<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

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Burkina Faso

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Central African Republic

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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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Why is the United States involved in the mediation process? 

The Decision Advantage: Key Drivers of the Congo-Rwanda Conflict

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A digital illustration of Mali’s flag.

Recent attacks by al Qaeda affiliate JNIM pose a significant challenge to the junta's legitimacy, elevating the immediate threat of another military coup and signaling a progressive fragmentation of state authority as the jihadist group expands its reach.

Jihadist Onslaught Puts Mali on the Brink of Spiraling Chaos

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud sits in his office as he speaks to journalists at Villa Somalia, the palace and principal workplace of the president, on April 22, 2025, in central Mogadishu, Somalia.

President Mohamud's attempt to extend his term could prompt opposition forces to form a parallel administration and lead to a federal military intervention in Jubaland state.

Somalia Descends Into Another Constitutional Crisis

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IMF officials participate in an economic outlook briefing in Washington, D.C., on April 14, 2026.

Economics

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The sharp increase in global oil and fertilizer costs will force import-reliant, low-income nations in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa to choose between fiscal discipline and maintaining social stability.

Iran War Price Shocks Will Hit Low-Income Energy Importers Hardest

The Dangote petroleum refinery plant is seen in Lagos, Nigeria, on April 6, 2026.

Nigeria will enjoy a short-term revenue boost from elevated oil prices, but the potential for renewed instability in the Niger Delta could undermine efforts to increase oil production.

Nigeria's Oil Gains From Iran War Face Old Challenges

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How have dynamics evolved since France and the United States withdrew from the region? 

The Decision Advantage: Jihadist Insurgency in the Sahel and West Africa

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Demographic decline, driven by falling fertility rates worldwide, is likely irreversible but will also increasingly differentiate countries based on their ability to adapt through sound immigration, labor, technological and fiscal policies.

Adapting to Demographic Decline: Policy Tradeoffs and Global Divergences

Iran

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Damage at the Azadi Sport Complex in the Iranian capital of Tehran on April 3.

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

The Weekly Rundown: The Iran War Continues, Taiwan's KMT Restarts China Talks

U.S.-Iran Relations

The Geopolitics of Natural Resources

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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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Israel-Hamas Conflict

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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

Al Qaeda affiliate Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, or JNIM, called on all of Mali's "sincere patriots," including political parties, security forces, religious authorities and traditional chiefs, to "unite our forces in a common front" against the country's ruling junta, the group said in a statement shared by France 24 journalist Wassim Nasr on his X account on April 30.

Mali: JNIM Calls for 'Common Front' Against Junta

Senegal's National Assembly adopted a highly controversial electoral reform law on April 28, widely described as being "tailor-made" to secure the eligibility of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko for future elections, particularly the 2029 presidential race, Jeune Afrique reported on April 29.

Senegal: Parliament Passes Controversial Electoral Reform Seen as Paving Way for Prime Minister's 2029 Bid

Spokesperson for the Tigray People's Liberation Front, or TPLF, Michael Asgedom said Tigray Chief Administrator Lt. Gen. Tadesse Werede would be making a "mistake" if he remained in power and said his interim regional administration was "collapsing," BBC Amharic reported on April 29.

Ethiopia: TPLF Calls on Tigray Chief Administrator Tadesse To Hand Over Power

Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russian companies were ready to work in the Republic of the Congo and highlighted cooperation in geological exploration, logistics, energy and agriculture during talks in Moscow with the country's president, Denis Sassou-Nguesso, Izvestia reported April 29.

Russia, Africa: Putin Hosts Talks With Republic of Congo President in Moscow

In a televised address on the evening of April 28, Malian junta leader Assimi Goita said that the situation was "under control" after al Qaeda affiliate Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, or JNIM, and its allies launched sweeping nationwide attacks over the weekend, Radio France International reported. 

Mali: Goita Says Situation 'Under Control' After JNIM Attacks, Praises Russian, AES Support

Al Qaeda affiliate Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, or JNIM, announced the imposition of a "total blockade" of Bamako amid widespread panic in the Malian capital about the alleged entrance of jihadists in parts of the city, Jeune Afrique reported on April 28. 

Mali: JNIM Announces 'Total Blockade' of Bamako Following Loud Explosions Near Airport

United Arab Emirates

The Democratic Republic of the Congo's General Inspectorate of Mines announced plans to create a paramilitary "mining guard" to protect mining sites and mineral shipments across the country with funding from the United States and the United Arab Emirates, Bloomberg reported on April 27.

Congo: Authorities To Establish Paramilitary Unit To Protect Mining Sites With U.S., UAE Funding

Burkinabe junta leader and president of the Alliance of Sahel States Ibrahim Traore condemned coordinated large-scale attacks by al Qaeda affiliate Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin and the Azawad Liberation Front rebels in neighboring Mali, BBC reported on April 26.

Burkina Faso: Junta Leader Accuses 'Enemies' of Backing Mali Attacks, Announces Reserve Force

Sub-Saharan Africa

SITUATION REPORTS

Mali: JNIM Calls for 'Common Front' Against Junta

Senegal: Parliament Passes Controversial Electoral Reform Seen as Paving Way for Prime Minister's 2029 Bid

Ethiopia: TPLF Calls on Tigray Chief Administrator Tadesse To Hand Over Power

Russia, Africa: Putin Hosts Talks With Republic of Congo President in Moscow

Mali: Goita Says Situation 'Under Control' After JNIM Attacks, Praises Russian, AES Support

Mali: JNIM Announces 'Total Blockade' of Bamako Following Loud Explosions Near Airport

Congo: Authorities To Establish Paramilitary Unit To Protect Mining Sites With U.S., UAE Funding

Burkina Faso: Junta Leader Accuses 'Enemies' of Backing Mali Attacks, Announces Reserve Force

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