<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

Snapshots

Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara arrives at the Ebimpe Olympic Stadium on June 22, 2025, in Abidjan. 

Politics

President Ouattara's decision to seek a fourth term in Cote d'Ivoire's upcoming election, amid leading opposition candidates' inability to run, is fueling rising political tensions and increasing the risk of a post-election crisis.

Cote d'Ivoire Gears Up for a Heated Election Season 

Assessments

United States

China

Japan

Philippines

 The European Union and China will hold a high-level leaders' summit July 24 in Beijing, marking the 50th anniversary of Chinese-EU diplomatic relations.

Economics

Military & Security

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

The Weekly Rundown: An EU-China Summit, South Africa's Budget Vote

U.S.-China Relations

A demonstrator holds a Kenyan flag on a street in Nairobi, Kenya, during a pro-democracy protest on July 7, 2025. 

Growing anger over Ruto's economic policies and crackdown on dissent will hinder his efforts to reduce Kenya's fiscal deficit and portend recurring bouts of violent and disruptive protests.

No End in Sight to Kenya's Cycle of Deadly Protests

Cameroon President Paul Biya (L) and his wife Chantal Biya react during a parade marking the 51st celebration of Unity Day in Yaounde on May 20, 2023.

Cracks in the ruling coalition risk fueling unrest and political instability as 92-year-old President Biya seeks an eighth term in the October election. 

Amid Growing Defections, Cameroon's Aging President Doubles Down With a Reelection Bid

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (C) speaks during a peace agreement signing ceremony between Congolese Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner (R) and Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe in the Treaty Room of the State Department in Washington, D.C., on June 27, 2025. 

The peace agreement opens Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo up to significant economic opportunities, but disagreements over interpretation and continued proxy violence risk stalling the deal’s implementation.

A Fragile Peace Takes Shape Between Congo and Rwanda

Americas

Middle East and North Africa

Asia-Pacific

Europe

Eurasia

South Asia

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

The third quarter of 2025 will be defined by disruptive trade policies fueling supply chain volatility and the persistent risk of escalation in major conflicts.

2025 Third-Quarter Forecast: An Excerpt

Media

Forecast Webcast

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

2025 Third-Quarter Forecast Webcast

U.S.-Iran Relations

Iran

Israel

Ukraine

Russia

Israeli air defense systems are activated to intercept Iranian missiles over the Israeli city of Tel Aviv early on June 18, 2025. 

The Weekly Rundown: Israel-Iran Conflict Rages On, NATO Holds Annual Summit

Italy

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni speaks to media during the closing press conference of the G7 Summit in Fasano, Italy, on June 15, 2024. 

Energy

Italy is seeking to embed its Mattei Plan into EU policy to gain support for its immediate goals of energy security and migration control, but structural issues will likely limit Rome's long-term influence in Africa.

Italy Syncs Its Mattei Plan for Africa With EU Initiatives

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Malian counterpart Abdoulaye Diop hold a joint press conference following their meeting in Moscow, Russia, on May 20, 2022. 

While Russian military support to Mali is set to persist, the Sahelian country's security environment will likely continue to deteriorate amid jihadist groups' strong momentum.

What's Next for Mali as Russia's Wagner Group Pulls Out? 

Palestinian Territories

Somalia's breakaway region of Somaliland offered the United States access to a military base in its territory as well as critical mineral deals in exchange for recognition of its independence, Bloomberg reported on July 30. 

Somalia, U.S.: Somaliland Offers Access to Military Base, Mineral Deals in Return for U.S. Recognition

Togo's Foreign Minister Robert Dussey revealed that the al Qaeda-affiliated group Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, or JNIM, has killed 54 civilians and eight soldiers in 15 attacks across the country's northern region since the start of 2025, Reuters reported on July 29.

Togo: Government Says 54 Civilians Killed by Jihadists in 2025

Clashes between forces loyal to Jubaland state and those linked to the federal government erupted in Somalia's town of Dollow on July 27 and 28, Garowe Online reported on July 28. 

Somalia: Fresh Clashes Erupt Between Federal Government and Jubaland Forces

Taiwan

Environment, Science & Technology

Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was considering restricting the sale of semiconductors to South Africa after the South African government unilaterally renamed the island's two representative offices in Cape Town and Johannesburg as "Taipen Commercial Offices," Focus Taiwan reported on July 29.

South Africa: Taiwan Mulls Semiconductor Restrictions Amid Renaming of Diplomatic Missions

Maurice Kamto, the main opposition leader in Cameroon and runner-up in the 2018 presidential election, has been excluded from the list of candidates for the Oct. 12 presidential vote, BBC reported on July 28.

Cameroon: Main Opposition Leader Barred From Running in October Presidential Election

Brazil

Cyber

The Chinese government will spearhead the creation of a body for countries to jointly develop artificial intelligence, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said at China's World Artificial Intelligence Conference on July 26.

China: Beijing Pitches Global AI Cooperation Body

Egypt

Saudi Arabia

United Arab Emirates

Ahmed Haroun, the former head of Sudan’s banned National Congress Party, or NCP, said the Islamist movement could support prolonged rule by the Sudanese Armed Forces, or SAF, following a hypothetical end of Sudan’s civil war, Reuters reported on July 25. 

Sudan: Islamists Hint at Long-Term Partnership With SAF

South African Trade and Industry Minister Parks Tau said that the South African government and the U.S. Trade Representative's office signed an agreement laying out the conditions for South Africa to reach a "trade deal" with the United States, News24 reported July 24. 

U.S., South Africa: Countries Agree on Framework for Trade Deal

Sub-Saharan Africa

SITUATION REPORTS

Somalia, U.S.: Somaliland Offers Access to Military Base, Mineral Deals in Return for U.S. Recognition

Togo: Government Says 54 Civilians Killed by Jihadists in 2025

Somalia: Fresh Clashes Erupt Between Federal Government and Jubaland Forces

South Africa: Taiwan Mulls Semiconductor Restrictions Amid Renaming of Diplomatic Missions

Cameroon: Main Opposition Leader Barred From Running in October Presidential Election

China: Beijing Pitches Global AI Cooperation Body

Sudan: Islamists Hint at Long-Term Partnership With SAF

U.S., South Africa: Countries Agree on Framework for Trade Deal

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