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This policy brief examines the intersection of mining, the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), and the transition to a low-carbon circular economy, using South Africa as a primary case study. It argues that while a low-carbon future requires increased mineral extraction, this must be decoupled from environmental degradation through green industrialisation and technological innovation.

This briefing by the World Resources Institute outlines five strategies to reduce the food system's impact on freshwater resources, highlighting the disparity between the water people drink and the water required to produce their food.

This research paper examines the implementation of the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) in Africa, using Zambia as a primary case study. It analyzes the benefits of trade facilitation for landlocked lower-middle-income countries, the role of the TFA Facility and donor assistance, and the specific challenges and successes of trade facilitation reforms at four of Zambia's strategic border posts.

This briefing examines the inequitable resource interdependency between Europe and Africa in the extractive sector. It argues that a symbiotic relationship can be achieved by implementing 'extractive justice'—incorporating procedural, distributive, and recognitional justice—into legal and policy frameworks to address wealth imbalances and governance deficits.

This briefing argues that private sector development in fragile and conflict-affected states (FCAS) is not inherently peace-positive and can often increase fragility if not conflict-sensitive. It highlights the disincentives for businesses to engage in peacebuilding, including the risk of government reprisals and the potential loss of profits derived from unjust systems. The document calls for 'systems shapers'—those who finance and regulate the private sector—to prioritize corporate accountability and move away from 'de-risking' strategies that decouple corporate risk from socio-political impacts.

The San Giorgio Group's 7th Annual Meeting, held in March 2019 and organized by the Climate Policy Initiative, focused on scaling up green, low-emissions finance to align with the Paris Agreement. The discussions highlighted the need for systemic transformation across financial institutions, the role of green banks, the urgency of adaptation and resilience investment, and the potential of blended finance to mobilize private capital.

The report highlights a critical mismatch in Sub-Saharan Africa between a rapidly growing youth population and the availability of formal sector jobs. Despite increased access to education, graduates often lack the STEM skills required by employers, while the 4th Industrial Revolution disrupts traditional labor-intensive manufacturing. Projections to 2030 suggest manufacturing will only account for 6.5% of employment, with women and youth remaining highly vulnerable to informal, low-earning work.

This executive summary details research by the Centre for Competition, Regulation and Economic Development (CCRED) and the Zambia Institute for Policy Analysis and Research (ZIPAR) into the soap, detergent, and cosmetics value chains of South Africa and Zambia. The document compares the industrial maturity and competitiveness of both nations, identifies barriers to growth for small and local firms, and proposes strategic interventions to increase regional production and reduce import reliance.

This research paper proposes a methodology for estimating in-use vehicle fuel economy in sub-Saharan African cities, using Nairobi as a case study to address data gaps caused by incomplete official records and the prevalence of informal transport.

This synthesis report details a 2019 workshop in Ghana where farmers from East and West Africa discussed pathways to climate-resilient agriculture. Key findings highlight the need for better farmer self-organisation, increased seed ownership, and improved infrastructure to bypass middlemen. The report notes a strategic divide: East African participants focused on increasing productivity via research-led inputs, while West African participants prioritised agro-ecological methods and consumer market influence. Significant barriers identified include land tenure issues for women and youth, and the social stigma of farming which drives rural-urban migration.

This event report documents a session titled "Colliding climate and conflict risks: building resilience from an integrated approach in fragile and most vulnerable places," held during a GRP/FAO side event preceding the UN Africa Climate Week in Accra, Ghana, on 18 March 2019. The session focused on identifying local actions in Africa to combat food insecurity and conflict risks, analyzing the barriers to their implementation, and discussing strategies to scale these initiatives to national and global levels.

This report details the outcomes of an event titled "Stepping Up Action on Building Climate Resilient Agriculture and Food Systems in Africa," held during Africa Climate Week 2019 in Ghana. Facilitated by the African Union Commission, the Global Resilience Partnership, and the FAO, the event aimed to identify priorities for the 2019 UN Secretary-General's Climate Action Summit and COP25. It focuses on scaling up nature-based solutions, improving climate finance for smallholder farmers, and integrating early warning systems to protect African food security.

This research paper evaluates the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), detailing its establishment in 2003 to improve governance through voluntary peer review. It describes a cycle of initial success, a period of decline between 2008 and 2016 characterized by leadership vacuums and financial mismanagement, and a recent phase of reinvigoration under the leadership of Professor Eddy Maloka and various African heads of state. While the mechanism has expanded its mandate to track Agenda 2063 and Sustainable Development Goals, the author argues that political reluctance to publish critical reports and a lack of high-level attendance continue to hinder its effectiveness.

A statement by Natural Justice and the Legal Resources Centre regarding a United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) resolution aimed at promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in environmental governance.

This guide examines how retail tariff policies and subsidy designs can be used to increase revenues for private mini-grid operators, aiming to make energy access more sustainable and profitable in un-electrified communities.

This guide provides policymakers with a framework for designing retail tariffs and subsidies to incentivize private sector investment in mini-grids, primarily in Africa. It highlights the 'viability gap' where high costs and low rural revenues hinder commercial viability. The document details various tariff approaches (uniform, cost-reflective, and case-by-case) and subsidy structures (input, output, and auction-based), emphasizing that confidence in timely disbursement and a balance between verification and effectiveness are key to successful implementation.

This March 2019 issue of the Peace & Security Council Report examines the African Union's (AU) efforts to stabilize Libya, the integration of its rapid response capabilities, shortcomings in election observation in Nigeria and Senegal, and the challenges of restructuring Africa's strategic international partnerships. It also features an interview on the grassroots protests against President Abdelaziz Bouteflika in Algeria.

This research paper examines the energy cooperation between Russia and South Africa within the BRICS framework, analyzing Russia's strategic pivot toward emerging markets and South Africa's shift from a failed large-scale nuclear deal toward renewable energy projects.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the progress and challenges of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) ahead of the 32nd AU summit. While political momentum is high, the document highlights a gap between the ceremonial launches and the technical reality, as critical tariff schedules and rules of origin remain unfinalized.

This report analyzes Egypt's 2019 chairmanship of the African Union (AU), highlighting its focus on economic goals and regional repositioning, while noting significant policy gaps regarding governance and the need for Egypt to ratify the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) agreement.