Ryan Cummings is a director of analysis at Africa-focused risk management company Signal Risk. He is also an independent consultant to various international news media outlets and think tanks on issues of terrorism, conflict, migration, and political instability in Africa. Cummings is the coauthor of the book The Islamic State in Africa: The Emergence, Evolution, and Future of the Next Jihadist Battlefront (Hurst, 2021).

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Repairing South Africa’s Fractured Relationship with the United States

The relationship between South Africa and the United States is at a low point. It is in South Africa’s best interest to find a pragmatic approach that focuses on rebuilding trust with the United States in order to preserve vital economic and strategic ties.

Commentary by Ryan Cummings — April 2, 2025

Experts React: The Challenges and Opportunities for the Trump Administration in Africa

On January 20, 2025, Donald Trump will begin his second term as U.S. president. CSIS Africa Program experts highlight opportunities to strengthen U.S.-Africa relations through green industrialization, strategic partnerships, good governance, and country-focused engagement.

Commentary by Mvemba Phezo Dizolele, Laird Treiber, Rafiq Raji, Jon Temin, Saleh Bala, Cameron Hudson, Emilia Columbo, Ryan Cummings, and Will Brown — January 13, 2025

What Africa Experts Are Watching in 2023

To preview some of the top stories in 2023, the CSIS Africa Program presents its annual list of key countries and issues to watch this year.

Commentary by Mvemba Phezo Dizolele, Catherine Nzuki, William Mark Bellamy, Mimi Alemayehou, Maria E. Burnett, Emilia Columbo, Ryan Cummings, Cameron Hudson, and Laird Treiber — March 8, 2023

What to Watch in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2022

The CSIS Africa Program previews some of the top stories and trends in the region for 2022.

Commentary by Mvemba Phezo Dizolele, William Mark Bellamy, Hannah Ryder , Laird Treiber, Emilia Columbo, Will Brown, Rafiq Raji, Ryan Cummings, Maria E. Burnett, and Marielle Harris — January 20, 2022

Under the Radar: Summer 2021 Edition

The overwhelming focus on hotspots across sub-Saharan Africa diverts attention from other regional developments. In the Summer 2021 edition of Under the Radar, Judd Devermont and Ryan Cummings deliver analysis on six countries that rarely grab headlines.

Commentary by Ryan Cummings and Judd Devermont — July 29, 2021

Under the Radar: Winter Edition

In the third edition of Under the Radar, Judd Devermont and Ryan Cummings spotlight six sub-Saharan African countries that receive limited international media attention: Angola, Burkina Faso, Burundi, The Gambia, Niger, and Seychelles.

Commentary by Ryan Cummings and Judd Devermont — December 18, 2020

Under the Radar: Summer Edition

In the second edition of Under the Radar, Judd Devermont and Ryan Cummings explore governance and security shifts in six African countries that rarely grab headlines.

Commentary by Ryan Cummings and Judd Devermont — August 11, 2020

Under the Radar: Spring Edition

The overwhelming focus on hotspots and Covid-19 diverts attention from developments unfolding across sub-Saharan Africa. In the first installation of Under the Radar, Judd Devermont and Ryan Cummings deliver analysis on six countries that rarely grab headlines.

Commentary by Ryan Cummings and Judd Devermont — May 6, 2020