Barack Obama inherits an Africa policy widely regarded as one of President Bush's few foreign-policy successes. Millions of HIV-infected Africans now receive antiretroviral drugs thanks to the president's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. Anti-terror alliances have been strengthened through the United States Africa Command. A more robust version of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) has modestly boosted trade. Diplomatic relations are strong thanks to Bush's personal touch: He had more than 100 official meetings with African leaders -- double President Clinton's number. Those policies won Bush a 72 percent approval rating among sub-Saharan Africans until the very end, according to a Gallup poll conducted in the final years of his presidency.

For Obama, it may be tough to extend these successes and follow through on lofty campaign promises on Africa. He pledged to boost humanitarian aid, but foreign assistance is an easy target when budgets are tight. Obama also promised to strengthen AGOA in order to encourage trade, but a growing appetite for protectionism at home will make that difficult.

Obama faces a string of humanitarian crises around the continent, too, from genocide in Darfur to violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo to economic and political unrest in Zimbabwe. Members of his administration are well versed in these conflicts: U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice is a former assistant secretary of State for African affairs. And both Rice and Samantha Power, who is crafting Obama's Africa policy, are advocates for a larger U.S. role in resolving the genocide in Darfur.

But with the White House consumed by the economic crisis at home, Africa has not been at the top of the docket. Nearly two months into his administration, Obama has not appointed an assistant secretary of State at the Bureau of African Affairs, a special envoy to Sudan or an ambassador to the African Union. Five lawmakers wrote the president this week, urging him to appoint a Sudan envoy sooner rather than later.

Use the interactive map below to learn more about six countries that will present challenges for the new administration in Africa, and hear audio clips of experts discussing the way forward in the region.