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This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies examines the challenges faced by African raw commodity producers, specifically focusing on the lack of value addition in the cashew and cocoa sectors, regional agricultural growth forecasts through 2043, and a widening gap between local crop production and food demand.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the 'educational funnel' in Africa, detailing the significant attrition rates from primary through tertiary education. It highlights a severe educational crisis in sub-Saharan Africa compared to North Africa and other global regions, noting that the region is forecast to miss several Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 targets by 2030.

This report analyzes the projected impacts of a specific 'Agriculture scenario' for Africa by 2043, comparing it against a 'Current Path' forecast. The scenario envisions a significant increase in agricultural production, reduced food import dependence, and substantial poverty reduction, though it notes that these gains depend on technological adoption and climate factors.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies examines gender exclusion in African education, comparing enrollment ratios and attainment levels across different regions and educational tiers. It highlights a persistent gap between male and female education in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Central Africa, and notes that without aggressive interventions, the region will struggle to close the gap with global averages.

This research paper analyzes the potential economic and social impacts of reducing gender gaps in education and labor force participation across Africa by 2043. It compares a 'Gender scenario' against a 'Current Path' forecast, finding that aggressive reductions in gender inequality would significantly increase GDP, raise GDP per capita, reduce extreme poverty, and improve child health and human development indices across the continent.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the potential economic impact of achieving full gender parity in Africa by 2043. It compares a 'Gender Equality scenario' against a 'Current Path' and a 'Gender scenario', focusing on GDP growth, per capita income, and poverty reduction across different African regions and income levels.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies examines the landscape of education financing in Africa, detailing expenditure levels, the distribution of funds across educational levels, and the challenges of spending inefficiency and declining donor support.

This briefing by Zero Carbon Analytics explains the mechanisms of El Niño, its interaction with climate change, and its global socio-economic and environmental impacts. It highlights a 61% chance of an El Niño event emerging between May and July 2026, noting that human-caused warming is likely increasing the frequency and severity of such events, while simultaneously making them harder to predict.

This annexure from the Institute for Security Studies compiles various economic estimations from international organizations regarding the potential impacts of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) on trade, GDP, employment, and poverty reduction across Africa.

This introduction to the Africa Manufacturing Forecast examines the continent's struggle with industrialisation, noting a stagnation in manufacturing value added and a decline in global market share. It outlines current strategic efforts to reverse this trend through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the adoption of green and digital technologies, and the development of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to move Africa up the global value chain.

This research paper introduction from the Institute for Security Studies provides an overview of the current global climate crisis, highlighting record-breaking temperatures in 2024, the increasing frequency of weather-related disasters, and the rising scale of climate-induced displacement. It emphasizes the gap between current policies and the goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement, while noting the persistent rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations.

This report section analyzes income and wealth inequality across Africa, noting that high inequality levels contribute to slow poverty reduction and instability. It compares regional Gini index trends and wealth concentration, while examining specific national cases like Tunisia, Ethiopia, Botswana, and Ghana to illustrate the relationship between governance, growth, and inequality.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the disproportionate impact of climate change on Africa, detailing the frequency of climate-related disasters, the vulnerability of populations due to socio-economic factors, and the resulting threats to food security, health, and regional stability.

This research paper by Jakkie Cilliers for the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the projected economic and social development of Africa by 2043 under a 'Combined scenario' compared to a 'Current Path'. The Combined scenario, which integrates policy coherence, governance, and strategic investment, projects significantly higher GDP growth, increased GDP per capita, and a dramatic reduction in extreme poverty.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes extreme poverty trends in Africa using a US$2.15 threshold. It highlights a divergence where the percentage of people in extreme poverty is declining, but the absolute number continues to rise due to rapid population growth, high inequality, and modest economic growth.

This report details lessons from participatory climate vulnerability assessments conducted in nearly 100 communities in Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe from 2024 to 2025. It emphasizes the need to integrate scientific data with local knowledge, involve local governments early to ensure institutionalization, and maintain transparency and sensitive communication during overlapping crises to ensure effective community-based adaptation.

This research paper examines Russia's diplomatic, economic, and security relations with Southern African nations, particularly since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. It argues that while Russia leverages historical liberation-era ties and anti-Western rhetoric to maintain influence, its impact is severely limited by economic weakness, international sanctions, and a reliance on symbolic gestures over tangible developmental gains.

This research paper analyzes the potential for African countries to finance climate mitigation and adaptation by redirecting explicit fossil fuel subsidies (EFFS) and increasing environmental taxes. While these domestic fiscal tools can contribute approximately 1.7% and 1.1% of Africa's GDP respectively, the author concludes they are insufficient to close the continent's overall climate finance gap of 5–10% of GDP. The paper recommends establishing independent fuel reserve authorities to stabilize prices and adopting gradual subsidy withdrawal strategies to avoid social unrest and inflation.

This briefing by Zero Carbon Analytics examines the concept of 'temperature overshoot'—where global warming exceeds 1.5°C to 2°C before returning to those levels—and the associated risks of triggering irreversible climate tipping points. It argues that while the chance of limiting warming to 1.5°C by 2100 is now 'virtually zero', minimizing the magnitude and duration of overshoot is critical to avoid catastrophic Earth system collapses. The document contrasts dangerous climate tipping points with 'positive socio-economic tipping points' that can accelerate decarbonization, while warning that reliance on carbon dioxide removal (CDR) and geoengineering introduces severe risks and does not replace the need for immediate, deep emissions cuts.

This report by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines the state of democratic governance in Southern Africa, focusing on the role of civil society organisations (CSOs) in countering democratic backsliding. Drawing on youth consultations and a comparative analysis of West African civil society networks, the report argues that cross-border solidarity and regional networks are essential for strengthening accountability and protecting human rights in the SADC region.