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This policy briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines corporate governance within state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in Africa, drawing on African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Country Review Reports. It argues that while SOEs are vital developmental tools, they are frequently hindered by politicised board appointments, unclear regulatory frameworks, and a lack of professionalisation. The document advocates for the separation of the state's role as owner from its role as regulator and recommends merit-based appointments to ensure SOEs operate as competitive companies rather than sources of political patronage.

This policy briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs analyzes the political economy of peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), arguing that regional peace agreements are shaped by the shifting economic power between the eastern Kivus and the southern Katanga province.

This policy briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) argues for a re-invention of partnerships in Africa's extractive governance to drive inclusive and sustainable socio-economic transformation. It emphasizes the need for shared values, reciprocal responsibilities, and the alignment of national, regional, and continental visions—specifically the African Union's Agenda 2063 and the Africa Mining Vision (AMV)—to move Africa beyond being a mere supplier of raw materials toward value-addition and beneficiation.

This policy briefing examines the role and challenges of National Governing Councils (NGCs) within the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). Based on a February 2015 workshop, the document argues that while NGCs are essential for developing Country Self-Assessment Reports (CSAR) and National Programmes of Action (NPoAs), a lack of standardized guidelines regarding their composition, funding, and legal status hinders their effectiveness and independence from political interference.

This policy briefing, published by the South African Institute of International Affairs in October 2015, compares the Open Government Partnership (OGP) with other international peer-review mechanisms, including the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), the UN's Universal Periodic Review (UPR), and the OECD's Anti-Bribery Convention Review (OECDA). It argues that the OGP's flexible, civil-society-led approach offers unique benefits for transparency and governance, and suggests that African nations should seek OGP membership and harmonise it with existing review obligations.

This policy briefing examines the ecological importance and governance challenges of the Eastern Arc Mountains in Tanzania and Kenya. It highlights that approximately 70% of the original forest cover has been lost due to deforestation and degradation, driven largely by population growth and a heavy reliance on biomass for energy. Despite a comprehensive policy framework and significant donor funding—including REDD+ initiatives—the document argues that governance failures, lack of state funding, and poor enforcement of local by-laws have hindered conservation efforts.

This research paper examines the risk of stranded assets in Africa's extractives sectors as the global economy transitions toward low-carbon energy and a circular economy. It analyzes the economic threats to fossil-fuel-dependent nations, the potential for 'premature deindustrialisation', and the opportunities presented by the rising demand for critical minerals. The author argues for a 'just transition' that prioritizes social and developmental goals through economic diversification and improved governance to avoid the 'resource curse'.

This policy brief examines the challenges of measuring and reporting local procurement in the African mining sector. It argues that aggregate spending figures often mask a lack of genuine local value addition, as many 'local' suppliers are merely importers. While some governments and international standards are beginning to demand more granular data, the document highlights a significant gap between current reporting practices and the data needed to steer effective economic policy.

This policy brief provides an overview of local procurement regulations for the mining and petroleum sectors across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. It distinguishes between demand-side policies, which encourage companies to buy locally, and supply-side policies, which support local supplier capacity. The document highlights a regional trend toward state intervention to create backward linkages from extractive activities to the wider economy, noting that while most SADC countries have some form of local procurement language, the depth of regulation varies significantly, ranging from vague 'best effort obligations' to specific, measurable targets.

A fact sheet detailing the historical and contemporary relations between Russia and two African nations, Tanzania and Zambia, focusing on sectors of cooperation and diplomatic efforts.

This research paper compares the macroeconomic resilience of Kenya and Tanzania over the past 20 years, analyzing the impacts of climate shocks, the global financial crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic. It finds that while both countries used prudent monetary and fiscal policies to recover, they face challenges with high public debt, complex tax systems, and vulnerability to external trade shocks. The authors recommend simplifying tax administration, reducing non-concessional borrowing, and leveraging the AfCFTA to diversify trade.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) introduces two new indices—the Climate Change and Economic Vulnerability Index (CEVI) and the Climate Change and Economic Resilience Index (CERI)—to provide a quantitative basis for the allocation of climate finance. The author argues that current climate finance, particularly OECD adaptation funding, is misaligned with the actual vulnerability and resilience of recipient countries, often favoring middle-income nations over the most vulnerable low-income economies, particularly in Africa.

This research paper examines the nature of parliamentary democracy in the United Republic of Tanzania, focusing on the relationship between the legislature (Bunge) and the executive, as well as the level of engagement between parliament and civil society. It analyzes the transition from a single-party 'rubber stamp' legislature to a multi-party system, the constitutional mechanisms for checks and balances, and the practical constraints—such as party supremacy and resource limitations—that hinder effective legislative scrutiny and public transparency.

This fact sheet by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) outlines various donor-funded financing programs available for renewable energy manufacturing and clean energy innovation, primarily targeting Africa and other developing regions.

This annex provides a comparative analysis of electrification data for 20 countries with the largest electricity access deficits, triangulating government reports, household surveys, utility data, and industry sales to identify trends and socioeconomic patterns of access.

This guidebook by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) provides a comprehensive overview of career pathways in the sustainable energy and international development sectors. It details the organizational structure of SEforALL, outlining roles within internal operations and external programmes, and offers guidance on the educational backgrounds, technical skills, and soft skills required for interns and analysts. The document also describes SEforALL's remote recruitment process and its commitment to diversity and inclusion in the green energy workforce.

The CHAPOSA project investigated charcoal production and forest depletion in the supply areas of Lusaka (Zambia), Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), and Maputo (Mozambique) between 1989 and 1998. The report finds that woodland cover is reducing in all three regions due to charcoal production and agricultural expansion, with the most severe depletion occurring around Maputo. While charcoal provides a critical income source for the rural poor and an affordable energy source for the urban poor, the current system is largely unregulated, with state licensing and fee collection being highly ineffective. The report recommends a coordinated policy approach: enforcing fiscal systems to fund forest management, while simultaneously providing rural agricultural support and expanding urban electricity access to reduce dependence on charcoal.

The EU-UNDP Low Emission Capacity Building Programme is a collaborative initiative funded by the European Commission and the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. It aims to strengthen the institutional and technical capacities of developing countries to transition toward low-emission, climate-resilient pathways by supporting the development of GHG inventories, Low-Emission Development Strategies (LEDS), and Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs).

This delivery report describes a matchmaking workshop held on 4 May 2021 by TEM – Lund University as part of the sWASH&grow project. The event aimed to explore how sustainable healthcare infrastructure in low- and middle-income countries can serve as a leverage point for implementing Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) solutions and fostering sustainable community development.

This policy brief from the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the public health and environmental crises caused by the reliance of over three billion people on traditional biomass for household energy, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.