Focus on Africa (TV programme)

Not to be confused with the magazine Focus on Africa, or the radio programme of the same name broadcast on the BBC World Service.

Focus on Africa
Title card used since 2023
Created byBBC Africa for BBC News
Presented byPeter Okwoche
Sophie Ikenye
Lukwesa Burak
Waihiga Mwaura
Rhoda Odhiambo
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
Production
Production locationsStudio L, Broadcasting House, London (2013–2023)
BBC Nairobi Bureau, Nairobi, Kenya (2023–present)
EditorVera Kwakofi
Running time26 minutes
Original release
NetworkBBC News (International feed)
Release18 June 2012 (2012-06-18) –
present
Related
BBC News
BBC World News America
Newsday
GMT
Impact
Global
World News Today
Africa Business Report

Focus on Africa is a BBC news programme broadcast on the international feed of the BBC News channel, and on local partner channels of the BBC in African countries.[1] The programme was presented by Komla Dumor each weekday from its inception until his sudden death, aged 41, in January 2014.[2] The programme includes news, sport and business from across Africa and around the world.

The programme was closely related to Dira ya Dunia, an African-focused programme broadcast on BBC Swahili, which noticeably used the same title sequence.

Broadcasts

Focus on Africa is aired from 18:30 to 19:00 GMT (17:30–18:00 BST during summer months in the UK and the northern hemisphere) weekdays on the BBC News channel's international feed.[3] The programme also airs on affiliate networks across Africa, which broadcast it as a prime time news programme.

Presenters

Since the move to Nairobi the on-air team has been reduced, with fewer relief presenters due to the formers being based in London.[4]

Current

Years Presenter Current role
2023–present Waihiga Mwaura
Rhoda Odhiambo Main presenter & journalist

Former

  • Komla Dumor (Main presenter, 2012–2014)
  • Salim Kikeke (2014–2023)
  • Sophie Ikenye (Main Presenter, 2012-2023)
  • Peter Okwoche (Deputy Presenter, 2012-2023)
  • Nancy Kacungira (Relief Presenter, 2014-2023)
  • Lukwesa Burak (Relief Presenter, 2017-2023)
  • Piers Edwards (Deputy Sports Presenter, 2014-2023)

References

  1. ^ Thangevelo, Debashine (18 June 2012). "Get the real news on Africa". Iol.co.za. Retrieved 15 July 2012.
  2. ^ "BBC World TV's Komla Dumor dies". BBC. 18 January 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
  3. ^ "BBC announces major new focus on Africa". BBC. Retrieved 15 July 2012.
  4. ^ Draper, Joseph (4 June 2023). "BBC moving Focus On Africa show to continent 'to get closer to audiences'". Evening Standard. Retrieved 6 May 2024.