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This briefing discusses the role of cities as primary vehicles for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasizing that urban governance and knowledge-sharing between cities can address global societal problems. It highlights how decentralization and municipal empowerment enable cities to implement pragmatic solutions, which is particularly relevant for Africa's rapidly growing urban centers.

This policy briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the opportunities and constraints of transitioning to low-carbon energy in Africa, focusing on West Africa and Nigeria. It argues that while the continent has vast renewable potential, progress is hindered by fragmented governance, inadequate investment, and a lack of coordination between niche projects and national grids.

This research paper examines the rapid pace of urbanisation in Africa, forecasting population trends and identifying the structural challenges that hinder sustainable urban development. It focuses on the emergence of megacities and the disconnect between urban growth and economic structural transformation.

This briefing note examines the gendered impacts of petroleum and kerosene subsidy reform in Nigeria. It argues that without targeted compensation, reform may disproportionately harm women by increasing living costs, increasing reliance on biomass fuels (which impacts respiratory health), and reducing economic opportunities. The authors recommend a 'precautionary principle' to design compensation policies that specifically benefit women and suggest using subsidy savings to improve clean energy access.

This research paper analyzes the factors leading to the victory of General Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2015 Nigerian elections, while outlining the security, economic, and governance priorities for the incoming administration.

This research paper explores the complexities of resource governance in Africa, examining how the extraction of minerals and oil often triggers conflict driven by greed and grievance. The author argues for a transition from violent political struggle to a discourse of cooperation and the creation of transparent institutional structures to ensure that resource wealth benefits local communities and national development rather than fueling instability.

This policy briefing examines the economic relationship between China and Nigeria, focusing on existing business interests and the potential for expanded Chinese investment in the Nigerian banking sector.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the evolving relationship between China and Nigeria, specifically focusing on the Nigerian banking sector's regulatory reforms and the potential for increased Chinese investment in the financial industry to complement existing economic ties in oil, infrastructure, and agriculture.

This policy briefing examines Chinese investment in Nigerian free trade zones (FTZs), focusing on the Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFTZ) and the Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone (OGFTZ). It analyzes the challenges of implementation, the dynamics of negotiations between the Lagos State government and Chinese consortia, and the role of the Chinese government in managing these investments. The document provides recommendations for African governments to improve their negotiating leverage and maximize technology transfer from Chinese investors.

This report by Friends of the Earth International critiques the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP), challenging claims that it promotes regional integration, provides affordable energy to Ghana, or effectively ends gas flaring in Nigeria. The document highlights risks including legal unaccountability due to the project company's registration in Bermuda, economic burdens on Ghana through 'take-or-pay' contracts, and the continued environmental and health impacts of gas flaring in the Niger Delta.

This case study describes a corporate crisis involving Treeton Chemical, a U.S.-based firm, and its Italian acquisition, Tossico Chemical. The venture, Treeton-Tossico, became the center of an international scandal after it was revealed that the company improperly exported 650 tons of toxic waste to Nigeria in 1987, leading to severe legal, financial, and reputational threats from the Italian government and European environmental coalitions.

This document provides three case studies on climate adaptation in Nigeria. In Ogun state, communities use agricultural waste for biogas to reduce reliance on fuelwood and protect forests. In Lagos state, fish farmers employ deeper boreholes and specialized pond enclosures to maintain aquaculture productivity. In Anambra state, residents use erosion-resistant trees and sandbags to mitigate gully erosion. All three regions report challenges regarding limited financial services and insufficient government support.

This strategic framework, developed by the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) and the Global Water Partnership (GWP), provides a phased approach for African nations to integrate water security and climate resilience into their national development planning and investment decision-making processes.

The Africa Green Bond Toolkit is a practical guide developed by FSD Africa and the Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI) to assist African capital markets in issuing green bonds according to international standards. It outlines the structural differences between green and vanilla bonds, provides a step-by-step issuance process, and details the requirements for creating a Green Bond Framework. The guide emphasizes the role of external verification and certification to ensure transparency and attract institutional investors to climate-resilient projects across the continent.

This fact sheet describes the activities of Persistent Energy Capital, a venture builder and fund that provides equity and support to green innovators in Sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting its partnership with FSD Africa Investments (FSDAi).

The 'Kit d’Outils d’Obligations Verte Afrique' is a practical guide developed by FSD Africa and the Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI) to assist African issuers in emitting green bonds. It outlines the structural similarities between green and conventional bonds, while detailing the specific requirements for the allocation of proceeds to environmental projects. The guide provides a comprehensive framework for the issuance process, including the development of a Green Bond Framework, independent verification, and post-issuance reporting, while highlighting successful case studies from South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria.

The Nigerian Green Bond Market Development Programme (NGBMDP) Impact Report details the efforts of FSD Africa, Climate Bonds Initiative, and FMDQ Group PLC from 2018 to 2021 to establish a non-sovereign green bond market in Nigeria. The programme focused on capacity building, regulatory advisory, and technical support to mobilise private capital for climate-resilient infrastructure.

This briefing by E-Consult, coordinated by FSD Africa, examines the potential for establishing onshore financial centres in Africa to attract international capital and skilled employees. It evaluates existing hubs like Mauritius and Johannesburg and assesses the prospects for cities such as Nairobi, Kigali, Lagos, and Accra to become globally significant financial centres.

The Global Resilience Partnership (GRP) is launching the Technology for Evolving Challenges in Humanitarian Contexts (TECH) 4 Resilience Challenge. This initiative seeks AI-driven technological solutions to mitigate the effects of extreme climate events and improve Anticipatory Action (AA) frameworks in emergency contexts within low- and middle-income countries.

This briefing by the Institute for Security Studies examines the rapid pace of urbanisation in Africa, with a specific focus on Nigeria. It highlights the disconnect between rapid population growth in cities and the lack of adequate urban planning, which has led to the proliferation of slums, infrastructure deficits, and economic instability.