Why are more men getting paternity tests? | The Conversation | Focus on Africa

Paternity testing is becoming increasingly common across Africa. These are tests done using DNA that tell you whether someone is the biological father of their child. Local media reports from countries like Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya and Malawi suggest a growing number of men are actively seeking them out. One testing centre in Nigeria told Focus on Africa that the number of paternity tests it conducted rose by 28.8% in 2025 compared to the previous year. Focus on Africa Podcast host Nkechi Ogbonna spoke to Dr. Peter Ngumba, a lab technologist in Kenya who, through his work conducting DNA tests, decided to test the paternity of his own two children. #focusonafrica #bbcafrica #paternity 00:00-00:40 Coming up 00:40-01:26 The rise of paternity testing in Africa 01:26-02:40 Why Peter became an advocate of testing 02:40-03:10 How many men come to his clinic? 03:10-04:20 Why Peter decided to do a test on his own children 04:20-06:25 The results of the test for his first child 06:25-08:30 Getting a DNA test for his second child 08:15-13:18 The issue of infertility in men 13:18-20:00 Breaking the bond with the child 20:00-21:50 Hearing from other men who have gone through a paternity test 21:50-23:05 How would you feel if your partner asked you for a test? 23:05-23:30 Would Peter get a test on his future children? Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Fana Negash, Basma El Atti, Chiamaka Dike and Keikantse Shumba Senior Producer: Carolyne Kiambo Editors: Priya Sippy and Maryam Abdalla Subscribe: http://bit.ly/subscribetoafrica Website: https://www.bbc.com/africa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbcnewsafrica/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bbcafrica/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbcafrica/