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This report examines how the consolidation and increased market power of global supermarket chains affect global supply chains, specifically focusing on the challenges and opportunities for smallholder farmers in the developing world, with a particular emphasis on the fresh fruit and vegetable (FFV) sector in sub-Saharan Africa.

This research paper provides an overview of the progress made toward establishing the African Standby Force (ASF) as of May 2005. It details the continental policy framework adopted by the African Union (AU) and examines the specific implementation efforts, capabilities, and challenges within three regional bodies: the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The document highlights significant gaps between policy aspirations and operational capacity, primarily driven by funding shortages and limited national military capabilities.

This 1999 research paper examines the 'peace pyramid' model of conflict management in Africa, which positions the UN at the top, subregional organisations at the base, and the OAU as the intermediary. The author argues that while subregional bodies like ECOWAS and SADC are often more motivated to intervene in local conflicts, they lack institutionalised mechanisms and are built upon weak states. The paper concludes that sustainable security requires a focus on state-building, good governance, and the creation of permanent, impartial bureaucratic structures within subregional organisations rather than relying on ad hoc military responses.

This report provides an overview of a workshop focused on rural electrification in four East African countries, specifically examining obstacles, potential solutions, and the role of bio-electrification, solar, wind, and hydro power.

This report by EAVCA and Intellecap, supported by FSD Africa and FMO, analyzes the FinTech ecosystem in East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and Ethiopia). It identifies key enablers such as high mobile penetration and gaps in traditional financial services, evaluates various FinTech business models—including lending, payments, insurance, and investment management—and examines regional investment trends, funding challenges, and the role of strategic partnerships between banks and mobile network operators.

FSD Africa and UK-based Parhelion have launched a programme to de-risk early-stage geothermal energy development in Kenya and Ethiopia. The initiative focuses on creating a Geothermal Risk Transfer facility to mitigate drilling risks and a training programme to build the capacity of local African insurers to underwrite geothermal risks, thereby attracting investment and reducing reliance on international insurance markets.

This case study describes a partnership between FSD Africa and the Infrastructure Credit Guarantee Company Limited (InfraCredit) to provide local funding for DarwayCoast, a solar power company in Nigeria. The initiative focuses on scaling solar mini-grids to increase energy access and promote climate action financing through a credit guarantee model.

The Resilient Agriculture Innovations for Nature (RAIN) challenge is a joint initiative by the Global Resilience Partnership (GRP) and Shockwave Foundation to identify and scale nature-positive agricultural innovations in East Africa. The program provides selected entrepreneurs and organizations with mentoring, leadership training, communications support, and funding of up to 50,000 USD to make their projects 'funding-ready' for private investors.

The Resilient Agriculture Innovations for Nature (RAIN) challenge is a joint initiative by the Global Resilience Partnership (GRP) and Munich Re Foundation to identify and scale innovative, nature-positive agricultural solutions in East Africa. The program provides selected not-for-profit organizations with mentoring, leadership training, and financial support to make their initiatives 'funding-ready' for private investors and donors.

The Global Resilience Partnership (GRP) is launching the Technology for Evolving Challenges in Humanitarian Contexts (TECH) 4 Resilience Challenge. This initiative seeks AI-driven technological solutions to mitigate the effects of extreme climate events and improve Anticipatory Action (AA) frameworks in emergency contexts within low- and middle-income countries.

This research paper by Jakkie Cilliers for the Institute for Security Studies analyzes Africa's demographic transition, focusing on the 'demographic window of opportunity' defined by a worker-to-dependant ratio of 1.7:1. It details the varying timelines for different African regions to reach this threshold and the systemic requirements needed to convert population growth into economic dividends.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies examines the factors contributing to youth radicalisation towards violent extremism across various regions of Africa, emphasizing that the phenomenon is complex and cannot be attributed to a single cause.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes projects aimed at preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE) in Central, East, and West Africa. It identifies critical gaps in funding duration, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) capacity, and the potential for P/CVE labeling to stigmatize target communities, while suggesting a shift toward longer-term funding and greater African state ownership.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies provides a scoping study on peace and security in East Africa, focusing on the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes regions. It analyzes conflict dynamics, state fragility, and the effectiveness of regional and national interventions, concluding that the region remains fragile despite some governance gains.

This policy brief examines the expansion of marine fisheries eco-labelling in Southern and Eastern Africa, focusing on the roles of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Friends of the Sea (FOS). It analyzes the environmental and commercial incentives for certification, the challenges of including small-scale fisheries, and the necessity of state support and independent impact studies to ensure sustainable fisheries management.

This report provides three guidance papers to support the curriculum design of the International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law, an initiative of the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF). It focuses on the leadership roles of policymakers and senior officials, a step-by-step methodology for developing justice sector training curricula, and the use of immersive simulation scenarios for specialized rule of law training.

This case study examines the lack of progress in implementing a SADC Univisa, a regional visa intended to boost tourism and business travel in Southern Africa. Despite a 1998 protocol and the potential for 3-5% annual growth in tourism, implementation is hindered by security concerns, bureaucratic inertia, and conflicting interests between economic ministries and security agencies. The document highlights the disparity in visa openness compared to East Africa and suggests using the Kavango Zambezi (KAZA) TFCA pilot as a model for broader regional adoption.

This research paper evaluates the alignment of Uganda's post-COVID-19 economic recovery strategy with its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). It finds that while Uganda has increased its climate ambition in its updated NDC, the actual economic stimulus packages have largely prioritised immediate health and economic rescue over green recovery, leaving climate action underfunded and sidelined in the budget process.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) introduces two new indices—the Climate Change and Economic Vulnerability Index (CEVI) and the Climate Change and Economic Resilience Index (CERI)—to provide a quantitative basis for the allocation of climate finance. The author argues that current climate finance, particularly OECD adaptation funding, is misaligned with the actual vulnerability and resilience of recipient countries, often favoring middle-income nations over the most vulnerable low-income economies, particularly in Africa.

This research paper examines the role of local financial institutions (LFIs) in Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania in scaling up financing for the Productive Use of Renewable Energy (PURE) sector. It identifies significant demand for PURE technologies, particularly in agriculture, but notes that high up-front costs and LFI constraints—such as limited staff capacity and credit risks—hinder adoption. The paper suggests that LFIs can expand lending through green bonds, climate fund accreditation, and by increasing direct lending from their own balance sheets, supported by blended finance and de-risking instruments from development partners.