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Turkey: Fixing a broken economy Jul 11, 2023

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A month on from the election in Turkey President Erdogan has promised to fix the economy.

In this programme we find out more about Mehmet Simsek, the new finance minister, who says he'll return Turkey to rational economics and reduce inflation. We also hear from those running businesses in Turkey about what they need to stay afloat.

Presenter / producer: Victoria Craig Image: Lira in a cash register; Credit: BBC

AI: Looking to the future Jul 10, 2023

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It’s been claimed artificial intelligence will be as revolutionary as mobile phones or the internet, but there are fears that developments in AI could come at the cost of jobs. We assess the pros and cons of this rapidly-evolving technology, with insight from Marc Raibert, Executive Director of the Boston Dynamics AI Institute. We also consider the impact of generative AI on the arts, with Matt Bellamy from British rock band Muse teasing a potential future collaboration with a humanoid robot.

Presented and produced by Sam Clack. Image: Ameca robot at the International Conference on Robotics and Automation, London. Credit: Sam Clack / BBC

Investing in Africa: Who benefits? Jul 07, 2023

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How are loans and grants distributed? And how high are the returns?

According to the IMF, Africa’s growth prospect will be amongst the highest in the world and sectors such as fintech and telecoms are the drivers of the current economic growth, offering huge investment opportunities for foreign businesses.

Peter MacJob speaks to Faith Adesemowo, CEO of Social Lender, a company which helps individuals build credit ratings through their social status.

Presenter: Peter MacJob Productions: Peter MacJob and Barbara George Image: Social Lender / Credit: Social Lender

Investing in Africa: US and AGOA Jul 06, 2023

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The African Growth and Opportunity Act, or AGOA, gives duty-free access for exports to the American market, and has done for 23 years.

South Africa is one of the countries that has benefitted – but now its inclusion in doubt due to allegations from the US that it has violated its neutrality and supplied weapons to Russia - something South Africa denies. So what would being pushed out of AGOA mean for the country?

Plus we hear from Ethiopia – it has been suspended from AGOA due to the the war in Tigray - we hear from an economist in Addis Ababa who disputes the benefits of these trade agreements to Africa.

Presented by Ahmed Adan with reporting by Russell Padmore.

(Image: An Ivory Coast stand at the 2019 AGOA forum, showcasing products on the market. Credit: Getty Images)

Investing in Africa: Media Jul 05, 2023

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We look into the growth of foreign investment in Africa’s media space. Africa is generating a huge amount of localized content as international streaming platforms and global media organisations battle to gain a foothold in the market.

We find out what’s driving the interest and whether it’s working.

Producer / presenter: Bisi Adebayo Image: Reporters in Nairobi; Credit: Getty Images

Investing in Africa: Russia and the CAR Jul 04, 2023

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For almost a decade, the Central African Republic has seen growing investment and influence from the Russian mercenary group Wagner. It stretches from education and religion to business and military.

The recent mutiny has led to speculation about what the future of Russia's status in the CAR will be.

We explore Russia’s role in the CAR, and ask what it means for that country, the continent of Africa and the wider world?

Produced and presented by Peter MacJob, additional production from Zigoto Tchaya Tchameni.

(Image: A demonstrator holds a Russian flag during a march in support of Russia and China's presence in the Central African Republic. Credit: Getty Images)

Investing in Africa: What needs to change? Jul 03, 2023

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Large parts of sub-Saharan Africa are facing dire economic circumstances. The World Bank says more than one in three countries are either in severe financial distress, or are close to default. What’s gone wrong?

In the first of a week of programmes, Ed Butler taking the pulse of investment in Africa and looking at ways the situation needs to change.

Presenter / producer: Ed Butler Image: Mine in Guinea; Credit: BBC

Uorfi Javed: India's most controversial influencer Jun 30, 2023

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Uorfi Javed is one of the most searched for social media stars in Asia, but despite huge fame and popularity she says she struggles to get work as big brands refuse to sign her.

Uorfi Javed started out as a TV actress and became famous after wearing a dress made out of bin bags while in the Big Brother house. In this interview she tells us why she continues to dress however she likes despite criticism, how she works with paparazzi photographers to boost her profile and how much money she makes from her huge social media accounts.

Presenter / producer: Devina Gupta Image: Uorfi Javed; Credit: Leh Studios

Do you like a noisy or quiet workplace? Jun 29, 2023

Show notes

Many companies are urging staff to return to the office instead of working remotely, but noise levels are rising in workplaces, which can cause stress and undermine productivity.

This means offices are now being built or redesigned to control noise, Russell Padmore visits one in Ireland.

Producer / presenter: Russell Padmore Image: Office space; Credit: Getty images

Why big projects go wrong Jun 28, 2023

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From the Sydney Opera House to a basic kitchen renovation there are thousands of examples of construction projects large and small which go horribly over budget.

Professor Bent Flyvbjerg has compiled a database of 16,000 projects, and by his reckoning only 8.5% them meet their initial estimates of cost and time. He talks to Sam Fenwick about his new book, “How Big Things Get Done”.

Presenter / producer: Sam Fenwick Image: Sydney opera house; Credit: Getty Images

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