure has been to Ghana to hear from witnesses about what happened in the days leading up to and night of her death. They have spoken to her mum, friends and her son who was just 8 when she died and is now 18. He stayed in the UK with his dad when she moved to Ghana. The team also spoke to police and prosecutors in Ghana, and various people who knew Eric Adusah. In addition, the BBC Disclosure team also doorstepped Eric Adusah who now lives in the US with his latest wife and runs a church there. Subscribe: http://bit.ly/subscribetoafrica Website: https://www.bbc.com/africa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbcnewsafrica/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bbcafrica/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbcafrica/

When Chude Jideonwo, a popular Nigerian TV host, was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome, he was advised to keep it private for fear of judgement. Now, he’s doing the opposite - speaking openly about living with involuntary movements and challenging misconceptions about the condition in the country. Subscribe: http://bit.ly/subscribetoafrica Website: https://www.bbc.com/africa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbcnewsafrica/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bbcafrica/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbcafrica/

Pope Leo has said he has “no fear” of the Trump administration and will continue to speak out against war, after US President Donald Trump launched an unusually scathing attack over the pontiff’s stance on the Iran conflict. Trump accused the Pope of being “WEAK on Crime and terrible for Foreign Policy” in a Truth Social post, later telling reporters he was “not a big fan”. Speaking to reporters en route to Algeria, the Pope said he did not want to engage in a debate with Trump but would continue to promote peace. The first US‑born Pope has been a strong critic of the Iran war, describing Trump’s threat to destroy Iranian civilisation as “unacceptable” and calling him to find an “off‑ramp” to end the conflict. Subscribe: http://bit.ly/subscribetoafrica Website: https://www.bbc.com/africa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbcnewsafrica/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bbcafrica/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbcafrica/

Bicycles may be fading in many parts of Nigeria, but not in Askira Uba, in the north-eastern state of Borno. Here, suitors are expected to give bicycles to their fiancées as part of traditional marriage rites - a symbol of commitment and readiness. BBC’s Ayuba Iliya spoke to residents about why the practice still continues. Subscribe: http://bit.ly/subscribetoafrica Website: https://www.bbc.com/africa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbcnewsafrica/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bbcafrica/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbcafrica/

Pope Leo XIV is set to visit four African countries on a ten-day tour starting on Monday. He’ll be visiting Algeria, Angola, Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea with a mission “to help turn the world’s attention to Africa”, according to the Vatican. The Pontiff will be the first to travel to Algeria, a Muslim majority country, where he is expected to encourage inter-faith dialogue and visit the Great Mosque of Algiers. Subscribe: http://bit.ly/subscribetoafrica Website: https://www.bbc.com/africa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbcnewsafrica/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bbcafrica/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbcafrica/