Focus on Africa

A recent report by Cognitive Market Research says the global placenta powder market is expanding rapidly, driven by growing demand for placenta-based cosmetics and dietary supplements. But across Africa, deep-rooted cultural traditions mean the organ is usually buried, not consumed. So, why are some modern African mothers breaking with tradition? Focus on Africa host Nkechi Ogbonna spoke to maternal health advocate Ruth Sally Kodam and a placenta encapsulation specialist, Mary-Nissi Lemon, to understand the placenta and the different practices to either preserve or consume it.
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Bella Twine, Fana Negash and Carolyne Jotham
Senior Producers: Charles Gitonga and Priya Sippy
Technical Producer: David Kinyanjui
Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo and Maryam Abdalla

South Africa says it is asking Nigeria, Malawi and Ethiopia to share the cost of deporting tens of thousands of illegal immigrants to their home countries. The country's Department of Home Affairs says it spent nearly $18 million in the exercise, far exceeding the budgetary allocation. About 82,000 people were repatriated to their home countries since anti-migrant protests started.
And a UN report says one in three people can’t afford a healthy diet, despite a decline in global hunger in recent years. How are families across Africa coping with the affordability crisis?
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Basma El Atti, Keikantse Shumba and Ayuba Iliya
Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga
Technical Producer: David Kinyanjui
Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo and Maryam Abdalla

Deaths from the Ebola outbreak in eastern DR Congo have crossed the 2,000 mark. Officials have described the outbreak as the fastest spreading in the country’s history, blaming the rapid rates of infection on late detection and insecurity. The confirmation makes it the second most deadly outbreak, behind the 2018-2020 one which killed 2,300 people. Over 4,300 infections have been confirmed since the outbreak was declared in May. We hear from the World Health Organisation on containment measures.
And as extreme weather patterns including flooding and heatwaves become more frequent, we look at some of the skills you need to survive.
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Bella Twine, Victor Chege, Keikantse Shumba and Ayuba Iliya
Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga
Technical Producer: David Kinyanjui
Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo and Maryam Abdalla

Zambia's 8 million registered voters are expected to cast their ballots on August 13, when the country will hold presidential and parliamentary elections. Fourteen candidates are gunning for the presidency but many see it as a two-horse race between incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema and opposition leader Brian Mundubile. The vote comes amid concerns of high cost of living and unemployment. We look at how candidates used music on the campaign trail to sway voters.
And we explain the often-strained relationship between rap music and politics as Moroccan rapper El Mehdi Lyoubi better known to his fans as Mehdi Black Wind is on trial for controversial lyrics.
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Basma El Atti, Keikantse Shumba and Ayuba Iliya
Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga
Technical Producer: David Kinyanjui
Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo and Maryam Abdalla

BBC Africa Eye has seen evidence suggesting a South African police detective, Lieutenant Colonel Frans Mathipa, was shot dead by the country’s special forces while investigating the disappearance of a suspected Islamic State group militant.  A former South African counter-terrorism police chief has told the BBC that the suspected IS militant, known as Abdella Abadigga, was being protected and used as an intelligence asset before he went missing.  Seven special forces soldiers and one other are due to stand trial in connection with the detective’s murder. Of those, seven are accused, alongside four others, of abducting and murdering Abadigga. They deny the allegations.
And how one of Kenya's tallest men, Bradley Marongo went from being a commercial bus conductor to actor and content creator.
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Priya Sippy, Keikantse Shumba and Ayuba Iliya
Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga
Technical Producer: David Kinyanjui
Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo and Maryam Abdalla