Africa Daily

Africa Daily

By BBC World ServiceNews

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Africa Daily episodes

February 19, 2024 How did a young South African woman start a mutual bank?
“This is a time for us to stand very tall and stop aid in Africa. We need to find a way of nurturing our natural resources that we have in Africa and really claim back this beautiful continent that we call the Mother Africa” – Nthabeleng Likotsi, South African entrepreneur
Today Alan Kasujja sits down with award-winning South African entrepreneur Nthabeleng Likotsi, to discuss how she and her team are building a mutual bank. Her country’s central bank, SARB, recently granted her organization a license to officially run their organization.
It took nearly a decade for Nthabeleng to secure this crucial document because businesses first have to tick all the boxes. Her organisation, Young Women in Business Network, is the very first black women owned financial services company of its kind to be granted such a permit in her country.
Nthabeleng’s is a story of relentless optimism, perseverance, the ability to learn all the time and most importantly, having the courage to pursue your dreams. The lessons don’t only apply to business. As our listener, you could use them to start anything. It could be a small initiative that helps your community or anything that makes a difference in the lives of your loved ones.
21 min
February 16, 2024 Afcon: what was it like for the female referees?
After the introduction of the first African woman referee at the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in 2021, the expansion of women into football decision-making on the continent continued in Ivory Coast where a total of six women were officiating at the 2023 Afcon tournament.
Zambian assistant referee Diana Chikotesha made history when she became the first female on-pitch match official to feature in a men’s Africa Cup of Nations final on Sunday. She was assistant referee in the match that saw Ivory Coast crowned champions after a 2-1 win over Nigeria.
In this week’s Africa Daily, Alan Kasujja speaks to Diana along with her fellow referee, South Africa’s Akhona Makalaima.
23 min
February 15, 2024 Why are there warnings of famine in Tigray?
“The government has been reacting very strongly to the possibility of famine and they’re dismissing it, but they are admitting there is drought and that millions of people are being affected.”
It’s just over a year since the Ethiopian government signed a peace deal with the Tigray People’s Liberation Front – to end the brutal civil war in the north of the country.
The ‘Pretoria agreement’ saw the TPLF agreeing to disarm, in return for the reopening of Tigray, to allow in desperately needed food aid.
During the war hundreds of thousands of people are reported to have died – many from starvation.
But now, international aid agencies are warning that people there are again in desperate need of food.
And throughout the last year there have been outbreaks of violence in other regions in Ethiopia: Amhara, Afar, and Oromia.
So what’s happening in Tigray and Ethiopia?
Alan @Kasujja speaks to the BBC’s Kalkidan Yibeltal.
20 min
February 14, 2024 How can governments and the diaspora work together for a more prosperous Africa?
The African diaspora are viewed by many as a valuable asset for Africa on the global stage. One country trying to harness that power and influence is Rwanda. They have events around the world to connect and engage with their diaspora. This year an event was held in Washington DC in the United States where President Paul Kagame spoke.
So how can Africa tap into the diverse skills, knowledge and expertise gained from years of experience abroad to further develop the continent in terms of innovation, entrepreneurship and capacity-building?
BBC Africa Daily’s Alan Kasujja spoke to the spokesperson for the Government of Rwanda, Yolande Makolo, as well as Natasha Muhoza and Maudo Jallow - two young Africans living in the diaspora who spoke about their personal experience.
22 min
February 13, 2024 Why is it hard to succeed as a female politician with a disability?
“Some members will still look at you as a person who is only there to talk about disability. So every time you want to speak about a different issue, people still want to push you into the disability corner and say ‘this is not your space… If you’re not talking about disability you better keep quiet’.”
Women in politics already face a lot of challenges in Africa - with some of their male counterparts questioning their ability, criticising their clothing and telling them to stick to ‘women’s issues’.
But what about if you’re a woman and deaf? Or blind? Or live with another disability?
Today, Alan Kasujja speaks with two women with disabilities who’ve had success in politics – but who are still pushing to make sure they are represented at the very heart of government.
“Of course I can be President! Why not?!”
Presenter: @kasujja
Guests: @ashura_michael and @LKanushu39049
Producers: Gbenga Ogundare and Tabitha Mwai
17 min
February 12, 2024 Why is it so hard to find a job in Somalia?
“When I wake up every morning my work is only to find work, yet I have not heard from any employer for the last six months,” says Abdullahi Mohammed, a young Somali graduate.
He has a degree in Information Technology, a master’s in Development Studies from the UK, and has some short-term experience working with international organisations. And yet he still can’t find a job in Somalia.
This is the reality for millions of young people in the country, who are well educated but who face real challenges getting work. And it is particularly difficult for women.
The statistics vary wildly according to who you speak to: The World Bank says about 20% of people are unemployed, while the Somali Congress of Trade Unions says it’s as high as 70%.
In this episode of the Africa Daily Podcast, Alan Kasujja speaks with Abdullahi, another graduate Fardowsa Khalif, the president of Somali Trade Unions Mohamed Osman Haji Ali, and Mohammed Adam from Somali Public Agenda, a public policy research NGO.
21 min
February 09, 2024 AFCON: Who will be crowned the kings of African football?
When the Africa Cup of Nations started, hosts Ivory Coast were on the verge of disaster after losing two of their first three matches. But they dusted themselves off and went on to reach the final.
They will take on a Nigerian side who boast talented players like Victor Osimhen, who plies his trade in Italy, and Stanley Nwabili, who plays in South Africa. But the Ivorians have dangermen of their own, including Seko Fofana and Sebastien Haller.
But before the final, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Africa will be fighting for the bronze medal.
This has been hailed as one of the most captivating AFCON tournaments in recent history, with smaller nations like Namibia beating Tunisia while Equatorial Guinea shocked the hosts in the group stages, by defeating them 4-0.
So, come the end of the weekend, who will be crowned the kings of African football?
19 min
February 08, 2024 How did Senegal end up postponing elections?
Senegal has long had the reputation of being a bastion of democracy in Africa.
It has been a stable democracy in a region that’s often been blighted by instability.
In fact, it is the only country in mainland West Africa that has never had a military takeover.
But a recent postponement of the election by 10 months has seen Senegalese take to the streets saying they are worried their country’s reputation is at risk.
So how did Senegal get to this point and what next for the country?
Alan Kasujja has been speaking to Senegalese journalist Borso Tall and political analyst Ibrahima Kane.
20 min
February 07, 2024 Could entrepreneurship be the remedy to high youth unemployment?
It’s a common story across the continent. A student graduates from university. They celebrate the end of their hard work with proud family members.
But when they start job hunting they find they face fierce competition for a small number of jobs.
The International Labour Organization say one in five African youth were not in employment, education, or training in 2021.
But a similar proportion of Africa's working-age population are starting new businesses - the highest rate of any region in the world, according to the African Development Bank. So is entrepreneurship the answer to low job creation?
Alan Kasujja has been looking at this issue with a budding entrepreneur who is about to graduate and a university professor who has witnessed trends in graduate employment.
21 min
February 06, 2024 What are billionaire philanthropist Mo Ibrahim’s priorities?
"It's time to bring the decent story about Africa forward."
It’s not every day you get to chat to a billionaire.
But for today’s episode Alan Kasujja speaks with Mo Ibrahim - the Sudanese born businessman who’s made it his life's mission to counter corruption.
His charitable organisation ‘The Mo Ibrahim Foundation’ rewards African leaders for good governance with awards of $5 million.
He made his wealth by building a telecommunications company called Celtel which he sold in 2005 for $3.4 billion.
In a lively conversation, Alan talks to him about celebrating Africa’s heroes, corruption – and how much cash a billionaire carries in his wallet…
22 min

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