Essay and Discussion Questions from Regions of the World

Sub-Saharan Africa High School Questions

Help students understand Sub-Saharan Africa through these essay and discussion questions.

Questions

  1. What has motivated outside powers to involve themselves in Africa both throughout history and in the present day?
  2. In what ways is sub-Saharan Africa particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change?
  3. Why are cell phones so important to many sub-Saharan Africans? 
  4. What are the major causes of migration in Africa?
  5. What are the main goals of United States foreign policy in sub-Saharan Africa? How and why have these goals changed over time? 
  6. In what ways are sub-Saharan African societies unequal? What are the effects of this inequality?
  7. Nigeria and South Africa are the two largest economies on the continent. In what ways are these two relatively wealthy countries similar? In what ways are they different? 
  8. How does European colonialism continue to shape countries in sub-Saharan Africa?
  9. Why have countries outside Africa, such as China, France, and the United States, taken a military interest in Africa?
  10. Despite its being relatively less developed than any other region, in what ways does sub-Saharan Africa wield influence in the world?
  11. Is increasing Chinese investment a positive or negative development in the region?
  12. Sub-Saharan Africa has the youngest population of any region in the world. Should this be considered a challenge or an opportunity for development?