News imageFocus on Africa, The cost of alcohol addiction

Focus on Africa

The cost of alcohol addiction

23 October 2026

Available for over a year

The World Health Organization says that while most Africans do not drink alcohol, those who do can drink heavily. So are some young people turning to alcohol to cope with stress, work pressures, and mental health challenges? And are women facing a different set of pressures? We heard from 26-year-old Kenyan content creator Chebet Ronoh, who has documented her struggles with alcohol and relapse, and addiction therapist Caroline Kagia, who achieved sobriety after struggling with alcoholism for nearly two decades.

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna

Producers: Fana Negash, Carolyne Kiambo and Keikantse Shumba

Technical Producer: Herbert Masua

Senior Producer: Priya Sippy

Editors: Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla