<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

Algeria

Anti-riot police officers on April 8 in front of the Algerian Embassy in Bamako, Mali. While a full-scale military conflict remains very unlikely, Mali's legal challenge against Algeria ensures that diplomatic and security friction will define the relationship for the foreseeable future.

Military & Security

Politics

While a full-scale military conflict remains very unlikely, Mali's legal challenge against Algeria ensures that diplomatic and security friction will define the relationship for the foreseeable future.

Mali's ICJ Case Against Algeria Will Deepen Diplomatic Standoff in the Sahel

Nigerian soldiers from the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) drive in pick-ups during training at the Sector 3 MNJTF military base headquarters in Monguno, Borno state, Nigeria, on July 5, 2025. 

War, Insurgency & Terrorism

Armed groups will continue to expand across Nigeria as the government struggles with domestic constraints and limits on regional security cooperation.

In Nigeria, Security Forces Struggle To Address Growing Militancy

Brazil

Israel

Japan

France

United Kingdom

French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou leaves after the weekly cabinet meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, on Aug. 27, 2025.

Israel-Hamas Conflict

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

The Weekly Rundown: France's Bayrou Faces a Confidence Vote, Ethiopia Inaugurates Its Mega-Dam

Americas

Middle East and North Africa

Asia-Pacific

Europe

Eurasia

South Asia

The Geopolitics of Trade

Economics

Energy

Environment, Science & Technology

Global Trade

Geopolitical, security and environmental risks threaten to disrupt trade through crucial waterways, including the Bab el-Mandeb strait, the Suez Canal, the Danish and Turkish straits, and the Panama Canal.

The Geopolitics of Trade: Threats to Maritime Chokepoints Endanger Global Trade, Part 2

United States

The flag of Somaliland is seen during a political rally in Hargeisa on Nov. 8, 2024.

The United States is growing more likely to recognize Somaliland's statehood to secure basing rights in the territory, which would likely roil U.S.-Somalia relations and risk plunging Somalia into crisis.

Assessing the Prospect of the U.S. Recognizing Somaliland's Independence

Diverse security risks threaten maritime chokepoints around the world, presenting unique challenges to international trade.

The Geopolitics of Trade: Threats to Maritime Chokepoints Endanger Global Trade, Part 1

Russia

Members of the Unity for Peace in the Central African Republic (UPC) rebel group gather at the DDR (disarmament, demobilization and reintegration) site in Maloum, the Central African Republic, on July 24. 2025.

The dissolution of key rebel groups and the reintegration of ex-fighters could stabilize the country after years of conflict, but the process will remain fragile amid funding challenges and potential attacks from non-signatories.

Central African Republic's New Peace Deal Holds Promise, but Challenges Persist

Columns

On Geopolitics

United Arab Emirates

Shipping containers are offloaded from a vessel at Berbera Port in Somaliland on Aug. 31, 2021.   (ED RAM/AFP via Getty Images)

The UAE is expanding its influence across East Africa through large-scale investments and security partnerships, aiming to consolidate its status as a global trade hub and counter regional competitors, at the risk of entangling regional states in broader geopolitical contests.

The UAE's Long Game in East Africa

A Tigrayan flag waves at the entrance of a hospital in Tigray's regional capital, Mekele, on Oct. 10, 2024. 

The ruling TPLF's apparent rapprochement with Eritrea and the rise of anti-TPLF groups are raising the risk of an Ethiopian-Eritrean proxy conflict in Tigray that could eventually spur a larger military escalation.

Ethiopia's Tigray Region Faces a Brewing Storm Amid Shifting Alliances

Media

Podcasts

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

The United States reportedly suspended support for Somalia's elite Danab commandos, a Somali National Army elite unit trained and equipped by Washington, Garowe Online reported on Sept. 16. 

Somalia: U.S. Reportedly Suspends Support for Elite Unit Commandos

Malawi's ruling Malawi Congress Party, or MCP, declared victory in the country's Sept. 16 general election before the publication of official election results by the electoral commission, Malawi 24 reported on Sept. 17.

Malawi: Ruling Party Declares Itself Election Winner Before Publication of General Election Results

Wazalendo militias issued a memo to Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi laying out a number of demands in return for their continued loyalty to the Congolese government, Radio France Internationale reported on Sept. 17.

Congo: Wazalendo Militias Issue Slew of Demands to Tshisekedi

A faction within South Sudan's opposition Sudan People's Liberation Movement-In-Opposition party (SPLM-IO), which supports suspended First Vice President Riek Machar, called for armed mobilization to pursue "regime change," AFP reported on Sept.15.

South Sudan: Opposition Demands Regime Change After Treason Charges Filed Against First Vice President

Militants of al Qaeda affiliate Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, or JNIM, destroyed at least 40 fuel delivery trucks that were being escorted by the Malian military in southwestern Mali, Reuters reported on Sept. 15, based on conversations with a truckers’ union official.

Mali: JNIM Destroys Over 40 Fuel Delivery Trucks as It Ramps Up Fuel Blockade Strategy

Tanzania's electoral commission disqualified the presidential candidate of the opposition ACT-Wazalendo party, Luhaga Mpina, for a second time just two days after reinstating his candidacy, The Chanzo reported on Sept. 15. 

Tanzania: Electoral Commission Bars ACT-Wazalendo Candidate for Second Time

Egypt

Saudi Arabia

Sudan's Sovereignty Council, the governing body backed by the Sudanese Armed Forces, or SAF, rejected a Sept. 12 proposal by the United States, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates for a three-month humanitarian truce with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, or RSF, after the RSF launched drone strikes on critical infrastructure in White Nile state, Sudan Tribune reported on Sept. 14.

Sudan: SAF Rejects Truce Proposals From U.S.-Led Quartet

The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda agreed on a draft framework in which they pledged to work with the United States and other partners to de-risk private sector investments in their mineral supply chains, Reuters reported on Sept. 14, based on conversations with an unnamed source.

Congo: Government Reportedly Agrees on Draft Trade Framework for Minerals With Rwanda

Sub-Saharan Africa

SITUATION REPORTS

Somalia: U.S. Reportedly Suspends Support for Elite Unit Commandos

Malawi: Ruling Party Declares Itself Election Winner Before Publication of General Election Results

Congo: Wazalendo Militias Issue Slew of Demands to Tshisekedi

South Sudan: Opposition Demands Regime Change After Treason Charges Filed Against First Vice President

Mali: JNIM Destroys Over 40 Fuel Delivery Trucks as It Ramps Up Fuel Blockade Strategy

Tanzania: Electoral Commission Bars ACT-Wazalendo Candidate for Second Time

Sudan: SAF Rejects Truce Proposals From U.S.-Led Quartet

Congo: Government Reportedly Agrees on Draft Trade Framework for Minerals With Rwanda

Forecasts

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