Search Climate Insights Directory

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) analyzes the structural misalignment between investment supply (climate finance vehicles) and investment demand (agribusinesses) within African agrifood systems. Drawing on a portfolio of 17 finance vehicles and 23 enterprises, the report identifies how gaps in mandate design, enterprise readiness, and a bias toward cash crops over food crops hinder capital mobilization. It provides six actionable recommendations for donors and technical assistance (TA) providers to improve the conversion of climate-positive agribusinesses into investable pipelines.

The State of ClimateTech in Africa 2.0 is a report by FSD Africa and partners that analyzes the evolution of the African ClimateTech ecosystem between 2016 and 2025. Moving beyond aggregate funding totals, the report employs a new application-led taxonomy and an adapted Carlota Perez techno-economic framework to demonstrate that African ClimateTech is not a single market but a collection of applications maturing at different speeds. It highlights deep concentrations of capital in the Energy and Mobility sectors and identifies critical financing gaps—particularly in early-stage equity and working capital—that constrain the growth of asset-heavy and adaptation-focused ventures.

This report by Genesis Analytics, commissioned by FSD Africa, Shell Foundation, and Shortlist, forecasts green employment opportunities across Africa with a focus on Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. It argues that Africa's green transition is primarily service-led and decentralized, meaning the majority of jobs will be indirect roles in distribution, maintenance, and operations rather than in construction or manufacturing. The study highlights a significant gap between the potential for job creation and the current availability of skilled workers, particularly in advanced technical areas. It emphasizes that while green value chains are accessible to women, youth, and low-income workers, these groups are often concentrated in low-value, informal roles, necessitating systemic reforms in workplace design, social protection, and training to ensure meaningful inclusion.

This research paper presents the 'Financial Flows scenario', a model using the International Futures (IFs) forecasting platform to assess the impact of increased aid, foreign direct investment (FDI), and remittances, alongside reduced illicit financial flows (IFFs), on Africa's development indicators through 2043.

This document is an annex to the 'Burkina Faso Development Futures: Geographic Futures' research paper, providing administrative details, licensing information, and author biographies.

The Demographics and Health Scenario is a research paper that models the potential impact of accelerated fertility decline and health infrastructure improvements across Africa. It outlines a series of ambitious but empirically grounded interventions starting in 2027 to enhance human development and economic growth relative to a 'Current Path' forecast.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the scale, impact, and future projections of remittance flows to Africa. It examines how these funds support households and macroeconomic stability, while also warning of potential 'remittance traps' and 'Dutch disease' that can hinder long-term economic growth and government accountability.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes Africa's rapid population growth and its implications for the global labor market. It forecasts that Africa's population will reach 3.850 billion by 2100, driven by high fertility rates and population momentum, potentially making the continent the world's largest labor force by 2040.

This research paper analyzes illicit financial flows (IFFs) in Africa, estimating that approximately US$89 billion leaves the continent annually. It identifies multinational commercial activities (65%) and criminal/corrupt activities (35%) as the primary drivers. The document highlights the resulting deficits in health and education spending and critiques the US as a secrecy jurisdiction. It evaluates efforts to combat IFFs through the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF), the EITI, and the OECD/G20 BEPS framework, noting that African nations seek a higher global minimum corporate tax rate of 20%.

This document is an annex to the 'EAC Development Futures: Geographic Futures' report, providing administrative details regarding the authors, the African Futures & Innovation (AFI) program, and the open-access licensing terms for the research.

This research paper by Jakkie Cilliers of the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the relationship between demographic growth and economic prospects in Africa. It highlights that while Africa's overall economic growth is projected to outpace the rest of the world through 2050, rapid population growth limits the gains in GDP per capita, necessitating a demographic dividend and productivity improvements to narrow the global gap.

This research paper provides a comprehensive geographic, political, and socio-economic introduction to Africa, detailing its physical landscape, colonial history, administrative structures, and immense cultural and linguistic diversity.

The report concludes that while Africa's baseline trajectory shows steady growth, it is insufficient to meet Agenda 2063 and SDG goals. By 2043, a 'Current Path' would see a population of 2.3 billion with 19.1% in extreme poverty. However, a coordinated approach involving AfCFTA trade integration, governance reforms, and a tripled energy buildout could raise GDP to nearly US$9 trillion and reduce extreme poverty to 10.9%.

The report explores how Africa can 'leapfrog' traditional development stages by adopting decentralised renewable energy, mobile-first digital infrastructure, and AI. It highlights the success of mobile money (e.g., M-Pesa) and the potential for solar mini-grids to close the energy gap. A projected 'Large Infrastructure and Leapfrogging' scenario suggests that by 2050, such strategic investments could increase GDP per capita by US$510, reduce extreme poverty by 63 million people, and expand the overall economy by nearly US$1 trillion compared to current trends.

The research paper describes the 'Large Infrastructure and Leapfrogging' scenario for Africa, an optimistic development pathway benchmarked against South Asia and South America. The scenario models the impact of strategic investments in renewable energy and digital infrastructure to accelerate human development and economic productivity by 2050.

This introductory report from the Institute for Security Studies examines the critical role of large-scale infrastructure in Africa's economic development. It highlights a persistent infrastructure deficit that hinders GDP growth and productivity, while positioning the closing of this gap as a catalyst for structural transformation and poverty reduction, particularly in the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

This research paper examines the potential for artificial intelligence (AI) to enable technological leapfrogging in Africa. It highlights the economic opportunities, specific sector applications—particularly in tax administration and agriculture—and the critical infrastructure and policy requirements needed to realize these gains, including the AI 10 Billion Initiative.

This report describes the 'Large Infrastructure and Leapfrogging' scenario, a model designed to analyze the impact of increased infrastructure investment on Africa's development through 2050. The scenario emphasizes the synergy between large-scale renewable energy, off-grid solutions, and ICT to drive economic transformation and human welfare.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies examines the energy access gap in Africa and the potential for 'leapfrogging' traditional fossil-fuel grids in favor of decentralized renewable energy systems, specifically solar-based mini-grids and off-grid solutions.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies examines how frontier technologies—such as drones, the Internet of Things (IoT), and small-scale satellites—enable developing countries, particularly in Africa, to leapfrog traditional, costly infrastructure requirements in agriculture, healthcare, and environmental monitoring.