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This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the gap between Africa's vast renewable energy potential and its current capacity. It highlights the continent's critical role in the global energy transition due to its abundance of solar, wind, and hydro resources, as well as essential critical minerals. The document outlines systemic barriers to progress, including insufficient financing, a heavy reliance on imported technology, and a lack of local manufacturing. It proposes strategic interventions for the African Union and G20 to enhance technology transfer, mobilize climate finance, and integrate African nations into green value chains beyond the supply of raw materials.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the current technological landscape of artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) and the potential for emerging technologies to drive sustainable development. It analyzes the ASM life cycle—from exploration to mine closure—and identifies gaps in technology adoption, particularly regarding worker safety, environmental protection, and financial inclusion. The document highlights the dual nature of technological advancement: while it can increase productivity and recovery rates, it also risks displacing labor, especially women, and potentially increasing environmental degradation through overmining.

The Sierra Leone Healthcare Electrification Project, managed by SEforALL and funded by the UK, is deploying solar PV and battery storage to health facilities to replace polluting diesel generators. After successfully equipping six hospitals with over 0.6 MWp of capacity, the project has expanded to 26 additional health facilities. The initiative aims to improve health outcomes by providing reliable power for critical equipment and includes a training program for young women in the renewable energy sector.

This policy brief by the Africa Policy Research Institute examines the Global Shield (GS) initiative and the broader climate insurance landscape in Africa. The authors argue that while insurance can provide rapid disaster response, it is an insufficient tool for addressing the diverse, slow-onset impacts of climate change and often fails to provide equitable protection due to high premiums, technical complexities, and the risk of 'basis risk' where payouts are not triggered despite actual losses.

This research paper by the Africa Policy Research Institute analyzes the outcomes of COP 28 in Dubai, assessing how the agreements and financial commitments align with the priorities of African nations and civil society organizations. It evaluates progress on the Loss and Damage fund, adaptation finance, the transition away from fossil fuels, and food system resilience, concluding that while historic agreements were reached, the scale of financial commitments remains insufficient to meet Africa's urgent climate needs.

This research paper examines the dynamics of synthetic drug markets in West Africa, using tramadol as a primary case study to analyze how criminal networks adapt to supply-side disruptions. The report highlights that law enforcement and regulatory efforts often lead to market displacement, increased prices, and the emergence of more dangerous synthetic substitutes rather than the total disruption of the trade.

This policy brief from the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the rising public debt burden in Africa, the complexities of its current composition, and the necessary reforms to the global financial architecture. It argues that while the G20 has established mechanisms like the Common Framework and the Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI), these are insufficient. The document proposes that the African Union (AU), as a new permanent member of the G20, should advocate for an African Credit Rating Agency, an African Debt Monitoring Mechanism, and a more inclusive debt restructuring process that includes private creditors and provides longer repayment periods.

The December 2023/January 2024 edition of the Peace & Security Council Report evaluates the African Union's (AU) Peace and Security Council (PSC) performance in 2023, highlighting a trend toward discussing thematic issues over sensitive country crises. It examines the challenges of consensus-based decision-making, the upcoming 2024 AU chairship and PSC membership elections, and the potential impact of the UN's New Agenda for Peace on African security architecture.

A briefing by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) and the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) arguing against lifting the CITES trade suspension for Pterocarpus erinaceus (rosewood) in West and Central Africa, citing ongoing illegal trafficking and the risk of setting a dangerous precedent through 'special authorizations' and inadequate Non-Detriment Findings.

The November 2023 Peace & Security Council Report examines the diplomatic implications of the first Saudi-Africa summit, the coordination between the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) and the UN Security Council's A3 members, the precarious state of South Sudan's transition toward elections, and the AU's efforts to integrate youth into peacebuilding and economic integration via AfCFTA.

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 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 executive summary outlines a market assessment and roadmap by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) to address energy deficits in Sierra Leone's schools, identifying significant gaps in power access and proposing strategic recommendations for data investment, technical standardization, and sustainable maintenance models.

This document describes the approach and methodology used for a special report titled "Impact of COVID-19 in Africa: A scenario analysis to 2030 (July 2020)". It outlines the use of the International Futures (IFs) forecasting platform to model three scenarios against a pre-pandemic baseline, focusing on economic growth, poverty, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) targets through 2030.

This research paper examines the diverse responses of African nations to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and proposes four strategic options for the continent to advance its political, economic, and social interests amid the shifting geopolitical landscape.

This factsheet summarizes the IPCC's Sixth Assessment Report for West Africa, detailing how the region is warming faster than the global average. It highlights severe risks to food security, human health (specifically heat-related mortality and diarrhoeal diseases), and biodiversity. The report emphasizes that while adaptation options like ecosystem-based solutions exist, they are severely hindered by a lack of finance and critical data gaps in climate research.

The Climate Insurance Linked Resilient Infrastructure Financing (CILRIF) is a financial innovation designed to provide municipalities with long-term climate insurance and capital for resilient infrastructure. By linking insurance premiums to the implementation of adaptation measures, CILRIF incentivizes cities to invest in resiliency to reduce their long-term insurance costs and overall financing expenses.

The COP27 Resilience Hub Synthesis Report outlines the outcomes and key messages from the Resilience Hub at COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh. The Hub serves as a physical and virtual space to mobilise ambition and investment for climate resilience, acting as the home for the UN-backed Race to Resilience campaign. The report synthesises findings across nine thematic areas and four regional hubs, emphasizing the need for locally-led adaptation, increased and diversified finance, and the integration of arts and culture into resilience strategies.

This knowledge brief by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) and ESMAP advocates for a shift from traditional equipment-ownership models to private sector-led, performance-based service models to ensure the sustainable electrification of public health and education facilities in low- and middle-income countries.