Africa Calling

This week, Africa Calling podcast brings you audio-rich stories and voices from the African continent with our African correspondents. In Nigeria, students and their parents are dealing with the after-effects of an eight-month public university strike. In Kenya, mothers in poor areas look for help in managing their children's health disorders. And in Sudan, women and girls mount yet another form of protest by riding their bicycles.

For this week’s podcast, Nigeria correspondent Poloum David talks to Chairman of the ASUU Lecturers union Emmanuel Osodeke, and Labour and Employment Minister Chris Ngige. University students Rhoda James and Grace Adams speak of the dilemma they are in now that school is back, and Adebayo and Celina Abduljelil speak of the financial hardships they have had as their son was off of school for eight months like the other students.

From Kenya, reporter Victor Moturi sits down with mothers Rose Lihavi, Lydia Kerubo, and Ann Awuor, who speak of the health challenges facing their children. Clinical officer Bonface Mwangi Njoroge, who works at Mary Immaculate hospital, and Kennedy Kipchumba, medical expert at Lengo hospital in Nairobi talk about the reasons behind certain disorders in children. Mary Killeen, director at Songa Mbele na Masomo health centre, addresses how the centre tries to help the parents and the children in need.

Sudan correspondent Yassir Haron interviews Enass Mazamel of the Sudanese female cyclists’ initiative and Hind El Tjani a member of No to Women’s Oppression, a group that fights for women’s rights in Sudan. Haron spoke to Ahmed Al Zubair, deputy secretary of the Sudanese Cycling Federation, who wants bicyclists to feel protected while Mohammed Abuelnour, a teacher of religious education, wants women to comply with religous teachings. Bike messenger Salma Awad and teacher Noha Mohsin shared their biking experiences.

Listen to the Fela Kuti-inflected Ezra Collective, featuring Sampa the Great as selected by Erwan Rome.

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Africa Calling is produced by Radio France Internationale. Editor and host, Laura-Angela Bagnetto, sound editing by  Nicolas Doreau and Erwan Rome.

Follow us on Twitter: @Africa__Calling

Kenyans go to the polls to elect their next president on 9 August, and Africa Calling is on hand with a special edition from Nairobi in conjunction with RFI's Kiswahili service. We take a look at the top contenders for president and the issues and concerns that will drive voting. We also have a report by correspondents on preventing violence during the elections as well as the perspective of farmers and what they hope will happen. 

For this week’s podcast, RFI Kiswahili editor Emmanuel Makundi interviews fellow Kiswahili editor Victor Abuso on the issues and concerns surrounding the upcoming election.

In Nairobi, correspondent Ayub Mwangi goes to Kibera informal settlement to speak to  artists and musicians about initiatives to prevent violence during and after the election.

He speaks to Faith Atieno, popularly known as Fei, a celebrated graffiti artist who runs the Kibera 360 arts centre, George Ochieng Ouma also known as Jexx Kenya, an afro-pop musician, Daniel Okoth, a music producer who says he is behind the production of songs that speak against violence. He also speaks to  Everline Mbowa, the executive director of Agape women and child empowerment foundation, a community-based organization in Kibera.

Correspondent Victor Moturi went to Kiambu county to interview farmers on their thoughts about the election, including small-scale farmers Mungai Njoroge and Jane Kabui. For possible political solutions involving farmers to food security issues, he spoke with Dr Elizabeth Kimani-Murage, a senior research scientist and  leader of the nutrition and food systems unit at African Population and Health Research Center, and Dr Martin Oulu, coordinator at Inter-Sectoral Forum for Agroecology and Agrobiodiversity.

You can also listen to African powerhouse Angelique Kidjo chosen by RFI's Alison Hird.

This is our last podcast of the season-- thank you for listening!

Find us on Apple Podcasts, Deezer, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn or your favourite podcast app.

Africa Calling is produced by Radio France Internationale. Editor and host, Laura-Angela Bagnetto, sound editing by Cécile Pompeani and Nicolas Doreau.

Follow us on Twitter: @Africa__Calling

This week, Africa Calling podcast brings you audio-rich stories and voices from the African continent with our African correspondents. In Bamenda, people are still dealing with the Anglophone crisis, but some enterprising entrepreneurs are ensuring there's fresh fish. In Kenya farmers embrace GMO cotton seeds, but some experts warn about the negative impact. Elsewhere in Kenya, refugees are struggling with red tape and a long wait.

For this week’s podcast, Cameroon correspondent Sylvie Yukfu talks to entrepreneurs Ayere Levis, an electrical  engineer, and environmentalist Amah Wilson, founder of the Organisation known as Kizisky Biomass, Energy and Engineering Services, who both raise fish as a side hustle. 

Ernest Mukrongho and Nuibougho Isidore Tih, both fish sellers, spoke to Yukfu about fish in the Bamenda area, as well as Stella Selamo, a grill chef. Director of Nkwen/Bambui Fish pond, Grace Fokem, talks about her business, too.

From Kenya, reporter Carole Gachacha Mucheru sits down with legal affairs, human rights monitoring and response advisor Damaris Bonareri at the Kenya Human Rights Commission, who explains the process to be followed to be declared a refugee as opposed to the process behind being declared an asylum-seeker. She also spoke to Kakuma refugee camp resident and refugee Benin Manyang.

Kenya correspondent Victor Moturi interviews cotton farmers Joseph Thika, Evans Ngure, and Johnson Mwai.  Daniel Magondu, a lead BT cotton farmer and a chairman of Society for biotechnology farming of Kenya speaks of the positives of GMO cotton, while Kenya Organic Agriculture Network CEO Eustace Kiarie points out the numerous negatives of using GMO crops, with examples from Africa and around the world.

Listen to Kenya's multi-talented Bensoulmusic as selected by Alison Hird.

Find us on Apple Podcasts, Deezer, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn or your favourite podcast app.

Africa Calling is produced by Radio France Internationale. Editor and host, Laura-Angela Bagnetto, sound editing by Cécile Pompeani and Nicolas Doreau.

Follow us on Twitter: @Africa__Calling

This week, Africa Calling podcast brings you audio-rich stories and voices from the African continent with our African correspondents. In Lagos, the okada ban is giving commuters and taxi drivers a major headache; Sudan's youth are on the streets for the revolution but it's taking a toll on their mental health; and in Zimbabwe women and children are risking life and limb to make enough money to eat through illegal gold mining.

For this week’s podcast, Nigeria correspondent Samuel Olukoya sits down with Mustapha Saleh, a commercial motorcyclist, to talk about the ban, while Lagos resident Favour Momah talks about the difficulties in getting around the city without the okada motro taxis. Lagos Commissioner for Information and Strategy Gbenga Omotoso speaks on behalf of the government.

From Sudan, reporter Yassir Haron speaks to Fadil Omar, the spokesperson for  Khartoum's youth resistance, and Mariam El-Faki, a demonstration organizer, who speak about the psychologial toll of protests. He also speaks to Dr. Sara Abdulkadir, psychiatry resident at Abdelaal El-Idrisi Hospital, about youths and mental health, as well as Abdullah Hassan, University of Khartoum lecturer, and Mikael Habibullah, a 20-year-old university student from Darfur.

Zimbabwe correspondent Kudzai Chimhangwa interviews Munorwei Munyikwa of Zimbabwe's National Aids Council, about the dangers of young girls being preyed on by men in the illegal gold mining fields.He also talks to Zimbabwe Miners Federation Masvingo Regional representative, Daniel Chitenje.

Uplifting music from Zimbabwe's Gonora Sounds as selected by Alison Hird.

Find us on Apple Podcasts, Deezer, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn or your favourite podcast app.

Africa Calling is produced by Radio France Internationale. Editor and host, Laura-Angela Bagnetto, sound editing by Cécile Pompeani, Nicolas Doreau and Victor Uhl.

Follow us on Twitter: @Africa__Calling

This week, Africa Calling podcast brings you audio-rich stories and voices from the African continent with our African correspondents. In Lagos, a 3D print studio is aiding Nigerian manufacturers; one Gambian ex-footballer is sounding the alarm on the spike in kidney disease; and in Kenya, trying to prevent elephant invasions on farms. And don't miss an RFI exclusive on an Ivorian reggae recording artist.

For this week’s podcast, Lagos correspondent Samuel Okocha sits down with Akinwole Akinpelu, engineer and founder of Stampar3D studio. He also talks to Fadil Ojifinni, engineering student at the University of Lagos.

From the Gambia, reporter Sally Jeng speaks to former footballer John Bass, founder of the John Bass Kidney Foundation, who is promoting kidney disease awareness along with his kidney donor, Vincent Mendy. She talks to kidney specialist Dr. Babucarr Jagne, and Maire Jatta, a nurse in the dialysis unit at Banjul's main referral hospital.

Kenya correspondent Victor Moturi speaks to farmers Douglas Bolton, Francis Kamau, and Alice Mukami about how elephants cause a lot of damage to farmers. John Mundia, a village elder at Mathira sublocation, talks about one solution his community has been happy with in keeping the elephants away. He sits down with Space for Giants wild animal charity officials Sammy Githui, a human wildlife co-existence manager, and Redemptory Njeri, a data coordinator there.

Music this week is an exclusive look at Ivorian reggae artist Tom D Genese and his song, "Paradoxes" coming out this Fall. But listen to it here now, and check out our video of Genese, in his own words.

Find us on Apple Podcasts, Deezer, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn or your favourite podcast app.

Africa Calling is produced by Radio France Internationale. Editor and host, Laura-Angela Bagnetto, sound editing by Cécile Pompeani, Nicolas Doreau and Thibault Baduel.

Follow us on Twitter: @Africa__Calling

This week, Africa Calling podcast brings you audio-rich stories and voices from the African continent with our African correspondents. In Kenya, donkeys disappearing off the streets in the rural areas are causing havoc for residents; some in Bamenda, Cameroon, are trying to improve waste disposal and recycling amidst the Anglophone Crisis, and in Malawi, one famous musician packed it in and went back to the village to preserve his culture for the community ... and posterity.

For this week’s podcast, Kenya correspondent Victor Moturi travels far and wide, speaking to water vendors and donkey owners Benard Irungu and Joseph Thendu; Raphael Ngome, the supervisor at the Kenya Society for Protection of Animals at Naivasha sub county, explains the background behind the disappearances and the link to Chinese abatoirs in the country; and Dr Raphael Kinoti, a director at Brooke East Africa, an organization which deals with donkey and zebra welfare, also speaks about donkey disappearances.

From Bamenda, Cameroon, reporter Sylvie Yukfu speaks to Bamendan Mary Jovita Ningitho about the waste problem and environmentalist Ebai Maurice Tambe weighs in; Cameroonians Brian Tawe and Wilson Munga discuss their novel solutions to the waste problem, while agricultural engineers John Nyouh and Erasmus Tewu share their visions on how waste collection can help create products.

Malawi correspondent Charles Pensulo speaks to recording artist Ben Michael Mankhamba, now called Mankhamba or Village Headman Chingalire, who has created rural homestays that are focused around his culture; dancers Victor Foutain and Elita Yosefe weigh in on their traditional performances; and Dr Mwayi Lusaka, a Lecturer in History and Heritage Studies at Mzuzu University speaks about the importance of preserving this culture.

 Afrorave music from Nigeria in this episode by Rena, as selected by Alison Hird.

Find us on Apple Podcasts, Deezer, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn or your favourite podcast app.

Africa Calling is produced by Radio France Internationale. Editor and host, Laura-Angela Bagnetto, sound editing by Cécile Pompeani and  Laurie Plisson.

Follow us on Twitter: @Africa__Calling

This week, Africa Calling podcast brings you audio-rich stories and voices from the African continent with our African correspondents. In Nigeria, an unstable power supply and fuel hikes due to the Ukraine war has businesses struggling to cope; Nairobi is tackling rabies by ensuring dogs are vaccinated, and in Sudan, fishermen on the Nile say dams and climate change have changed their profession dramatically.

For this week’s podcast, Nigeria correspondent Poloum David speaks to graphics designer Emmanuel Daniel, social media content creator Gracefill Godwin, and Peace Amaugo, an event planner, whose businesses are all affected by the energy crisis. Energy analyst Saddiq Abba weighs in on how it's affecting Nigeria and Joshua Okpebholo, who manages an NGO in Abuja, speaks about how it has affected productivity in the office.

From Kenya, reporter Carole Mucheru examines rabies prevention, speaking to Nairobi dog owners Nduta and Muania, Director of Veterinary Services for Nairobi Dr. Daniel Karugu, and Dr. Gabriel Ouma, a veterinary surgeon who operates a private clinic in Nairobi.

Sudan correspondent Yassir Haron speaks to fishermen Gasim Sajour and Moatiz Ahmed about fishing difficulties, while Omdurman market fish seller Ibrahim Abdalla speaks of the reduction in fish. Goverment officials Abdalla Mohamed, consultant for the Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources, and Director General of the General Fisheries Administration Nafisa Mahgoup, spoke about fishing regulations.

Groovetastic Beja music from Port Sudan in this episode by Noori and his Dorpa Band as selected by Alison Hird.

Find us on Apple Podcasts, Deezer, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn or your favourite podcast app.

Africa Calling is produced by Radio France Internationale. Editor and host, Laura-Angela Bagnetto, sound editing by Cécile Pompeani and  Victor Uhl.

Follow us on Twitter: @Africa__Calling

This week, Africa Calling podcast brings you audio-rich stories and voices from the African continent with our African correspondents. In Zimbabwe, drug abuse, and using crystal meth in particular, has taken hold among the youth of Masvingo; drum-making artisans are trying to preserve their craft in Cameroon, and Benin is celebrating with theater and an exhibition as France returns royal treasures after more than a century.

For this week’s podcast, Zimbabwe correspondent Kudzai Chimhangwa speaks to Masvingo city Mayor Collin Maboke, Ministry of Youth spokesperson, Jeff Warara, as well a number of crystal meth addicts and pushers.

From Cameroon, reporter Batata Boris Karloff speaks to musicologist Erick Nwenty and recording artist Mola Mongombe about the importance of drums in Cameroon's musical tradition. He also speaks to artisans George Tifungton, aka Pa Drummer, and his son Stanley Tita, aka Pikin Drummer.

Benin correspondent Foumilayo Assanvi sits down with Alain Godonou, the director of Benin’s Museums, and Carole Lokossou, artistic director of the evening performances created to celebrate the return of royal treasure from France.

The heartfelt music in this episode is sung by Zimbabwean songstress Feli Nandi.

Find us on Apple Podcasts, Deezer, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn or your favourite podcast app.

Africa Calling is produced by Radio France Internationale. Editor and host, Laura-Angela Bagnetto, sound editing by Erwan Rome and Nicolas Doreau.

Follow us on Twitter: @Africa__Calling

This week, Africa Calling podcast brings you audio-rich stories and voices from the African continent with our African correspondents. In Kenya, waste-pickers in Nairobi are worried about their livelihoods as politicians discuss a new dump site; Ugandan consumers are misusing antibiotics, which has had a knock-on effect for the country and beyond; and in Bamenda, Cameroon, consumers are having a hard time making ends meet as a result of the anglophone crisis, Covid-19 and the Ukraine war.

For this week’s podcast, Kenya correspondent Ayub Mwangi talks to waste-pickers Peter Shiraku Wambu, Benjamin Muema and Sharon Atieno as well as Chrispine Bolo, a local community elder. He interviews Tobias Ochieng, a member of the Dandora Nyuma Kumi initiative that takes care of community policing within the Dandora estate. Kenneth Lukati, programmes officer of the healthy eating NGO Passion Food Safety also speaks to Africa Calling.

On the streets and markets in Bamenda, Cameroon correspondent Sylvie Yukfu interviews market shoppers Dorothy Ngu, Elvis Muluh, and Laura Ngwa. She also speaks to Abel Ghogomu, a local government authority in charge of trade in the region.

And Ugandan correspondent Namale Hajara Shahista interviews pharmacy clerks Sara Birungi and Esther Makoka. At Makerere University, she speaks to Dr Hakim Ssendagire, a specialist in drug resistance, and Dr Sabrina Kitaka, a paediatric infectious diseases specialist. She interviews Abiazz Rwamwiiri, the National Drug Authority spokesperson.

Groove to the music in this episode by Pierre Kwenders, selected by music maven Alison Hird.

Find us on Apple Podcasts, Deezer, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn or your favourite podcast app.

Africa Calling is produced by Radio France Internationale. Editor and host, Laura-Angela Bagnetto, sound editing by Erwan Rome.

Follow us on Twitter: @Africa__Calling

This week, Africa Calling podcast brings you audio-rich stories and voices from the African continent with our African correspondents. In Kenya, one company produces eco-friendly pencils for students; and in Nigeria, a slavery museum educates visitors about the horrors of the slave trade.

For this week’s podcast, Kenya correspondent Anne Macharia talks to Mohammud Omari, co-founder of Momo pencils, and staff member Noel Omukubi. At Creative Minds school, she speaks to head teacher Mebal Okango, and students Nathan Muki and Joy Wangechi.

At Badagry Heritage Museum just outside of Lagos, Nigeria correspondent Samuel Okocha interviews tour guide Hundeyin Isiaka, and at nearby Mobee Slave Relics Museum, he speaks to tour operator and royal family member Prince Abiodun Mobee.

Danceable afropop in this episode comes from Adékunlé Gold (featuring Fatoumata Diawara), selected by music maven Alison Hird.

Find us on Apple Podcasts, Deezer, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn or your favourite podcast app.

Africa Calling is produced by Radio France Internationale. Editor and host, Laura-Angela Bagnetto.

Follow us on Twitter: @Africa__Calling