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This briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs analyzes three potential scenarios for the renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), emphasizing the need for investment certainty and the diversification of African exports beyond energy.

This policy brief outlines best practices for least developed countries (LDCs) to engage effectively in climate diplomacy, drawing on the experience of the Gambia. It argues that successful international climate engagement requires establishing climate change as a core national interest, mainstreaming it into development planning, and strategically engaging with the media to build domestic and international credibility.

The August 2014 Peace & Security Council (PSC) Report by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the African Union's (AU) response to crises in Mali and Nigeria, the operationalization of the PSC's counter-terrorism sub-committee, and ongoing reviews of the Council's internal working methods.

This research paper by Ivan Crouzel, published by the South African Institute of International Affairs in August 2014, examines the relationship between electoral processes and political instability in Africa. It argues that elections often become critical moments of tension because they are primarily viewed as a means of accessing state resources. The author advocates for a shift from purely technical electoral support to a broader approach based on inclusive political settlements, multi-actor dialogue, and the strengthening of credible electoral management bodies and domestic observation networks to ensure legitimacy and peace.

This research paper discusses the use of participatory games and simulations as tools to help humanitarian and development professionals manage climate risks by reflecting complex systems and promoting dialogue among stakeholders.

This report explores the intersections between climate change, agriculture, and development, specifically analyzing conceptual frameworks and their application within the agriculture sector. It is part of a CDKN-funded project examining the use of climate compatible development (CCD) principles in African agricultural research and advisory services.

This policy brief outlines the intersection of climate change, agriculture, and development, arguing that project-based initiatives are insufficient and that coordinated, policy-integrated action is required to address global food security and environmental services.

This fact sheet introduces infographics created by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) and the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) based on the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report (AR5). These materials, specifically from the guide 'What’s in it for Africa', are designed to help decision-makers in Africa and South Asia understand global climate impacts across different emissions scenarios.

This document is an introductory text for an infographic titled 'Future climate trends for Africa,' which serves as a succinct guide for decision-makers based on the IPCC's Fifth Assessment Report (AR5).

This document is an introductory text for an infographic produced by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) and the Overseas Development Institute (ODI). It describes the creation of succinct guides based on the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) specifically for decision-makers in South Asia and Africa.

This report by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) provides a high-level snapshot of the mitigation landscapes in 14 priority partner countries and regions to inform the development of intended nationally determined contributions (INDCs) for COP21. It analyzes national legislation, emission targets, Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs), and donor-funded projects, highlighting the diversity in ambition and capacity across developing nations.

The July 2014 Peace & Security Council (PSC) Report by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the African Union's (AU) handling of unconstitutional changes of government in Egypt, the deteriorating security situation in Libya, the challenges of post-conflict reconstruction and development (PCRD) in Africa, and the strategic partnership between the AU PSC and the UN Security Council.

This research paper by Ivan Crouzel for the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines the relationship between electoral processes and political instability in Africa. It argues that elections often crystallise tensions because they are viewed as the primary means of accessing state-owned resources, leading to acute competition in fragile regimes. The author contends that technical electoral support is insufficient and must be replaced by a broader democratic governance approach that prioritises inclusive political agreements, credible election management bodies (EMBs), and multi-stakeholder conflict prevention mechanisms.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies warns that cybercriminals use major events like the 2014 World Cup to deploy phishing scams, malware, and fraudulent apps. It argues that African governments must implement comprehensive public awareness campaigns to protect citizens, citing a lack of cybercrime laws and rapid internet growth as factors making the continent a potential 'safe harbour' for cybercrime.

This briefing note by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the role of the banking sector in providing agricultural finance that supports climate adaptation within agro-value chains, with a particular focus on developing countries in Africa and a case study on the coffee sector in Uganda.

This briefing paper examines the policy tools available to Eastern African states to foster 'national champions' in the mining sector and maximize sustainable development benefits from foreign direct investment. It analyzes the effectiveness of ownership and performance requirements and evaluates how international investment agreements, specifically Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs), may restrict the policy space of host governments.

This report synthesizes regional perspectives from Africa, Asia and the Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean on the capacity-building needs required to integrate sustainable development (SD) principles into national and subnational planning. Based on workshops held in 2014, the document identifies gaps in multistakeholder participation, vertical and horizontal government coordination, cross-sectoral policy integration, and monitoring, evaluation, and reporting (MER) systems to prepare countries for the post-2015 development agenda and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) analyzes the 2014 South African Defence Review. It describes the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) as being in a state of critical decline and evaluates the financial feasibility of the government's long-term plan to rejuvenate the military by 2034. The author argues that the review's expansive mandate is out of step with the available budget and suggests a more focused approach centered on peacekeeping and a 'growth core' concept.

This research paper by Khabele Matlosa examines the evolution of democratic governance in Africa, focusing on the relationship between the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG). It analyzes the transition from the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) to the African Union (AU), the challenges of implementing governance reviews and National Programmes of Action (NPoAs), and proposes strategic imperatives to enhance synergy between the AU's governance and peace architectures.

This policy brief describes the African Governance Architecture (AGA) and the African Governance Platform, designed to coordinate efforts among African Union (AU) organs and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) to strengthen democracy, human rights, and governance across Africa. It outlines the AGA's structure, its relationship with the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), and provides recommendations to improve its effectiveness and citizen engagement.