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This briefing by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the policy tools available to East African states to develop 'national champions' in the mining sector and the legal constraints imposed by bilateral investment treaties (BITs). It evaluates ownership and performance requirements, contrasting their developmental utility with the restrictive nature of international investment law.

This research paper analyzes the security implications of the Westgate attacks in Nairobi, arguing that Kenya's military intervention in Somalia and the broader regional instability facilitate radicalism. It highlights the tension between East Africa's economic growth and its fragility, suggesting that long-term stability requires inclusive, home-grown political settlements rather than solely military solutions.

This briefing analyzes the political environment surrounding Kenya's 2013 elections, examining the impact of a new constitutional framework, the role of the International Criminal Court (ICC), and the persistence of ethnic tensions and socio-economic grievances.

The CDKN East Africa Climate Finance Workshop, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 25-26 March 2013, brought together 25-30 economic planners, investors, and donors to share best practices and plan future climate finance activities in Eastern Africa.

This briefing by the Stockholm Environment Institute previews a forthcoming book on transforming gender relations in Sub-Saharan African agriculture. It argues that while women provide a significant portion of agricultural labour and are primary food producers for rural families, they face systemic resource gaps and social constraints. The document outlines a conceptual framework for empowerment based on agency, structure, and relations, and highlights the necessity of addressing land ownership and value chain access to improve food security and productivity.

This policy briefing examines the tropical timber trade from the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to and through Uganda into the wider East African region. It highlights the challenges of regulating a trade characterized by informal operators and middlemen, and provides recommendations for improving regional coordination, domestic regulation in Uganda, and the use of existing platforms like the ICGLR and the Albertine Rift Strategic Planning Process to promote sustainable development.

A report describing the potential for sugar cane bioenergy to enhance rural livelihoods, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve energy security and economic competitiveness in Southern and Eastern Africa.

This report, published by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network in 2012, synthesizes the findings of the IPCC's SREX report specifically for African policymakers. It examines the interaction between climate extremes, human vulnerability, and disaster risk management (DRM), emphasizing that disaster risks in Africa are increasing due to both climate change and socio-economic factors such as rapid urbanization and poor governance. The document provides regional observations and projections for temperature and precipitation extremes across Africa and advocates for the integration of DRM and climate change adaptation into national development planning to build long-term resilience.

This 2012 report synthesizes the IPCC SREX findings for Africa, highlighting that disaster risk is increasing due to higher exposure of vulnerable populations. It details observed and projected increases in temperature and dryness across various sub-regions, warns that current extremes will become the 'new normal' by 2100, and emphasizes the high vulnerability of the agricultural sector and coastal cities. The document advocates for a shift from reactive to proactive, transformational disaster risk management that integrates local knowledge, high-level political leadership, and international financial support.

This research paper uses the LPJmL vegetation and hydrology model to compare global per capita water availability and requirements for food production between 1971–2000 and 2070–2099, assessing the impact of climate and population change on the ability of countries to produce a balanced diet.

This policy brief by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) examines the intersection of climate change and poverty reduction. It argues that climate variability hinders the ability of poor populations to escape poverty and threatens the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), particularly in Africa. The document advocates for the integration of climate adaptation into national development strategies, the collection of more conclusive data on climate-poverty links, and a cautious approach to mitigation projects to ensure they provide tangible co-benefits for the poor.

This research paper examines the impact of the 2007–08 international food crisis on Tanzania, analyzing how long-term structural reforms and short-term policy responses influenced poverty levels and food security. The authors use household-level data to estimate the crisis's effect on different income classes and regions, concluding that while urban populations were most vulnerable, the overall national impact was modest compared to other poor countries.

This report reviews the economic feasibility of low-carbon and climate-resilient growth in developing countries. It finds that significant mitigation is possible with minimal GDP impact (1-2% reduction globally), often driven by low-cost energy efficiency. However, it highlights critical gaps in current research, specifically the failure to account for implementation costs, the over-reliance on static MACC models, and the lack of a clear framework for 'climate resilient growth' beyond simple adaptation. It emphasizes that while Middle Income Countries face higher pressure to reduce emissions, Low Income Countries can leverage co-benefits and carbon finance to align low-carbon paths with development goals.

This research paper by Yolanda Kakabadse, former environment minister of Ecuador and President of WWF International, argues that traditional water infrastructure design—based on the assumption of a stationary climate—has led to the degradation of freshwater ecosystems and increased societal vulnerability. The author proposes a shift toward climate-sustainable development by integrating ecosystems into infrastructure planning, managing water at a basin scale, and moving away from sectoral silos in policymaking.

This summary report details a seminar held on November 4, 2009, organized by the African Human Security Initiative (AHSI) and the Institute for Security Studies (ISS). The event focused on the challenges facing criminal justice systems in Africa, with a particular emphasis on East Africa, including issues of police militarization, judicial inefficiency, and the lack of political will for systemic reform.

This concept note outlines a proposed workshop organized by the Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organization (EAPCCO), Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF), and the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) to develop a regional response strategy for law enforcement agents to combat piracy in Eastern Africa.

Mr Peter Edopu of the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) announced the launch of the Environmental Crime Project in Entebbe, Uganda. Developed in partnership with EAPCCO (a sub-regional INTERPOL office) and funded by the German government, the project aims to combat environmental crimes in Eastern Africa. It is part of the broader ISS Environmental Security Programme, which addresses issues such as climate change, energy security, and natural resource conflict across Sub-Saharan Africa by building a knowledge base and enhancing law enforcement capacity.

A speech delivered by Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, Minister of Internal Affairs, at the launch of the EAPCCO-ISS Environmental Crime Project in Entebbe on July 30-31, 2008. The address outlines the scale of environmental crime in East Africa and the objectives of a new regional partnership to strengthen law enforcement capacity.

This policy brief by the Stockholm Environment Institute outlines recommendations to improve the use of climate science for 'anticipatory adaptation' in Africa. It emphasizes the need to bridge the gap between climate scientists and decision-makers, enhance local technical capacity for downscaling climate models, and leverage existing regional networks and platforms to manage climate change risks.

This policy brief, based on a 2008 study commissioned by the Rockefeller Foundation, examines the integration of climate change model information into agricultural decision-making in Africa. It identifies a significant gap between climate science producers and agricultural users, noting that vulnerability is driven by poverty, lack of infrastructure, and natural resource dependence. The document advocates for 'anticipatory adaptation' and the creation of multi-disciplinary platforms to bridge the communication gap between scientists and practitioners.