<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

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party reacts on stage during a rally in Dar es Salaam on Aug. 28, 2025, to officially launch the CCM's campaign ahead of the Tanzanian general election. 

Economics

Energy

Military & Security

Politics

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan is highly likely to be reelected in the Oct. 29 ballot, which is unlikely to turn violent but could portend wider governance challenges in the medium term.

Previewing Tanzania's General Elections

Global Elections

Snapshots

Protesters face police from a distance near burning barricades in Antananarivo, Madagascar, on Oct. 9, 2025. 

President Andry Rajoelina's removal on the back of widespread, youth-led protests will likely deescalate tensions in Madagascar in the next few weeks, but it could inspire similar protest movements elsewhere in Africa and potentially beyond.

Africa Sees Its First Gen Z-Driven Coup in Madagascar

United States

Israel

Palestinian Territories

Japan

France

Palestinians on Oct. 10 on Al-Rashid road headed toward Gaza City. U.S. President Donald Trump said he might visit the Middle East just as 20 hostages are meant to be released by Hamas after surviving two years in captivity as the White House pushes for the solidification of a frail ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

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: Trump Tries To Solidify the Gaza Ceasefire, a Presidential Vote in Cameroon

Europe

The Geopolitics of Trade

Global Trade

Persistent conflict and armed group control in the Democratic Republic of the Congo will sustain significant legal, financial and reputational pressures on companies sourcing critical minerals from the region for the foreseeable future.

The Geopolitics of Trade: Due Diligence and Congo's Critical Minerals

Media

Americas

Middle East and North Africa

Asia-Pacific

Eurasia

South Asia

Forecast Webcast

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

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

2025 Fourth-Quarter Forecast Webcast

U.S.-China Relations

The fourth quarter will bring shifting trade tactics, evolving wars, and pivotal elections and flashpoints worldwide that will test governments’ stability and market confidence.

2025 Fourth-Quarter Forecast: An Excerpt

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.

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

United Kingdom

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

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

Environment, Science & Technology

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

Malian junta leader Gen. Assimi Goita dismissed several senior military officers for underperformance amid an economic blockade imposed by al Qaeda affiliate Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), which has caused a severe fuel shortage, Jeune Afrique reported on Oct. 23.

Mali: Worsening Jihadist Insurgency Exposes Divisions in Junta, Leading to Dismissal of Senior Officers

According to an exclusive report, Cameroon's incumbent President Paul Biya reportedly offered the position of prime minister to his main political rival, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, a former long-term ally, Jeune Afrique reported on Oct. 21.

Cameroon: Longtime President Reportedly Offers Opposition Leader Premiership

Cameroon's National Vote Counting Commission released provisional results for the country's Oct. 12 presidential election that show President Paul Biya receiving 53.66% of votes, against 35.66% of votes for opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary, Jeune Afrique reported on Oct. 21.

Cameroon: Provisional Results Show President Biya Reelected for Eighth Term

U.S. President Donald Trump's Senior Advisor for Africa, Massad Boulos, said in an interview with Bloomberg that the reauthorization of the African Growth and Opportunity Act, or AGOA, was "moving positively in the right direction," the news outlet reported on Oct. 20.

U.S., Africa: Trump Administration Hints at Decision by Congress To Revive AGOA by Year-End

South Africa's Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment informed an oil major that appeals lodged against its Environmental Authorisation, a necessary approval to conduct oil exploration works, would be temporarily "held in abeyance," News24 reported on Oct. 17.

South Africa: Government Effectively Freezes Issuance of New Oil Permits Pending Supreme Court Ruling 

Russia

The African Union announced the suspension of Madagascar's membership from the continental bloc in response to the Malagasy military's Oct. 14 coup, warned of sanctions against the country's new military rulers and called for a civilian-led transitional government that organizes new elections as soon as possible, Radio France Internationale reported on Oct. 16.

Madagascar: African Union Suspends Madagascar Over Military Coup

The Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group signed an agreement in Doha, Qatar, to establish a ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism, Bloomberg reported on Oct. 14. 

Congo, Rwanda: Congolese Government and M23 Establish Mechanism To Monitor Ceasefire

Kenyan President William Ruto announced a seven-day mourning period after former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who led the Orange Democratic Movement party, or ODM, died of a heart attack while receiving treatment in India, Citizen Digital reported on Oct. 15. 

Kenya: Former Prime Minister Odinga's Death Portends New Bout of Political Volatility

Sub-Saharan Africa

SITUATION REPORTS

Mali: Worsening Jihadist Insurgency Exposes Divisions in Junta, Leading to Dismissal of Senior Officers

Cameroon: Longtime President Reportedly Offers Opposition Leader Premiership

Cameroon: Provisional Results Show President Biya Reelected for Eighth Term

U.S., Africa: Trump Administration Hints at Decision by Congress To Revive AGOA by Year-End

South Africa: Government Effectively Freezes Issuance of New Oil Permits Pending Supreme Court Ruling

Madagascar: African Union Suspends Madagascar Over Military Coup

Congo, Rwanda: Congolese Government and M23 Establish Mechanism To Monitor Ceasefire

Kenya: Former Prime Minister Odinga's Death Portends New Bout of Political Volatility

Forecasts

ANALYSES

SECTIONS

Explore

Subscribe

Help & Support