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This research paper by Jamie MacLeod and David Luke of the London School of Economics examines the obstacles preventing the effective implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). While African leaders view the agreement as a tool for transformative growth and post-COVID-19 recovery, technical disputes—specifically regarding rules of origin—have stalled the transition from negotiation to operational trade.

This document consists of the independent auditors' reports for the World Resources Institute (WRI) and its subsidiaries for the fiscal years ending September 30, 2023, and 2022. The reports, conducted by Grant Thornton LLP, provide an unmodified opinion on the consolidated financial statements and compliance with major federal programs, while identifying a significant deficiency in the internal controls used to prepare the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA).

This policy brief by the African Center for Economic Transformation examines the challenges of youth unemployment in Africa and evaluates school-to-work transition programs. It highlights a systemic trade-off between the scale and quality of these initiatives, noting that large-scale programs often lack relevant training, while high-quality programs fail to reach a significant portion of the youth population.

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines the integration of the ocean-climate nexus within the UNFCCC process, evaluating progress from the 'Ocean Super Year' of 2022 through COP27 and looking toward COP28. It emphasizes the need for African stakeholders to shift the global dialogue from negotiation to concrete implementation, leveraging regional initiatives and policy frameworks to drive ambitious ocean-climate action.

The document presents a roadmap for enhancing African resilience to transboundary and cascading climate risks. It calls for the African Union Commission to develop an implementation plan to improve coordination between Member States and Regional Economic Communities, leveraging key 2023 events like the Africa Climate Summit and COP28 to secure financial and technical resources.

This special edition of the Peace & Security Council Report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the resurgence of military coups and unconstitutional changes of government (UCGs) in Africa, specifically focusing on a 'third wave' since 2019. The report analyzes the drivers of these coups, the role of 'constitutional coups' (manipulating term limits), the impact of civil-military relations, and the effectiveness of African Union (AU) and regional sanctions.

This policy paper maps the landscape of standards and initiatives related to plastic pollution to support international cooperation. It categorizes instruments into government regulations, voluntary multistakeholder standards, and non-governmental initiatives. The paper highlights the role of these standards in the ongoing negotiations for a global plastics treaty (INC) and the WTO Dialogue on Plastics Pollution (DPP), emphasizing the need for inclusiveness for developing countries and the identification of 'standards gaps' across the plastics life cycle.

This briefing note by the International Institute for Sustainable Development discusses the importance of aligning national financing strategies for climate change adaptation with other financial plans, such as those for biodiversity and the Sustainable Development Goals, to ensure coordinated resource mobilization and implementation.

A research paper by the Stockholm Environment Institute that develops a detailed road transport inventory for greenhouse gases and air pollutants in Kenya to analyze policy scenarios and project emissions from 2010 to 2050.

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs provides recommendations for African Union (AU) member states to develop a comprehensive e-commerce blueprint within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). It emphasizes the need for a unified African position in international negotiations, a proactive strategy for digital taxation, and the harmonisation of fragmented regional regulations to avoid Africa becoming a 'rule taker' in the global digital economy.

This report examines the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on MEFMI member states in sub-Saharan Africa, detailing how public health measures and external shocks led to GDP declines and increased fiscal pressure.

This case study describes Octavia Carbon, a Kenya-based startup utilizing Direct Air Carbon Capture (DACC) technology to remove CO2 from the atmosphere. The company leverages Kenya's geothermal energy and basaltic rock geology to reduce the costs associated with carbon sequestration and industrial CO2 production.

This policy recommendation by Natural Justice advocates for the creation of a specific legal framework in Kenya to protect Environmental Human Rights Defenders (EHRDs), arguing that current protections are only inferable through the interpretation of various existing laws.

This research paper by the Africa Policy Research Institute examines the limited developmental impact of tourism on local African economies, arguing that the industry often functions as an extractive force. Using Zanzibar as a primary case study, the author illustrates how foreign ownership, 'enclave tourism', and economic leakages prevent local communities from benefiting from industry growth.

This case study by Natural Justice examines the environmental and social impacts of quarrying activities by H-Young, an engineering company, in the Bora Imani community of Kilifi County, Kenya. It details how the project, intended for the tarmacking of the Malindi-Lamu road, led to the destruction of critical water sources, health crises due to lack of sanitation, and pollution, ultimately highlighting the failure of project-specific remedies and the need for robust decommissioning and climate-aware Environmental Impact Assessments.

This joint submission by IISD, CIEL, and ClientEarth to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment argues that Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanisms act as a major obstacle to climate and environmental action. The document details how ISDS is used by investors to challenge environmental regulations, creates a 'regulatory chill' that disincentivizes states from enacting green policies, and often ignores human rights and environmental obligations in favor of investment protections.

This research paper by the Africa Policy Research Institute examines the health cooperation between Germany and African states, arguing that current partnerships are rooted in colonial legacies and lack genuine reciprocity. The author contends that recent shifts toward 'securitization' of health—prioritizing global health security and economic interests—often override the needs of marginalized populations and the goal of strengthening local health systems.

This research paper analyzes the evolving energy relations between Germany and Africa, noting a shift from traditional development cooperation toward a broader approach combining energy diplomacy, foreign policy, and technical cooperation. The author highlights a tension between Germany's commitment to a 'just transition' and its strategic interests in securing both renewable energy (particularly green hydrogen) and fossil fuel imports to ensure energy security.

This report analyses the development trajectories of the Horn of Africa (Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, and South Sudan) up to 2040. It identifies systemic barriers including governance failure, conflict, and climate-induced food insecurity, while modelling an 'Integrated Development Push' scenario to demonstrate how coordinated reforms in governance, agriculture, and human capital could significantly reduce extreme poverty and boost regional GDP.

Natural Justice provides a critique of Kenya's proposed Climate Change (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which aims to integrate carbon markets into the country's climate response. While acknowledging the potential for carbon markets to mobilize investment, the organization warns of risks regarding environmental integrity and the potential for developed nations to use credits to justify continued fossil fuel use. The statement highlights several deficiencies in the Bill, including the removal of specific representation requirements for marginalized communities and civil society in the National Climate Change Council, a lack of clear procedural guidelines for public participation, and ambiguous role definitions between national and county governments.