<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

The Geopolitics of Natural Resources

Economics

Military & Security

Control over critical natural resources is increasingly strengthening armed groups' durability and geographic reach, heightening their physical threats and their ability to create political instability.

Natural Resource Exploitation as an Engine for Insurgency in Sub-Saharan Africa

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed delivers remarks during the official inauguration ceremony of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam in Guba on Sept. 9, 2025.

Politics

Prime Minister Abiy will likely be reelected without sustained unrest, but escalating tensions in Tigray could still fuel a worsening security crisis in the Amhara and/or Oromia regions in a less-likely, higher-impact scenario.

Previewing Ethiopia's General Elections

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers a speech on April 18, 2026.

Ramaphosa will likely attempt to delay his upcoming impeachment process to facilitate the rise of a reformist ANC successor, though he still may preemptively resign, which would likely result in the collapse of South Africa's coalition government.

South Africa's Top Court Shows Ramaphosa the End of the Road

United States

Iran

Israel

Lebanon

China

France

United Kingdom

Boats on April 28, 2026 on Qeshm Island, Iran, in the Strait of Hormuz. Tensions between the United States and Iran will remain elevated, especially around the strait, following the May 7 U.S.-Iran exchange of attacks and Iranian attacks against the United Arab Emirates.

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

The Weekly Rundown: Elevated Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, France Convenes an Africa Summit

U.S.-China Relations

U.S.-Iran Relations

Trucks haul away ore from a pit in the Chinese-owned Tenke Fungurume Mine, one of the largest copper and cobalt mines in the world, in southeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo on June 17, 2023.

Greater access to Congo's mining sector will likely help the U.S. further secure its cobalt and copper supplies, but ongoing security concerns in the Central African country and China's dominance over global mineral processing will limit the extent of these gains.

Trump Goes Hunting For Congo's Minerals

Media

Podcasts

Why is the United States involved in the mediation process? 

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

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

South Asia

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

Energy

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

Ethiopia reached a staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund regarding the fifth review of its support program, which will result in the disbursement of $468 million once approved by the IMF executive board, Addis Standard reported on June 3. 

Ethiopia: Addis Ababa Reaches Staff-Level Agreement With IMF on Fifth Review

Russia

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan met with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a state visit to Russia, following which Putin called for stronger trade ties between the two countries and stressed opportunities for deeper bilateral cooperation in the fields of energy, mining and logistics, The Chanzo reported on June 4.

Tanzania: President Hassan Meets Putin During State Visit to Russia

Armed clashes and heavy gunfire erupted overnight in several districts of Mogadishu, Somalia, on June 3-4 as tensions over delayed elections escalated into violence between federal government forces and opposition-aligned fighters, BBC reported on June 4. 

Somalia: Clashes Erupt in Mogadishu as Government and Opposition Trade Accusations

United Arab Emirates

The U.S. State Department reaffirmed in a report to the U.S. Congress that it considered Somaliland to be part of Somalia's territory, Somali Guardian reported on June 2. 

Somaliland, U.S.: U.S. Reaffirms 'One Somalia' Policy, but Eyes Further Cooperation With Somaliland

The impeachment committee tasked with leading an inquiry into South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's Phala Phala scandal held its first meeting on June 1, during which it elected the chief whip of the Rise Mzansi party, Makashule Gana, as the committee's chairperson, Eyewitness News reported on the same day.

South Africa: Impeachment Committee for Ramaphosa Holds First Meeting, Elects Chairperson

Chairperson of the National Election Board of Ethiopia Melatwork Hailu said 143 polling stations did not open during the country's June 1 general election due to security concerns, adding that "security problems" had also interrupted the vote at an undisclosed number of polling stations in "certain areas" of the Amhara and Oromia regions, Addis Standard reported on June 1.

Ethiopia: Government Praises Peaceful General Election Despite Security-Driven Interruptions To Polling

Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye on June 1 appointed a government led by newly designated Prime Minister Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo that excludes formal representation from the ruling Patriots of Senegal party, or PASTEF, Jeune Afrique reported on June 2.

Senegal: President Appoints Government Without Participation of Ruling Party

The opposition Nigeria Democratic Congress, or NDC, endorsed 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi as its presidential candidate for Nigeria's 2027 general election, and Obi named 2023 presidential candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso as his running mate, Vanguard reported on May 30.

Nigeria: NDC Designates Peter Obi as Presidential Candidate, Portending Mounting Campaigning Activity

Sub-Saharan Africa

SITUATION REPORTS

Ethiopia: Addis Ababa Reaches Staff-Level Agreement With IMF on Fifth Review

Tanzania: President Hassan Meets Putin During State Visit to Russia

Somalia: Clashes Erupt in Mogadishu as Government and Opposition Trade Accusations

Somaliland, U.S.: U.S. Reaffirms 'One Somalia' Policy, but Eyes Further Cooperation With Somaliland

South Africa: Impeachment Committee for Ramaphosa Holds First Meeting, Elects Chairperson

Ethiopia: Government Praises Peaceful General Election Despite Security-Driven Interruptions To Polling

Senegal: President Appoints Government Without Participation of Ruling Party

Nigeria: NDC Designates Peter Obi as Presidential Candidate, Portending Mounting Campaigning Activity

Forecasts

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