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The report details a project to analyze water consumption and economic productivity in the Western Cape to identify constraints to growth. It introduces a conceptual model to determine the "right" water sources, quality, and pricing for specific developments, particularly in Saldanha Bay. The project implemented statistical water accounting and water footprint assessments for the Berg Catchment to establish a baseline for water-economic productivity.

The document examines the expansion of transport infrastructure in central and northern Mozambique, driven largely by foreign investment in the mining and energy sectors. It argues that while public-private partnerships could improve connectivity, the current trend of foreign companies building infrastructure for their own export needs risks creating 'enclave' developments with limited trickle-down benefits for local populations. The authors highlight a lack of coherent state planning, weak local capacity, and regional frictions—particularly with South Africa—that hinder the potential for these projects to foster genuine regional integration and national economic growth.

This research paper examines the development of green economies within the BRICS nations, analyzing how individual national economic priorities and policy approaches have led to varying levels of adoption and skepticism toward green growth.

The policy brief examines the shift in China's engagement with South Sudan from a primary focus on oil to a broader governance and developmental partnership. It highlights the 'so-called 8 billion dollar affair' as a point of mutual discontent caused by mismatched expectations and administrative capacities. The author notes that China is deepening its political ties through party-to-party relations between the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), as well as establishing new institutional mechanisms like a 'China desk' to facilitate infrastructure loans. The document concludes that China's increasing involvement in the governance of 'fragile states' like South Sudan is a significant trend for African governments to monitor.

The document evaluates South Africa's interventions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) across sectors such as security sector reform, governance, and economic development. It finds that while South Africa possesses significant moral authority and technical expertise, its efforts have often been uncoordinated, short-term, and hampered by inadequate funding and strategic planning. The brief recommends the creation of a coherent national post-conflict strategy and the development of a specialized pool of peacebuilding experts to move beyond demand-driven, dispersed engagements.

The report identifies a significant range of estimated DPV values driven by differences in local context, input assumptions, and methodologies. While there is general agreement on estimating energy and capacity values, there is less consensus on grid support services and unmonetized values such as financial, security, environmental, and social risks. The analysis highlights that no single study comprehensively evaluated all DPV benefits and costs, and that costs associated with increased deployment are often inadequately assessed.

The research analyzes energy service demand in the UK over two hundred years, finding that income and price elasticities generally follow inverse U-shape and U-shape curves respectively as economies develop. However, these trends are frequently disrupted by technological transitions that introduce new value attributes or expand market access to poorer populations, often leading to rebound effects where efficiency gains increase overall energy consumption. The author concludes that energy demand in developing economies is likely to continue rising rapidly, and in industrialized nations it is unlikely to decline, suggesting long-term increases in global carbon dioxide emissions unless a full transition to low-carbon technologies occurs.

The research argues that the association between poverty and civil war is primarily driven by low state reach and geographic accessibility rather than the depth of poverty itself. Through cross-national quantitative analysis and a detailed case study of the Maoist insurgency in Nepal, the author finds that while inaccessibility and pre-existing social networks are critical for the survival and growth of initially weak rebel groups, their importance declines as rebels gain relative military capacity. The study concludes that the 'economic opportunity cost' account—which posits that poverty makes rebellion financially feasible—is less supported by the evidence than the 'politico-military opportunity' account.

The paper assesses the continuity of French Africa policy under President François Hollande and identifies opportunities for South Africa to partner with France. It suggests that while the two nations may differ on specific conflicts, their shared interests in democratic governance and security, combined with France's permanent seat on the UN Security Council and South Africa's influence in the African Union, create a strategic basis for collaboration.

The document argues that Internet policy must move beyond technical management to include broad societal impacts on rights, security, and sustainable development. It advocates for a multistakeholder model involving government, the private sector, civil society, and academia to ensure legitimacy and effectiveness. The toolkit details eight specific tools—ranging from expert roundtables and policy mapping to online surveys and public forums—designed to generate evidence and foster public consent. It emphasizes 'adaptive policy making' and the principle of subsidiarity, suggesting that policy action should occur at the lowest jurisdictional level consistent with effectiveness.

The document examines the rapid growth of the coal mining sector in Mozambique's Tete province, driven by investments from companies like Vale, Rio Tinto, and Jindal Steel. While these investments have spurred infrastructure development and some social projects, the brief highlights significant challenges, including poor transparency of mining contracts, a lack of skilled local labor, and the complexities of community relocation. It argues that for coal to drive genuine development, the Mozambican government must establish a stronger regulatory framework, ensure public accountability for extractive agreements, and better coordinate corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts with national development plans.

The discovery of oil and gas in Ghana's Western Region in 2007 created high expectations for economic development and job creation that have not been met. Local populations, particularly youth, fishermen, and farmers, report marginalisation, loss of livelihoods, and rising costs of living. The lack of tangible infrastructure and employment opportunities has led to frustration and threats of illegal roadblocks. The author recommends that the government engage local chiefs, provide skills training for youth, and initiate urgent infrastructure projects to avert potential conflict.

The document argues that climate-economics models often underrate the potential for low-income countries to escape poverty, which leads to underestimated business-as-usual emissions and consequently weaker emissions reduction goals. It suggests that if low-income countries experience faster economic growth, more ambitious global emissions reduction policies would be required today to achieve climate stabilization.

Since resuming diplomatic ties in August 2006, China has significantly expanded its presence in Chad, primarily through the China National Petroleum Corporation's (CNPC) Rônier project. This venture, which includes a refinery and pipeline, represents a shift from previous Western-led oil projects by integrating upstream and downstream production to enhance Chad's domestic energy capacity. Beyond oil, China is funding infrastructure such as a cement factory, an international airport, and a railway network. However, the relationship faces tensions over the economic viability of the refinery versus President Idriss Déby's social promises of affordable fuel. Additionally, China's engagement is entangled in regional security dynamics involving Sudan and Darfur, while relying on French military presence for stability.

The document examines Mozambique's transition from a Marxist system to a market-oriented multiparty democracy following a civil war (1977–1992). It highlights the political dominance of Frelimo and the struggles of opposition parties like Renamo and MDM. The report details a heavy reliance on international aid, which compromises national sovereignty, and a fragile economy characterized by a massive informal sector and high urban unemployment. It concludes that the lack of a viable political alternative to Frelimo and persistent socio-economic stresses pose risks to national and regional stability.

The report examines the relationship between social cohesion, trust, and violence in southern Haiti, focusing on the impact of rural migration and the formation of urban slums. It argues that the breakdown of traditional social bonds and a lack of trust in both interpersonal relations and institutions like the state, NGOs, and MINUSTAH create an environment where social unrest is more likely to turn violent. The study highlights that 'vertical' social bonds—those linking different social backgrounds—are particularly weak in slums, making these areas breeding grounds for political mobilization through violence. It recommends fostering social cohesion through productive cooperatives and renewing the relationship between political leadership and the urban masses.

The report argues that many climate-economics models rely on a 'no-development' assumption for the poorest countries, which underestimates future emissions and weakens the urgency for rich countries to reduce their own emissions. By comparing three scenarios—'Without Development', 'Development with Carbon', and 'Development without Carbon'—the author demonstrates that if low-income countries achieve rapid economic growth similar to India's, the global emissions budget will be exhausted much faster unless aggressive decarbonization policies and financial support from wealthy nations are implemented. A case study of Latin America and the Caribbean illustrates these dynamics, showing that cumulative regional emissions could double if growth accelerates without policy intervention.

The report argues that many climate-economics models rely on overly pessimistic growth projections for the poorest countries, which artificially reduces the perceived urgency for rich countries to cut emissions. By comparing three scenarios—'Without Development', 'Development with Carbon', and 'Development without Carbon'—the author demonstrates that if low-income countries achieve genuine economic development, the global emissions budget will be exceeded unless aggressive decarbonization policies and financial support from high-income nations are implemented. A case study of Latin America and the Caribbean illustrates how regional emissions could double under a high-growth, no-policy scenario, but could be significantly reduced through targeted support for low-carbon technology and emissions intensity reductions.

The document analyzes how African foreign policy is shaped by a persistent state of economic and military weakness, leading to a high dependency on external aid. This dependency often compromises national sovereignty and links domestic governance to international relations. The author identifies a strong continental preference for multilateralism and collective action—exemplified by the African Union and NEPAD—as a means to counterbalance Western influence and resist external domination. However, the paper notes that this collective approach is often hampered by a lack of political will, the influence of individual leaders, and the persistence of illiberal governance. It also highlights a shift in ideological frameworks, with many African states moving away from state-led development toward market-based systems and increased engagement with global investors, particularly China.

The research examines the historical demand for lighting in the UK, finding that income and price elasticities peaked during the late 19th century, leading to 'backfire' where efficiency gains increased total energy use. In the 20th century, elasticities declined, meaning efficiency improvements began to yield net energy savings, though significant rebound effects persist.