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The research examines the fragmented nature of migration regulation across three African regional economic communities (RECs)—SADC, EAC, and Comesa—and their integration into the Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA). While the EAC has made significant progress in ratifying and implementing protocols for the free movement of labour and persons, SADC and Comesa suffer from low ratification rates and a tendency to treat economic migration as a national security threat. The document highlights that the TFTA, which covers 26 states with a combined GDP of $1.2 trillion, requires the removal of migration barriers to achieve its market integration goals. Case studies of Tanzania and Rwanda illustrate the tension between regional liberalisation and domestic protectionism, as well as the benefits of an economically driven migration policy. The authors argue that for the TFTA to succeed, RECs must move beyond a security-centric approach and link migration policies to economic imperatives.

The paper examines the decline of internet freedoms in Africa, noting that at least 10 states shut down internet access or social media in 2016 to curtail political mobilisation. While technology can improve government transparency and service delivery—as seen in Kenya's e-government initiatives—it is also used for surveillance and censorship. The author argues for a balanced regulatory approach that addresses cybercrime, which is growing rapidly in Africa, without infringing on civil liberties. The document highlights a lack of binding continental or regional frameworks, noting that most existing instruments are non-binding templates.

The document defines key gender concepts and outlines the policy framework—specifically UN Security Council resolutions on Women, Peace and Security—that mandates the integration of gender perspectives in peace operations. It provides a four-part operational framework for police personnel to implement gender mainstreaming, improve participation, and ensure professional conduct in the field.

The workshop, organised by SAIIA and IPPR, provided training to over 50 civil society members on the APRM's structure and the importance of early engagement. Key recommendations included the formation of a civil society working group and the development of a detailed written submission to influence the national review. Participants identified critical national issues for the submission, including land ownership, urban housing, the informal economy, education, and youth unemployment. The report also highlighted lessons from other African nations, noting that while the APRM can drive policy changes, such as women's rights in Lesotho, its impact is often limited by poor implementation of National Programmes of Action.

The report argues that solar thermal technology is an ideal fit for South Africa's food and beverage industries, where up to 77% of energy use is for heating, mostly below 250°C. While the current local industry is dominated by domestic water heaters, there is a significant opportunity to scale industrial applications. The report estimates that replacing non-coal fuels with solar thermal could save 158,685 tonnes of CO2e per annum, while replacing coal could save 942,556 tonnes. Financial viability is high for replacing fuels other than coal, with potential Internal Rates of Return above 10% over 20 years. However, barriers include a lack of sustained demand, a skills gap in industrial design, and limited familiarity among financial institutions.

The report finds that while executive education (ExEd) is in high demand and improves employee skills, innovation, and customer service within sub-Saharan African financial institutions, it remains overly theoretical. Graduates report increased professional mobility but dissatisfaction with pay, particularly when self-funding. The document recommends shifting toward practical, African-centered curricula and establishing partnerships with international business schools to enhance prestige and effectiveness.

The Adaptive Watershed (TAW) initiative by IISD integrates ecosystem management and adaptive management into watershed planning to address climate change and the needs of vulnerable communities and women. The document proposes a three-day training program consisting of 14 modules across three themes: understanding the watershed and its people, making informed decisions for adaptive planning, and inclusive management through action and evaluation.

The GCF Secretariat report for the period of 11 June to 8 September 2017 details progress across its operational divisions. Key achievements include the finalization of 33 Accreditation Master Agreements (AMAs) and 19 Funded Activity Agreements (FAAs), the approval of 123 readiness support requests for 88 countries totaling USD 39.5 million, and the launch of the 'GCF 101' online guide. The Secretariat also advanced its gender mainstreaming efforts, with 84% of approved funding proposals containing a gender assessment. Efforts to secure privileges and immunities continue, with 13 bilateral agreements signed to date. The report also outlines the development of a draft Indigenous Peoples Policy and the progress of the Private Sector Facility, which received approximately 350 concept notes for its 'Mobilizing Funds at Scale' request for proposals.

The report identifies a gap between Namibia's strong economic growth and its poor human development indicators, particularly in sanitation, electricity access, and nutrition. Using the International Futures (IFs) system, it models various policy interventions to determine their impact on GDP, extreme poverty, and infant mortality. Key findings suggest that while individual sectoral pushes like 'Health Extension' or 'Infrastructure Push' provide specific gains, an 'Integrated Development Push' combined with household transfers offers the most comprehensive path to reducing poverty and inequality, though it involves trade-offs in funding and specific health outcomes.

The document examines the tension in South Africa between the desire to attract skilled migrants and the drive to deter irregular, semi-skilled migration. It critiques the 2016 Green Paper on International Migration for proposing regressive asylum policies, such as processing centres, while noting positive steps toward regional SADC integration and the retention of foreign graduates. The authors highlight systemic bottlenecks, including poor inter-departmental coordination and the negative impact of the Licensing of Small Businesses Bill on migrant entrepreneurs, and argue that xenophobia is exacerbated by government discourse linking irregular migration to national security.

The report analyzes the economic landscape of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), highlighting the dominance of South Africa and the structural challenges facing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, and Swaziland (BLNS). Through eight case studies, it identifies critical bottlenecks including unreliable electricity, high transport costs, non-harmonized standards, and burdensome customs procedures. The paper argues that a SACU development fund could be a pivotal tool to finance regional infrastructure and regulatory reforms, moving beyond the current revenue-sharing model to foster genuine industrialization and pro-poor economic outcomes.

The document analyses 64 agricultural adaptation projects in sub-Saharan Africa approved between 2010 and 2016, finding that 61% involved the private sector. It categorises this involvement into three levels: stimulating future investment through awareness and business models, using private actors as service providers for public activities, and leveraging private capital through incentives. While the first two roles are more common, the report finds limited evidence of large-scale private investment being leveraged, with one notable exception in Madagascar. The authors argue that project designers should identify commercial opportunities across the entire value chain from the start to better attract diverse private actors.

The document argues that while climate-smart agriculture (CSA) can enhance food security and climate resilience in sub-Saharan Africa, its adoption is hindered by physical input shortages and institutional failures. It recommends improving tenure security, expanding financial instruments like crop insurance, and strengthening local governance and scientific research to scale these practices.

The document argues that current transboundary water governance in Southern Africa is inadequate due to a prioritisation of national sovereignty over regional integration. It highlights how climate change acts as a 'stress multiplier', exacerbating water scarcity and threatening energy and food security, as seen in the 2015/16 hydropower crises in Zambia and Zimbabwe. The author contends that while bilateral agreements (like the Zambezi River Act) provide some success in benefit-sharing, broader basin-level cooperation is hindered by weak mandates for river basin organisations (RBOs) and a lack of quantified economic co-benefits. The paper advocates for a 'positive-sum' approach to water management, integrating climate risks into investment planning to unlock international climate finance and prevent cross-border disputes.

As of May 2017, the Green Climate Fund (GCF) has engaged with 105 countries on 165 readiness requests, committing or spending a total of USD 34.3 million. The programme focuses on strengthening National Designated Authorities (NDAs), developing country programmes and project pipelines, and supporting the accreditation of direct access entities. Key achievements include the provision of in-kind accreditation support to 102 entities across 55 countries and the development of strategic frameworks in various regions. The report details specific activities in countries such as Tonga, Djibouti, and Namibia, and outlines the establishment of no-objection procedures in 34 countries. Additionally, it highlights regional structured dialogues in Asia and Eastern Europe and Central Asia to facilitate project pipelines and knowledge sharing.

The report assesses executive education in the Sub-Saharan African financial sector, finding that while it generally improves employee skills and organisational prestige, there is a significant gap between theoretical teaching and practical application. It recommends a shift toward 'action-learning' and the establishment of specialised regional training hubs.

The paper examines Tanzania's strategic potential as a maritime hub, focusing on the Dar es Salaam Port and the Central and Dar es Salaam corridors. It highlights significant infrastructure deficits, particularly in the rail sector, and evaluates the role of public-private partnerships (PPPs) and foreign direct investment (FDI) in bridging the finance gap. The author argues that while port upgrades are progressing, the dilapidated state of railways undermines regional competitiveness. The document concludes with recommendations to prioritise the repair of existing narrow-gauge railways, improve PPP management, and implement targeted strategies to ensure that infrastructure investments translate into local skills transfer and employment.

The research examines 143 African ethnic groups to determine if customary institutions influence communal violence. It finds that groups with more formalized customary institutions—such as courts, legislatures, and chiefs—are significantly less likely to be involved in both inter-communal and intra-communal conflicts. The authors argue these institutions facilitate credible bargaining and mediation. In contrast, the study finds only weak and non-robust evidence that the inclusiveness or 'democratic' nature of these institutions reduces conflict.

The document assesses the threat of violent extremism in South Africa, concluding that while the overall risk of a major attack is low, the country remains vulnerable to 'lone wolf' incidents and the use of its infrastructure as a base for international extremists. It details the history of far-right groups like the AWB and Boeremag, the militant activities of Pagad in the 1990s, and recent concerns regarding South Africans joining ISIS. The brief highlights systemic vulnerabilities such as government corruption and porous borders, while recommending a focus on youth engagement, social cohesion, and improved intelligence capabilities.

This research paper explores the relationship between Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) frameworks and biotrade in Namibia, specifically focusing on how to implement the Nagoya Protocol without hindering the commercialisation of biological resources.