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This research paper by Elizabeth Sidiropoulos and Ross Herbert examines the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), a voluntary governance assessment tool launched by the African Union in 2002 under the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). The authors analyze the APRM's structure, its five-stage review process, and the varying degrees of civil society involvement in early participating countries, while highlighting the critical importance of publishing final reports to ensure government accountability.

This report details Austria's diplomatic, trade, and development relations with Africa, particularly in the context of its 2006 European Union Council presidency. It outlines Austria's strategic focus on North Africa via the European Neighbourhood Partnership, its limited trade with the continent compared to the EU, and its targeted development assistance in East and Southern Africa.

This report by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines Germany's evolving foreign policy and economic relations with Africa, with a specific focus on its 'strategic partnership' with South Africa. It details the transition from Cold War-era ideological instrumentalisation to a post-2000 policy of concentrated bilateral aid and partnerships for reform, while contextualising these efforts within Germany's own domestic economic challenges and its role within the European Union.

This research paper by Mzukisi Qobo examines the global and domestic landscape of beneficial ownership transparency, focusing on the implementation of G20 High-Level Principles. It analyzes the challenges faced by South Africa and other African nations in curbing illicit financial flows (IFFs), money laundering, and corruption, while reviewing the regulatory approaches of several G20 member states.

This research paper analyzes the dynamics of South African foreign direct investment (FDI) and trade within Africa from 2006 to 2018. It finds that while South Africa remains a dominant intra-African investor, its relative influence is declining due to increased competition from global actors, particularly China, and other African nations. The paper highlights South Africa's role as a regional distribution hub and suggests policy shifts toward deeper trade liberalization and better public-private collaboration to maintain its economic footprint.

This research paper by Professor Ahmed Mohiddin examines the tendency of executive branches to dominate governance structures in Africa. It analyzes the systemic reasons for this dominance, the capacity failures of legislatures and judiciaries, and the role of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and civil society in establishing effective checks and balances.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) analyzes the revival of Côte d’Ivoire’s regional diplomacy under President Alassane Ouattara. After a period of decline following the death of Félix Houphouët-Boigny in 1993 and subsequent civil crises, the country is seeking to regain its status as a leading political and economic actor in West Africa through a policy of 'good neighbourliness' and strategic engagement with regional organizations and global powers.

This research paper by Yarik Turianskyi of the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) analyzes the Country Review Reports (CRRs) of the first six states to undergo the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM): Ghana, Rwanda, Kenya, Algeria, South Africa, and Benin. The author identifies a systemic gap between constitutional intentions and practical governance, arguing that a lack of 'constitutionalism' leads to executive dominance and the erosion of checks and balances.

This policy briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) argues for a re-invention of partnerships in Africa's extractive governance to drive inclusive and sustainable socio-economic transformation. It emphasizes the need for shared values, reciprocal responsibilities, and the alignment of national, regional, and continental visions—specifically the African Union's Agenda 2063 and the Africa Mining Vision (AMV)—to move Africa beyond being a mere supplier of raw materials toward value-addition and beneficiation.

This policy briefing examines South Africa's shifting relationship with the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) doctrine and the International Criminal Court (ICC). It argues that while South Africa initially championed human rights as the guiding light of its foreign policy following its democratic transition, it has since adopted a more pragmatic approach. This shift is characterized by suspicion toward initiatives perceived as advancing Western interests and a tension between maintaining continental solidarity within Africa and pursuing ambitions as an emerging global power.

This policy briefing examines the role and challenges of National Governing Councils (NGCs) within the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). Based on a February 2015 workshop, the document argues that while NGCs are essential for developing Country Self-Assessment Reports (CSAR) and National Programmes of Action (NPoAs), a lack of standardized guidelines regarding their composition, funding, and legal status hinders their effectiveness and independence from political interference.

This policy briefing analyzes Ghana's readiness to manage upcoming commercial oil production, evaluating the potential for oil revenues to either strengthen or undermine the country's democratic institutions and economic stability. It emphasizes the need for legislative frameworks, economic diversification, and community consultation to avoid the 'resource curse'.

This policy briefing, published by the South African Institute of International Affairs in October 2015, compares the Open Government Partnership (OGP) with other international peer-review mechanisms, including the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), the UN's Universal Periodic Review (UPR), and the OECD's Anti-Bribery Convention Review (OECDA). It argues that the OGP's flexible, civil-society-led approach offers unique benefits for transparency and governance, and suggests that African nations should seek OGP membership and harmonise it with existing review obligations.

This research paper examines the risk of stranded assets in Africa's extractives sectors as the global economy transitions toward low-carbon energy and a circular economy. It analyzes the economic threats to fossil-fuel-dependent nations, the potential for 'premature deindustrialisation', and the opportunities presented by the rising demand for critical minerals. The author argues for a 'just transition' that prioritizes social and developmental goals through economic diversification and improved governance to avoid the 'resource curse'.

This policy brief examines the challenges of measuring and reporting local procurement in the African mining sector. It argues that aggregate spending figures often mask a lack of genuine local value addition, as many 'local' suppliers are merely importers. While some governments and international standards are beginning to demand more granular data, the document highlights a significant gap between current reporting practices and the data needed to steer effective economic policy.

This report outlines the critical cooling and cold chain needs in Ghana across three primary sectors: food, nutrition and agriculture; health services; and human comfort and safety in the built environment. It details the economic and health impacts of inadequate cooling, such as significant food waste, vaccine distribution failures, and rising heat-related mortality, while highlighting the inefficiency of current air-conditioning infrastructure.

SEforALL partnered with the ICTP to provide technical training on geospatial data management and application to energy planners from nine African countries. The program aimed to address a capacity gap in government planning units to better inform electrification and clean cooking strategies. Participants from Madagascar, Malawi, and Rwanda are currently applying these skills to develop national data governance and clean cooking plans.

This fact sheet by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) outlines various donor-funded financing programs available for renewable energy manufacturing and clean energy innovation, primarily targeting Africa and other developing regions.

The executive summary of 'Energizing Finance: Taking the Pulse 2021' analyzes the financial requirements to achieve universal energy access (SDG7) in Ghana, Mozambique, and Vietnam. It focuses on decentralized solutions, estimating the capital needed for electricity (Tier 1) and clean cooking (Tiers 2-4), while identifying critical affordability gaps and regulatory barriers that hinder private sector investment.

The executive summary of 'Energizing Finance: Understanding the Landscape 2021' analyzes energy finance commitments in 20 developing 'high-impact countries' (HICs) for 2019. It finds that investments for both electricity and clean cooking are critically insufficient to meet Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7), with electricity finance declining in 2019 and clean cooking investment stagnating. The report emphasizes the need for climate-resilient infrastructure, a shift away from fossil fuels, and a more comprehensive, multi-technology approach to clean cooking to ensure a just energy transition.