BBC News Africa

How many hours a day do you spend on your smartphone? Smartphones are essential - but concerns about overuse are growing. Research has linked smartphone addiction to depression, anxiety, and loneliness. Focus on Africa host, Nkechi Ogbonna, spoke to 27-year-old Dion Rapakgadi from Johannesburg about his past struggles with phone addiction, and to Kenyan musician @NviiriTheStoryteller the Storyteller, who recently swapped his smartphone for a basic “dumb phone.” 00:00-00:53 Coming up 00:54-01:31 What's your average daily screen time? 01:32-03:03 Introduction 03:04-03:27 Nviiri’s and Dion’s screen time 03:35-06:00 Becoming aware of their smartphone dependency 06:06- 06:44 What was Nviiri consuming the most? 07:15-07:44 How Dion realised there was a problem 08:00-10:08 The signs and symptoms of a smartphone addiction 10:18-11:48 How did the smartphone addiction affected Dion? 12:00-13:23: The moment Nviiri decided to get off his smartphone 13:53-15:21 Nviiri's decision to get a dumb phone 15:25-15:47 Nviiri's relationship with his fans 16:02-16:48 Dion’s coping mechanism 16-55-18:48 Tips for having a healthier relationship with your phone 18:54-20:06 What Dion and Nviiri to do limit screen time 20:19-21:00 The benefits of switching to a dumb phone 21:09-21:43 If your phone could talk what would it say? 🎤 Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna 🎬 Producers: Carolyne Kiambo and Fana Weldye 🎬 Senior Producer: Priya Sippy Executive Editors: Maryam Abdalla and Sam Murunga #theconversation #bbcafrica #smartphone #smartphoneaddiction #dumbphone 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 every edition of Afcon some star players return and shine while new ones emerge. In celebrating some of the continent’s greatest players and their legacies we asked players who their African footballing heroes are. Who is your all-time favourite African footballer? Video Producers: Ian Williams & Njoroge Muigai 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/

Benin stars Junior Olaitan and Tosin Aiyegun take on a fun challenge with Isaiah Akinremi from BBC Sport Africa. No peeking allowed - just quick reactions, big laughs, and a glimpse of the duo’s off-pitch chemistry. 👉 Who wins it for you? Share your picks below. 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/

Well-known influencer and entrepreneur, Nancy Umeh, has spent the past year sharing her experience of welcoming her third child through surrogacy. While the practice remains legally unrecognised in many African countries - and is often surrounded by stigma - Nancy has spoken openly about her journey on social media. In this episode of Focus on Africa: The Conversation, host Charles Gitonga spoke with Nancy Umeh about why she chose surrogacy and how the journey has been for her. We also heard from family lawyer, Eliud Ngugi, on what laws are needed in Africa to protect both the surrogate and the commissioning parents. 00:00-00:43 Coming up 00:44-02:39 Introduction 02:40-03:21 Nancy’s family 03:21- 04:10 Why Nancy decided on surrogacy 04:19-04:49 How do you find a surrogate? 05:00-05:28 The relationship between Nancy and her surrogate 05:30-06:48 What did Nancy look for in a surrogate? 06:53-08:54 The moment Nancy's baby was born 09:12-09:50 How does surrogacy work in Africa? 09:59-10:23 What to consider if you're thinking about surrogacy 10:41-11:14 Cases in surrogacy 11:22-12:28 How much does it cost? 12:42-13:51 What laws do we need? 14:29-18:58 The UN special rapporteur comments on surrogacy 19:14-19:43 Nancy’s social media journey 19:52-21:31 What Nancy would tell her younger self 🎤 Presenter: Charles Gitonga 🎬 Producers: Carolyne Kiambo, Makuochi Okafor, Ly Truong 🎬 Senior Producer: Priya Sippy 🎞️ Executive Editors: Maryam Abdalla and Sam Murunga #theconversation #bbcafrica #surrogacy #surrogacyjourney 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 footballers achieved something remarkable even before the start of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), currently taking place in Morocco.⁣ ⁣ Simply qualifying for the tournament was a victory in itself, given the ongoing civil war at home. For many Sudanese, football has become more than a game - each match is a chance to lift spirits, to unite, and to remind the world that Sudan is still fighting, this time on the pitch. Produced by @cjkaroney @amensisa_ifa 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 Afrobeats star Lojay joins DJ Edu during his UK visit for an intimate conversation on his journey and music creativity. His monster hit “Mona Lisa”, produced by Sarz and remixed featuring US superstar Chris Brown back in 2021 went on to amass hundreds of millions of streams worldwide, catapulting him onto the global stage. In this episode of This is Africa, Lojay shares his thoughts on AI in music and whether technology could ever replace real artists. #bbcafrica #ThisisAfrica 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/

#BBCEye Investigations follows staff and expectant mothers through a year at the Holy Family Hospital, Bethlehem, which serves all women regardless of religion or ethnicity. 📽 Watch the documentary Born in Bethlehem, here: https://youtu.be/bJ2WvtlJmLU 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/ #Bethlehem #Documentary #Children #Christmas #Motherhood #Parenting #BBCDocumentary #BBCWorldService #Shorts

Mohamed Salah’s Liverpool future may be uncertain, but his success at Anfield is not. With Afcon still missing from his trophy cabinet, he joins a list of African greats who never won the continent’s biggest prize. 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/

Legendary marathon runner Eliud Kipchoge says global athletics bodies and other sports federations are failing to do enough to protect athletes and nurture talent. The Kenyan star - who has won almost everything there is to win, including two Olympic gold medals, a world title, and 11 major marathons in a career spanning more than two decades - believes the current system creates a dangerous divide, where a small elite earns disproportionately while the majority struggle to survive, often without education, guidance, or long-term support. In an interview with BBC Newsday’s Anne Soy at his home in Eldoret, he talks 'retirement', his new world tour, athlete welfare, and reflects on the highs and lows of life in elite athletics. 🎤 Presenter: Anne Soy 🎬 Produced by Kelvin Kimathi 🎞️ Edited by Gloria Achieng 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/

Nigeria is looking to seal early qualification for the round of 16 when they face Tunisia in their next Group C fixture in Fes on Saturday. BBC Sport Africa’s Isaiah Akinremi caught up with Super Eagles' Victor Osimhen for a rapid-fire round! From his favourite dish to his favourite city, how many questions can the striker smash? 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/

Mulatu Astatke is known as the father of Ethio-jazz, and for changing the face of Ethiopian music during the so-called “Swinging Addis” years of the 1960s and 70s. Now, at the age of 81, he played in London as part of a farewell show celebrating his remarkable career. Produced and edited by Marta Pausilli Filmed by Marta Pausilli, Jenna Abaakouk and Maher Nakhla Senior Producer: Bruno Ferreira Garcez #bbcafrica #africamusic #mulatuastatke 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/

Ghana has requested the extradition of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta from the US over corruption charges. The 66-year-old was declared a fugitive this year after failing to attend interviews in relation to his case — he stands accused of causing financial losses while he was in government. Interpol issued a red notice, alerting law enforcement agencies to locate and detain Ofori-Atta, soon after. He has denied any wrongdoing. Reporter: Daniel Dadzie Edited and Produced 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/

DR Congo began their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a narrow win over Benin in Group D in Rabat. Ahead of the Leopards’ first game, Aaron Wan-Bissaka was put on the spot by BBC Sport Africa’s Isaiah Akinremi. Guess his African football hero? 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/

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen believes the squad fielded at the 2025 Africa Cup of nations is talented and will win back their fans. The team has been facing backlash from fans after failing to qualify for 2026 World Cup. Nigeria is preparing for their first match against Tanzania on Tuesday which will kick off at 1730 GMT at the Fes Stadium. They are drawn in Group C also alongside Tunisia and Uganda. 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/

Women in The Gambia are getting addicted to a local tobacco powder called taba, with unintended consequences. ⁣ ⁣ While taba is commonly snorted, smoked or chewed across parts of West Africa, some women use it in secret by inserting a paste made from the powder into their vaginas, believing it can help with weight loss, fertility or infections. ⁣ ⁣ Despite being designated a harmful substance by the Gambian government in 2020, taba remains widely available through a discreet network of sellers, often operating in local markets. 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/

Travelling within Africa on an African passport remains a challenge, according to the African Development Bank Group. Their research shows that Africans can travel without a visa for only 28% of intra-African trips, while 51% of Africans need a visa before crossing borders within the continent. In this episode of Focus on Africa: The Conversation, @charliegitonga spoke with Ras Mubarak, a former Ghanaian MP, who is currently on a road trip across Africa to highlight the difficulties of the African visa systems. We also heard from travel content creator, Alma Asinobi, on her challenges travelling across the continent. 🎤 Presenter: Charles Gitonga 🎬 Producers: Carolyne Kiambo and Ly Truong 🎬 Senior Producer: Priya Sippy Editors: Maryam Abdalla and Sam Murunga 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 countdown is on for the kick off of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Rabat, Morocco. Afcon is a competition deeply rooted in African cultural identity as it is in football. With this year's competition shining on the world stage during the festive season, the BBC’s Isaiah Akinremi lays down some quick facts you should know about it. Reporter: Isaiah Akinremi Video Producer: Njoroge Muigai 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/

Travelling within Africa on an African passport remains a challenge, according to the African Development Bank Group. Their research shows that Africans can travel without a visa for only 28% of intra-African trips, while 51% of Africans need a visa before crossing borders within the continent. In this episode of Focus on Africa: The Conversation, host Charles Gitonga spoke with Ras Mubarak, a former Ghanaian MP, who is currently on a road trip across Africa to highlight the difficulties of the African visa systems. We also heard from travel content creator, Alma Asinobi, on her challenges travelling across the continent. 00:00 Coming up 00:23 Introduction 01:08 Ras’s journey to get to Kenya 02.45 The inspiration behind the road trip 04:11 How close is the continent to being visa-free? 05:47 Ras's experiences of getting visas 08:00 What has been the hardest country to enter? 09:17 What has been the easiest country to enter? 10:42 The challenges of entering countries by land 11:30 How can visitor experiences be improved? 13:12 A Nigerian travel content creator’s experience 15:06 The cost of visas in Africa 16:20 Advocating for freer movement to African leaders 18:24 Experience of travelling outside of the continent 20:10 Open borders and security concerns 21:00 Ras’ favourite travel moments 🎤 Presenter: Charles Gitonga 🎬 Producers: Carolyne Kiambo and Ly Truong 🎬 Senior Producer: Priya Sippy 🎞️ Executive Editors: Maryam Abdalla and Sam Murunga #BBCNewsAfrica #africantraveller #Africavisas #visaopenness 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/

Mulatu Astatke is known as the father of Ethio-jazz – and for changing the face of Ethiopian music during the so-called ‘Swinging Addis’ years of the 1960s and 70s. Now, at the age of 81, he’s decided to retire from performing, playing his farewell show in London. 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/

Madagascar recently unveiled the opening part of its first ever highway. Authorities hope it can turbocharge the country’s economic development by speeding up trade. But environmental campaigners are concerned about how the motorway will affect the island’s unique and fragile ecosystem. The BBC’s Andre Lombard travelled to Madagascar to find out more. 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/

Just days after US President Donlad Trump brokered a peace deal to end three decades of conflict between DR Congo and Rwanda, fighting erupted again in eastern DRC as M23 rebels seized the key city of Uvira in South Kivu - though the group has now announced its withdrawal. M23, widely believed to be backed by Rwanda - an allegation Kigali denies - was not part of the peace process. As cracks in Trump’s deal begin to show, the BBC’s Emery Makumeno asks whether the fissures were there from the start - and what it would take for the peace to truly hold. Reporter: 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/

Almost 18 million dollars due to a community on South Africa’s so-called Diamond Coast cannot be accounted for, according to a report by MPs. The money was part of a restitution deal in 2007 agreed between the government and the local Nama community in the west of the country. The Nama accuse big mining companies - like the state-owned Alexkor - of leaving behind significant economic and environmental damage. This is despite a law requiring mining companies to rehabilitate the areas where they’ve operated. Alexkor says it disagrees that it has not complied with its socio-economic responsibilities but admits that the Nama have not received the full economic benefit from mining operations. Karnie Sharp reports from South Africa’s west coast. 🎤 Reporter: Karnie Sharp 🎬 Producers: Christine Otieno & Kathy Harcombe 🎞️ Edited by 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/

🎬Weight-loss drugs are everywhere at the minute... from Hollywood red carpets to your TikTok feeds. These are drugs that were initially designed to treat diabetes, but along the way experts realised they could also help you shed some kilos. Since then, they have exploded in popularity, with millions of people using them in countries like the UK and the US. The World Health Organisation recently issued guidance on their use for the treatment of long-term obesity. Despite this, experts have also warned against using them without medical supervision for quick, cosmetic results. While South Africa is the only country on the African continent to approve their use for weight-loss, they are becoming more accessible in other countries. So, what is it really like to be on them? And what is the medical research saying so far? Focus on Africa’s host, Nkechi Ogbonna, sat down with Ciru Muriuki, a Kenyan journalist and content creator, who has been on weight-loss medications for the past few months. Nkechi also spoke to Dr Marius Wasserfall, based in South Africa, about how these drugs work and what they do to the body. 0:00 Coming up 0:27 Introduction 1:40 Growing popularity of weight-loss drugs 2:55 Stigma around weight-gain 4:01 Ciru's experience at her heaviest weight 6:38 Weight-loss with the gastric balloon 8:10 Ciru's decision to try weight-loss drugs 10:00 Dr Marius Wasserfall on how weight-loss injections work 12.00 Ciru's relationship with food 13:00 Weight-loss drugs in Africa 14:15 The cost of the drugs 15:23 Side-effects 16:20 What does medical research say about these drugs? 19:15 Concerns are regaining the weight 20:00 How Ciru feels after her weight-loss 21:10 Are weight-loss drugs the new magic bullet? #bbcafrica #weightloss #weightlossdrugs 🎤 Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna 🎬 Producers: Priyanka Sippy, Carolyne Kiambo, Ly Truong, Fana Negash 🎞️ Executive Editors: Maryam Abdalla and Sam Murunga 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/

Elizabeth Samuel’s son is among 100 students who have been released after the abduction of 253 students from St Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State, north-central Nigeria. She spoke to the BBC about the anguish she endured in the aftermath of the kidnapping, and the relief at being reunited with her child. The released schoolchildren were received by state authorities on Monday. A total of 153 students and 12 officials of the school are still in captivity. 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/