Ikenna Azuike Returns with What's Up Africa on BBC

Nigerian-born vlogger, Ikenna Azuike, is returning to screens on Friday, 2 October for more tongue-in-cheek humour in the new series of What’s Up Africa. Beginning its third series, the BBC World News’ Focus On Africa segment will continue to bring reports from across the continent with a fresh perspective.

In this series, Azuike travels across the region to uncover some of Africa’s most compelling stories. He finds out what it really takes to be middle class on the continent and why Zambia may be turning its back on China for a new best friend.

“Filming in Africa is really important to me. Not only is it part of who I am, but meeting the people affected by the topics I cover adds an intensity that I hope will have more impact on the What’s Up Africa audience,” says Azuike. “I've found some important stories from the continent and I'm really looking forward to sharing them with the viewers.”

What’s up Africa, which has been nominated for an AIB - International Media Excellence Award in the category of specialist programme, has already received over 1.5 million views online and is now making its content more appealing to its mostly young digitally-savvy audience. By airing two 90-second episodes a week – on Wednesdays and Fridays - instead of one longer piece, the new series of What’s Up Africa will be more clickable and shareable on social media.

In reports airing on Wednesdays, Azuike hangs out with contestants at an HIV positive beauty pageant in Kampala. He also finds out where the world’s luckiest men live. On Fridays, the show will be dedicated to bringing audiences satirical news round-ups from the week in Africa in 90 Seconds.


“What’s Up Africa has proved hugely successful since its launch in early 2015. Fans tell us they love the way WUA brings them the news or current affairs in such an engaging way,” says Kathy Harcombe, producer of What’s Up Africa. “Having built such a strong digital presence, we are able to interact with our audience and find out what they like, what they want more of - and exactly what kind of stories they want us to cover.”

What’s Up Africa, will be broadcast every Wednesday and Friday on Focus on Africa from 19.30 on BBC World News channel 400 on DStv.

The new 15-part series created especially for the BBC, is a co-production between the BBC and Dutch media organisation, RNW Media. The first half of the series will air between Friday, 2 and Friday, 23 October. The series will then resume on Wednesday, 11 November, concluding on Friday, 4 December.

For more information, visit www.bbcsouthafrica.com. Alternatively connect with them on Facebook or on Twitter.