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This background note provides energy production and demand forecasts for Africa and the global community up to 2043, based on the International Futures (IFs) forecasting platform. It details the transition of energy sources, the growth of African energy demand driven by population increases, and the status of fossil fuel reserves and renewable energy projects across the continent.

This briefing note by the Institute for Security Studies examines the outlook for natural gas in Africa up to 2043, highlighting the tension between significant proven reserves and a global market facing slowing demand and potential supply gluts.

This background note from the Institute for Security Studies analyzes Africa's energy export and import trends under a 'Current Path' forecast up to 2043, highlighting the contrast between a few major energy exporters and a majority of countries dependent on imports.

This briefing note outlines the current state and future prospects of nuclear energy in Africa, detailing existing infrastructure in South Africa, ongoing construction in Egypt, and the exploratory interests of other nations.

This research paper by FSD Africa analyzes the integration of gender strategies within the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of 31 African countries. Using the IUCN's Environment and Gender Information (EGI) framework, the study finds that while most African NDCs mention gender, there is a significant lack of gender analysis, sex-disaggregated data, and gender-responsive budgeting. The paper highlights a disconnect between the mobilization of climate finance and gender intentionality, noting that countries with high funding levels often fail to prioritize gender-responsive budgets.

This briefing by the NewClimate Institute evaluates the progress of 16 countries against 1.5°C-aligned benchmarks for decarbonising the power sector. It argues that a global transition to clean power must be achieved within a generation, requiring the phase-out of coal and fossil gas by 2040, with developed nations moving faster. While some countries show progress in coal phase-outs and renewables, the briefing highlights a critical lack of explicit fossil gas phase-out plans and concerns over China's coal plant permitting.

A September 2023 briefing by Global Energy Monitor analyzing the renewable energy transition in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. It highlights a significant increase in operational and prospective solar and wind capacity, while noting a heavy reliance on fossil fuels for electricity and a strategic pivot toward high-risk green hydrogen exports over domestic decarbonization.

This research paper examines illicit financial flows (IFFs) stemming from migrant smuggling in Senegal and Sierra Leone. It analyzes how smuggling proceeds are generated, moved through formal and informal channels, and laundered into legitimate sectors. The report highlights a significant gap between the existence of anti-money laundering policies and their practical implementation, noting that financial intelligence units in both countries lack the resources and expertise to effectively 'follow the money' in smuggling cases.

This policy brief examines illicit financial flows (IFFs) resulting from migrant smuggling in Senegal and Sierra Leone. It identifies a significant gap between the existence of anti-money laundering laws and the actual investigation of smuggling proceeds, which are primarily moved through cash and informal channels. The document highlights institutional weaknesses, including underfunded financial intelligence units and corruption, and provides recommendations to prioritize 'follow the money' approaches to disrupt smuggling networks.

This research paper analyzes the evolving energy relations between Germany and Africa, noting a shift from traditional development cooperation toward a broader approach combining energy diplomacy, foreign policy, and technical cooperation. The author highlights a tension between Germany's commitment to a 'just transition' and its strategic interests in securing both renewable energy (particularly green hydrogen) and fossil fuel imports to ensure energy security.

This research paper by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) examines the disparity between solar energy potential and installed capacity in developing economies, attributing the gap to high costs of capital driven by sovereign and off-taker risks. The authors propose the establishment of a Global Credit Guarantee Facility (GCGF) to de-risk cross-border financing and lower risk premiums for renewable energy projects in Emerging Market & Development Economy (EMDE) countries.

This case study discusses the role of coordinated investment promotion and regional value chains in the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), specifically highlighting the proposed Pan-African Trade and Investment Agency and the potential for growth in the automotive sector.

This research paper analyzes the 'paradigm shift' in German migration policy under the current coalition government, specifically its impact on African partner countries. While the government aims to transform Germany into a modern immigration country by attracting skilled workers, the author argues that the policy remains rooted in old concepts, primarily linking legal migration pathways to increased cooperation on the repatriation of migrants.

This research paper analyzes the German government's announced 'paradigm shift' in migration policy, which aims to transform Germany into a modern immigration country by easing access for qualified workers. The authors argue that despite the rhetoric, the policy remains rooted in old methods, heavily conditioning legal pathways on the acceleration of returns and continuing the externalization of migration control in Africa.

This policy brief examines illicit financial flows (IFFs) resulting from migrant smuggling in Senegal and Sierra Leone. It highlights a systemic failure to employ 'follow the money' investigative techniques, noting that smuggling revenues are frequently laundered through cash-based informal systems and invested in formal sectors like real estate and hospitality. The document identifies significant institutional gaps, including underfunded Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) and corruption within law enforcement and the judiciary, and provides recommendations for strengthening regulatory frameworks and regional cooperation.

This research paper examines the evolution of German-African energy relations, tracing the shift from a primary focus on development cooperation and energy poverty to a more complex framework involving energy diplomacy, technology-driven cooperation, and strategic geopolitical interests. The author analyzes the tensions between 'green' and 'fossilist' objectives, the risks associated with the roll-out of hydrogen diplomacy, and the trend toward the financialization of development through multi-stakeholder partnerships.

This report by Global Energy Monitor and its partners analyzes the global state of coal-fired power plants as of April 2023. It highlights a stark divergence between China, where coal capacity is expanding rapidly, and the rest of the world, where new projects are declining. While the report notes that the 'return of coal' in Europe due to the energy crisis was minimal, it emphasizes that current retirement rates are insufficient to meet Paris Agreement goals, particularly in non-OECD countries.

The Europe Gas Tracker Report 2023 by Global Energy Monitor analyzes the rapid expansion of gas infrastructure in the European Union following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The report argues that a 'gas panic' has led to uncoordinated buildouts of LNG terminals and pipelines that risk creating massive overcapacity and locking the region into fossil fuel dependency, potentially undermining the EU's climate goals under the European Climate Law and the Fit for 55 package.

A Global Energy Monitor briefing on the expansion of gas extraction in Africa, highlighting a shift toward new market entrants and the associated climate and socio-economic risks.

This report by the Africa Policy Research Institute (APRI) analyzes the implications of the European Green Deal (EGD) for the African private sector. It explores how Africa's abundance of critical minerals and renewable energy potential—particularly for green hydrogen—positions the continent as a strategic partner for the EU's goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. The document identifies financial, technological, and capacity-building opportunities for African companies, while warning against the risk of Africa remaining a mere resource supplier in an unequal partnership.