<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

A digital illustration of Mali’s flag.

Military & Security

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.

Politics

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.

Economics

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

Media

United States

France

Podcasts

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

Columns

On Geopolitics

Americas

Middle East and North Africa

Asia-Pacific

Europe

Eurasia

The Geopolitics of Demographics

Social Issues

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

Israel

China

Taiwan

Vietnam

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

Environment, Science & Technology

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

Cyber

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

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

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

South African Transport Minister Barbara Creecy released for public consultation the government's draft National Rail Master Plan, which aims to mobilize 2 trillion rand ($120 billion) in public and private investments over 30 years to increase rail freight volumes, Engineering News reported on April 23.

South Africa: Government Unveils Draft Rail Masterplan as Survey Finds Reform Momentum Slowing

A commission of inquiry instructed by the Tanzanian government to investigate violence during and after Tanzania's October 2025 elections found that a total of 518 people had died of "unnatural causes," including 502 civilians and 16 members of the security forces, The Citizen reported on April 23. 

Tanzania: Government-Backed Inquiry Finds 518 Died of 'Unnatural Causes' in Election-Related Violence

Angola's Minister of State for Economic Coordination Jose de Lima Massano said the Angolan government was foreseeing a windfall of around 3.2 trillion kwanza ($3.5 billion, or around 2.4% of GDP) in 2026 assuming an average price of $80 per barrel of oil by the end of 2026, Ver Angola reported on April 22.

Angola: Government Foresees $3.5B Windfall in 2026 From Higher Oil Prices

Sub-Saharan Africa

SITUATION REPORTS

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

South Africa: Government Unveils Draft Rail Masterplan as Survey Finds Reform Momentum Slowing

Tanzania: Government-Backed Inquiry Finds 518 Died of 'Unnatural Causes' in Election-Related Violence

Angola: Government Foresees $3.5B Windfall in 2026 From Higher Oil Prices

Forecasts

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