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The document examines the intersection of trade policy and food systems transformation in Africa, specifically advocating for the alignment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) with agroecological principles. It identifies significant hurdles to this transition, including high intra-continental tariffs, complex non-tariff barriers, and the dominance of industrial agriculture. The briefing emphasizes the role of territorial markets in supporting smallholder farmers and calls for philanthropic investment to bridge funding gaps, as agroecology currently receives less than 10% of total agricultural funding in Africa. It provides specific recommendations for philanthropies to support local food trade, advocate for policy changes that recognize ecological services, and invest in capacity-building for agroecological communities.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) provide substantial funding for U.S. public transit and clean energy, including $91.9 billion for transit via the IIJA and $12.3 billion for transportation via the IRA. Key programs include the Urbanized Area Formula Grants, the State of Good Repair Formula Grants, and the Neighborhood Access and Equity (NAE) program. However, the analysis suggests a continued reliance on car-centric infrastructure, with $307 billion of combined transportation funding directed toward roadway planning and development, potentially undermining climate goals and equity through induced demand and the prioritization of personal electric vehicles over mass transit.

Mauritania is unlikely to meet its 2026 deadlines for clearing anti-personnel landmines and cluster munitions due to insufficient funding. A survey of one of three operators showed that funding rose from USD 0.039 million in 2023 to USD 0.35 million in 2024, with 58-60% spent on capacity development. National funding targets for 2025 and 2026 (USD 1.7 million for mines and USD 0.76 million for cluster munitions) are considered lower than the actual amounts needed for completion.

The Fund Raising Working Group (FRWG) met on May 18, 2001, to address funding challenges and identify new donor opportunities for the IAI. Key concerns include the rise of debt in voluntary contributions from member countries, leading to proposals for penalties such as restricting voting rights or program participation. The group explored partnerships with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) via UNEP, the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB), and the Organization of American States (OAS). While the European Commission was ruled out as a cooperation partner, the group aims to engage Spanish and Portuguese authorities and maintain links with the International Group of Funding Agencies for Global Change Research (IGFA) to reach European and Japanese agencies. The report also notes a need to improve the IAI Directorate's capacity for writing strong proposals by involving researchers (PIs and CoPIs) more effectively.