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This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the development financing gap facing African countries during their COVID-19 recovery. It argues that African nations lack the fiscal space available to advanced economies, facing high debt burdens and unfair credit ratings. The document proposes that the G20 and other development partners implement coordinated debt relief, reallocate resources to de-risk private investment, and establish fairer credit rating mechanisms to support sustainable economic transformation.

This research paper examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on food security across Africa, highlighting how economic shocks and trade disruptions exacerbated hunger. It analyzes the varying vulnerability of different income groups and regions, the role of protectionist policies, and the potential for the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) to build long-term resilience by increasing intra-continental food trade.

This report examines the adoption of new mining technologies in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and their impact on local procurement. While large-scale mining projects like Kibali and Kamoa-Kakula utilize advanced automation and green technologies, local suppliers struggle to capture high-value contracts due to gaps in capital, skills, and infrastructure. The report analyzes the 2018 Mining Code's efforts to mandate local content and identifies systemic barriers—including a weak manufacturing sector and outdated intellectual property laws—that hinder the transfer of technology to Congolese enterprises.

This report examines the adoption of new mining technologies in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and their impact on local procurement. While large-scale industrial mines like Kibali and Kamoa-Kakula utilize advanced automation and green energy, local suppliers struggle to access high-value contracts due to gaps in capital, specialized skills, and a weak manufacturing base. The document analyzes the effectiveness of the 2018 Mining Code and the 2017 Subcontracting Law in promoting local content, concluding that a more supportive regulatory and economic environment is necessary to translate technological advancement into sustainable local economic growth.

This policy brief examines the development and implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury, a legally binding global treaty designed to protect human health and the environment from mercury emissions and releases. It details the transition from regional marine protections to a comprehensive global framework, the specific challenges posed by artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM), and the reasons why mercury was addressed separately from other toxic heavy metals like lead and cadmium.

This briefing examines the implications of the European Green Deal (EGD) for African nations, identifying opportunities and risks across seven key sectors. It provides strategic recommendations for both EU and African policymakers to ensure the transition supports Africa's development priorities and moves the EU-Africa relationship toward a mutually beneficial partnership.

This policy brief examines the environmental and social challenges of the mining industry and the limitations of current international and domestic governance. It argues that achieving 'sustainable mining' requires a shift toward development partnerships, stronger community consultation, and the integration of UN Sustainable Development Goals into mining operations to mitigate the 'resource curse' and environmental degradation.

This research paper examines the state of nuclear governance across the 16 SADC member states, highlighting the disparities in their regulatory frameworks and the need for regional synchronisation. It focuses on the safety and security of uranium mining and the transport of radioactive materials, proposing that SADC provide a platform for cooperation to harmonise policies and improve regional emergency responses.

This report by the World Resources Institute outlines the critical role of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) and community lands in climate change mitigation. It argues that while community lands cover approximately half of the world's land and provide immense ecosystem services and carbon sequestration, they are often legally unrecognized and underfunded. The document provides evidence that secure land tenure leads to lower deforestation rates and proposes six strategic steps to better integrate community land management into global climate action.

This fact sheet provides a summary of the Zero Hunger Private Sector Pledge as of May 24, 2022, listing the financial commitments and geographic focus of 43 participating companies.

The Subnational Climate Fund (SnCF) is a financial instrument designed to overcome barriers to private capital mobilization for climate-resilient infrastructure at the subnational level, combining a Technical Assistance Facility with a private equity fund.

The World Resources Institute (WRI) filed a Form 990 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2020, reporting total revenue of $233,076,503 and total expenses of $134,311,980. The organization focuses on global challenges including climate, energy, food, forests, water, ocean, and cities, operating through regional hubs and specialized centers of excellence.

The report analyzes the impact of President Felix Tshisekedi's 'sacred union' coalition on the Democratic Republic of the Congo's path toward the 2023 elections. While the coalition has given the president a parliamentary majority, the report highlights deep-seated distrust in the electoral system and the risk that reforms to the electoral laws and the CENI commission may be superficial or manipulated to ensure the president's re-election. It also discusses the contentious debate over a population census and the ongoing security crisis in the eastern DRC, specifically in North Kivu and Ituri.

This policy brief examines the opportunities and risks for developing countries resulting from the increased demand for lithium and cobalt used in electric vehicle (EV) batteries, emphasizing the role of trade policy in capturing value and managing overinvestment.

This briefing by Zero Carbon Analytics examines the mineral requirements of the energy transition, focusing on the ethical, environmental, and geopolitical challenges associated with the sourcing of cobalt, nickel, and lithium for electric vehicle (EV) batteries.

This research paper assesses the implications of the African Peer Review Mechanism's (APRM) Expanded Mandate, a series of decisions taken between 2016 and 2019 to revitalise the agency. While the expansion has renewed momentum and increased membership, the author argues that the APRM must now consolidate these gains to avoid distracting from its core mission of comprehensive country reviews.

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the intersection of infrastructure development and peace and security (P&S) within the African Union's (AU) framework. It argues that while the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) is central to continental integration, it lacks sufficient integration of conflict-sensitive planning, particularly for projects in fragile and conflict-affected states (FCAS). The document recommends establishing cross-sectoral coordination, developing specific conflict-assessment tools for the PIDA Service Delivery Mechanism, and creating a knowledge centre to bridge the gap between infrastructure goals and peacebuilding outcomes.

This policy brief examines the role of nuclear science and technology in advancing Africa's sustainable development, specifically aligning with the AU's Agenda 2063 and the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It highlights applications in healthcare and agriculture, the existing infrastructure of research reactors, and the legal frameworks ensuring the peaceful use of nuclear energy on the continent.

The report 'Killed by Breathing' analyzes the global crisis of cooking poverty, where 3.83 billion people in 71 countries rely on solid fuels and low-quality stoves. It argues that the current 'clean cooking' sector is not on track to meet Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) due to fragmented governance, insufficient funding, and a lack of focus on end-user behavior. The authors propose a shift toward the term 'cooking poverty' to reflect the scale of the problem and recommend integrating cooking solutions into existing electrification infrastructure to leverage its finance and technical support systems.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs analyzes South Africa's historical failure to champion human rights in its foreign policy, contrasting its domestic constitutional principles with its international actions. The author argues that South Africa has traditionally prioritized an 'anti-imperialist' struggle over human rights, though recent actions on the UN Human Rights Council suggest a shift toward greater commitment.