Why is homosexuality still taboo in many African countries?

While Zambians remain heavily reliant on cash for transactions, the numbers are improving with new products being developed with the support of regulatory authorities. Tola Adebayo, Head of digital banking at UBA Zambia spoke to CNBC Africa on the cashless policy drive in Zambia.

With Zambia imprisoning two men to 15 years for gay sex and Uganda detaining LGBQ+ activists, the African continent is a difficult place for homosexuals. Why is that?

For women in Madagascar, having their monthly period is more than just an inconvenience. Having access to toilets, clean water or even disposable sanitary protection is a luxury out of reach to most of them. Our reporters went to investigate on the island, where due to a lack of access to basic infrastructure and necessities – but also because of beliefs, taboos and humiliation – menstrual hygiene is a battle for millions of women, with serious consequences for their empowerment, education and health.

As protests against racial prejudice continue across the world, we look at how discrimination and xenophobia materialise in specific ways in France. We begin with a look back at the history of this French taboo. Next, we take a look at police violence and how some current and former officers have started speaking out. Lastly, we speak to activist and Professor Maboula Soumahoro, who looks at why language and republican ideals add an extra level of complexity to the issue.

Lupiya, a Zambia-based fintech startup, is a marketplace for microloans. Evelyn Kaingu speaks with Guardian TV about Lupiya's products and financial inclusion in Zambia.

Zambia has been gearing up for talks with the IMF after becoming the first African nation to default on debt since the COVID-19 pandemic started. But analysts say an IMF loan is unlikely until after August elections.

China's presence is visible all over Africa. But nowhere as much as in Zambia, the African nation where it invested the most money last year. The ties between Beijing and Lusaka are strong and have existed for decades. Today, China possesses one third of Zambia's national debt. It has invested in the mining and industrial sectors, but also in agriculture. Some Zambians denounce this Chinese presence as a form of neo-colonialism.

African leaders and diplomats on Friday joined Zambia in mourning its founding president and liberation hero Kenneth Kaunda, who died last month aged 97 after a bout of pneumonia.

China's presence is visible all over Africa. But nowhere more so than in Zambia, the African nation where it invested the most money last year. The ties between Beijing and Lusaka are strong and have existed for decades. Today, China possesses one third of Zambia's national debt. It has invested in the mining and industrial sectors, but also in agriculture. Some Zambians denounce this Chinese presence as a form of neo-colonialism.

As Zambia ramps up for general elections, incumbent leader Edgar Lungu inaugurates a gleaming new Chinese funded airport terminal. He will be facing rival Hakainde Hichilema who says Lungu has led the country into unsustainable debt. One of the missing Chibok girls reunites with her family after seven long years. And the winner of Burkina Faso's Olympic medal is given a hero's welcome as he returns home from Tokyo.

Days before the upcoming presidential elections taking place in Zambia on Thursday, incumbent leader Edgar Lungu inaugurated a new terminal at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport. The sprawling new Chinese-funded and built expansion is a centerpiece to Lungu’s re-election bid, which pits him against veteran Hakainde Hichilema, who is running for a sixth time. With the same two candidates running as in 2016, it's likely to be a close race.

One day after Zambians went to the polls, the capital of Lusaka sees sporadic fires and roadblocks in the Chibolya district. Police and military personnel have been patrolling the streets as the nation awaits for the results of a tightly contested election between President Edgar Lungu and long-time rival Hakainde Hichilema.