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African women who hit the headlines in 2017

Meet the African women who made an impact in 2017, from Zambia's first female fighter pilot to the Nigerian bobsleigh team.

16 January 2018

Night shot of the aftermath following an attack on a village

At the scene: Muslims killed 'over rejection of extremist ideology' in Nigeria

At least 78 bodies have been buried, while it's feared that more than 170 people were killed altogether.

Aerial shot of a helicopter rescuing survivors in a flooded area

'The water took everything': Mozambique hit by worst floods in decades

Nearly 700,000 people have been affected by weeks of severe flooding in Mozambique

Senegal fans celebrating Afcon win

Senegalese fans celebrate dramatic Afcon win

Senegalese fans celebrate their team's victory at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Sammy Awami

Museveni in commanding lead ahead of election announcement

President Yoweri Museveni is in a commanding lead ahead of his main challenger, pop star-turned-politician Bobi Wine.

Wide aerial shot of a flooded part of Kruger National Park

South African national park closed due to floods

Ongoing floods in the north-eastern provinces of South Africa has led to the closure of the world-famous Kruger National Park.

A queue of women standing in the sun, waiting to vote.

BBC reports from Uganda polling station hit by technical problems

Logistical problems lead to queues and some disgruntled voters as Ugandans elect their next president.

Four men cling to boat as it teeters on edge of dam

Sailors saved from going over edge of huge dam

According to reports, the boat had suffered motor failure before drifting to the edge of the dam.

A head and shoulders shot of Eliud Kipchoge in a running vest and holding his gloved hands up in prayer.

I'm not retiring, I'm evolving - Kipchoge

The Kenyan marathoner has all the running accolades he needs but is now focusing on new goals.

A composite image of a man and a woman speaking to the camera.

People in Benin felt 'total fear' at attempted coup

Residents of the main city express shock after soldiers tried to overthrow the president.

Woman dressed in black holding gun at a shooting range

South African women arming themselves against gender violence

A growing number of women in South Africa are learning to use guns to protect themselves against gender-based violence.

A black woman dressed in a bright pink and blue top, holding up her hands as if gesturing while speaking, with rows of bicycles out of focus behind the woman

The Kenyan start-up aiming to electrify African transport

From fleets of e-bikes to individual riders, eWaka aims to sell across Africa's delivery market.

A man in camouflage standing in front of a tree

Tracking an executioner in Sudan across social media

Fighters from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have executed a number of unarmed people after capturing the Sudanese city of el-Fasher, new videos analysed by BBC Verify show.

Talifhani Banks

The South African start-up bringing tech to townships

Entrepreneur Talifhani Banks has bought a modern delivery system to smaller firms in South Africa.

Cameroon's opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary

We will never accept stolen votes, says Cameroon opposition leader

Cameroon opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary is adamant that he's the winner of the presidential election.

A man crying and mourning, wiping his nose with a red scarf.

Thousands of grief-stricken mourners attend Raila Odinga's funeral

Thousands of mourners attend the state funeral of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in Nairobi.

Colonel Michael Randrianirina worn is as president

The moment Madagascar's new president was sworn in

Colonel Michael Randrianirina is sworn in as the new president of Madagascar at a ceremony in the capital.

Image of Raila Odinga

Who was the man who shaped Kenyan politics?

Raila Odinga was one of Kenya's most influential political figures despite five unsuccessful presidential bids.

Women with raised arms, cheering in a crowd

Crowds in Madagascar cheer as military unit seizes power

Crowds celebrated in the streets of the capital Antananarivo after an elite army unit said it had seized power from the president.

A protester being dragged away by the police

Madagascar protest organiser: 'We're taking our humanity back'

A Gen Z leader in Madagascar says he has put his UK university scholarship on hold to help organise the protests.

Asashi and Precious in front of graffiti saying Congo Street Breaking Art

Breakdancing to escape the trauma of DR Congo's warzone

Asashi and Precious use dance as a form of escapism and expression in a show of resilience, community, and hope.

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