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The report examines the bioeconomy potential of Croton megalocarpus Hutch in Kenya through a case study of Eco Fuels Kenya (EFK). EFK has developed a circular value chain that transforms croton nuts into biofuel, poultry feed, organic fertilizer, and biopesticides, providing alternative income for over 5,000 subsistence farmers. While the model demonstrates success in gender inclusion and resource value-addition, it faces challenges from a lack of national bioeconomy policy, inadequate government incentives, and climate-related yield fluctuations.

A case study on the Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) project in Talensi, Ghana, detailing how a low-cost land restoration technique has improved soil fertility, increased crop yields, and enhanced the climate resilience of over 10,000 smallholder farmers.

South Africa demonstrated strong leadership as AU chair by coordinating a continental response to COVID-19, including the establishment of regional task forces and a medical supplies platform. However, this soft power is undermined by persistent institutionalised xenophobia and a 'South Africans first' political discourse that marginalises African migrants. The author argues that domestic treatment of African nationals is a critical indicator of South Africa's leadership potential and warns that economic instability and corruption further exacerbate these internal cleavages.

The guide outlines a framework for land restoration consisting of understanding the land's state through social and physical mapping, setting inclusive goals, and establishing tracking systems. It emphasizes that restoration must integrate local expertise and marginalized voices to avoid pitfalls such as planting trees in incorrect locations or violating land rights. Case studies from Kenya, India, Ethiopia, and El Salvador illustrate how data-driven planning and community engagement can maximize carbon sequestration, water quality, and economic benefits.

The document highlights that Malawi loses approximately 1.7% of its GDP annually to droughts and floods, a rate significantly higher than the average for Least Developed Countries. It advocates for a 'triple dividend' approach to resilience—avoided losses, unlocked development potential, and co-benefits—noting that benefit-cost ratios for such investments can range from 3:1 to 50:1. The brief provides evidence from infrastructure, social protection, and climate-smart agriculture to support the claim that proactive resilience is more cost-effective than humanitarian aid.

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the Malawian insurance sector by stagnating sales due to a reliance on physical distribution and reducing premium income as customers struggled to pay. Insurers responded by digitising the value chain, offering premium holidays, and adopting remote work infrastructure. While the pandemic increased demand for critical illness and income protection products, it created liquidity and solvency pressures due to decreased investment returns and higher operational expenses for digitisation. The Reserve Bank of Malawi provided regulatory relief by suspending on-site examinations and offering a one-year holiday on supervisory levies.

The report examines the complex dynamics of migration in Southern Africa, highlighting the region's reliance on labour migration and the dominance of South Africa as a destination. It identifies a gap between aspirational regional integration goals and the reality of non-binding agreements and national protectionism. Key issues include the precarious nature of low-skilled work, the 'brain drain' of professionals, and the lack of social security portability for migrant workers.

The document examines how Covid-19 triggered financial instability in Africa through capital outflows, falling commodity prices, and sovereign credit downgrades, while recommending the development of local capital markets and continental policy coordination to enhance resilience.

The document analyzes the drivers of instability in the Great Lakes region, emphasizing that while the DRC's governance failures are often blamed, the political repression and economic interests of Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi are equally significant. It highlights the role of illegal mineral extraction and the export of internal political conflicts into the eastern DRC. The author suggests that the presidency of Félix Tshisekedi provides an opportunity for a positive shift in regional dynamics, provided there is a fundamental reframing of the conflict narrative and a shift in international diplomatic approaches. The paper evaluates existing frameworks like the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework (PSCF) and recommends a high-level mediation process led by the African Union.

The document analyzes energy transition policies in 34 African countries, categorizing them as direct, integrative, or enabling. It identifies a trend toward market-oriented regimes using auction instruments and de-risking tools, while highlighting that only a few countries—including South Africa, Rwanda, Kenya, Mauritius, Ethiopia, and Egypt—effectively integrate energy justice (distributive, recognitional, and procedural) into their frameworks. The authors warn against over-reliance on market forces and recommend that AU-EU cooperation prioritize energy justice criteria, capacity building, and regional partnerships to ensure a just transition.

The project deployed a containerised 12kW solar generation unit in Mthembanji, Dedza District, Malawi, providing 220 V power to 60 domestic and commercial customers. Developed through a collaboration involving the University of Strathclyde, United Purpose, and SustainSolar, the system uses lithium-ion batteries and smart meters to offer a more sustainable and higher-impact alternative to solar home systems. The project has received approval from the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) for electricity sales and serves as a pilot to inform the national scaling of mini-grid operations.

The document outlines the legal framework provided by UNCLOS for landlocked states to secure access to the sea and exploit living resources in the exclusive economic zones (EEZ) of coastal states. It emphasizes that while UNCLOS establishes general rights, the practical implementation depends on negotiated agreements between landlocked and transit states. The brief highlights the importance of mutual benefit, citing the Ethiopia-Djibouti agreement and the Walvis Bay Corridor Group as successful models of cooperation in Africa.

The report examines the impact of COVID-19 on insurance regulators across sub-Saharan Africa, noting a shift toward remote supervision and a balancing act between providing regulatory relief and maintaining prudential soundness. It highlights that while the pandemic disrupted operations and exacerbated existing market vulnerabilities—such as high expense ratios and fragmented competition—it also created opportunities for digitalisation, the adoption of regtech and suptech, and responsible market consolidation to enhance long-term efficiency and consumer protection.

The report analyzes the proposed Africa-EU strategy ahead of the October 2020 summit, comparing EU priorities with the AU's Agenda 2063. It identifies gaps in the EU's approach, particularly regarding poverty, health, debt cancellation, and infrastructure, and recommends a revamped partnership based on mutual accountability and a people-centred approach.

The document maps local procurement regulations in the SADC region, distinguishing between demand-side policies (encouraging companies to buy locally) and supply-side interventions (supporting local supplier capacity). It finds that while most SADC countries have some form of local procurement requirement, the level of detail varies significantly, with the DRC, Namibia, South Africa, and Tanzania employing specific targets and plans, while others rely on vague 'best effort obligations'.

The document assesses the chronic instability in the Great Lakes region, specifically the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It argues that while governance failures in the DRC are often blamed, the repressive domestic policies and illicit economic interests of Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi are equally significant drivers of conflict. The author suggests that the presidency of Félix Tshisekedi provides an opportunity to shift regional dynamics, provided the international community demands better governance from all regional actors and supports a comprehensive political dialogue rather than purely military solutions.

The document outlines the legal framework provided by UNCLOS for landlocked states to access the sea through transit states. It emphasizes that while UNCLOS grants general rights of transit and access to living resources in Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs), the practical implementation depends on negotiated agreements. The brief provides recommendations for African policymakers to ensure these agreements are mutually beneficial, citing the Djibouti–Addis Ababa transport corridor and the Walvis Bay Corridor Group as successful examples of such cooperation.

The report examines how COVID-19 disrupted the sub-Saharan African insurance value chain, forcing rapid digitalisation and straining balance sheets due to reduced premium income and investment returns. While household life and health policies generally covered the pandemic, business interruption insurance largely did not due to global reinsurance exclusions. The document highlights opportunities for insurers to adopt remote onboarding and for regulators to remove barriers to digital sales and manage potential market consolidation.

The report finds that COVID-19 is set to undo several years of development progress in Africa, with the economy projected to be between US$335 billion and US$617 billion smaller by 2030 compared to pre-pandemic forecasts. It highlights a severe risk of a debt crisis, significant reductions in health expenditure, and a widening gap in achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, particularly regarding extreme poverty. While Africa's youthful population may mitigate direct mortality, the report warns that indirect deaths from reduced health spending and disrupted care for diseases like HIV and malaria could be substantial. Recommendations include accelerating digitisation, improving water and sanitation (WaSH) infrastructure, and securing comprehensive debt relief.

The document examines how COVID-19 transitioned from a health crisis to a systemic human development crisis in Africa, highlighting the severe economic contraction faced by energy exporters and tourism-dependent nations. It notes that while developed economies initially bore a higher infection burden, the economic downturn is universal, potentially triggering debt crises and defaults. However, the report suggests the pandemic could accelerate digitisation and a transition toward a sustainable economy powered by renewable energy.