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This briefing analyzes the UN Sustainable Development Summit, which focused on the adoption of the "2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development" and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It examines the successful negotiation process led by the Open Working Group (OWG), initial national commitments to implementation, and outstanding requirements such as the development of indicators and the outcome of the Paris Climate Change Conference.

This research paper argues that while military interventions and shipping industry protections reduced Somali piracy, they failed to address root causes such as political instability, youth unemployment, and Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing. The author advocates for a shift from traditional naval deterrence toward supporting Somalia's maritime governance, specifically through the implementation of the Somalia Maritime Resource and Security Strategy (SMRSS) and the development of the national coast guard and navy to combat IUU fishing.

This policy brief from the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the evolving security relationship between China and Africa. It analyzes how China is shifting from a strict policy of non-interference toward deeper engagement in both traditional military security and non-traditional threats, including the protection of its citizens, pandemic response, and environmental conservation, increasingly through multilateral frameworks.

A statement by African civil society representatives expressing disappointment over the sudden cancellation of the 2nd Extraordinary Summit of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Heads of State and Government Forum, originally scheduled for 11 September 2015 in Nairobi, Kenya.

This research paper evaluates the economic potential of the Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA), a proposed joint customs union between the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the East African Community (EAC), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Through econometric analysis and interviews with decision-makers in South Africa and Kenya, the authors assess trade complementarity, intensity, and the role of transregional infrastructure in driving industrialization and poverty reduction.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) analyzes the role of public finance in accelerating geothermal energy deployment in developing countries. Based on case studies from Turkey, Kenya, and Indonesia, the report demonstrates that public risk-mitigation measures can reduce the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) and allow governments to achieve electricity generation goals while spending only 15-35% of the resources required for sole public ownership.

This research paper by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) provides lessons learned from supporting nine developing countries in the preparation of their Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) for the UNFCCC. It emphasizes that INDCs should be treated as political statements of ambition rather than purely technical exercises, highlighting the need for inclusive consultation, alignment with national development goals, and clear implementation plans to attract international support.

This case study examines the Olkaria III geothermal power plant in Kenya, the first privately funded and developed geothermal project in Africa. It analyzes how a combination of public sector risk mitigation, phased development, and international development finance enabled a private developer, Ormat Technologies, to successfully deploy a 110 MW binary plant. The document highlights the role of the Kenyan government in reducing exploration and credit risks to attract private capital and provides lessons for scaling geothermal energy in East Africa.

This World Bank Group report provides a framework for using investment contracts to maximize the benefits and minimize the risks of large-scale agricultural projects in developing countries. It identifies five key positive outcomes and five primary weaknesses associated with these investments, offering specific legal and contractual options to ensure sustainable development and the protection of local communities.

This report analyzes how the internal political and military crisis in South Sudan, which began in December 2013, has evolved into a regional competition for influence among Horn of Africa states. It details the conflicting strategic, economic, and security interests of Uganda, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, and Egypt, arguing that their proxy support and geopolitical maneuvering undermine mediation efforts led by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

This policy briefing examines the role of the African Union (AU) Panel of the Wise (PoW) in employing preventive diplomacy to mitigate electoral-related conflicts in Africa. It analyzes the tension between prioritizing 'peace' over electoral legitimacy and evaluates the effectiveness of the PoW's interventions based on the timing of action and the structural nature of the conflicts involved.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the drivers and types of insecurity in Kenya, arguing that while al-Shabaab receives significant attention, armed criminal groups and the nature of Kenyan politics pose more widespread threats. The document examines the role of state-led violence, historical land injustices, and regional dynamics in the Horn of Africa in shaping the country's security landscape.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the G-20 and OECD Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) project from an African perspective. It analyzes the causes of Africa's low tax base, the impact of illicit financial flows and tax incentives, and provides recommendations for African nations to better influence global tax standards to ensure sustainable domestic revenue mobilization.

This executive summary from the Green Economy Coalition outlines the UNEP Financial Inquiry's findings on aligning global financial flows with sustainable development. It identifies systemic failures in current investment pricing and proposes reforms across banking, bond markets, institutional investment, and central bank operations to scale sustainable finance.

This policy brief examines the African Union's (AU) counter-terrorism architecture, arguing that while a comprehensive legal and normative framework exists, its effectiveness is severely undermined by poor implementation at both the state and institutional levels.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the potential of bond markets as an alternative to bank loans for financing large-scale infrastructure projects in Africa. It details various bond types—including municipal, corporate, sovereign, diaspora, and Islamic bonds—and analyzes the current state of bond markets in South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya. The author argues that while bonds offer lower borrowing costs and avoid equity dilution, their growth in Africa is hindered by underdeveloped secondary markets, weak regulatory frameworks, and a lack of institutional investors.

A fact sheet by Friends of the Earth detailing how climate change and extreme weather patterns threaten the production of common Valentine's Day gifts, including chocolate, coffee, wine, flowers, and other agricultural products.

This report summarizes a February 2015 midterm review meeting in Cape Town, South Africa, regarding an international project led by Natural Justice and the Heinrich Böll Foundation. The project, which began in July 2013, examines the development and use of biocultural community protocols (BCPs) to help Indigenous peoples and local communities safeguard their rights and interests when engaging with extractive industries and infrastructure development.

This policy brief, published by the Institute for Security Studies in February 2015, analyzes the integrity of Kenya's 2013 general elections. Based on a post-election survey by the Comparative National Elections Project (CNEP), the document examines voter perceptions of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the fairness of the process, and the influence of ethnic and partisan dynamics on public trust.

This policy briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs evaluates the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), arguing that while it provides duty-free access to the US market, it remains underutilised. The author proposes a four-pillar strategy for the October 2015 renewal: timely and extended renewal, addressing non-tariff barriers, improving structural competitiveness through infrastructure and finance, and aligning with global trading shifts like the TPP and TTIP.