DW AfricaLink

Africa’s Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are essential for creating jobs, broadening the tax base and growing national revenue. But there are nowhere near enough of them on the continent. Eddy Micah Jr talks to Gideon Brefo, CEO of hapaSpace Innovation Hub in Ghana, and business owner George Antwi-Boasiako of Agrico hub.

As the world gathers for another UN Climate Change Conference (COP29), a pressing question lingers: Have global climate summits lost their meaning for Africans? Eddy Micah Jr. talks to Togolese negotiator Sena Alouko and sustainability and climate journalist Zeynab Wandati.

Conflict over land has gone on for decades in the border town of Bawku in northern Ghana. Experts warn that Islamist extremists fighting in neighboring Burkina Faso and Togo could take advantage of this volatile situation in Ghana. Josey Mahachi talks to Dr. Naazia Ibrahim, a conflict resolution researcher at the University of Development Studies and DW correspondent Maxwell Suuk in Ghana.

Disinformation campaigns in Africa have surged fourfold since 2022, threatening democracy and stability. These attacks now target 39 nations, distorting information systems for political agendas. In Ghana, a coalition of fact-checkers mobilizes to counter this threat. Josey Mahachi talks to Rabiu Alhassan of FactSpace West Africa and Roselena Ahiable of Dubawa Ghana.

Nigerian authorities have released minors facing trial for cost-of-living protests. Among the 76 arrested in August for treason, destruction of property and mutiny, at least 30 were children. The crisis has sparked mass protests, with several reported killed and hundreds arrested. Rights groups are alarmed by the crackdown. Is Nigeria suppressing dissent?

The Rwanda Governance Board is drafting a bill to tax churches and mosques, following President Paul Kagame's call to regulate "nonsense" in religious organizations. After closing over 9,000 prayer sites for failing to meet standards, the government aims to restore order with a strict new model. But how effective will it be?

Medical experts in Uganda are alarmed by the rise in babies born with heart defects. Out of 1.4 million newborns annually, around 16,000 have heart issues. The Uganda Heart Institute can only treat 50%, forcing many to seek help abroad. How can Uganda address this crisis? DW’s Josey Mahachi discusses this with Dr. Twalib Olega and DW correspondent Frank Yiga.

Donald Trump's policies, often transactional and rooted in "America First," could trigger ripple effects across Africa, influencing everything from trade and aid to foreign policy and security. What will another four years of Trump mean for Africa’s economies, leaders and people? Would it bring more investment, or would his critical stance on China lead to more challenges than cooperation?

A controversial new tax on M-Pesa mobile money transfers is set to come into force in Kenya by December. The plan has many in the country where M-Pesa is woven into daily life wondering: Will it drive costs up? Who benefits? How fair is it? Josey Mahachi talks to Samora Kariuki, a Nairobi-based FinTech analyst, and DW correspondent Andrew Wasike in Kenya.

The Judicial Service Commission in Malawi has launched an investigation into the country’s judiciary over allegations of corruption. Judges and court officials, among others, are accused of wrongdoing. Josey Mahachi talks to Patrick Mpaka, President of the Malawi Law Society, DW correspondent Chimwemwe Padatha in Blantyre, and Wilberforce Asare, a Ghanaian judicial service analyst.

USA elects new president +++ E. Guinea: sex tape scandal rocks top politicians +++ Kenyan ffound guilty of terror plot

The Commonwealth of Nations is an international association with 56 member states, the vast majority of which are former territories of the British Empire. But how relevant is the Commonwealth still today? And how does it benefit the its member countries? We talk to Khalifa Ali Dikwa, Professor of Social Linguistics at the University of Maiduguri, Nigeria, and DW correspondent Ben Shemang.

Botswana's new president has taken office following October's election, ending nearly 60 years of conservative rule. Outgoing President Masisi has congratulated his successor, Duma Boko. What does this mean for Botswana and its democracy? Join Josey Mahachi as she discusses this pivotal moment with political analyst Adam Mfundisi and DW Correspondent Phemelo Ramasu.

Ghana says media reports of a cross-border spillover of Islamist extremism Burkina Faso are untrue. Reuters had reported that the extremists have logistical bases in northern Ghana. Do they pose any threat to Ghana? Eddy Micah Jr talks to Alex Vines of Chatham House, Mutaru Mumuni Muktar of the West Africa Center for Counter Extremism, and DW correspondent in the Sahel, Bram Posthumus.

Liberian youth are putting their health at risk with the intake of kush. The highly toxic synthetic drug has been linked to leg sores in some heavy users. How did kush become so popular, and what can Liberia do to stop its youth from falling into addiction? Josey Mahachi talks to Psychiatrist Dr. Emmanuel P. Flomo at Redemption Hospital in Monrovia and DW correspondent Evelyn Kpadeh in Liberia.

It's football's biggest individual award. But in 2024, there was heavy debate on social media, and fan groups as to who would win, or even who would attend the ceremony! So, why has the Ballon D'Or become controversial? And when will another African join George Weah on the winner's list? Eddy Micah talks to football journalists Glory Mushinge and Matt Pearson.

Global media often highlights conflict, poverty and corruption in Africa. But there's a powerful, untold side to the continent. Josey Mahachi talks to Abimbola Ogundairo of Africa No Filter and DW Senior Editor Chrispin Mwakideu.

Why are African women having fewer children today? From cultural shifts to urbanization, healthcare, and modern lifestyles, what could be driving this change? Josephine Mahachi speaks with DW correspondent Mirriam Kaliza and Dr Gift Kawalazila.

Explore how BRICS is reshaping global governance for the Global South. With South Africa, Egypt and Ethiopia as members, other African nations are keen to join. Can BRICS elevate Africa's global standing? Josey Mahachi discusses with political analyst Dr. Ndimancho Michael, international relations expert Fidel Amakye Owusu, and DW’s Thuso Khumalo.

Elderly women of Cameroon's Indigenous Baka people are taking desperate steps to preserve their culture and way of life amid displacement by logging, mining and modern development. They continue building traditional Mongulu huts, now also embraced by a local school to remind children of their cultureal roots. Join Josey Mahachi as she talks to experts about this cultural preservation effort.