VOA’s English to Africa service provides multimedia news and information covering all 54 countries in Africa. The service reaches more than 25 million people on radio, television, web, and social media. VOA programs engage audiences with information about politics, science, technology, health, business, the arts, as well as programming on sports, music, and entertainment. In addition, VOA’s English to Africa service is home to the South Sudan Project, which provides news and information to radio and web consumers in the world’s newest country.

Quick Facts

Programs and Features

TV

Africa 54 – 30-minute program featuring stories Africans are talking about, with reports from VOA correspondents and interviews with top experts. The show includes the latest developments on health, education, business and technology, and provides a daily dose of what’s trending, including music, fashion and entertainment (weekdays at 1630 UTC).

Straight Talk Africa - a weekly program that tackles topics of importance to the audience. The host goes behind the headlines to analyze the news and emerging trends shaping African societies. Straight Talk Africa broadcasts every Wednesday from 1830-1900 UTC/GMT simultaneously on radio, television, and the Internet.

Our Voices – a 30-minute roundtable discussion program with a Pan-African cast of women focused on topics of vital importance to African women including politics, social issues, health, leadership, and the changing role of women in their communities. The discussion continues online with a social media presence creating a platform for inclusion and empowerment.

Red Carpet – a 15-minute weekly program that covers the latest in celebrity news, fashion, sports, film, and television around the world.

Healthy Living – a 15-minute weekly heath show with an emphasis on prevention and practical solutions for Africans including good health during pregnancy, easy hygiene practices, fitness, and healthy eating habits. The show also informs viewers about the latest health breakthroughs, from HIV prevention and treatment to overcoming food and water borne diseases, reducing malaria rates or treating cancer.

RADIO

Africa News Tonight – a 30-minute news magazine featuring VOA correspondent reports, interviews with African officials, opposition leaders, NGOs and human rights activists, as well as stories on science and technology, environmental issues, humanitarian topics and the African diaspora (Weekdays, twice each evening at 1600 and 1800 UTC).

Daybreak Africa – a 30-minute breakfast show looks at the latest developments on the continent and provides in-depth interviews and reports from VOA correspondents (Weekdays at 0300, 0400, 0500 & 0600 UTC).

Nightline Africa – a 60-minute news magazine program highlighting the latest issues and developments on the continent. Correspondents from Washington and across Africa offer in-depth interviews, analysis and features on African arts and culture, sports, and music (Saturday & Sunday at 1600 UTC, repeat at 1800 UTC).

South Sudan in Focus – a 30-minute program about South Sudan heard on shortwave radio throughout the country, on FM in the capital Juba and other towns, on VOA’s 24-hour FM radio station in Nairobi, and FM stations in Uganda (Weekdays at 1630 UTC).

International Edition – a 30-minute news program featuring the latest events and issues from around the world. International Edition delivers insight through eyewitnesses’ interviews, correspondent reports, and analysis from experts and newsmakers. (Weekdays at 0330 UTC and 1700 UTC).

Sonny Side of Sports – The host offers an energetic look at world and African sports, using humor, props, sound effects and correspondent reports from Africa and around the globe (Weekdays at 1630 and 1830 UTC).

Upfront – a weekly 30-minute program that connects with Africa's teens and young adults about politics, trends, lifestyles, health, entertainment, and other issues (Wednesdays at 1730 UTC).

Encounter – a 30-minute weekly program where the host and two advocates from the world of politics, culture, public policy, or academia debate and discuss a critical issue. This program brings depth, perspective, and insight to the world around us.

Issues in the News – a 25-minute weekly program on the week's top news developments. Drawing on their contacts and sources at the White House, Capitol Hill and elsewhere, our panel of journalists provide unique insights and analysis that go beyond the headlines and give listeners the "inside" story on what they see and hear in the news.

Press Conference USA – a 30-minute weekly newsmaker program that provides listeners around the globe with information and insights on a wide range of topics spanning U.S. politics, foreign policy, global health, science, and culture.

African Music Mix - From North to South and East to West, the program draws from an archive of more than 15,000 selections of African dance music (Monday-Sunday 0100-0300 UTC, and Monday-Friday 1200-1400 UTC).

African Beat – one-hour program on the latest and greatest of contemporary African music (Monday-Friday 0900 UTC and 2000 UTC).

Music Time in Africa – an hour-long program features pan-African music that spans all genres and generations. The host updates listeners on African music with exclusive interviews and cultural information (Saturdays & Sundays 0900-1000 & 2000-2100 UTC).

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