Spotlight on Africa
An in-depth look at an important story affecting the African continent today.
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What are Africa's economic needs amid rising competition between China and the West?
Following a month filled with key summits and continued trade negotiations across Africa, this week's edition of Spotlight on Africa examines the growing rivalry between China and Western nations as they vie for business opportunities on the continent.04/10/202416:01 -
Zambia leads solar shift amid southern Africa's hydroelectric drought
With a prolonged drought affecting the supply of hydroelectricity all over southern Africa, a growing number of people are turning to solar to fill the energy gap. Spotlight on Africa focuses this week on progress made in Zambia.20/09/202416:07 -
Algeria heads to polls: Tebboune favoured amid rights concerns
Some 24 million Algerians vote on Saturday to elect their next president, with incumbent Abdelmadjid Tebboune the clear favourite of only three candidates. If Algeria has enjoyed economic and social stability during his five years in power, human rights organisations warn of a decrease of freedom and rights.06/09/202418:23 -
Decolonising Beauty campaign honours Africa’s diverse aesthetics
Decolonising Beauty is a campaign designed by the production company Zikora Media to educate the public and celebrate the rich tapestry of indigenous and local beauty customs across Africa. This week we speak with its founder, Chika Oduah.23/08/202417:11 -
South African artist Gavin Jantjes on his major retrospective
RFI's Spotlight on Africa met with artist Gavin Jantjes to chat about his To Be Free! A Retrospective 1970-2023. The exhibition traces his journey as "a creative agent of change" from South Africa to Europe, celebrating his multifaceted roles as painter, printmaker, writer, curator and activist.09/08/202418:20 -
Africa and the 2024 Paris Olympic Games
The Paris Olympics are officially open, and athletes from Africa are competing in a broad range of disciplines. In this episode of the podcast, we look at what to expect from the African teams.27/07/202415:58 -
Kagame poised to extend rule for fourth term as Rwanda heads to polls
2024 is a big election year for the world and especially for Africa, and in July all eyes are on Rwanda.14/07/202413:50 -
African displacements and the search for refuge, in life and art
Displacement takes many forms, from refugees forced into exile to returnees who find themselves strangers in what was once home. In this episode, we speak to aid workers about the very different experiences of refugees in Sudan and Mauritania, and hear from an artist who draws inspiration from his own migrations between France, Algeria and beyond.28/06/202422:01 -
Global South amplifies calls for compensation for historical injustices
This week, we are addressing the issue of reparations for historical injustices, including slavery, colonial violence, and war crimes. Calls for compensation are gaining momentum, particularly in the Global South, with a strong focus on the Caribbean and Africa.14/06/202417:41 -
With South Africa's ANC losing majority, coalition government looms
In this episode of Spotlight on Africa, Melissa Chemam discusses the recent elections in South Africa and the possibility of the ruling ANC losing its overall majority, potentially forcing it into a coalition government.31/05/202418:38 -
South Africa's 2024 Elections: young voters and the legacy of apartheid
South Africa is holding general and provincial elections on 29 May. In this episode of Spotlight on Africa, we look at young people and the elections and how the country has changed since the end of apartheid in 1994.17/05/202417:11 -
After Senegal's success, can Mali and Niger also hope for elections?
The delayed March presidential vote in Senegal confirmed the country remains a beacon of democracy in a region facing increasing instability. RFI looks at how the peaceful victory of Bassirou Diomaye Faye and mentor Ousmane Sonko stands to influence the politics of neighbouring Sahel nations.19/04/202418:32 -
The long path to Senegal's troubled presidential elections
This is a big election year for Africa, with 16 countries heading to the polls. Close attention is being paid to the delayed presidential vote in Senegal – a West African beacon of democracy that's been facing increasing instability. RFI spoke to author and economist Ndongo Samba Sylla in the capital Dakar.22/03/202416:52 -
Ethiopia's triple threat against locusts
Ethiopia is currently battling one of its worst locust invasions since 1958. But since then, the country has rolled out a defence system to make sure damage is minimal across the country. Find out more in this edition of Spotlight on Africa.20/02/202018:29 -
Searching for answers, 15 years after Ghanaians murdered in Gambia
In Accra, a new documentary out this January sheds light on the 2005 murders of 56 West Africans in The Gambia – most of them Ghanaians. In I cannot Bury My Father, director Nana-Jo Ndow explores the lack of closure – and the lack of information – the families of the victims were given. RFI speaks to Ndow and Isaac Mensah, one of the sons of the victims, who are looking for the remains of their parents – and looking for answers.22/01/202009:52
Spotlight on Africa
An in-depth look at an important story affecting the African continent today.