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This research paper examines the role of innovative risk finance, specifically insurance, in overcoming barriers to geothermal power development in Kenya and Ethiopia. It details a project by Parhelion, funded by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN), which provided technical training to local stakeholders to increase the use of risk mitigation instruments and leverage private sector capital.

This 2017 report outlines Ethiopia's leadership in climate action, notably as the first Least Developed Country to submit an INDC. It details the country's vulnerability to climate events, its goal to reduce emissions to 145 Mt CO2eq by 2030, and the US$150 billion cost of its CRGE strategy. The document highlights CDKN's role in helping the Ministry of Finance and Economic Cooperation achieve accreditation for the Green Climate Fund and Adaptation Fund, as well as efforts to green the industrial sector and develop geothermal risk insurance.

This briefing by the Climate Bonds Initiative outlines the progress of public policy regarding green bonds in 2016 and projections for 2017. It highlights the emergence of sovereign green bonds, the role of green bonds in financing Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and various innovative financial tools used by governments to attract private capital for climate infrastructure.

This fact sheet by the Climate Bonds Initiative outlines public sector activities and policy developments in the green bond market during 2016, emphasizing the role of governments in leveraging private capital to meet climate-aligned infrastructure needs.

This fact sheet from the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) outlines the evolution of China-Africa relations, tracing them from historical ties to contemporary economic, diplomatic, and security partnerships. It highlights the role of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the shift in China's approach from 'non-interference' to active engagement in peace and security, while noting the impact of China's 'new normal' economic slowdown on bilateral trade and investment.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) evaluates whether the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) can effectively monitor the African Union's Agenda 2063 and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While the authors identify strong normative and thematic alignment between the three initiatives, they argue that the APRM currently lacks the administrative capacity, funding, and technical rigor to handle the extensive monitoring responsibilities required.

This report by the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the barriers women farmers in Kenya face when accessing post-harvest technologies for mango production. Using service design methods, including Customer Journey Mapping and ecosystem mapping, the study identifies how power imbalances with brokers and a market preference for quantity over quality discourage technology adoption. The report evaluates several technologies—ranging from fruit fly traps to pulping machines—and concludes that technology alone is insufficient without holistic support for business development and the creation of reliable quality-based markets.

This World Resources Institute working paper provides a four-step roadmap for landscape restoration projects to attract private investment between $500,000 and $10 million. It emphasizes the need for restoration leaders to adopt a commercial mindset, develop robust business plans, establish legal investable entities, and use pilot projects and performance metrics to reduce perceived risk for investors.

This case study describes the experience of Edward Ndolo, a retired police officer in Kitui, Kenya, who implemented road water harvesting on his 3-acre farm to combat low rainfall and climate change. By diverting road runoff through a channel—including one crossing a neighbor's land—Ndolo has increased his agricultural productivity and profitability compared to neighboring farmers who do not use the technique.

This case study examines the emergence of a 'restoration economy' in Kenya, highlighting how entrepreneurs are integrating landscape rehabilitation into profitable business models. Using examples like GreenPot Enterprises and Honey Care Africa, the document illustrates that restoring degraded land can generate financial returns while providing environmental and social benefits, though challenges regarding growth capital persist.

This policy brief discusses the application of attribution science to disaster risk management in Kenya, highlighting how climate science can bridge the gap between scientific data and policy action to improve risk awareness, preparedness, and resource allocation.

This report by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) synthesises seven years of experience in promoting 'climate compatible development'—an approach that integrates climate mitigation and adaptation with poverty eradication and human development. The document provides a framework for mainstreaming climate concerns into national macroeconomic planning, sectoral policies, and local governance, while emphasizing the necessity of political leadership, cross-government coordination, and inclusive stakeholder engagement. It details the financial challenges of transitioning to a low-carbon economy, the role of 'knowledge brokers' in translating science for policy-makers, and the importance of gender-sensitive implementation to ensure equitable outcomes.

The Reporting for Results-based REDD+ (RRR+) project is a three-year initiative (2017-2019) led by the Coalition for Rainforest Nations (CfRN) and the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN). It aims to build the capacity of 21 tropical and subtropical forest countries to measure and report greenhouse gas emissions and carbon stocks in agriculture, forestry, and other land use (AFOLU) to the UNFCCC, thereby enabling them to access results-based REDD+ finance.

This briefing by the Center for International Environmental Law examines the disproportionate negative impacts of large-scale development projects—such as dams and mines—on women's human rights to water, food, and a healthy environment. It highlights the gap between international legal instruments and their practical implementation, particularly in countries with weak governance, and provides recommendations for governments, companies, and civil society to protect women's land rights and ensure their participation in decision-making.

This guide describes ENACT (Enhancing Africa’s capacity to respond more effectively to transnational organised crime), a three-year European Union-funded programme implemented by the Institute for Security Studies, INTERPOL, and the Global Initiative against Transnational Organised Crime. The project aims to mitigate the impact of transnational organised crime (TOC) on Africa's governance, security, and development through evidence-based analysis, capacity building for policymakers and law enforcement, and the creation of regional monitoring hubs.

This policy brief evaluates the state of Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) in the Western Indian Ocean, arguing that the region remains overly dependent on international naval forces. It suggests a strategic shift toward low-tech solutions, human intelligence, and better integration between maritime security and the blue economy to build sustainable, regionally-owned capabilities.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies examines the gap between Africa's formal legal frameworks for freedom of movement and their actual implementation. While the African Union and various Regional Economic Communities have established treaties to leverage migration for development, national interests and securitized approaches often hinder progress, with West Africa currently serving as the continent's best practice model.

The Environmental (Strategic Assessment, Integrated Impact Assessment and Audit) Regulations, 2017, establish the legal framework for environmental assessments in Kenya. The regulations detail the requirements for Integrated Environmental Impact Assessments (IEIA) for projects, Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) for policies, plans, and programmes, and mandatory environmental audits. It defines the registration and licensing of environmental assessment experts, the role of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) in approvals and monitoring, and the procedures for public participation and appeals.

This report analyzes the financing needs of enterprises providing decentralized electricity and clean cooking solutions (Tiers 1-3) in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Kenya, Myanmar, and Nigeria. It identifies a significant gap between current finance flows and the investment required to meet national energy access targets, highlighting systemic barriers such as high collateral requirements, currency volatility, and a lack of local currency debt.

This 2017 briefing by the Stockholm Environment Institute examines energy pathways for Kenya to achieve its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030. It analyzes the trade-offs between low-carbon and high-carbon development, the tension between centralized and decentralized power, and the challenges of transitioning household cooking fuels. The document emphasizes that technical feasibility must be matched by stable policy, transparent benefit-sharing, and early stakeholder engagement to overcome public resistance and financial barriers.