<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

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

Military & Security

Politics

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.

Economics

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

Middle East and North Africa

Asia-Pacific

Europe

Eurasia

South Asia

Forecast Webcast

Cyber

Energy

Environment, Science & Technology

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Social Issues

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

Russia

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.?

Turkey

China

Indonesia

An APK rally March 29, 2024, in Istanbul. Nationwide municipal elections occur March 31, in which the ruling AKP will likely try to regain the mayoralties of large cities including Ankara and Istanbul.

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

The Weekly Rundown: Turkish Municipal Elections, Blinken Goes to Europe

Brazil

Haiti

France

Chinese President Xi Jinping on March 11, 2024, in Beijing.

The Weekly Rundown: Senegalese Presidential Elections, Xi Meets With U.S. CEOs

Former Senegalese Prime Minister Amadou Ba (center), the ruling coalition candidate in Senegal's 2024 presidential election, prays ahead of a campaign meeting in Diourbel, Senegal, on March 19, 2024. 

A victory by the ruling coalition candidate would portend policy continuity -- and potentially violent protests -- while a victory from a leading opposition coalition would see a shift toward left-wing policies that could deter foreign investment.

Previewing Senegal's 2024 Presidential Election

Snapshots

A protester burns tires during a demonstration in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on March 12, 2024, after Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced his plans to resign. 

For Kenya, sending police officers to the gang-ridden Caribbean country will likely help it boost ties with the West if the mission is a success, but it risks triggering public backlash at home.

What a Planned Police Deployment to Haiti Means for Kenya

Mali's northern Tuareg rebel leaders announced the dissolution of the Permanent Strategic Framework for Peace, Security and Development, as well as their intention to reunite under a new alliance with groups at war against the Malian junta and its Wagner auxiliaries, Radio France Internationale reported on April 26.

Mali: Tuareg Rebels Dissolve Coalition, Form Alliance With Groups 'Against' Junta and Wagner

The U.S. Department of Defense will temporarily withdraw around 75 special operation forces from Chad in the coming days, The New York Times reported on April 25.

Chad: U.S. To Withdraw Special Forces From Chad 

Law firm Amsterdam & Partners LLP asked U.S. technology company Apple to clarify the origin of the tin, tungsten and tantalum (3T) used in its supply chains on behalf of Congolese authorities, Reuters reported on April 25.

Congo: Law Firm Accuses Rwanda of Laundering Congolese Minerals, Threatens Legal Action

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa extended the deployment of 1,495 members of the South African National Defense Force stationed in Mozambique’s northern Cabo Delgado province under the Southern African Development Community, or SADC, from April 16 to Dec. 31, Reuters reported on April 24. 

South Africa: Ramaphosa Extends Troop Mandates in Mozambique and Congo

Human Rights Watch found that Burkinabe security forces had executed over 220 civilians in three villages located in the country's northern Yatenga province over their alleged collaboration with jihadist militants on Feb. 25, Reuters reported on April 25.

Burkina Faso: Human Rights Watch Finds Military Executed Over 220 Civilians 

The price of Kenya's locally-assembled smartphones have increased by up to 17% since their launch in October 2023, Business Daily Africa reported on April 25, citing a study from the Kenya Private Sector Alliance.

Kenya: Locally-Assembled Smartphones Struggle To Become Cost-Competitive  

Nigerien oil arrived at the Beninese oil terminal of Seme using the Niger-Benin pipeline on April 21, Africanews reported on April 24.

Niger, Benin: Oil Pipeline Begins Operations

Zambia's state-owned electricity utility ZESCO said the country will face a 700-megawatt deficit in power generation in 2024 amid Zambia's worst drought on record, Reuters reported on April 22.

Zambia: Government Looks To Ramp Up Power Imports Amid Drought-Induced Power Deficit 

Sub-Saharan Africa

SITUATION REPORTS

Mali: Tuareg Rebels Dissolve Coalition, Form Alliance With Groups 'Against' Junta and Wagner

Chad: U.S. To Withdraw Special Forces From Chad

Congo: Law Firm Accuses Rwanda of Laundering Congolese Minerals, Threatens Legal Action

South Africa: Ramaphosa Extends Troop Mandates in Mozambique and Congo

Burkina Faso: Human Rights Watch Finds Military Executed Over 220 Civilians

Kenya: Locally-Assembled Smartphones Struggle To Become Cost-Competitive

Niger, Benin: Oil Pipeline Begins Operations

Zambia: Government Looks To Ramp Up Power Imports Amid Drought-Induced Power Deficit

Forecasts

ANALYSES

SECTIONS

Explore

Subscribe

Help & Support