<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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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

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China in Transition

The Suitors of Sub-Saharan Africa

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Fire rages through the Singha Durbar, the main administrative building for the Nepal government, in Kathmandu on Sept. 9, 2025, after youth protesters set fire to the building. 

Economics

Military & Security

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Recent events in Nepal, Madagascar and elsewhere show how digitally coordinated, leaderless protests can succeed, but eventually face even larger challenges in sustaining the momentum for change.

Worldwide Gen Z Protesters May Be Disappointed With Their Success

Media

Podcasts

Why are certain countries and regions more susceptible to youth protests?

Essential Geopolitics: Implications of the Growing Gen Z Protests in Africa

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Supporters of Argentine President Javier Milei's Liberty Advances (LLA) party wave flags during a campaign rally in Rosario, Argentina, on Oct. 23, 2025.

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

The Weekly Rundown: Argentina Holds Midterm Elections, Trump Travels to Asia

U.S.-China Relations

Kenyan forces stand next to the coffin of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga during a funeral mass at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology on October 19, 2025 in Bondo, Kenya.

Social Issues

The death of veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga creates a significant power vacuum, fundamentally altering the political calculations ahead of the 2027 elections.


What Raila Odinga's Death Means for Kenyan Politics

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party reacts on stage during a rally in Dar es Salaam on Aug. 28, 2025, to officially launch the CCM's campaign ahead of the Tanzanian general election. 

Energy

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan is highly likely to be reelected in the Oct. 29 ballot, which is unlikely to turn violent but could portend wider governance challenges in the medium term.

Previewing Tanzania's General Elections

Global Elections

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Protesters face police from a distance near burning barricades in Antananarivo, Madagascar, on Oct. 9, 2025. 

President Andry Rajoelina's removal on the back of widespread, youth-led protests will likely deescalate tensions in Madagascar in the next few weeks, but it could inspire similar protest movements elsewhere in Africa and potentially beyond.

Africa Sees Its First Gen Z-Driven Coup in Madagascar

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Palestinians on Oct. 10 on Al-Rashid road headed toward Gaza City. U.S. President Donald Trump said he might visit the Middle East just as 20 hostages are meant to be released by Hamas after surviving two years in captivity as the White House pushes for the solidification of a frail ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

Israel-Hamas Conflict

The Weekly Rundown: Trump Tries To Solidify the Gaza Ceasefire, a Presidential Vote in Cameroon

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The Geopolitics of Trade

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Persistent conflict and armed group control in the Democratic Republic of the Congo will sustain significant legal, financial and reputational pressures on companies sourcing critical minerals from the region for the foreseeable future.

The Geopolitics of Trade: Due Diligence and Congo's Critical Minerals

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Forecast Webcast

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Join our analysts for this webcast recording exploring key topics identified in RANE's 2025 Fourth-Quarter Forecast.

2025 Fourth-Quarter Forecast Webcast

The fourth quarter will bring shifting trade tactics, evolving wars, and pivotal elections and flashpoints worldwide that will test governments’ stability and market confidence.

2025 Fourth-Quarter Forecast: An Excerpt

Cameroonian opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary claimed that he was escorted to a safe location by friendly soldiers who were now ensuring his protection, Reuters reported on Oct. 31.

Cameroon: Tchiroma Claims To Be Under Protection of Friendly Soldiers, Showcasing Rising Risk of Military Defections

Guinea Bissau Army Gen. Mamadu Ture said the military had foiled a coup attempt aimed at "disrupting" the country's Nov. 23 general election, Jeune Afrique reported on Oct. 31.

Guinea Bissau: Army Claims To Have Foiled Coup Attempt

Egypt

Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki began a five-day visit to Egypt on Oct. 30 amid surging tensions with neighboring Ethiopia, which is demanding that Eritrea grant it access to the Red Sea, Addis Standard reported the same day.

Eritrea: President Leads Five-Day Visit to Egypt Amid Surging Tensions With Ethiopia

Chief of the Tanzania People's Defence Force Gen. Jacob John Mkunda warned that Tanzanian security forces "can't allow" violent unrest to persist in the aftermath of the country's Oct. 29 general election, which preliminary results show President Samia Suluhu Hassan winning with 95% of vote, Bloomberg reported on Oct. 31.

Tanzania: Military Warns Against Further Unrest as Preliminary Results Portend Landslide Victory for Hassan

United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates reportedly paid approximately €50 million and delivered several tons of weapons and ammunition to al Qaeda Sahel affiliate Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) in exchange for three kidnapped foreigners, including two Emiratis, Jeune Afrique reported on Oct. 30.

Mali, UAE: UAE Reportedly Pays €50 Million Ransom to JNIM Jihadists

Cameroon's Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji announced that opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary will face legal action for allegedly inciting violent protests following the Oct. 12 presidential vote, which saw President Paul Biya win an eighth consecutive term, BBC reported on Oct. 29.

Cameroon: Opposition Leader To Face Legal Action Over Ongoing Election Unrest

Australia

Foreign missions accredited to Mali, including those representing the United States and Australia, have called on their nationals to immediately leave Mali amid a worsening jihadist insurgency now threatening the capital, Bamako, Radio France Internationale reported on Oct. 29.

Mali: Foreign Missions Order Nationals To Leave Mali as Jihadists Double Down on Attacks Near Bamako

Tanzanian officials imposed a curfew in the economic capital, Dar es Salaam, following protests against the presidential and parliamentary elections, which were widely deemed unfair, BBC reported on Oct. 29.

Tanzania: Curfew in Dar es Salaam Follows Nationwide Election-Related Protests

Sub-Saharan Africa

SITUATION REPORTS

Cameroon: Tchiroma Claims To Be Under Protection of Friendly Soldiers, Showcasing Rising Risk of Military Defections

Guinea Bissau: Army Claims To Have Foiled Coup Attempt

Eritrea: President Leads Five-Day Visit to Egypt Amid Surging Tensions With Ethiopia

Tanzania: Military Warns Against Further Unrest as Preliminary Results Portend Landslide Victory for Hassan

Mali, UAE: UAE Reportedly Pays €50 Million Ransom to JNIM Jihadists

Cameroon: Opposition Leader To Face Legal Action Over Ongoing Election Unrest

Mali: Foreign Missions Order Nationals To Leave Mali as Jihadists Double Down on Attacks Near Bamako

Tanzania: Curfew in Dar es Salaam Follows Nationwide Election-Related Protests

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