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This desk review supports the USAID-funded Rwanda Climate Services for Agriculture project, which seeks to improve climate risk management for nearly one million farmers by 2019. The review analyzes climate-related risks to Rwanda's agricultural sector, existing climate information products, involved institutions, and delivery channels for climate services.

The Rwanda Dairy Competitiveness Program II (RDCP II), a five-year project implemented by Land O’Lakes across 17 districts in Rwanda, aimed to reduce poverty by improving the production and marketing of quality milk. While the program led to an overall increase in total annual GHG emissions due to larger herd sizes and increased cow weight, it significantly reduced the GHG emission intensity per liter of milk produced in both extensive and intensive production systems.

The document summarizes the conclusions of a seminar held on 9 December 2016 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, focused on assistance and capacity-building for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1540, disarmament, and non-proliferation of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) weapons in Africa.

This case study examines the development of the microinsurance (inclusive insurance) market in Zambia, focusing on the role of the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) and FSD Zambia in catalyzing systemic change through industry leadership and coordination.

The December 2016 Peace & Security Council Report by the Institute for Security Studies evaluates the African Union's (AU) role in managing continental crises. It finds that the Peace and Security Council (PSC) often relied on regional bodies rather than leading interventions. Key issues discussed include the impact of land privatisation and climate change in Kenya's Kajiado County, the contested nature of several 2016 national elections, and the AU's efforts to promote women's rights despite a perceived failure to challenge dictatorial regimes. The report also details the funding struggles of AMISOM in Somalia and the diplomatic complexities surrounding Morocco's request to rejoin the AU.

This policy brief analyzes the potential for mobilizing private finance for climate change adaptation in Rwanda. It finds that while Rwanda has a clear policy vision, it lacks a strong enabling environment for adaptation investment, and very little private climate finance has been mobilized to date. The document highlights barriers such as high interest rates (up to 20%), inadequate electricity, and the challenges of being landlocked. It concludes that because foreign direct investment plays a minimal role, the government and development partners should focus on empowering local small and medium enterprises to drive adaptation.

This report provides a 2016 progress update on the first ten goals of the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF). It evaluates global trends in natural forest loss, private sector commitments to deforestation-free supply chains, restoration pledges under the Bonn Challenge and UNFCCC, and the evolution of international climate finance and forest governance.

The World Resources Institute statement highlights the 2016 Montreal Protocol amendment agreed upon by 197 parties in Kigali, Rwanda, to phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). The agreement targets an 80-85% reduction in global HFC levels by 2047, with most countries freezing production by 2024, potentially avoiding up to 0.5 degrees Celsius of global warming by 2100.

The East Africa Crowdfunding Landscape Study, published by FSD Africa in October 2016, analyzes the crowdfunding and peer-to-peer (P2P) lending ecosystems in Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda, comparing them with more mature markets in South Africa and the United Kingdom. The report finds that while the region is experiencing rapid growth, it is primarily driven by international donation and concessionary lending platforms from the global North, rather than native equity or for-profit lending models, which are hindered by regulatory uncertainty and a lack of investment-ready MSMEs.

This World Resources Institute working paper analyzes the alignment between the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) submitted under the Paris Agreement and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda. By mapping climate actions across 92 INDCs, the authors demonstrate that climate policies often generate mutual benefits for sustainable development, though these synergies are frequently unrecognized or uncoordinated at the national level due to institutional silos.

This case study describes EarthSpark International's implementation of a solar-powered microgrid in Les Anglais, Haiti, to provide reliable 24-hour electricity. It details the technical, logistical, and regulatory challenges overcome during the project, the development of the SparkMeter billing system, and the resulting economic benefits for local residents and businesses.

This working paper outlines Ethiopia's experience in planning for a climate-resilient green economy, drawing from a study on climate compatible development. It highlights the role of political leadership, national ownership, and the strategic use of international climate finance in implementing cross-sectoral climate goals.

This learning brief details a capacity development programme focused on water security and climate resilient development across eight African countries, highlighting the investment in learning materials and the resulting increase in initiatives to integrate climate change into national planning.

This report provides a primer for policy makers on the roles and responsibilities of local, national, and international governance in enabling cities to lead climate change mitigation and adaptation. It emphasizes the critical role of urban areas, which emit over 70% of global emissions, and outlines financial instruments and planning steps necessary for a low-carbon and climate-resilient urban transformation.

This report analyzes the East African Community's (EAC) attempts to resolve the political crisis in Burundi triggered by President Pierre Nkurunziza's bid for a third term in 2016. It details the internal divisions among EAC member states, the failure of various diplomatic facilitation efforts, and the resulting political deadlock.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the political and security crisis in Burundi triggered by President Pierre Nkurunziza's bid for a third term in 2015. It details the historical context of the Burundian civil war, the CNDD-FDD's consolidation of power through repression and the marginalization of opposition parties, and the internal fractures within the ruling party. The document examines the failure of constitutional amendments, the role of the security sector in suppressing dissent, and the subsequent impact on civil society and the media.

The July 2016 Peace & Security Council Report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the 27th AU Summit in Kigali, the election of the African Union Commission (AUC) leadership, the limited powers of the AUC chairperson, and the Peace and Security Council's (PSC) engagement with various African conflicts, including the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) and crises in Burundi and the DRC.

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the state of youth policy in Africa, drawing on African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Country Review Reports. It argues that while youth policies are becoming more common, they are often hindered by poor design, inadequate data, and weak state implementation capacity. The author emphasizes the need for evidence-based strategies and partnerships with non-state actors to effectively integrate young people into developmental agendas.

This research paper analyzes the state of constitutionalism and civil liberties across Africa by examining African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Country Review Reports for 12 countries. It categorizes these nations based on Freedom House rankings and identifies systemic challenges to freedom, including executive dominance and securitization.

The 2016 Annual U.S. & Global Geothermal Power Production Report details a global operating capacity of 13.3 GW across 24 countries, with a forecast to reach 18.4 GW by 2021. While the U.S. maintains a significant presence with 3.7 GW of nameplate capacity, the report highlights vast untapped global potential (only 6-7% utilized) and growth in regions like East Africa and Central/South America. It emphasizes the role of geothermal energy in meeting COP21 climate commitments and outlines the GEA's project tracking methodology.