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This report by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes extreme poverty trends in Africa using a US$2.15 threshold. It highlights a divergence where the percentage of people in extreme poverty is declining, but the absolute number continues to rise due to rapid population growth, high inequality, and modest economic growth.

This research paper outlines a forecasting scenario for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) using the International Futures (IFs) platform. Starting in 2026, the scenario models the impact of tariff reductions and productivity increases across Africa, noting a specific 15-year phase-out period for G6 countries (Ethiopia, Madagascar, Malawi, Sudan, Zambia, and Zimbabwe). The goal is to simulate how the agreement can boost intra-African trade and shift economies toward higher-value production.

The March 2026 Peace & Security Council Report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the outcomes of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit, the composition and normative challenges of the Peace and Security Council (PSC), and the adoption of a new memorandum of understanding to coordinate the Africa Standby Force (ASF).

This research paper examines Russia's diplomatic, economic, and security relations with Southern African nations, particularly since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. It argues that while Russia leverages historical liberation-era ties and anti-Western rhetoric to maintain influence, its impact is severely limited by economic weakness, international sanctions, and a reliance on symbolic gestures over tangible developmental gains.

This briefing by Natural Justice describes the role, challenges, and aspirations of young human rights and environmental defenders (DDHE) in Madagascar. It highlights their strategic demographic importance, their innovative use of digital tools for advocacy, and the systemic barriers they face in decision-making processes. The document calls for the institutionalization of youth participation and the adoption of national laws to protect defenders.

The February 2026 Peace & Security Council Report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the declining influence of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), the gap between AU normative frameworks and electoral realities, the limited impact of informal consultations on post-coup transitions, and the critical economic necessity of improving water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH) infrastructure across Africa.

The ARE Energy Access Investment Forum (EAIF) 2026, held in Nairobi, Kenya, from 21 to 24 April 2026, served as a platform for advancing renewable electrification. The event brought together 1,400 participants, including 215 investors, to discuss funding landscapes, green mini-grids, grid modernisation, and productive uses of energy. Key outcomes included the launch of a USD 25 million project preparation facility by COMESA and the rebranding of ARE to the Alliance for Renewable Electrification.

The report identifies 30 international financial mechanisms mobilizing US$ 25.9 billion for tropical forests, though this remains far below the US$ 66.8 billion annual requirement estimated by UNEP. Financing is concentrated in conservation and is heavily skewed toward a few countries like Brazil and Guyana. While REDD+ mechanisms provide over half of the identified funding, there is a significant gap in the actual disbursement of planned funds, particularly from private and blended sources.

The report identifies 30 international financial mechanisms mobilizing US$ 25.9 billion for tropical forests, though this is far below the US$ 66.8 billion annual need estimated by UNEP for 2030. While Brazil and Guyana have high access to these funds, many high-potential countries remain underserved. Financing is dominated by credit, grants, and results-based payments (especially JREDD+), with a strong current focus on conservation over restoration and deforestation reduction.

This policy brief by the Africa Policy Research Institute examines how the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) can be leveraged to combat youth unemployment by promoting greentech and Indigenous environmental practices. It argues that shifting from importing green goods to local manufacturing and trading within Africa can create millions of sustainable jobs, particularly in renewable energy, while integrating traditional knowledge to ensure inclusive development.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines how 10 countries are integrating their National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (NBSAPs) with their nationally determined contributions (NDCs) to address the interconnected challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss.

This technical guide, produced by the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) with support from ADEME, provides a reference for designing and installing solar photovoltaic (PV) power systems for healthcare facilities in rural sub-Saharan Africa.

This research paper examines the potential for trilateral cooperation between the European Union (EU), China, and African nations within critical raw material (CRM) supply chains. It argues that while the EU seeks to reduce its dependence on China, the deep integration of Chinese firms in midstream and downstream processing, combined with African demands for local value addition, makes a cooperative approach more viable than immediate decoupling. The author proposes a specific model for trilateral cooperation in the Democratic Republic of Congo's cobalt sector to balance the strategic interests of all three parties.

The report by the Africa Policy Research Institute (APRI) analyzes the landscape of bilateral and multilateral agreements between African states and global powers to secure critical minerals essential for the green energy and digital transitions. It examines the strategies of twelve key actors—including China, Russia, the EU, and the US—highlighting a trend toward resource diplomacy driven by national security concerns and the need to diversify supply chains away from dominant suppliers.

This research paper by Kholofelo Kugler and Tani Washington analyzes the impact of the Trump administration's 2025 tariff policies on African nations. It details the structure of the new tariffs, the specific vulnerabilities of countries like Lesotho and Madagascar, the potential advantages for Egypt and Kenya, and the precarious future of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

This research paper by Jane Nalunga and Jonathan Lubega analyzes agricultural subsidies in Uganda, examining their impact on the economy, livelihoods, and the environment. While initiatives like NAADS and insurance subsidies have increased production and protected some farmers, the authors argue that subsidies are often poorly managed, underfunded, and biased toward large-scale operators, while contributing to environmental degradation through the promotion of agrochemicals and monoculture.

This research paper, authored by Marco V. Sánchez of the FAO and published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development, argues that low-income and lower-middle-income countries, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, can achieve significant gains in food security and economic growth by optimizing their existing public spending on agriculture rather than relying solely on budget increases.

This special edition of the Peace & Security Council Report focuses on the 2025 African Union (AU) senior leadership election process, detailing the procedural rules, the candidates for the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson positions, and the institutional challenges facing the incoming leadership.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development analyzes the costs and benefits of various aquaculture systems in Madagascar, specifically evaluating the impact of the Projet d'Aquaculture Durable à Madagascar (PADM) on nutrition and the environment.

This report examines gender-equitable participation in climate adaptation decision-making, analyzing barriers and enablers across global and national scales with a specific focus on women. It utilizes secondary data from Vietnam, Ecuador, Madagascar, and India, and employs the Gender at Work Framework to propose interventions and recommendations for policy actors, CSOs, and international agencies.