BBC News Africa

At the 2026 Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, Emmanuel Macron sparked backlash after claiming France was among the “true Pan-Africanists”.⁣ ⁣ Critics pointed to France’s colonial history, growing anti-French sentiment in West Africa and the country’s declining influence on the continent.⁣ ⁣ BBC’s Focus on Africa Basma El Atti explains why the comments drew criticism.⁣ ⁣ Produced and edited by: 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/

Twenty years ago, Congolese man Guy Goma came into the BBC for a job interview but, in a now legendary case of mistaken identity, ended up live on the BBC News Channel. Now Mr Goma and the producer who put him on air have written a book about the experience called The Wrong Guy. Speaking to BBC Africa, Guy explained how he felt in the moment and how he managed to stay calm under the unexpected pressure of live TV. Filmed by: Aaron Akinyemi Produced & edited: Kathy Harcombe 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 an exclusive interview with BBC's Focus on Africa, Botswana President Duma Boko said African leaders have a responsibility to position their countries strategically to benefit from relations with Western power. He also told Charles Gitonga about a push for freer movement of people and goods across the continent.⁣ The president is one of more than 30 heads of state and government, including prominent business leaders from Africa and France, meeting at the "Africa Forward" summit. This is the first time the two-day meeting is being held in an English-speaking country. The summit, though focused on economic cooperation and investment, is being interpreted as an effort by Paris to stem its waning influence in Africa, with no representation from some of the former French colonies - notably Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. 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 30 African leaders, government representatives and business executives are attending the Africa Forward Summit in Kenya - the first time the event is being held in an English-speaking African country.⁣ ⁣ Speaking exclusively to the BBC’s Focus on Africa presenter Charles Gitonga, Duma Boko said the summit presents an opportunity for African countries to push for freer movement of people and goods across the continent.⁣ ⁣ He also said African leaders have a responsibility to position their countries strategically to benefit from relations with Western powers. 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/

This is the moment French president Emmanuel Macron asked attendees to be quiet at a session at the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, Kenya.  After conversations in the room had gotten louder, Macron said it was “impossible” for speakers to be heard and told the attendees “there is a total lack of respect”. Macron is in Kenya for the Africa Forward Summit, which brings together more than 30 African leaders, business executives and young entrepreneurs as France seeks to strengthen its ties to the continent. 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/

From the dress made from 500 loaves of bread designed by famous Nigerian designer Toyin Lawani (Tiannah), to the shining gown made out of iron sponges by the iconic Veekee James, these are some of the most talked about fashion statements at this year’s AMVCA. 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/

Watch the moment the BBC mistakenly interviewed Guy Goma, a job candidate, live on air instead of Guy Kewney, a technology journalist. Twenty years ago, on 8 May 2006, Goma was invited to interview for a role at the BBC. When he was confused with Kewney in reception, it landed him in a live slot on the BBC News Channel. Goma did not shy away from this unique situation and answered the presenter’s questions, despite not knowing the context. He did not get the job he came in to interview for. 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 World Health Organisation says Africa has the highest rates of skin bleaching globally. In Congo-Brazzaville and Nigeria, it is estimated that between 60-70% of women bleach their skin. Despite many of these products being banned they are still accessible - sold informally and unregulated. Now add social media to that. We’re seeing viral videos promoting DIY skin-lightening methods, from mixing creams with unknown chemicals to using substances like hydrogen peroxide. We speak to South African influencer and software developer Masheane Sefuthi, who has been on a journey to ‘whiten’ his skin; public health advocate Amira Adawe, who has been campaigning against these harmful products; and Kenyan media personality Kush Tracey, who has spoken about reversing skin bleaching after years of struggling with it. 00:00-00:40 Coming up 00:40-01:20 Meeting Masheane, Amira and Kush 01:20-03:00 When Masheane started bleaching his skin 03:00-04:10 Kush Tracy's skin bleaching experience 04:10-06:30 Which products is Masheane using? 06:30-07:00 Side-effects of using skin lightening products 07:00-09:00 The dangers of using such products 09:00-11:40 Does it become an addiction? 11:40-14:00 The ingredients and chemicals in skin lightening products 14:00-15:00 Why does Masheane use products despite the dangers? 15:00-16:30 Side-effects that Kush Tracy experienced 16:30-17:15 Why are products still accessible? 17:15-19.30 Why Kush Tracy stopped using products 19.30-20.40 How does it affect Masheane's dating life? 20.40-21.30 Addressing colourism Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Fana Negash, Basma El Atti and Layla Mahmood Technical Producer: Maxwell Onyango Senior Producer: Carolyne Kiambo Jotham Editors: Priya Sippy and 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/

Africa’s young diaspora - born and raised in Europe, the United States and Canada - are increasingly choosing to move to the countries their parents once left. https://youtu.be/9Y81evPIIGE On the Focus on Africa podcast, host Charles Gitonga speaks to Maryam Abdishakuur, who grew up in Denmark and moved back to her native Somalia in her twenties, and Danielle Wanjiku Natche, who was raised in the United States and relocated to Kenya - her mother’s homeland-in 2019. They share their experiences and the challenges of returning home - navigating identity, expectations and the realities on the ground. Have you made a similar move? Share your experience with us. Check the link in our bio to watch the full episode on BBC Africa YouTube channel. Host: Charlie Gitonga Edit: @Shirokiambo Contributors- Danielle Wanjiku Natche, and Dr Maryam Abdishakuur 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/

“My kids are being bullied in school,” says Peter Odike, describing growing fear among immigrants in South Africa. Married to a South African and naturalised in 2006, he says citizenship has not shielded him from harassment and attacks. South Africa is facing mounting diplomatic pressure following anti-immigration protests, with Nigeria the latest to call for action. Although President Cyril Ramaphosa has promised to tackle immigration challenges, many African migrants say they are still living in fear. 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/

Only a few months ago, immigrants in Minnesota faced the prospect of being detained on the street, in their cars, in their workplaces or homes by heavily armed, masked agents of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The Trump administration hailed the ICE surge in the state as a great success, with thousands of what they called ‘criminal illegal aliens’ arrested. But the trauma of the crackdown has left deep scars in many communities, with some people going into hiding to evade arrest and others left to languish as they wait to hear the outcome for their detained loved ones. The BBC’s Bushra Mohammed spoke to politicians on both sides of the political divide and travelled to the upper Midwestern state to find a community needing to heal, but still living in fear. 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/

Two sick passengers - including a man believed to be a British doctor - are expected to be medically evacuated from a Dutch cruise ship hit by a deadly hantavirus outbreak. Three passengers have died, while another British man remains in intensive care in South Africa. The World Health Organization is still investigating the outbreak and says it is possible the rodent-borne virus could be spreading between humans. The BBC’s Gloria Achieng explains what we know so far about hantavirus. Filmed and edited by Gloria Achieng (Reuters footage: Robert Vagueiro) 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/