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The Philippines has achieved nearly 90% household electrification, but reaching universal access by 2030 requires accelerating grid and off-grid technologies. Mini-grids and stand-alone solar are critical for the remotest areas, with a combined financing need of USD 1.25 billion for off-grid solar technologies. The clean cooking sector lacks a formal government policy, with 72% of households lacking full access. Achieving clean cooking targets will require USD 303 million in enterprise financing and USD 220 million in affordability gap financing for improved cookstoves (ICS). Key barriers include bureaucratic registration processes for energy providers, a lack of specific clean cooking targets, and limited local project-based financing for SMEs.

The report identifies a total financing need of USD 6.4 billion by 2030 for off-grid electricity and clean cooking solutions across Madagascar, the Philippines, and Uganda. It breaks down these needs into grants, equity, debt, and affordability gap financing, while analyzing the specific roles of mini-grids, stand-alone solar, and improved cookstoves in each national context.

The document details a GEF-funded project to increase Madagascar's MPA coverage from 1.1 million hectares to over 2.1 million hectares. It focuses on three main components: establishing a representative network of protected areas, improving the regulatory environment for MPAs and LMMAs, and enhancing site-level management effectiveness through community-led revenue generation and standardized toolkits. The project emphasizes a co-management approach involving the Ministry of the Environment, Ecology and Forests (MEEF), various NGOs, and local communities to balance biodiversity conservation with sustainable economic development.

The document examines the shift in Africa's debt structure toward non-concessional and domestic loans, identifying drivers such as commodity price shocks and fiscal deficits. It assesses the debt-carrying capacity of various African nations using IMF and World Bank frameworks, noting that several countries are in debt distress or at high risk. The briefing details current coping mechanisms, including the issuance of long-term Eurobonds and novel financial products, and recommends enhancing domestic revenue mobilization, economic diversification, and the establishment of autonomous debt management offices.

At its 21st meeting in October 2018, the GCF Board approved 19 new projects and programmes totaling USD 1.04 billion in GCF investment to support over USD 4 billion in climate action across more than 50 countries. The Board also accredited 16 new entities, appointed the World Bank as the Fund's Trustee, and launched the process for the GCF's first formal replenishment to be concluded by October 2019. Governance updates included the establishment of a Performance Oversight Committee and the appointment of Javier Manzanares as Executive Director ad interim.

The report analyzes local content policies (LCPs) used by mineral-rich nations to increase the use of domestic labor, goods, and services in the mining sector. It details various policy instruments—ranging from mandatory quotas and ownership requirements to government incentives and voluntary business initiatives—and examines their practical application in countries such as Norway, Chile, Ghana, and Brazil. The document argues that LCPs often fail when implemented as blanket provisions without clear objectives or sufficient industrial capacity. It identifies critical prerequisites for success, including institutional readiness, a favorable business climate, and a long-term vision that transcends political cycles. The report concludes that effective LCPs require a combination of quantitative and qualitative measures, robust monitoring through key performance indicators, and strong partnerships between governments, mining firms, and local suppliers to ensure sustainable economic diversification.

The document analyzes the impact of different coastal tourism models on economic inclusion in IORA states. It argues that the dominant 'mass tourism' model often creates enclaves that exclude local entrepreneurs, whereas budget, domestic, regional, and niche tourism (such as eco-tourism) provide more accessible entry points for SMEs and marginalized groups. The briefing highlights the role of the Blue Economy and provides recommendations for IORA member states, particularly during South Africa's 2017–2019 chairship, to foster inclusive growth through better finance, training, and value-chain integration.

The Government of Madagascar, via the Ministry of the Environment, Ecology and Forests, officially nominated Ms. Lovakanto Ravelomanana as the new National Focal Point for the Green Climate Fund on September 24, 2018.

The document argues that empowering women in artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) requires a holistic approach combining economic, social, technical, and political interventions. Key recommendations include literacy and awareness campaigns to challenge traditional norms, technical and leadership training to reduce dependency on men, and the provision of gender-sensitive financial services and equipment. It emphasizes the need for legislative reforms, such as mandatory gender-impact assessments within environmental impact assessments, and the promotion of women-led cooperatives and associations to improve market access and governance.

The report finds that while armed conflict fatalities in Africa are generally declining, the continent remains vulnerable due to structural drivers including poverty, youth bulges, and poor governance. It notes a shift from rural armed conflict toward urban political protests and riots. The analysis identifies a core group of countries at the highest risk of armed conflict and argues that inclusive economic development and improved governance are the only long-term solutions for stability.

The document assesses the operationalisation of the SADC Regional Development Fund (RDF), arguing that while the fund aims to mobilise resources for regional integration and infrastructure, its success is hindered by the poor fiscal positions of member states and a critical lack of bankable projects. The authors highlight a significant financing gap in early-stage project preparation, noting that 69% of SADC PIDA projects remain in early development. The paper suggests that the RDF should prioritise early-stage project support over general project finance and recommends absorbing the existing SADC Project Preparation and Development Facility (PPDF) to leverage existing expertise and reduce setup costs. It also addresses the political dynamics of South Africa's economic dominance and the over-reliance on international cooperating partners (ICPs), proposing capacity-building initiatives to improve project conceptualisation and regulatory harmonisation across borders.

The document examines the intersection of community livelihoods and biodiversity conservation in the Quirimbas National Park (QNP), Mozambique. It highlights the vulnerability of coastal communities to climate shocks and the mixed success of past livelihood projects, which often failed due to a lack of sustainability strategies or failure to account for socio-economic contexts. The author argues for a systems approach that integrates community-led monitoring, sustainable resource use techniques—such as temporary octopus fishery closures—and improved access to finance through Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs).

The SADC region faces a significant electricity supply-demand gap, with 68% of residents lacking access and a heavy reliance on coal, primarily driven by South Africa. The report argues for a dual approach: strengthening the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) through better regional regulation and transboundary projects, and scaling up renewable energy mini-grids in rural areas. It highlights that while the region has vast solar, wind, and hydro potential, investment is hindered by poor policy frameworks and the financial insolvency of national utilities.

The DEFIS programme is a 10-year initiative (2018–2028) in Southern Madagascar designed to transform the agricultural sector from subsistence to market-oriented production. With a total indicative cost of USD 250 million, the programme targets 1.6 million beneficiaries across eight regions. It focuses on three main components: enhancing the productivity and resilience of agricultural and livestock systems through water mobilization and climate-smart inputs; developing inclusive supply chains by strengthening producer organizations and improving post-harvest infrastructure; and providing institutional support, including the extension of a drought early warning system. The programme specifically targets women and youth, aiming for 30% representation in its 320,000 beneficiary family agricultural enterprises.

The report examines the systemic marginalization of women in artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM), where they constitute 30% of the global workforce but are often relegated to low-value, non-digging roles. It identifies key bottlenecks, including lack of access to land, finance, and geological data, as well as cultural taboos and discriminatory legal frameworks. The document argues for gender-mainstreaming in formalization processes, the creation of women-specific financial products, and the strengthening of female miners' associations to improve women's economic independence and influence in the sector.

The policy brief advocates for the adoption of ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) to enhance climate resilience in coastal and island regions. It highlights the protective value of mangroves and coral reefs, notes their current underrepresentation in national climate strategies, and suggests using the 2020 NDC revision cycle to mainstream these nature-based solutions. The author emphasizes the need for quantitative data to build a business case for private investment and highlights innovative financing models like debt-for-nature swaps.

The report analyzes how different temperature rise scenarios (2°C, 3.2°C, and 4.5°C) affect species richness in 35 biodiversity-rich 'Priority Places'. It finds that while a 2°C limit significantly reduces extinction risks, a 'business as usual' 4.5°C scenario could put nearly 50% of species in these areas at risk of local extinction. The research emphasizes that species dispersal—the ability to move to new suitable habitats—can lower extinction rates, though this is less effective for plants, reptiles, and amphibians. The document concludes that urgent cuts to greenhouse-gas emissions and the creation of ecological corridors and refugia are essential to prevent widespread biodiversity loss.

The research paper evaluates South Africa's foreign policy during the presidency of Jacob Zuma, highlighting the shift toward emerging powers like China and the BRICS grouping while noting a decline in human rights commitments and strained relations with the West. It contrasts Zuma's multilateral approach with the 'African Renaissance' focus of his predecessor, Thabo Mbeki, and argues that domestic issues like xenophobia and the Marikana Massacre have damaged South Africa's continental leadership and global image.

The workshop, organized by the IGF in partnership with the UNDP and OECD, focused on the 'IGF Guide for Governments: Managing Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining'. It combined technical training on strategy development—covering startup, elaboration, and implementation phases—with field visits to mining sites in Eséka and Pouma, Cameroon. Participants identified common regional challenges, including formalization, child labor, environmental degradation, and lack of institutional coordination, while sharing case studies from Cameroon, Guinea, Mauritania, and Morocco.

The NAP Global Network provided technical assistance to over 30 countries between November 2017 and November 2018, focusing on seven key themes including financing, gender, and monitoring and evaluation. The Network facilitated peer learning through Targeted Topics Forums and South-South exchanges, and worked to align bilateral donor support with national priorities, notably through a Donor Symposium in Barbados.