BBC World Service has announced a series of programme changes as part of a commitment to move more programmes and services closer to the audiences and communities they serve.
BBC World Service’s global news programme Newsday will establish a team in Kenya, co-presenting from London and Nairobi, while its leading Africa-focused news podcast Focus on Africa will relocate from London to join the TV production team in Nairobi.
Newsday is the BBC World Service’s flagship news programme, bringing audiences the latest news, analysis and reporting from across the globe. Airing every weekday, Newsday covers major global stories as they unfold, with live interviews, features, and reporting from correspondents in the field.
Anne Soy will co-present Newsday from Nairobi, alongside established presenters Rob Young and James Copnall, based in London.
Newsday will launch its new co-presentation format on Monday 1 December.
Anne Soy, Newsday presenter, says:
“I am absolutely delighted to be joining the BBC Newsday team. It is a privilege to contribute to a programme with such a strong reputation for trusted, high-quality journalism that connects audiences across Africa and around the world. As Newsday strengthens its presence in the region, I look forward to helping tell the stories that matter most to our audiences.”
With over 20 years of on-air experience, Anne Soy has reported extensively across the continent, covering major stories including conflicts, health crises, and political transitions. Joining the BBC in 2013, Anne has worked as a bi-lingual reporter for Focus on Africa and has experience of working in a number of roles at the BBC, most recently Senior Africa Correspondent and Deputy Africa Editor.
Audiences can listen to Newsday on BBC World Service radio, BBC Sounds in the UK, and outside the UK on BBC.com, the BBC app, and wherever they get their BBC podcasts.
The relaunch of the Focus on Africa podcast and the transfer of operations to Nairobi, forms part of the BBC’s commitment to the independent, impartial and trustworthy journalism it offers millions across Africa.
Focus on Africa is the BBC’s leading African news podcast and brings listeners the biggest stories from across the continent.
The Focus on Africa podcast will release episodes daily, with a special visualised episode released every Friday. Lead presenter Nkechi Ogbonna will host an in-depth conversation, delving into a new topic each week, which will be visualised for the BBC News Africa YouTube channel.
The flagship Focus on Africa TV programme, presented by Waihiga Mwaura, will retain its core identity but will undergo a clear editorial refresh in formats and digital-first content, alongside a full production move to Nairobi. It will continue to provide trusted news coverage to audiences across the continent and beyond.
The team bringing this vision to life comprises a diverse mix of experienced, multiskilled, and award-winning journalists from across the continent, with Nairobi and Lagos serving as key production hubs for both the TV programme and the podcast.
The new format will launch on Tuesday 2 December. Audiences can listen to the Focus on Africa podcast on BBC World Service radio, BBC News Africa YouTube channel, BBC Sounds, BBC.com, the BBC app, and wherever they get their BBC podcasts.
Juliet Njeri, BBC’s Regional Director for Africa, says: “These changes are pivotal to our trusted news offer for audiences across the African continent and around the world. We are investing in regional storytelling and putting African voices at the heart of our output.
“The BBC reaches around 120 million people every week across Africa. As we seek to bring more of the BBC’s independent news to more people, we want to be closer to our listeners and viewers to deliver relevant and impactful programming.”
Nkechi Ogbonna, Focus on Africa presenter, says: “Focus on Africa has been a trusted source of news for listeners across Africa, including underdeveloped and rural communities, giving global audiences fresh perspectives on the people, politics, and culture shaping Africa. As we move our operations to Nairobi, we will strive to be ever more connected to our audiences in the region and beyond, while strengthening our editorial reach and trust in the BBC.”
These moves complement changes announced earlier this year as BBC News’ international operations are restructured, enhancing opportunities for audience growth and strengthening how the BBC operates outside the UK. Outside the UK, six regional directors will make the most of regional expertise and have a regional headquarters. The regions are: Africa, the Americas, Asia Pacific, Central and South Asia, Europe, and the Middle East and North Africa.
