<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

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Guinea Bissau

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Sao Tome and Principe

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Seychelles

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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

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As competition for natural resources and critical raw materials intensifies, companies -- not just countries -- must be more mindful of risks in their physical supply chains.

The Geopolitics of Natural Resources: An Introduction

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The second quarter will test global resilience as lingering conflicts and energy shocks converge to heighten economic uncertainty and geopolitical volatility.

2026 Second-Quarter Forecast: An Excerpt

A general view of power lines near the Lethabo power station between Vereeniging and Sasolburg, South Africa, on April 17, 2024.

Although South Africa's power sector reforms remain years from completion, their gradual advancement will still attract investment in energy projects that support the country's long-term energy security and decarbonization goals.

The Outlook for South Africa's Power Sector Reforms and Energy Security

The Geopolitics of Demographics

Geopolitics of Demographics

While far from deterministic, demographics plays a key role in influencing a country's domestic and international politics, as well as its economic and financial development.

The Geopolitics of Demographics: Politics and Economics

A farmer sprinkles fertilizer over a crop of cauliflower on the outskirts of Bangalore, India, in November 2020.

The Strait of Hormuz blockade is straining global supplies of nitrogen- and phosphorus-based fertilizers, which could lead to lower crop yields, higher food prices and fiscal strain for agricultural producers if the disruptions persist.

Assessing the Iran War's Impact on Global Fertilizer Supplies

Rwandan soldiers patrol in Mocimboa da Praia, northern Mozambique, on Aug. 12, 2021. 

Rwanda is unlikely to withdraw all its troops from Cabo Delgado in the short term, but a partial drawdown is possible if the EU doesn't approve fresh funding, which would degrade Mozambique's capacity to counter jihadist militants in the gas-rich region.

Will Rwanda Withdraw Troops From Northern Mozambique?

Demographics may not be destiny, but it does play a major role in questions of national power.

The Geopolitics of Demographics: An Introduction

Senior members of Ethiopia's armed forces attend a ceremony in Guba on Sept. 9, 2025.

The Ethiopian government's military buildup near Tigray suggests that fresh clashes with the TPLF are likely in the coming months, which could quickly morph into a major, protracted conflict that draws in neighboring Eritrea.

Assessing the Risk of Conflict in Northern Ethiopia: Short-Term Scenarios

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Lebanon

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A dark earth map of the Middle East with glowing details of cities and human population density areas.

Two blocs are emerging in the Middle East: one focused on preserving existing states and institutions, and the other on creating new ones.

Preservation vs. Fragmentation: Two Paths Toward a New Order in the Middle East

Palestinian Territories

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (R) inspect the honor guard during an official welcoming ceremony at the presidential complex in Ankara, Turkey, on June 22, 2022.

After years of discord, Saudi Arabia and Turkey are finding common ground as they increasingly position themselves against Emirati- and Israeli-backed regional initiatives. 

Saudi Arabia and Turkey's New Regional Alignment

Uganda's army chief, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, announced in an April 2 post on X that Ugandan troops would "remain in [their] positions" in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's Lubero area.

Uganda: Army Chief Rescinds Threat to Withdraw Troops From Northeastern Congo

South African National Defence Force troops began moving through gang‑ridden areas of Cape Town, joining South African Police Service efforts in Mitchells Plain and other Cape Flats hotspots, Eye Witness reported on April 1.

South Africa: Soldiers Deployed in Cape Town To Bolster Response to Gang Violence

The Mozambican government confirmed that it would continue working with the International Monetary Fund to secure a new support program, Bloomberg reported on April 2.

Mozambique: Government Reiterates Plans for IMF Deal After Early Debt Repayment

Tanzanian authorities announced that gasoline prices would increase from 2,864 Tanzanian shillings ($1.10) per liter to 3,820 Tanzanian shillings per liter starting April 1, The Chanzo reported the same day.

Tanzania: Fuel Prices Reach Record Highs

Nigeria's bicameral National Assembly approved the proposed 68.3 trillion naira ($49.4 billion) budget for 2026, up from 58.3 trillion naira initially proposed, and extended the implementation of the capital component of the 2025 budget until June 30, The Punch reported on March 31.

Nigeria: Parliament Approves 2026 Budget With Higher Oil Price Benchmark

China

U.S. mining company Virtus Minerals acquired copper and cobalt mining company Chemaf, which operates in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, after securing approval from Congolese authorities, The Wall Street Journal reported on March 31.

Congo: U.S. Company Takes Over Cobalt and Copper Producer

The president of Somalia's South West state, Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen, resigned from his position after federal government-aligned forces entered South West state's interim capital of Baidoa, Hiiraan Online reported on March 30.

Somalia: South West State President Resigns After Federal Troops Seize Baidoa

The Ethiopian government issued directives on remote work and mandatory leave for nonessential employees at public institutions and state-owned enterprises to ease fuel demand amid emerging shortages in the country linked to the Iran war, Addis Standard reported on March 30.

Africa: Kenyan and Ethiopian Governments Step in Amid Fuel Shortages

Sub-Saharan Africa

SITUATION REPORTS

Uganda: Army Chief Rescinds Threat to Withdraw Troops From Northeastern Congo

South Africa: Soldiers Deployed in Cape Town To Bolster Response to Gang Violence

Mozambique: Government Reiterates Plans for IMF Deal After Early Debt Repayment

Tanzania: Fuel Prices Reach Record Highs

Nigeria: Parliament Approves 2026 Budget With Higher Oil Price Benchmark

Congo: U.S. Company Takes Over Cobalt and Copper Producer

Somalia: South West State President Resigns After Federal Troops Seize Baidoa

Africa: Kenyan and Ethiopian Governments Step in Amid Fuel Shortages

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