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The document argues that rebel groups provide a unique 'laboratory' for understanding governance because they operate outside the Westphalian state system. It examines how rebels implement rule-making, enforcement, and service provision, and how these activities relate to their legitimacy and capacity. The authors propose a multi-dimensional framework for rebel capacity—military, economic, personnel, administrative, and social—and argue that territorial control is not always a prerequisite for governance. By comparing rebel and state behaviors, the paper suggests that governance is often multi-layered and that the relationship between territorial control and legitimacy is complex and non-linear.

The author analyzes 'value-talk'—the use of references to 'our values' to formulate 'we', 'us', and 'them'—following terror attacks in France and Norway. By examining national TV news from the first week after the events, the study argues that values are not static traits dividing cultural groups, but are dynamic tools used to mobilize unity (we-hood) and dissociate the national community from terrorists (us-hood). The findings suggest that while both countries used value-talk to foster cohesion, the results differed: Norway experienced a more consensus-oriented, depoliticized narrative, whereas France's efforts were more fragmented and marked by ongoing conflict regarding the loyalty of Muslim populations to the Republic.

The report contends that EU economic competitiveness should not be confused with bank profitability, arguing that strong prudential rules are a prerequisite for a resilient financial system. It rejects the notion that lowering capital requirements increases competitiveness, noting that ECB analysis suggests stronger capital positions actually reduce funding costs for less capitalized banks. The document warns that comparing EU banks to US peers is misleading due to differing macroeconomic environments and business models, and strongly opposes simplifying or weakening climate-related risk obligations, which it views as essential for long-term stability.

The research paper by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) challenges the perception that lighter vehicles are inherently less safe by virtually modeling an 'UltraLight' concept vehicle. Through crash simulations and comparisons with a 2007 Ford Edge, the study demonstrates that while an early-stage ultralight design may offer less protection to its own driver than a heavy vehicle, it is significantly less aggressive toward other road users. The findings suggest that a transition to a lightweight fleet could reduce overall injuries and that safety is primarily a function of design and materials rather than mass.

The Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) conducted a life cycle analysis (LCA) using the Argonne National Laboratories' GREET model to evaluate the environmental impacts of the Toyota Prius and the Hummer H3. RMI tested four scenarios, manipulating vehicle lifespan and assembly energy requirements to see if the conclusions of a CNW Research/Marketing report—which claimed the Prius was more harmful to the environment—could be replicated. RMI found that the Prius consistently has a lower environmental impact in terms of greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption, regardless of whether assembly energy for the Prius was tripled or if the Hummer was assigned a longer lifespan (207,000 miles) compared to the Prius (109,000 miles). The report concludes that vehicle operation dominates emissions due to the Hummer's poor fuel economy, and that the CNW findings diverge significantly from scientifically reviewed work.

The document analyzes the inefficiencies of national customs bond systems in Southern Africa, where transporters must purchase separate bonds for every border crossed, increasing costs and delays. It evaluates the regional transit bond (RTB) initiatives of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), noting that both suffer from poor implementation and a lack of stakeholder awareness. By comparing these to the successful Transports Internationaux Routiers (TIR) system, the study argues that a participatory management structure involving the private sector and financial institutions is essential for the successful deployment of a regional system, particularly in anticipation of the Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA).

This policy brief examines the development of railway infrastructure in Ethiopia, comparing the Chinese-funded Addis Ababa-Djibouti standard gauge railway (SGR) with the Turkish-built Awash-Kombolcha-Hara Gebeya/Weldiya (AKH) line. It analyzes the trade-offs between different financing models, the effectiveness of technology transfer and capacity building, and the role of Ethiopian government agency in project design.

This research paper examines the contribution of Chinese construction enterprises to local skill development in Ghana, comparing them with other foreign and local firms. Using 2016 survey data from 12 enterprises, the study finds that Chinese firms contribute positively to both short-term general and long-term specific training for local workers, often at higher rates than other foreign firms. However, structural challenges such as low technical education quality, low employee retention, and communication barriers hinder the effectiveness of skill transfer.

The report examines how Benin, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, Nigeria, and South Africa responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. It finds that wealthier, more open economies like South Africa and Senegal were most vulnerable to shocks, while countries like Tanzania and Benin experienced marginal growth deceleration due to minimal or delayed government reactions. Fiscal capacity varied significantly: South Africa and Senegal implemented the most substantive stimulus packages, whereas Nigeria was constrained by a volatile tax base. Most countries focused on industry support and tax relief, though South Africa uniquely allocated 60% of its package to social security. The document highlights a looming 'debt repayment wall' peaking in 2024 and argues for a transition toward green infrastructure, diversified revenue bases, and a common African negotiating position to secure concessional finance and Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) from higher-income nations.

The document contrasts the unilateral nature of AGOA, which provides duty-free market access to sub-Saharan Africa without requiring reciprocal concessions, against bilateral agreements that are more complex to negotiate but can offer better tariff concessions. It highlights that South Africa maintains a strong trade surplus with the US and notes that any future bilateral agreements would need to be negotiated through the Southern African Customs Union (SACU).

The document analyzes the macroeconomic resilience of Kenya and Tanzania from 2000 to 2022, examining the impacts of climate-related shocks, the global financial crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic. It finds that while both countries used prudent monetary and fiscal policies, Tanzania exhibited less volatility in GDP per capita growth and maintained higher gross savings. The paper recommends simplifying tax systems, reducing non-concessional borrowing, and leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to enhance resilience.

The document analyzes the economic resilience of Senegal and Mali from 2000 to 2022, noting that Mali has faced more domestic shocks due to climate and security vulnerabilities. While both countries used expansionary fiscal and monetary policies to mitigate crises, they remain dependent on debt. The authors recommend counter-cyclical policies, structural diversification of trade and industry, investment in human capital, and improved governance to build future resilience.

The paper evaluates how South Africa and Botswana have managed macroeconomic shocks, comparing their fiscal and monetary strategies. It highlights South Africa's diversified economy and inflation-targeting regime against Botswana's diamond-dependent economy and crawling peg exchange rate. The authors analyze the impact of the Global Financial Crisis, commodity price drops, and COVID-19, concluding that both nations face declining fiscal resilience due to structural constraints, debt burdens, and resource volatility.

The report examines the systemic and internal obstacles facing opposition political parties in southern Africa, highlighting how dominant-party systems, state repression, and internal fragmentation undermine democratic accountability. It analyzes specific country cases—including Botswana, Zambia, Namibia, Lesotho, Mozambique, South Africa, Mauritius, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe—to illustrate the 'politics of incumbency' and the critical need for opposition parties to engage with civil society and reform internal governance to achieve democratic consolidation.

The document examines South Africa's use of monetary and macroprudential tools to maintain financial stability during COVID-19, while highlighting the constraints imposed by pre-existing fiscal weakness and junk-status debt. It argues that while the South African Reserve Bank's (SARB) adherence to international standards like Basel III provided critical shock absorbers, long-term growth requires structural reforms and credible fiscal consolidation.

The report examines macroeconomic resilience in 12 sub-Saharan African countries, focusing on the use of monetary and fiscal instruments to stabilise production and inflation cycles. It identifies commodity price downcycles as the most consistent trigger for economic crises and argues that currency regimes significantly influence a nation's ability to absorb shocks. The author develops the CoMPRA-MERI index to track resilience across seven dimensions: fiscal, monetary, external debt, trade, investment, governance, and human capital. Findings suggest that most countries exhibit procyclical outcomes due to structural constraints, though Uganda is noted as a successful exception in applying countercyclical tools. The report recommends trade diversification and a shift toward more flexible exchange rate regimes to enhance structural resilience.

The briefing compares the macroeconomic resilience of Benin and Togo from 2000 to 2020, finding that Benin's economy is more volatile due to greater global integration, while Togo's performance has been shielded by phosphate exports. It examines the impact of national crises—such as political instability in Togo and trade disputes in Benin—and regional shocks like COVID-19 and Ebola, evaluating the fiscal and monetary policy responses of both nations.

The paper compares the macroeconomic resilience of Nigeria and Ghana, noting that while both face vulnerabilities to commodity price fluctuations and climate shocks, Ghana's more diversified economy has generally provided greater resilience. Nigeria's heavy reliance on oil makes it more susceptible to external shocks, leading to recessions in 2016 and 2020. Both countries struggle with significant public debt and fiscal deficits, often resorting to borrowing to finance government expenditure during crises. The authors recommend that Nigeria diversify its economy away from oil and improve fiscal management, while Ghana should expand its export base and accelerate the rollout of renewable energy to improve energy security.

The report finds that mini-grid tariffs in Sierra Leone (USD 0.74–0.82/kWh) are significantly higher than subsidized tariffs in Nigeria (as low as USD 0.30/kWh). The primary cost drivers in Sierra Leone are return on investment (37%) and plant operating and maintenance costs (33%). Key recommendations include extending license periods from 20 to 25 years to lower depreciation, excluding unutilized capacity from tariffs to avoid transferring market risk to consumers, and implementing bulk procurement of equipment to achieve economies of scale.

The project established a demonstration area in Guilin, China, to test climate-smart water technologies against traditional flooding irrigation. By implementing a "thin, shallow, wet, and dry" irrigation mode supported by intelligent monitoring and control devices, the project reduced irrigation water quotas from 390mm/mu to 351mm/mu while increasing late rice yields from 418kg/mu to 437kg/mu. Key technologies deployed include intelligent water level gauges, soil moisture monitors, and integrated gates for measurement and control to enable precise water resource management under climate change.