BBC Has Something Special For Kenyans
Focus on Africa, BBC World News’ flagship show which offers daily coverage of African stories with a truly global perspective has announced two new segments to launch this month.
The return of What’s Up Africa, the popular weekly satire segment combined with a new series Hooked examining the illegal drugs trade, highlight the BBC’s ongoing commitment to African audiences.
Following on from the success of the first series, What’s Up Africa returns to provide digitally-connected Africans a fresh take on the news on BBC World News, Africa partner stations and social media.
Nigerian-born vlogger and presenter IkennaAzuike kicks off the series by looking at the theme of democracy. The new 7 part series, created especially for the BBC, is a co-production between the BBC and Dutch media organisation, RNW.
Azuike says: “I am very excited about the new season of What’s Up Africa. I’m looking forward to ruffling a few feathers! We’ll be kicking off the series with a comparison of the Nigerian and British elections and asking – just what can the West learn from Africa? The answers will, I hope, surprise you.”
Hooked is a new five part series highlighting the devastating effects of drug trafficking afflicting the West African country of Guinea Bissau. The series, produced by the BBC’s Naomi Scherbel-Ball, was created in partnership with Nigerian cartoonist Tayo Fatunla and writer Benjamin Dix. For five days, our audience will follow the story of Buba on TV, Online and Social Media.
Stephane Mayoux, Editor of Focus on Africa said: “Both What’s Up Africa and Hooked truly represent an innovative way of telling African stories and issues using satire and cartoons. Surely, that’s pushing the boundaries of what current affairs can look like on television. We look forward to hearing reactions from our audiences across the continent!”
The BBC’s long standing relationship with the continent is based on its respect as a trusted source of news. Over the years the organisation has developed a team of reporters bringing to the global audience the latest developments from around the continent: Nigeria’s historic elections, deadly attacks on Garissa University College in Kenya, the constitutional crisis in Burundi and the continent’s footballing bonanzathat is the Africa Cup of Nations.
Focus on Africa will also be following the 2015 BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year competition, which includes Nigerian born AsisatOshoala in the shortlist alongside VerónicaBoquete, Nadine Kessler, Kim Little and Marta. Audiences can vote online at bbc.com/womensfootballuntil 11th May, 0900 GMT ahead of the winner being announced on 26th May.
Focus on Africa is also celebrating the success of Med in Africa, an eight-part programme that showcased health innovations across Africa and what these might mean for the future of healthcare on the continent and beyond.
What’s up Africawill be broadcast every Friday on Focus on Africa from 8th May at 17.30GMT on BBC World News and on the BBC’s partner stations; BBC’s partner stations; Canal 2 in Cameroon; Sarounia TV in Niger; TVZ Africa in Burkina Faso, Watanshi TV in DRC; MetroTV in Ghana; Power TV in Liberia; MBC in Malawi; One Africa Television in Namibia; SBLC in Sierra Leone, Star TV in Tanzania; Urban TV and TV West in Uganda; and ZNBC TV in Zambia.
You can also view the episode across a range of the BBC’s social media platforms including Facebook.com/bbcafrica, on Twitter @BBCAfrica and online at bbc.com/Africa.
Hooked begins on Focus on Africa on 18th May and will run daily on TV and online at bbc.com/Africa until 22nd May.
