Ancient Nubia was located in southern Egypt and northern Sudan and was divided into two parts--Upper Nubia, or Kush, which was the southern portion, and Lower Nubia, the northern portion. The people of ancient Nubia depended on the flooding of the Nile to grow and irrigate their crops. While people in the desert areas of Nubia remained pastoral nomads, Lower Nubia developed one of the first states in the world, which was settled by the so-called A-Group culture (which developed from about 3800 BCE-3100 BCE; they were given this name because their ancient name is not known). Their remains show that they had similar symbols to those of Egyptian kings, and their civilization was strengthened through trading such items as ebony, ivory, gold, and carnelian with Egypt until their civilization was taken over by the Egyptians during the First Dynasty.

Later, around 2000 BCE, the C-Group culture also developed along the Nile, as did the Kerma or Kush culture around 1500 BCE. As the Kush culture grew in power, they extended northward towards Egypt, and the Egyptians built fortifications in response. During the New Kingdom (1550–1069 BCE), Egypt conquered Nubia, which they referred to as Kush. All of the powerful ancient Nubian states developed along the Nile, which provided them with the surplus crops and trade routes to develop governments. Before the Egyptians conquered the Nubians, the Nubian religion was independent of the Egyptians, though little is known about it. After being conquered by the Egyptians, the Nubians developed a religion that borrowed from that of the Egyptians. In addition, some Nubian deities such as Sekhmet may have been introduced from Nubia to the Egyptian religion.

Ancient Libya's borders are not known exactly, but they lie west of the Nile. The land was a desert. Ancient Libya was mainly inhabited by pastoral nomads, the most populous of whom were the Libu. They lived by eating goats and sheep and using the animals' hides for shelter and clothing. They followed a traditional Berber religion before the introduction of Islam, and this ancient religion was notable for its cult of the dead. They also had their own system of deities. Their pastoral nomadic way of life did not result in the growth of a strong government. Instead, their civilization was a collection of tribes led by different kings rather than a unified kingdom.