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This report by the African Future Policies Hub analyzes whether carbon credits generated under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement should be eligible for deduction from liabilities under the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). It argues that allowing such credits would mitigate the negative economic impact of the CBAM on African exporters, retain climate finance within African borders, and provide policy flexibility to host governments, while proposing specific design measures to prevent carbon leakage and ensure credit integrity.

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs argues for the 'ring-fencing' of development expenditures in Africa to protect long-term investments from short-term fiscal and political pressures. It identifies a 'perfect storm' of challenges—including trade fragmentation, the 'securitisation' of economic policy, high debt burdens, and technological disruption—that threaten development financing. The document proposes five specific policy mechanisms to institutionalise this protection and suggests that development finance should be framed as complementary to security priorities to leverage international funding.

Côte d’Ivoire is characterized as a moderate economic transformer with an overall African Transformation Index (ATI) score of 25.9, ranking 15th out of 30 analyzed countries. The economy is heavily reliant on agricultural exports, particularly cocoa, and faces challenges regarding export competitiveness, productivity growth, and economic diversification.

This guide provides a strategic playbook for concessional capital providers to mobilize investment in climate-smart agrifood systems. It identifies a significant financing gap—with global climate finance for the sector reaching only USD 95 billion in 2021/22—and proposes five 'investment plays' to address market failures. These strategies include system-level alignment with national goals, large-scale natural capital restoration, strengthening shared infrastructure, expanding technical assistance for innovation, and scaling local financial intermediaries. The document includes a four-step framework for investor action and detailed case studies of blended finance vehicles operating across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

The May 2025 Peace & Security Council Report examines escalating tensions between Algeria and Mali, the institutional challenges of AU-ECOWAS collaboration, the rise of 'lawfare' to undermine democracy in Africa, and the role of illicit economies in fueling Sahelian extremism.

This policy note examines the Compact with Africa (CwA), an initiative launched in 2017 to increase private investment and infrastructure in African countries through coordinated reform agendas and stakeholder cooperation.

This guide by the Global Climate and Health Alliance provides a framework for the climate and health community to help governments integrate health considerations into their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), specifically for the 'NDCs 3.0' due in 2025. It outlines seven criteria for health-inclusive NDCs, practical steps for government implementation, and strategies for civil society to advocate for health-centric climate policies.

This research paper by Jakkie Cilliers, commissioned by the Netherlands Scientific Council for Government Policy (wrr), examines the potential for Africa to achieve a demographic dividend. It analyzes the stages of demographic transition, the role of urbanization, and the specific conditions—such as health, education, and governance—required to convert a youthful population structure into economic growth. The paper models an ambitious 'Demographics and Health' scenario to demonstrate how accelerated improvements in fertility and mortality could enhance Africa's development trajectory and its relationship with Europe.

This policy brief argues that Africa's maritime transport and ports sector requires a dual strategy of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and building climate resilience to protect its blue economy. It highlights the risks posed by sea level rise and extreme weather, the impact of new global carbon levies, and the need for a modernized continental governance framework to coordinate the transition to green logistics hubs.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies and the Global Public Policy Institute argues that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is facing a profound legitimacy crisis following the January 2025 withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. The authors contend that to survive and restore stability, ECOWAS must move beyond its original economic mandate and the current intergovernmental status quo toward deeper political integration and supranationalism.

This report uses the Sustainable Asset Valuation (SAVi) tool to evaluate the 'One School, 5 Hectares of Forest' initiative in Côte d'Ivoire, specifically focusing on a 5-hectare project at the Collège moderne de Bougousso. The assessment compares Nature-Based Infrastructure (NBI) against grey infrastructure and business-as-usual scenarios, finding that reforestation provides superior cost-effectiveness and diverse socio-economic benefits.

This research paper by the Africa Policy Research Institute examines strategies for reducing methane emissions in global agriculture, emphasizing the need for equitable policies that balance climate goals with food security and economic development, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

This policy brief by the NewClimate Institute examines the inclusion of non-CO2 emissions (methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases) in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), highlighting a general lack of gas-specific quantitative targets and focusing on the potential for China to increase its ambition in the next NDC cycle.

The AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol (AfCFTA DTP), adopted in February 2024, is a comprehensive framework designed to facilitate digital trade across Africa. It aims to create an enabling regulatory environment by addressing market access, data governance, and digital inclusion, while bridging infrastructure and regulatory gaps to unlock the continent's digital economy potential.

This research paper by Kholofelo Kugler for the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) analyzes the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Protocol on Digital Trade (PCN), adopted in February 2024. The document outlines the protocol's structure, its goals for facilitating digital trade and regulatory harmonization across Africa, and the significant infrastructure and regulatory challenges that may hinder its implementation.

This research paper by Kholofelo Kugler analyzes the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol (DTP), adopted in February 2024. The protocol aims to create a comprehensive framework for digital trade across Africa, focusing on trade facilitation, data governance, and digital inclusion. While the main text is adopted, eight key annexes remain under negotiation. The author highlights the potential for the digital economy to significantly boost Africa's GDP and employment, provided that infrastructure gaps and regulatory fragmentation are addressed.

This research paper examines the role of vertical industrial policies in Africa, using the cement industries of Nigeria and Morocco as primary case studies to demonstrate how targeted government intervention can drive sustainable industrial growth and economic diversification.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative analyzes how currency risk—specifically the mismatch between hard-currency debt and local-currency revenues—inhibits climate finance in emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs). It evaluates standard hedging tools and five innovative models designed to lower the cost of capital and deepen local financial markets to catalyze international private investment.

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the gap between Africa's vast renewable energy potential and its current capacity. It highlights the continent's critical role in the global energy transition due to its abundance of solar, wind, and hydro resources, as well as essential critical minerals. The document outlines systemic barriers to progress, including insufficient financing, a heavy reliance on imported technology, and a lack of local manufacturing. It proposes strategic interventions for the African Union and G20 to enhance technology transfer, mobilize climate finance, and integrate African nations into green value chains beyond the supply of raw materials.

This research paper analyzes the bilateral economic relations between Senegal and Germany from 2012 to 2022, focusing on trade, foreign direct investment (FDI), and Official Development Assistance (ODA) during the presidency of Macky Sall.