Search Climate Insights Directory

This research paper argues that China is leveraging African dissatisfaction with Western paternalism and the current global order to strengthen its relations with African nations during the Ukraine conflict. The author suggests that the war is accelerating a shift toward multipolarity, allowing China to position itself as an alternative partner that respects national autonomy and non-interference, potentially boosting its Global Security Initiative and diplomatic influence across the continent.

The 'Toolkit for Securities Regulators in Africa Institutional Capacity Assessment (ICA)' is a guide designed to help capital market regulators in emerging markets systematically identify and address institutional gaps. It introduces the DAART framework (Define, Align, Assemble, Respect, Tailor) to ensure that capacity assessments and subsequent strengthening programmes are pragmatic, sensitive to market signals, and aligned with the specific stage of a country's market development.

This research paper examines the diverse responses of African nations to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and proposes four strategic options for the continent to advance its political, economic, and social interests amid the shifting geopolitical landscape.

This policy brief examines the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) established under the Paris Agreement, focusing on the reporting requirements for Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and the challenges faced by developing countries, particularly in Africa, in meeting these standards by the 2024 deadline.

This background report from the Institute for Security Studies examines the historical, political, and geostrategic context of the Horn of Africa. It details the region's prevalence of inter-state and intra-state conflicts, the impact of forced displacement, and the significant influence of foreign military and economic interests from global powers and Gulf states on regional stability and development.

This policy brief by the Climate Policy Initiative argues that expanding phone and high-speed internet services in the Legal Amazon can reduce regional isolation and boost the economy without the socio-environmental risks associated with traditional logistics infrastructure like roads.

This policy brief examines the limited participation of African nations in the World Trade Organization (WTO) Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) on e-commerce. It analyzes the tension between the plurilateral JSI approach and the multilateral Work Programme on Electronic Commerce, highlighting the digital divide and capacity constraints facing African states. The author argues that African countries should engage with the JSI to protect their developmental interests and prepare for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) e-commerce protocol.

This policy brief examines the deployment and regulation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Africa, highlighting the tension between the dominance of foreign Big Tech companies and the need for local AI capacities that align with national development priorities. It analyzes risks associated with biometric identification, the gig economy, and 'click work,' while reviewing emerging national AI strategies in countries like Egypt, Mauritius, and Rwanda. The document argues that for AI to benefit local economies, African states must prioritize inclusive digital infrastructure, data governance, and the protection of human rights, while cautioning that regulatory frameworks from the EU (such as the AI Act and GDPR) may not fully address the structural and socio-economic realities of the African context.

This policy brief examines the deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) in Africa, highlighting the tension between the potential for socio-economic growth and the risks posed by foreign technology monopolies, precarious digital labour, and human rights violations. It analyzes emerging national AI strategies in countries like Egypt, Mauritius, and Rwanda, while arguing that African policymakers must prioritize local capacity, inclusive infrastructure, and gender-sensitive labour protections to ensure AI serves national developmental priorities rather than external interests.

This briefing from the Stockholm Environment Institute outlines five principles designed to ensure that nature-based solutions (NbS) are just and equitable in their design, governance, and implementation, and provides a case study from Kenya to illustrate their application.

The South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) hosted a hybrid conference on 13 May 2022 titled 'The Peaceful Application of Nuclear Science and Technology in the Development Agenda'. The event focused on the role of nuclear technology in Africa's development, emphasizing institutional regulation, the inclusion of women and youth, and the pursuit of 'nuclear justice' and disarmament.

This case study examines the challenges of maintaining a vaccine cold chain in Kenya due to stagnant electricity access at government health facilities and the subsequent reliance on inefficient LPG-powered refrigerators. It details the Kenyan Ministry of Health's goal to transition to 'optimal' cold chain equipment (CCE) by 2026 to improve vaccine safety and environmental sustainability.

This policy brief argues that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) cannot reach its full potential without a unified industrial policy to address systemic supply-side constraints. The author contends that the current landscape of overlapping national, regional, and continental policies creates coordination failures and proposes a consolidated strategy focusing on pooled infrastructure resources, regional product specialisation, SME growth, clean energy, and indigenous technology.

This SEI discussion brief argues that nature-based solutions (NbS) are often framed as apolitical, leading to the neglect of social equity and justice in their design and implementation. The document proposes five core principles to ensure NbS do not reproduce existing inequalities and provides a case study from Kaptembwa, Kenya, to illustrate the integration of these principles in an urban informal settlement.

This policy brief, based on a study of Ethiopia, Ghana, and Kenya, examines the alignment between Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and national development plans. It finds that DFIs generally do not use national development plans to shape investment decisions, leading to funding gaps in strategic sectors. The brief proposes a four-step framework—Identify, Compare, Engage, and Invest—to help DFIs better align their portfolios with country-level priorities to enhance development impact.

This report by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the complex relationship between climate change and violent conflict in Africa. It argues that while climate change acts as a 'risk multiplier' that can exacerbate existing political, social, and economic tensions, the link to violence is indirect and highly contextual. The document emphasizes the need for conflict-sensitive climate adaptation strategies, particularly in fragile contexts, and calls for the Global North to fulfill climate finance commitments to support the Global South.

This report documents a Non-Motorized Transport (NMT) enforcement dialogue held on April 6, 2022, in Nairobi, Kenya. The forum brought together various departments of the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) to review gains, identify areas for improvement in NMT infrastructure and governance, and commit to a coordinated action plan for enhancing pedestrian and cycling pathways.

This policy brief examines the challenges faced by developing countries and least-developed countries (LDCs) participating in the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) on electronic commerce. It highlights a significant digital divide in infrastructure and information, arguing that current negotiations focus too heavily on regulatory cooperation rather than the foundational capacity building and technical assistance required for these nations to implement future commitments and benefit from the digital economy.

This report by the Stockholm Environment Institute reviews 15 multisectoral National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) to assess the integration of human rights principles. The analysis finds that human rights are not systematically referenced or used to guide the planning and implementation processes in the majority of the reviewed documents, despite the obligations outlined in the Paris Agreement.

This policy brief by the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the decline of Kenya's coffee sector and proposes the integration of 17 Sustainable Consumption and Production Practices (SCPs) across the value chain to improve resource efficiency, worker welfare, and environmental sustainability.