Did Trump tarrifs shape China-Africa trade deal?

Loading player...
A colorful Beijing, filled with grand celebration has welcomed President Trump who is on a two day visit to the Asian country. At the height of the trade war in 2025, the two countries had levied tariffs that crossed 100% on each other. A fragile truce followed but one of the main questions hanging over this visit is whether that will last, and what deal would take its place? In the midst of all of this, China has extended a trade deal to 53 African countries. How will this deal hold?

Plus, two young Nigerians are debating whether a mandatory youth service is still relevant to the country's youth. Mayowa Alawode, a preacher and content creator, and Oluwatobi Afolabi, Managing Editor at OkayAfrica join Charles Gitonga on Focus on Africa.

Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Keikantse Shumba, Rukia Bulle, Makouchi Okafor, Chiamaka Dike and Blessing Aderogba
Technical Producer: Herbert Masua
Senior Producer: Bella Twine
Editors: Priya Sippy and Maryam Abdalla
14 May 10AM English United Kingdom News

Other recent episodes

How Arsenal built a loyal African fan base

After 22 years, Arsenal has won another English Premier League title. The team is one of the most popular European football clubs in Africa, and had been running a multi-million sponsorship deal with the government of Rwanda which concluded at the end of the 2025–26 season. We speak to fans…
20 May 11AM 22 min

Ebola: how does contact tracing work?

The Democratic Republic of Congo says the death toll linked to its latest Ebola outbreak has risen to 131, with 513 suspected contacts now being monitored across six health zones, as the government races to contain the spread of the Bundibugyo variant of the virus. And, with global fuel supply…
19 May 11AM 22 min

Who is in charge in Somalia?

Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's four-year tenure came to an end on May 15th. However, a contentious constitutional amendment has extended it by a year. The country had failed to hold elections over controversy regarding electoral reforms. We hear how Somalia got here, and what is next for the country…
18 May 11AM 23 min

Is African fashion redefining global style?

Africa’s booming fashion industry took centre stage at the 2026 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, where bold African designs dominated online conversations and red-carpet highlights. Host Nkechi Ogbonna speaks with Ghanaian fashion icon Nana Akua Addo and Nigerian designer Mohammed Abbas about the rise of African luxury fashion, the stories…
15 May 11AM 25 min

Could President Ramaphosa be impeached?

In South Africa, a speech from the country's President Cyril Ramaphosa firmly saying he will not resign, is trending. A Constitutional Court ruling last week found that parliament acted unconstitutionally when it voted against establishing an impeachment inquiry against Ramaphosa regarding the Phala Phala report in 2022, where thousands of…
13 May 11AM 24 min