<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

Globalization

China in Transition

The Suitors of Sub-Saharan Africa

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What does the country's latest corruption scandal mean for President Cyril Ramaphosa and South African politics? 

Essential Geopolitics: The Outlook for South Africa's Coalition Government

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Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara arrives at the Ebimpe Olympic Stadium on June 22, 2025, in Abidjan. 

President Ouattara's decision to seek a fourth term in Cote d'Ivoire's upcoming election, amid leading opposition candidates' inability to run, is fueling rising political tensions and increasing the risk of a post-election crisis.

Cote d'Ivoire Gears Up for a Heated Election Season 

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 The European Union and China will hold a high-level leaders' summit July 24 in Beijing, marking the 50th anniversary of Chinese-EU diplomatic relations.

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

The Weekly Rundown: An EU-China Summit, South Africa's Budget Vote

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A demonstrator holds a Kenyan flag on a street in Nairobi, Kenya, during a pro-democracy protest on July 7, 2025. 

Growing anger over Ruto's economic policies and crackdown on dissent will hinder his efforts to reduce Kenya's fiscal deficit and portend recurring bouts of violent and disruptive protests.

No End in Sight to Kenya's Cycle of Deadly Protests

Cameroon President Paul Biya (L) and his wife Chantal Biya react during a parade marking the 51st celebration of Unity Day in Yaounde on May 20, 2023.

Cracks in the ruling coalition risk fueling unrest and political instability as 92-year-old President Biya seeks an eighth term in the October election. 

Amid Growing Defections, Cameroon's Aging President Doubles Down With a Reelection Bid

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (C) speaks during a peace agreement signing ceremony between Congolese Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner (R) and Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe in the Treaty Room of the State Department in Washington, D.C., on June 27, 2025. 

The peace agreement opens Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo up to significant economic opportunities, but disagreements over interpretation and continued proxy violence risk stalling the deal’s implementation.

A Fragile Peace Takes Shape Between Congo and Rwanda

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The third quarter of 2025 will be defined by disruptive trade policies fueling supply chain volatility and the persistent risk of escalation in major conflicts.

2025 Third-Quarter Forecast: An Excerpt

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

2025 Third-Quarter Forecast Webcast

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Israeli air defense systems are activated to intercept Iranian missiles over the Israeli city of Tel Aviv early on June 18, 2025. 

The Weekly Rundown: Israel-Iran Conflict Rages On, NATO Holds Annual Summit

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Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni speaks to media during the closing press conference of the G7 Summit in Fasano, Italy, on June 15, 2024. 

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Italy is seeking to embed its Mattei Plan into EU policy to gain support for its immediate goals of energy security and migration control, but structural issues will likely limit Rome's long-term influence in Africa.

Italy Syncs Its Mattei Plan for Africa With EU Initiatives

At least 37 members of the Malian military, including two generals, have been arrested in recent days due to their alleged intent to topple the country's junta, Radio France Internationale reported on Aug. 10. 

Mali: Dozens of Military Personnel Arrested Amid Coup Plot Allegations

The leader of the Rwandan-backed M23, Bertrand Bisimwa, said the group had not been invited to begin direct peace negotiations with the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Doha, Qatar, scheduled to begin on Aug. 8, Reuters reported on Aug. 7.

Congo: Doubts Emerge Over Start of Direct Peace Talks With M23

Tigray's parties of Arena Tigray, Semeret and National Congress of Great Tigray -- known as Baytona -- confirmed comments by Lt. Gen. Tsadkan Gebretensae, the former vice president of Tigray's interim regional administration, that they had formed an alliance aimed at advancing political change in the region, Addis Standard reported on Aug. 7.

Ethiopia: Tigrayan Parties Form Anti-TPLF Coalition

French multinational energy company TotalEnergies resumed "major works" on its $20 billion Mozambique LNG project, with a "senior source" close to the project acknowledging that the company was now "beyond preparatory works," Zitamar News reported on Aug. 6.

Mozambique: 'Major Works' on Mozambique LNG Reportedly Resume Prior to Lifting of Force Majeure

The central committee of Tanzania's opposition ACT-Wazalendo party endorsed former livestock minister Luhaga Mpina as one of two aspirants to lead the party's presidential ticket after he defected from the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi party, or CCM, The Citizen reported on Aug. 6. 

Tanzania: Former CCM Minister Defects to ACT-Wazalendo, Emerges as Frontrunner for Presidential Ticket

Cameroon's constitutional council rejected opposition leader Maurice Kamto's appeal to be reinstated as a candidate in the upcoming Oct. 12 presidential election, AP reported on Aug. 5. 

Cameroon: Constitutional Council Bars Opposition Leader From Running in Presidential Poll

Somalia's Gedo Regional Governor Abdirashid Janan, who is aligned with Somalia's federal government, claimed that Ethiopian troops deployed in Gedo Region have issued a three-day ultimatum to Somali federal forces to vacate the town of Beled Hawo, located near the border with Kenya and Ethiopia, Garowe Online reported Aug. 6.

Somalia: Ethiopian Troops Allegedly Issue Ultimatum For Federal Forces to Leave Border Town 

The National Executive Committee of the African National Congress party, or ANC, agreed not to remove the center-right Democratic Alliance, or DA, from South Africa's coalition government despite resentment toward the party's "theatrics," News24 reported on Aug. 5.

South Africa: ANC Backs Partnership With DA, But Looks for New Coalition Partners   

Sub-Saharan Africa

SITUATION REPORTS

Mali: Dozens of Military Personnel Arrested Amid Coup Plot Allegations

Congo: Doubts Emerge Over Start of Direct Peace Talks With M23

Ethiopia: Tigrayan Parties Form Anti-TPLF Coalition

Mozambique: 'Major Works' on Mozambique LNG Reportedly Resume Prior to Lifting of Force Majeure

Tanzania: Former CCM Minister Defects to ACT-Wazalendo, Emerges as Frontrunner for Presidential Ticket

Cameroon: Constitutional Council Bars Opposition Leader From Running in Presidential Poll

Somalia: Ethiopian Troops Allegedly Issue Ultimatum For Federal Forces to Leave Border Town

South Africa: ANC Backs Partnership With DA, But Looks for New Coalition Partners

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