Authorities in Senegal are investigating a transnational network of criminals accused of committing henious crimes against children. The police in the west African country say that the network was operating in coordination with a French national who was arrested in France in April last year. The suspects are accused of paedophilia, pimping, rape of minors under 15, sodomy and intentional transmission of HIV/AIDS.

In an exclusive interview with Focus on Africa, Lieutenant General John Brennan, the Deputy Commander of US Africa Command (AFRICOM), says that over 90% of revenue generation and recruitment by Islamic State (IS) terror organisation is now happening in Africa. He also discusses how the US is seeking to deepen its military cooperation with African countries such as Nigeria, Kenya, Somalia and Mali.

And ahead of Valentine's Day celebrations, central banks in Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda have banned the use of bank notes to make cash bouquets - saying the practice destroys the integrity of their currencies.

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna

Over 200 cases of the Foot and Mouth Disease have been confirmed in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal province. The highly contagious viral disease that affects cows, sheep, goats and other split hoofed animals has also been confirmed in Zimbabwe, Botswana, Eswatini and Mozambique. We hear what this means for farmers and the economy.

Also - between Morocco and Algeria, who really owns the caftan?

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna

Following a months-long delay, the US recently renewed the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) - a key trade deal between Washington and dozens of African countries that was first enacted in 2000. AGOA enables African countries to export select goods to the US duty free. While previous US administations renewed the deal for periods of upto 10 years, President Trump's government has offered to extend it for just one year. We look at what this means for the 32 African countries that currently benefit from the agreement.

And we speak to Ntungamili Raguin, the 17-year-old tennis player from Botswana who made history at the just concluded Australian Open, where he reached the round of last 16 in the junior tournament.

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna

The UNFPA has warned that world fertility rates are facing an 'unprecedented decline'. In its 2025 report, it said many people are having fewer children than they want, or none at all, because of factors like the cost of living and difficulties finding a suitable partner.

At the same time, a growing number of people are actively choosing a child-free life, and more women are now opting for sterilisation procedures like tubal ligation. Focus on Africa podcast host, Nkechi Ogbonna, spoke to 29-year-old Naisula Sironka, from Kenya, who has chosen to be child-free and underwent tubal ligation in 2024.

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna

In Nigeria's commercial capital Lagos, authorities have demolished Makoko - the country's biggest informal waterfront settlement. The Lagos state government says some structures built beneath high-tension power lines pose a serious safety risk. But the scale of demolitions has left thousands of residents displaced and families say they were given little warning and no clear relocation plan.

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna

A vessel carrying Russian oil suffered an explosion off the coast of Senegal last December, prompting investigations into the presence of a Russian shadow fleet in African waters. The tanker is reportedly among several vessels trying to flout US, EU and UK sanctions on Russia.

And - even though the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is over, several incidents from the tournament hosted by Morocco have raised questions about African identity.

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna

Ethiopia's national airline has resumed flights to the northern Tigray region after being suspended for a week amid military tensions. The suspension heightened fears of renewed conflict between the national army and Tigrayan forces - who accuse Addis Ababa of killing civilians using drones.  We hear from people in Tigray.

A BBC Africa Eye investigation has been told that a high-ranking police officer in Tanzania's main city Dar es Salaam was linked to the abduction of several activists, who allege they were subsequently abused by other officers.  They claim their  ordeals happened as the government was cracking down on dissent ahead of the October 2025 presidential election.

Africa’s beauty and personal care industry is growing, as more people look to achieve glowing skin and the perfect make up look.

But many products on the market still do not cater to black skin. Last year, a study by US-based Environmental Working Group (EWG) found that over 3000 beauty products targeting black women contain health hazards. 

Focus on Africa: The Conversation host, Nkechi Ogbonna spoke with Zithobe Macheli, a skincare influencer from South Africa and Jessica Molefe, a make-up artist from Botswana to get their thoughts on this growing industry.

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna