<p>Sub-Saharan Africa is a study in diversity. Covering an area that spans the entire width of the continent beginning at the Sahara Desert and ending at the southernmost tip of South Africa, the region is home to countless cultures, languages, religions, plants, animals and natural resources. It&rsquo;s no surprise that it captured the imagination of Europe&rsquo;s earliest explorers &mdash; and that it continues to capture the imagination of current world powers eager to exploit it. And yet despite the region&rsquo;s diversity, Sub-Saharan African countries have common challenges &mdash; transnational terrorism, rapid population growth, endemic poverty and corruption &mdash; that prevent them from capitalizing on their economic potential. The coming years will be critical for the region, especially as its political institutions mature in a rapidly globalizing world.</p>

Covering an area that spans the entire width of the continent beginning at the Sahara Desert and ending at the southernmost tip of South Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa is home to countless cultures, languages, religions, plants, animals and natural resources.

Sub-Saharan Africa

South Sudan

Angola

Benin

Botswana

Burkina Faso

Burundi

Cameroon

Cabo Verde

Central African Republic

Chad

Comoros

Cote d'Ivoire

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Djibouti

Equatorial Guinea

Eritrea

Ethiopia

Gabon

Gambia

Ghana

Guinea

Guinea Bissau

Kenya

Lesotho

Liberia

Madagascar

Malawi

Mali

Mauritania

Mauritius

Mozambique

Namibia

Niger

Nigeria

Republic of the Congo

Rwanda

Sao Tome and Principe

Senegal

Seychelles

Sierra Leone

Somalia

South Africa

Sudan

Eswatini

Tanzania

Togo

Uganda

Zambia

Zimbabwe

The Post-Apartheid Era Ends

The Politics of Pipelines

Old Leaders in a New Africa

Nigeria: Obstacles to Prosperity

Commodities: A Cautionary Tale

Crossing Borders

A Crude Recovery

Globalization

China in Transition

The Suitors of Sub-Saharan Africa

Assessments

The skyline of Johannesburg, South Africa, is seen on April 19, 2023.

Economics

Politics

The government that emerges from the May 29 election will probably fail to address the structural factors holding back South Africa's economy, but a financial crisis remains unlikely for now.

Assessing South Africa's Post-Election Economic Outlook

Energy

Military & Security

South Africa's May general election will be the country's most competitive vote in 30 years, testing the dominance of the ruling African National Congress.

2024 Elections: South Africa

Panama

China

France

Serbia

Hungary

Russia

Panamanian presidential candidate Jose Raul Mulino on May 1, 2024, in Panama City. Panamanians will vote May 5 to select their next president and all 71 members of the National Assembly.

A look at what the coming week will bring -- and a list of recommended RANE articles from the week that was.

The Weekly Rundown: Panama Holds General Elections, Xi Visits Europe

Argentina

Bolivia

Peru

Palestinian Territories

Spain

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and his wife, Begona Gomez, arrive Oct. 5, 2023, at the Carlos V Palace at the Alhambra in Granada, Spain. Sanchez is expected to make an announcement about his political future on April 29 following his surprise decision April 25 to suspend public appearances after a court in Madrid announced an investigation into his wife for alleged influence-peddling and corruption.

Israel-Hamas Conflict

The Weekly Rundown: South American Foreign Ministers Visit China, the Spanish Premier Announces His Political Future

Congolese soldiers sit in a military vehicle in Kamanyola, a village in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, on Feb. 28, 2024. 

The intensifying fight against M23 rebels in eastern Congo risks triggering border clashes with Rwanda that could threaten Congolese President Tshisekedi's government and risk disrupting Congo's cobalt exports.

Where Is the Conflict in Eastern Congo Headed?

A photo of the Somali flag.

As Somalia’s president moves to strengthen the country’s fragile state institutions, disputes over constitutional reforms threaten to deepen domestic and regional challenges.

Somalia's Constitutional Changes Widen Rifts at Home and Abroad

Media

United States

Podcasts

What are Niger's security options going forward?

Essential Geopolitics: The Outlook for Niger's Security Landscape

Nigerian naira banknotes on Jan. 28, 2016, in Lagos, Nigeria.

Despite the government's commitment to fiscal prudence and macroeconomic and currency reforms, economic conditions in Nigeria will remain challenging in 2024 and 2025 amid modest economic growth and high inflation, keeping the risk of socioeconomic unrest and policy slippage elevated.

Despite Reforms and Prudence, Nigeria's Economy Will Still Challenge the Government

Americas

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Forecast Webcast

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Russia-Ukraine Conflict

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Join our analysts for this webcast recording exploring key topics identified in RANE's 2024 Second-Quarter Geopolitical Forecast.

2024 Second-Quarter Geopolitical Forecast Webcast

U.S.-China Relations

U.S.-Iran Relations

Iran

Mohamed Toumba (R), one of the generals who ousted Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum in July 2023, and military junta spokesperson Amadou Abdramane (L) look on in Niamey, Niger, on Sept. 4, 2023. 

As U.S. troops likely prepare to leave Niger, alternative partners ready themselves to fill the void.

What's Next for Niger After the Termination of Defense Cooperation With the U.S.?

Chad's National Election Management Agency, or ANGE, announced that junta leader Mahamat Deby Itno won the country's presidential election with 61.03% of votes, Radio France Internationale reported on May 10.

Chad: Deby Declared Winner of Presidential Election, Opposition Calls for Protests

The campaign season for Madagascar's May 29 legislative elections began on May 8, Radio France Internationale reported the same day.

Madagascar: Campaign Season for Legislative Elections Begins 

Beninese President Patrice Talon confirmed that shipments of Nigerien oil would be prevented from departing the Beninese oil terminal of Seme until Niger reopened its border with Benin and reengaged in diplomatic dialogue, Radio France International reported May 8.

Benin, Niger: Benin Confirms Decision to Block Niger's Oil Exports Until Diplomatic Dialogue Resumes, Border Reopens 

Angola reached a deal with the China Development Bank to release cash held as collateral in an escrow account to ensure the country can meet its interest repayments, Angolan Finance Minister Vera Daves de Sousa told the Financial Times on May 8. 

Angola: Government Reaches Deal With China Development Bank on Debt Interest Payments

High-level military officials from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda agreed to increase funding for joint counterterrorism efforts against the Islamic State-backed Allied Democratic Forces, or ADF, Radio Okapi reported on May 8.

Congo, Uganda: Armies To Allocate More Funding To Boost Operations Against ADF

The European Union Mission to Chad expressed concern at the exclusion of 2,900 civil society election observers from the first round of Chad's May 6 presidential election, Le Monde reported May 7.

Chad: EU Decries Exclusion of Election Observers From Presidential Election As Counting Is Underway

Turkey

The foreign affairs minister of Somalia's breakaway region of Somaliland, Esse Kayd, stressed that Somalia's maritime security agreement with Turkey did not grant Turkish ships the right to enter the territory's waters, Garowe Online reported on May 6.

Somalia: Somaliland Warns Turkey Against Entering Territorial Waters 

The Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria urged the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, or NERC, to reverse its hike of electricity tariffs for Band A customers fully by May 12 or face industrial action, The Punch reported on May 7. 

Nigeria: Unions Issue Ultimatum To Reverse Electricity Tariff Hike 

Sub-Saharan Africa

SITUATION REPORTS

Chad: Deby Declared Winner of Presidential Election, Opposition Calls for Protests

Madagascar: Campaign Season for Legislative Elections Begins

Benin, Niger: Benin Confirms Decision to Block Niger's Oil Exports Until Diplomatic Dialogue Resumes, Border Reopens

Angola: Government Reaches Deal With China Development Bank on Debt Interest Payments

Congo, Uganda: Armies To Allocate More Funding To Boost Operations Against ADF

Chad: EU Decries Exclusion of Election Observers From Presidential Election As Counting Is Underway

Somalia: Somaliland Warns Turkey Against Entering Territorial Waters

Nigeria: Unions Issue Ultimatum To Reverse Electricity Tariff Hike

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