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The document examines the AU's struggle to implement the 2014 Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection, noting that only seven of 55 member states had ratified it by October 2019. It compares the AU's approach to the EU's role as a 'norm entrepreneur' through regulations like the GDPR and the Cybersecurity Act. The author highlights Mauritius as a continental best practice for holistic national cyber strategy and recommends that the AU adopt 'Agile Governance Principles', engage more with civil society, and establish a continental body similar to the European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA).

The document outlines how the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) integrates climate change into its monitoring of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). It details the Committee's use of General Comments, Joint Statements, and State reporting procedures to hold States accountable for climate-related impacts on rights such as health, food, and water. Key findings emphasize that States must implement emissions cuts reflecting the "highest possible ambition," regulate private actors to prevent climate harm, and ensure that high-income States provide climate finance to developing nations beyond existing official development assistance. The briefing also analyzes trends in the Committee's Concluding Observations from 2008 to 2019, noting a higher frequency of climate-related recommendations for developed countries and a strong focus on mitigation, adaptation, and international cooperation.

The document examines the potential for electric vehicles (EVs) to transform the economic trajectories of Southern African states, specifically within the SADC region. It highlights the risks of remaining reactive—such as becoming a 'dumping ground' for obsolete internal combustion engine technology—and proposes a 'Green New Deal' for the region. The authors advocate for the integration of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies, such as blockchain for ethical mineral sourcing, the development of regional battery value chains, and the deployment of decentralized renewable energy grids to support e-mobility.

The document serves as a learning tool for non-specialist pension fund trustees in East Africa to navigate the complexities of private equity (PE) as an alternative asset class. It details the distinctions between PE, private debt, and PIPE transactions, while outlining the specific roles of General Partners (GPs) and Limited Partners (LPs). The guide explains the 'J-curve' effect of cash flows, the structure of Limited Partnership Agreements (LPAs), and the mechanics of management fees and carried interest. It also provides frameworks for risk mitigation, such as the use of Limited Partner Advisory Committees (LPACs) and key person insurance, and defines industry-standard performance metrics like Internal Rate of Return (IRR).

The document examines the marginalization of traditional knowledge and the Kwéyòl language in Saint Lucia's public policy, often driven by a bias toward modernization and Eurocentric development models. It highlights the role of the Folk Research Centre (FRC) in documenting and promoting these cultural assets through initiatives like Jounen Kwéyòl and the development of Creole orthography. The author contends that while some progress has been made, such as the use of Kwéyòl in parliament, the language is still excluded from formal education and business. The paper concludes by advocating for the official recognition of Kwéyòl and the mainstreaming of cultural analysis in policy, similar to gender and climate change, to achieve more sustainable lifestyles.

The report examines how cell captive insurance—a model where a licensed insurer creates ring-fenced cells for other organisations—can be used in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to bridge gaps in specialised risk cover, drive retail innovation, and facilitate market participation. It identifies four primary use cases: specialised risk management, retail innovation, insurance market participation, and the development of offshore financial centres. The document details three main regulatory models—Protected Cell Companies (PCC), Incorporated Cell Companies (ICC), and Shareholder Participation Agreements (SPA)—and provides a decision tree for regulators to determine the appropriate structure based on their policy objectives, risk transfer needs, and requirements for asset separation, capital, and governance.

The report alleges that Adaro Energy, a major Indonesian coal company, used subsidiaries in Singapore, Mauritius, and Labuan to shift profits offshore, potentially reducing its Indonesian tax contributions by US$125 million between 2009 and 2017. Despite a public image of national contribution, the company is identified as a partner in the US$4 billion Batang coal-fired power plant, which is supported by Indonesian government financial guarantees. The document recommends that the Indonesian government review these tax practices and transition away from coal toward renewable energy, while urging banks to cease financing for new coal projects and companies dependent on coal power in Indonesia.

The research assesses agro-processing opportunities in South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia, Tanzania, and Mauritius, highlighting the potential for regional integration. It identifies specific growth opportunities in soybean production in Zambia, Tanzania, and Mozambique, and processing opportunities for tobacco in Mozambique. The paper recommends harmonising SADC standards, reducing transport costs, and reviewing sugar sector policies to strengthen regional value chains.

The SADC–IISD Investment Facilitation Workshop, held in August 2018, aimed to transition the concept of investment facilitation toward a focus on sustainable development. Participants from 13 SADC member states analyzed the distinctions between trade and investment facilitation and reviewed the UNCTAD Global Action Menu. The workshop concluded that facilitation measures should primarily remain at the national level to preserve regulatory space, while the regional (SADC) and international levels should focus on information sharing, capacity building, and technical assistance rather than new legal obligations.

The document analyzes how the CEDAW monitors the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (ICEDAW) to address climate change. It highlights that in 2018, the Committee made climate-related recommendations to 75% of reviewed states, focusing heavily on adaptation (44%) and procedural rights (37%), while mitigation received significantly less attention (7%). The briefing details specific state obligations across four areas: mitigation, adaptation, procedural rights, and international cooperation, emphasizing the role of General Recommendation 37 (GR37) in framing disaster risk reduction with a gender perspective.

The policy brief examines the disproportionate dominance of South Africa within SADC and proposes a model of 'regional champions'—member states taking lead roles in specific sectors—to foster more equitable regional integration. It analyses current power dynamics using economic, military, and diplomatic metrics, identifying potential leaders in industrialisation, infrastructure, and security. The author suggests that South Africa can reduce its regional hegemony and the associated accusations of 'bullying' by supporting a more distributed leadership structure based on the comparative advantages of other member states.

Madagascar faces a significant energy access gap, with grid expansion stagnating and clean cooking adoption among the lowest in Africa. To reach SDG7 by 2030, the country requires approximately USD 2.4 billion in total financing for off-grid electricity and improved cooking solutions. While stand-alone solar is the primary driver for electrification, reaching 84.8% of households requires USD 1.8 billion, including USD 662 million to address affordability gaps. Mini-grids are projected to reach 1.4% of households with USD 92 million in financing. In the clean cooking sector, 99% of households lack clean solutions; achieving universal access via industrial improved cookstoves (ICS) requires USD 148 million for enterprises and USD 217 million for affordability gap financing.

The Defenders in Development Campaign urges states and development finance institutions (DFIs) to integrate human rights protections into development projects, noting that defenders of land and environmental rights face extreme risks of violence and criminalization.

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 paper analyzes South Africa's role as a major intra-African investor, noting that while it maintains a significant FDI stock, its relative influence is declining due to increased competition from China and other African nations. It highlights South Africa's function as a regional distribution hub and suggests that the country must deepen trade liberalization and improve public-private coordination to maintain its economic footprint on the continent.

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 report examines the economic landscape of SADC, noting a decline in intra-regional trade and investment since 2013 and a persistent overdependence on primary commodities. It identifies key barriers to integration, including non-tariff barriers, infrastructure gaps in energy and transport, and a lack of policy harmonisation. While the report highlights the potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA), it argues that sustainable growth requires a shift toward regional sector complementarity and the creation of regional value chains (RVCs) to reduce vulnerability to global commodity price shocks.

The document argues that South Africa's informal economy, which employs 4.5 million people, is characterized by low incomes and poor security. It criticizes state-led repression and the narrow focus of micro-enterprise support, proposing instead a transition toward formalization through the implementation of ILO Recommendation 204. Key recommendations include amending the Labour Relations Act and Basic Conditions of Employment Act to recognize own-account workers as workers, enhancing labour inspectorate capacity, and providing basic infrastructure for those working in public spaces. The brief specifically highlights the need for inclusive policies in informal retail and waste recycling, suggesting that corporate responsibility and innovative financing, such as Extended Producer Responsibility levies, be leveraged to support these sectors.

The report argues that most low- and lower-middle-income African states are decades away from a demographic dividend due to high youth dependency ratios and slow demographic transitions. While the global working-age to dependent ratio peaked in 2012, Africa's is forecast to peak shortly after 2070. The author suggests that aggressive roll-out of modern contraception, eliminating gender inequality in education, and improving basic infrastructure could advance this dividend. A modelled 'Demographic Dividend' scenario suggests that by 2063, Africa could have 418 million fewer people but a GDP in purchasing power terms US$1.7 trillion larger than under the current trajectory, significantly reducing extreme poverty and narrowing the income gap with the rest of the world.

The document examines the increase in sovereign debt across Africa, specifically focusing on the role of Chinese financing and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). It challenges the notion that China is 'trapping' African nations, noting that African governments actively seek these loans to address an annual infrastructure financing deficit of approximately $93 billion and to compensate for declining commodity prices. However, it highlights significant risks, including the opacity of loan terms, the potential for corruption, and the impact of debt servicing on public spending. The author recommends greater transparency from both China and African governments, and a stronger link between debt-funded projects and concrete local benefits.