Published September 4, 2024

China's Africa Summit, Djibouti's GM mosquitos & Morocco's first female master of gnawa music.

By MD

Asmaa Hamzoui
Asmaa Hamzoui
Asmaa Hamzoui
Asmaa Hamzoui

Or listen on:

China’s big summit on Africa: What’s in it for the continent?

Can a genetically modified mosquito stamp out malaria in Djibouti?

Morocco’s first female master of gnawa music …

Plus, we hear about Africans who’ve volunteered to fight with Ukraine against Russia. And Portugal’s colonial past being critically re-examined.

Can Africa’s leaders gathering in Beijing for the Forum on the China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) get more out of the relationship than in the past? Historically, China has imported African raw commodities with little or nothing added to the value of the metals and minerals. Now, with demand for Africa’s vast supply of critical minerals and metals that are vital for the transition to net zero carbon emissions on the rise, the continent’s leaders could demand greater benefits for their own economies. We ask COBUS VAN STADEN, of the China Global South Project, what to expect.

Oxitech, a British bio tech firm has begun releasing genetically modified mosquitos in Djibouti in a bid to curb the surge in malaria cases there. We ask the firm’s CEO GREY FRANDSEN, whether it is possible to create a ‘friendly’ mosquito.

Asmaa Hamzoui has become Morocco’s first female master of gnawa music – a genre that dates back centuries and was introduced by West African slaves. Asmaa tells us how she’s been received by her fellow gnawa masters who are, and have always been, men. And for those who are unfamiliar with gnawa music, Asmaa explains it and we see her perform with her all- female group, Bnat Timbuktu.

DONU tells us about the Africans who have volunteered to fight in the Ukrainian army against Russia.

And PATRICK has been in Portugal assessing the official review of its colonial past, and the movement to counter that rosy narrative with a far less flattering account of Portugal’s exploits in its former colonies.


China’s big summit on Africa: What’s in it for the continent?

Can a genetically modified mosquito stamp out malaria in Djibouti?

Morocco’s first female master of gnawa music …

Plus, we hear about Africans who’ve volunteered to fight with Ukraine against Russia. And Portugal’s colonial past being critically re-examined.

Can Africa’s leaders gathering in Beijing for the Forum on the China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) get more out of the relationship than in the past? Historically, China has imported African raw commodities with little or nothing added to the value of the metals and minerals. Now, with demand for Africa’s vast supply of critical minerals and metals that are vital for the transition to net zero carbon emissions on the rise, the continent’s leaders could demand greater benefits for their own economies. We ask COBUS VAN STADEN, of the China Global South Project, what to expect.

Oxitech, a British bio tech firm has begun releasing genetically modified mosquitos in Djibouti in a bid to curb the surge in malaria cases there. We ask the firm’s CEO GREY FRANDSEN, whether it is possible to create a ‘friendly’ mosquito.

Asmaa Hamzoui has become Morocco’s first female master of gnawa music – a genre that dates back centuries and was introduced by West African slaves. Asmaa tells us how she’s been received by her fellow gnawa masters who are, and have always been, men. And for those who are unfamiliar with gnawa music, Asmaa explains it and we see her perform with her all- female group, Bnat Timbuktu.

DONU tells us about the Africans who have volunteered to fight in the Ukrainian army against Russia.

And PATRICK has been in Portugal assessing the official review of its colonial past, and the movement to counter that rosy narrative with a far less flattering account of Portugal’s exploits in its former colonies.


China’s big summit on Africa: What’s in it for the continent?

Can a genetically modified mosquito stamp out malaria in Djibouti?

Morocco’s first female master of gnawa music …

Plus, we hear about Africans who’ve volunteered to fight with Ukraine against Russia. And Portugal’s colonial past being critically re-examined.

Can Africa’s leaders gathering in Beijing for the Forum on the China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) get more out of the relationship than in the past? Historically, China has imported African raw commodities with little or nothing added to the value of the metals and minerals. Now, with demand for Africa’s vast supply of critical minerals and metals that are vital for the transition to net zero carbon emissions on the rise, the continent’s leaders could demand greater benefits for their own economies. We ask COBUS VAN STADEN, of the China Global South Project, what to expect.

Oxitech, a British bio tech firm has begun releasing genetically modified mosquitos in Djibouti in a bid to curb the surge in malaria cases there. We ask the firm’s CEO GREY FRANDSEN, whether it is possible to create a ‘friendly’ mosquito.

Asmaa Hamzoui has become Morocco’s first female master of gnawa music – a genre that dates back centuries and was introduced by West African slaves. Asmaa tells us how she’s been received by her fellow gnawa masters who are, and have always been, men. And for those who are unfamiliar with gnawa music, Asmaa explains it and we see her perform with her all- female group, Bnat Timbuktu.

DONU tells us about the Africans who have volunteered to fight in the Ukrainian army against Russia.

And PATRICK has been in Portugal assessing the official review of its colonial past, and the movement to counter that rosy narrative with a far less flattering account of Portugal’s exploits in its former colonies.


China’s big summit on Africa: What’s in it for the continent?

Can a genetically modified mosquito stamp out malaria in Djibouti?

Morocco’s first female master of gnawa music …

Plus, we hear about Africans who’ve volunteered to fight with Ukraine against Russia. And Portugal’s colonial past being critically re-examined.

Can Africa’s leaders gathering in Beijing for the Forum on the China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) get more out of the relationship than in the past? Historically, China has imported African raw commodities with little or nothing added to the value of the metals and minerals. Now, with demand for Africa’s vast supply of critical minerals and metals that are vital for the transition to net zero carbon emissions on the rise, the continent’s leaders could demand greater benefits for their own economies. We ask COBUS VAN STADEN, of the China Global South Project, what to expect.

Oxitech, a British bio tech firm has begun releasing genetically modified mosquitos in Djibouti in a bid to curb the surge in malaria cases there. We ask the firm’s CEO GREY FRANDSEN, whether it is possible to create a ‘friendly’ mosquito.

Asmaa Hamzoui has become Morocco’s first female master of gnawa music – a genre that dates back centuries and was introduced by West African slaves. Asmaa tells us how she’s been received by her fellow gnawa masters who are, and have always been, men. And for those who are unfamiliar with gnawa music, Asmaa explains it and we see her perform with her all- female group, Bnat Timbuktu.

DONU tells us about the Africans who have volunteered to fight in the Ukrainian army against Russia.

And PATRICK has been in Portugal assessing the official review of its colonial past, and the movement to counter that rosy narrative with a far less flattering account of Portugal’s exploits in its former colonies.


More episodes

Listen now

Democracy Wins Again in Ghana; The Sahel Wants Better Mining Deals; Namibia's First Female President
MD

Listen now

Democracy Wins Again in Ghana; The Sahel Wants Better Mining Deals; Namibia's First Female President
MD

Listen now

Democracy Wins Again in Ghana; The Sahel Wants Better Mining Deals; Namibia's First Female President
MD

Listen now

Democracy Wins Again in Ghana; The Sahel Wants Better Mining Deals; Namibia's First Female President
MD

Listen now

Malawi's VP means business in Baku, Africa's Last Colony - Western Sahara, Advice to Kemi Badenoch
MD

Listen now

Malawi's VP means business in Baku, Africa's Last Colony - Western Sahara, Advice to Kemi Badenoch
MD

Listen now

Malawi's VP means business in Baku, Africa's Last Colony - Western Sahara, Advice to Kemi Badenoch
MD

Listen now

Malawi's VP means business in Baku, Africa's Last Colony - Western Sahara, Advice to Kemi Badenoch
MD