Focus on Africa Folgen

Egypt once had the highest rate of hepatitis C in the world, but has now almost completely wiped out the liver attacking virus in less than 10 years. How did they do that?Could the African mealworm be a solution to tackling plastic waste? Kenyan researchers say the larvae of the darkling beetle species native to Africa can digest plastic in their guts and degrade styrofoam, one the most harmful materials to the environment.Also in the podcast, how Nigerian pet owners are having to make heartbreaking decisions about their animal companions as the high cost of living continues to squeeze finances.Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Nyasha Michelle, Stefania Okereke, Aimie Liebovitz and Bella Hassan in London. Blessing Aderogba in Lagos Technical Producer: Philip Bull Senior Journalist: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

Ivory Coast has confirmed, French troops stationed in the region for decades, will begin withdrawing from Ivorian soil this month. This marks another shift in the growing trend across West Africa, where France is seeing a reduction in their military presence.  An analyst explains the genesis of this resentment.Also, French President Emmanuel Macron was recently heckled during his visit to cyclone-hit Mayotte.  What's France's relationship with Mayotte?And will the rights of the Kua people in Botswana, also known as Bushmen, be better under new President Boko Duma's government ? Presenter: Audrey Brown Producer: Sunita Nahar in London Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

During his first term as US president, Donald Trump had a very limited engagement with Africa, so what will his return to the White House mean for the continent? We hear from a political analyst on the potential opportunities and perils for US-Africa relations. Did you know that drowning is one of the leading causes of death globally for children and young people under 30? Podcast host Audrey Brown has a conversation with the World Health Organization about how they are helping countries, including in Africa, to devise effective drowning prevention strategies, and she makes a new year resolution that she is determined to keep. Also in this episode, we meet the remarkable 25-year-old Malawian, Tusaiwe Munkhondya, who through her foundations, has fostered dozens of children and provided help and support to vulnerable people across Malawi.Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya in London and Susan Gachuhi in Nairobi Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi