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The report identifies Kenya's vulnerability to climate change, particularly in its arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), driven by water scarcity, dependence on rain-fed agriculture, and poverty. It outlines the establishment of a policy framework including a climate change bill, the National Climate Change Response Strategy, and the National Climate Change Action Plan (2013–2017). While adaptation actions are underway in agriculture, livestock, and water sectors, the report notes a need for increased focus on tourism and infrastructure, as well as improved capacity for county governments to implement adaptation actions under the country's decentralized governance structure.

The document argues that Southern Africa remains largely excluded from global value chains due to poor infrastructure, weak manufacturing, and a lack of regional integration. It suggests that while governments should focus on enabling sectors like energy and transport, the region needs better data collection—noting that only South Africa participates in the OECD's TiVA database—and a strategic rebranding effort similar to Costa Rica's approach to attract lead firms. The text highlights agro-processing and services as key areas for competitive advantage and growth.

The report examines the integration of ACP countries into global value chains (GVCs) and regional value chains (RVCs), highlighting significant heterogeneity across the group. It identifies critical barriers to entry, including poor infrastructure, weak institutional frameworks, and low business sophistication. The analysis suggests that while some countries like South Africa and Mauritius are more globally integrated, many others face fundamental challenges in basic trade-enabling requirements. The authors argue against protective industrial policies, instead recommending horizontal measures such as improving the rule of law, investing in workforce skills, and enhancing transport and energy infrastructure to attract multinational corporations.

The paper identifies policy, knowledge, and funding gaps as primary barriers to private investment in climate resilience. It finds that DFIs use a mix of technical assistance, long-term debt, and concessional finance to stimulate demand and reduce risk. Key findings vary by region: in developed countries, regulatory compliance and ageing infrastructure drive investment; in upper-middle-income countries, technical audits and market studies are critical; and in developing countries, intermediated financing through local banks and agricultural supply chains is essential to reach SMEs.

The document analyzes FDI inflows into the SADC region from 2003 to 2014, noting a heavy reliance on natural resources. It argues that the slump in commodity prices in 2014 necessitates a move away from 'dated ideological' policies like beneficiation toward global value chain integration and improved regional infrastructure to attract more diversified investment.

This briefing describes the establishment and outcomes of the State, Local and Tribal Leaders Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience, created by President Obama via Executive Order 13653 on November 1, 2013. The Task Force, comprising 26 governors, mayors, tribal leaders, and county officials, provided the federal government with 35 key recommendations to improve community climate resilience, emphasizing the need for inter-agency coordination and the integration of climate vulnerabilities into all federal policies and investments.

The document examines the diverse range of 'Sahel strategies' produced by multilateral actors, noting a general consensus on objectives—security, development, governance, and education—but significant variations in geographical scope and implementation capacity. It highlights that while some organisations possess substantial internal funding, others rely on external contributions, creating a risk that more powerful actors may dominate the region. The brief emphasizes the need for detailed action plans and transparent monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to avoid redundancy and ensure that interventions meet the needs of populations in core countries like Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger.

The document argues that African regional integration remains a state-centric process, largely excluding citizens and businesses due to an information deficit and a lack of organized non-governmental constituencies. While some countries like Mauritius show successful business-government integration, most of the continent suffers from low public awareness and underdeveloped civil society organizations. The author recommends public education, high-quality research into stakeholder needs, and infrastructure upgrades to ensure that opening borders provides tangible benefits to the informal sector and private enterprise.

The document argues that mining-led growth in Africa often fails to create local benefits due to a lack of effective partnerships, poor long-term planning, and a 'ring-fencing mentality' among companies. It recommends that mining investments be aligned with national development imperatives and that companies forge strategic partnerships with the state, NGOs, and other mining firms to share infrastructure and enhance community development. The author emphasizes the role of 'good practice' Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) in identifying partners and planning for the entire mine life cycle, including closure. A case study from Central Africa demonstrates how collaborating with a conservation NGO and local government led to sustainable infrastructure choices and long-term community training projects.

The BNDES serves as a national development bank that provides significant post-shipment credit to Latin America, primarily for infrastructure and capital goods. While the Brazilian government has promoted South-South integration, BNDES disbursements largely follow the dynamics of Brazilian trade and market demand. The bank faces criticism regarding the environmental and social sustainability of its projects and the high concentration of funding among a few large firms.

The analysis warns that sea level rise will cause tidal flooding to become chronic and widespread across the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts by 2045. Many communities will see a tripling or more of annual flood events, with some locations facing over 180 floods per year. The report emphasizes the need for urgent local and national adaptation strategies, including infrastructure upgrades and emissions reductions, to manage the inevitable disruptions to daily life and infrastructure.

The briefing examines the uncertainty surrounding the renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) by the US Congress. It outlines three scenarios: a full renewal for 40 eligible countries, a renewal that excludes South Africa, and a transition to a reciprocal trade agreement similar to EU Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs). The author argues that a full renewal, extended for 10 to 15 years and coupled with infrastructure investment and export diversification, is the most beneficial path for both Africa and the United States.

The research finds that most African countries are unlikely to meet the World Bank's target of reducing extreme poverty to below 3% by 2030. Using the International Futures (IFs) model, the authors argue for a more achievable continental goal of reducing extreme poverty to below 20% by 2030 and below 3% by 2063. The paper emphasizes that poverty reduction requires a combination of pro-poor economic growth, social assistance, human development, and progressive social change, noting that policies must be tailored to individual country contexts due to varying initial conditions and poverty gaps.

The document outlines the necessity for businesses in Kenya to 'climate-proof' their operations by assessing risks and implementing adaptation measures. It highlights that climate change impacts—such as temperature increases and rainfall changes—affect all economic sectors, with droughts and flooding estimated to cost Kenya approximately 2.0 per cent of GDP annually. The briefing provides a sector-specific matrix of risks and opportunities and shares examples of Kenyan companies already adapting through supply chain diversification and innovative insurance products. It advocates for the use of risk assessment tools and calls for government leadership in demonstrating climate resilience.

The document analyzes China's multifaceted role in Liberia's recovery between 2003 and 2013, covering its participation in the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), bilateral development aid, and large-scale investments. While China provided critical infrastructure and diplomatic support, the author argues that the economic relationship is characterized by a significant imbalance, describing it as a 'relative win' for Liberia and an 'absolute win' for China due to massive trade surpluses and favorable mining concessions.

The document examines the 'resources for infrastructure' model used by China to build new urban centres in Angola, specifically focusing on the Kilamba Kiaxi project. While these projects provide an immediate response to massive housing shortfalls following Angola's civil war, the authors argue they face sustainability challenges due to a lack of local adaptation, high costs that exclude the majority of the population, and insufficient public services.

The Simandou Mountain Range in Guinea contains a major 'tier-one' iron ore deposit, but production has been delayed by legal disputes and infrastructure gaps. The document details a contentious history of mining rights involving Rio Tinto and Beny Steinmetz Group Resources (BSGR), including an FBI probe into alleged bribery. It argues that building a new 700 km railway to Conakry is prohibitively expensive and suggests instead refurbishing the 350 km Lamco rail link through Liberia to Buchanan to accelerate production and foster regional economic integration.

The report argues that Brazil can simultaneously increase agricultural production and improve environmental protection by enhancing land-use efficiency. It identifies key barriers to productivity, including limited access to rural credit, insufficient technological diffusion, underdeveloped land leasing markets, and deficient infrastructure. On the protection side, it highlights the need to combat small-scale deforestation in the Amazon, implement the Forest Code on private lands via the Rural Environmental Registry, and extend monitoring to other biomes, particularly the Cerrado. The authors propose a P&P strategy based on systematic monitoring of representative land-use areas and the creation of a public-private consortium to design and test effective policy interventions.

The report argues that Brazil can simultaneously grow agricultural production and protect natural resources by improving land-use efficiency. It identifies key barriers to environmental protection, such as small-scale deforestation in the Amazon and lack of monitoring in other biomes like the Cerrado. For agricultural production, it highlights that non-geographical factors—including limited access to credit for small-scale farmers, underdeveloped land rental markets, and poor infrastructure—hinder productivity. The document recommends an integrated P&P strategy involving systematic monitoring and a public-private consortium to implement targeted policy interventions.

The report evaluates the impact of Typhoon Nari on Da Nang's infrastructure and demonstrates that 244 households provided with storm-resistant housing support suffered no damages, contrasting with widespread destruction in the city. It argues that investment in preparedness and resilient urban planning is more cost-effective than post-disaster recovery.