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This report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the historical, structural, and policy-driven reasons for Africa's under-industrialisation. It identifies a combination of colonial legacies, infrastructure deficits, skills gaps, and capital constraints as primary barriers, while noting that some countries have seen success through focused industrial strategies and the potential for global supply chain shifts to create new opportunities.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies details the progress and structure of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) negotiations, including the three phases of legal protocols, tariff liberalisation targets, and the implementation of supporting systems like the Pan African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS).

This research paper describes the 'Combined scenario' for employment and labour market transformation in Africa as part of the Agenda 2063 thematic futures. It contrasts current trends of high informality and low productivity with a projected future of increased formalization, industrial resurgence, and digital transformation.

This research paper analyzes the foreign policies of Ethiopia, Senegal, and South Africa using a comparative framework to distinguish between 'cautious' and 'assertive' diplomatic postures. The study finds that while these states often maintain cautious, non-aligned stances internationally to diversify partnerships, their regional behaviors vary significantly based on national interests, ranging from Senegal's interventionism in Gambia to Ethiopia's assertive pursuit of sea access. Ultimately, the paper argues that these diverse strategies are all aimed at consolidating strategic autonomy.

The report analyzes the challenges and institutional developments facing Africa's green technology transition in 2025. It highlights the impact of tightening global trade rules, such as the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and the uncertainty surrounding the US African Growth and Opportunity Act, alongside the withdrawal of the US from the Paris Agreement. The document details continental efforts to mobilize climate finance, integrate regional power markets, and adopt AI for climate action, while emphasizing the need for affordable decarbonization finance to prevent the marginalization of smaller African firms.

The report analyzes the state of Africa's green technology transition in 2025, highlighting the tension between increasing technology affordability and tightening global trade and regulatory frameworks. It details the impact of US trade policy shifts, the upcoming EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, and continental efforts to mobilize climate finance and integrate energy markets.

This case study describes a childcare program established by AVEGA Agahozo under the SUNCASA project in Kigali, Rwanda. The initiative provides on-site care for children aged 9 to 35 months at tree nurseries, enabling mothers to participate more effectively in nature-based solutions (NbS) activities by removing the burden of balancing childcare with work.

The Climate Bonds Initiative's 2025 report details the state of the global aligned GSS+ (green, social, sustainability, and sustainability-linked) debt market, which reached a cumulative volume of USD 6.8 trillion by the end of 2025. The report highlights the continued dominance of green bonds, the growth of sustainability-labelled debt, and the emergence of adaptation and resilience (A&R) finance as a significant new frontier, exemplified by the launch of the Climate Bonds Resilience Taxonomy (CBRT).

The March 2026 Peace & Security Council Report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the outcomes of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit, the composition and normative challenges of the Peace and Security Council (PSC), and the adoption of a new memorandum of understanding to coordinate the Africa Standby Force (ASF).

This briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) outlines five critical themes and questions the organization will monitor during the 2026 Investing in Africa Mining Indaba in Cape Town. The document focuses on the intersection of geopolitics, industrialization, infrastructure, regional cooperation, and the role of civil society in Africa's mineral sector.

This landscape study by FSD Africa provides a comprehensive assessment of the asset management industry and pension systems across 54 African countries. It identifies a general trend of conservative investment strategies, uneven regulatory oversight, and significant gaps in coverage for informal workers and women. The report recommends a shift toward risk-based supervision, the expansion of micro-pensions, and the development of national ESG taxonomies to mobilize domestic capital for sustainable economic growth.

This report presents a Sustainable Asset Valuation (SAVi) assessment of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) implemented in Kigali, Rwanda, as part of the SUNCASA project. Using an integrated cost-benefit analysis (CBA) for the period 2025–2050, the study quantifies the economic, social, and environmental impacts of interventions such as afforestation, reforestation, agroforestry, and urban tree planting. The assessment finds that these NbS interventions are economically viable, providing significant avoided costs related to flood damage and health, alongside added value from carbon sequestration and employment.

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs argues that democracy in Africa often exists as a procedural ritual that masks enduring colonial socio-economic structures and elite control. Using foresight methods and a case study of the South African National Dialogue, the document proposes a shift toward 'transformative solidarity economics' and structural reforms in education, governance, and constitutional frameworks to move from procedural survival to substantive democratic resilience.

This research paper argues that African nations must shift from an export-oriented 'Kyoto mindset'—which risks exploitative 'carbon grabs' and low credit pricing—to a 'Paris mindset' that prioritizes domestic carbon markets to meet National Determined Contributions (NDCs). The author outlines a five-pillar readiness framework for sovereign market development and analyzes the current progress of several African countries in implementing Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

The Taxonomy Roadmap Initiative Progress Report (November 2025) details the global expansion of sustainable finance taxonomies, noting that over 60 are currently in use or development. While high-level interoperability is increasing—with 64% using ISIC-based sector structures and 100% of published taxonomies covering climate mitigation—granular alignment remains difficult. The report highlights that implementation is still in early stages in emerging markets and announces the launch of new tools at COP30, including the Sustainable Finance Taxonomy Mapper and Principles for Taxonomy Interoperability, to catalyze cross-border capital flows.

The 'Principles for Taxonomy Interoperability' report, published by the Climate Bonds Initiative in November 2025, provides a framework for sustainable finance taxonomy developers and policymakers to ensure that national and regional taxonomies are comparable and interoperable. Launched under the Taxonomy Roadmap Initiative at COP29, the document outlines seven high-level principles designed to reduce barriers to cross-border capital flows by establishing common design features, terminology, and implementation strategies while respecting jurisdictional priorities.

The 'Princípios de Interoperabilidade Taxonômica' report, published by the Climate Bonds Initiative in November 2025, provides a high-level framework to help sustainable finance taxonomy developers and policymakers increase the comparability and cross-border flow of capital. It introduces seven principles designed to align national and regional taxonomies through common languages, scientific baselines, and collaborative international efforts, supporting the broader 'Taxonomy Roadmap Initiative' launched at COP29.

The IDFC Green Finance Mapping Report 2025 analyzes the 2024 green finance commitments of 23 member national and regional development banks. While total green finance decreased by 13% to $173 billion, the majority of members increased their individual commitments. The report highlights a continued dominance of mitigation finance, a rebound in adaptation finance, and a growing but still limited focus on biodiversity and other environmental objectives.

This briefing by the Stockholm Environment Institute describes how integrating the Low Emissions Analysis Platform (LEAP) and Water Evaluation and Adaptation Planning (WEAP) tools, alongside macroeconomic modelling, allows governments to plan for climate-resilient development by analyzing the interdependencies between water and energy systems.

This briefing from the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) describes the Water Evaluation and Adaptation Planning (WEAP) platform, a scenario-based modelling tool designed to help decision-makers understand climate impacts on water systems and develop adaptation strategies. It highlights WEAP's role in supporting National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and provides examples of its application in various global regions to manage water scarcity, resource allocation, and transboundary river basins.