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This policy brief argues that market concentration and weak competition regimes in African agrifood systems inflate food prices, marginalize smallholder farmers, and hinder climate change adaptation. It recommends strengthening national and regional competition authorities, improving market intelligence through tools like the African Market Observatory, and securing international donor support to dismantle cartels and regulate multinational firms.

This briefing by the African Food Systems Transformation Collective examines the challenges and opportunities within Africa's fisheries and aquaculture sectors, focusing on Kenya, Uganda, and Nigeria. It highlights the 'triple burden of malnutrition' and the sector's low global production contribution (6%), which leads to a US$6 billion annual import reliance. The document advocates for agroecological, climate-resilient, and nutrition-sensitive approaches, emphasizing the role of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in reducing import dependency and fostering regional trade. It identifies critical bottlenecks such as post-harvest losses (up to 30%), gender disparities, and environmental degradation, while proposing technological solutions like solar-powered cold chains and recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS).

This report by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines the evolution of the G20's agenda regarding food systems and global food security. It details the initiatives of various G20 presidencies, the role of international organisations like the FAO and WFP, and the synergies between G7 and G20 priorities. The document specifically outlines South Africa's priorities during its 2024-2025 G20 presidency, focusing on inclusive growth, climate resilience, and the empowerment of women and youth in agrifood systems.

This research paper introduces a conceptual framework designed to identify and select responses to cross-border climate impacts, addressing the limitation that adaptation is typically treated as a local or national governance issue.

This research paper by Jane Nalunga and Jonathan Lubega analyzes agricultural subsidies in Uganda, examining their impact on the economy, livelihoods, and the environment. While initiatives like NAADS and insurance subsidies have increased production and protected some farmers, the authors argue that subsidies are often poorly managed, underfunded, and biased toward large-scale operators, while contributing to environmental degradation through the promotion of agrochemicals and monoculture.

This policy brief examines the potential for carbon markets to provide finance for climate-resilient smallholder farmers in Africa. It argues that while carbon markets can fund climate-smart agricultural practices that improve soil health and food security, significant barriers—including strict credit requirements, high costs, and a lack of localized research—currently limit participation. The document calls for policymakers to move away from 'one-size-fits-all' regulations and instead prioritize frameworks that value non-carbon co-benefits like nutrition and economic development.

This briefing discusses how existing and new World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and flexibilities regarding agricultural domestic support can be used to increase agricultural productivity, attract private investment, and promote food security in least developed countries (LDCs).

This report by the Nature-Based Infrastructure Global Resource Centre provides an economic valuation of agroforestry activities in Eswatini, specifically within the Smallholder Agriculture Productivity Enhancement and Marketing Project (SAPEMP). It assesses the potential of nature-based infrastructure (NBI) to improve agricultural productivity and hazard protection.

A World Resources Institute (WRI) analysis reveals that 25% of global crops are grown in areas with highly stressed or unreliable water supplies. The report highlights the vulnerability of staple crops and the rapid depletion of water resources in the few countries that dominate irrigated crop production, while also noting the increasing instability of rainfed agriculture due to climate change.

This report by the Africa Policy Research Institute analyzes the economic implications of a proposed International Maritime Organization (IMO) shipping carbon levy on African states. Using the GTAP-E model, the study finds that such a levy would generally reduce GDP and household incomes across Africa, increase global food prices, and exacerbate existing freight cost imbalances. The report advocates for an equitable transition where revenues are redistributed as direct grants to climate-vulnerable nations for out-of-sector projects like renewable energy and resilient agriculture.

This case study describes the collaboration between the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and Kenyan women leaders to address food loss and waste. The efforts have focused on influencing national policy through a new post-harvest management strategy and developing redistribution guidelines for retailers to combat food insecurity and malnutrition.

The Institute for Economic Justice argues that food insecurity in South Africa is driven by income poverty, not food scarcity. It proposes a Universal Basic Income Guarantee (UBIG) to ensure all adults can afford a basic nutritional diet, noting that current targeted grants are insufficient. The document highlights the severe health and economic costs of malnutrition and argues that a UBIG, combined with a 'just food transition' and systemic food system reforms, can break intergenerational poverty cycles without causing significant inflation.

This fact sheet by the Institute for Economic Justice argues that food insecurity in South Africa is primarily a result of income poverty rather than food scarcity. It advocates for a Guaranteed Universal Basic Income (UBIG) to ensure all citizens can afford a nutritious diet, highlighting the severe health, social, and economic costs of malnutrition and the limitations of current targeted social grants.

This fact sheet from the Institute for Economic Justice argues that hunger and food insecurity in South Africa are primarily driven by a lack of income rather than a lack of food production. It proposes a Universal Basic Income Guarantee (UBIG) as a key mechanism to ensure all citizens can afford nutritious food, thereby breaking cycles of poverty and malnutrition.

This executive summary describes an interdisciplinary project aimed at improving climate information systems to support public decision-making regarding drought response and food security in Guatemala.

This executive summary outlines a human dimensions project focused on improving the flow of climate information between scientists and policymakers in northwestern Mexico and the southwestern United States. The project aims to enhance adaptive management of water resources by analyzing the combined impacts of East Pacific cyclones and the North American Monsoon on human systems, particularly in the context of chronic water scarcity and growing demand.

This executive summary describes a research project investigating how soil microorganisms, specifically arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), respond to climate change and land-use changes across temperate and tropical ecosystems in the Americas to support agriculture and food security.

This report by Ember examines the potential for agrivoltaics (agri-PV)—the simultaneous use of land for solar electricity and food production—in Central Europe, specifically Czechia, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia. It argues that agri-PV can enhance farmer profits, increase certain crop yields, and significantly boost renewable energy production without compromising food security.

The Madagascar Integrated Energy Access Planning (IEP) Cold Chains Report provides a comprehensive geospatial and technical analysis of the medical and agricultural cold chains in Madagascar. It identifies critical gaps in electricity access and road infrastructure that hinder the distribution of vaccines and the preservation of perishable agricultural products. The report proposes electrification and equipment strategies to achieve universal healthcare facility electrification by 2030 and to reduce post-harvest losses in the potato, tomato, fisheries, and dairy value chains.

This policy brief examines trends in produced capital—the value of human-made assets used in production, including intangible assets—in Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Trinidad and Tobago from 1995 to 2020. It highlights that these nations face low levels of produced capital compared to developed countries, uneven investment allocation, and significant data gaps that hinder policy-making.