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Global Witness warns that the global push for electrification, highlighted by priorities for COP31 and plans in the EU and China, faces a critical bottleneck due to copper shortages. The organization identifies declining copper grades, supply chain disruptions of sulphuric acid (essential for processing), and export bans on concentrates in countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Indonesia, and Tanzania as primary threats. To prevent high-income countries from monopolizing resources, Global Witness proposes a UN-led multi-decade plan to ensure equitable access to minerals and prioritize climate goals over military or data center applications.

The Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) denounces the surge of anti-migrant rhetoric and violence in South Africa, attributing the social unrest to systemic economic crises rather than migration. The document highlights the role of vigilante groups and political actors in scapegoating migrants to deflect from government failures, including high unemployment and failing public services. It calls for a shift toward regional integration, the regularisation of undocumented migrants, and a pro-employment economic strategy to address the root causes of community despair.

The report examines the limitations of traditional input-heavy agricultural subsidies in sub-Saharan Africa, specifically in Kenya, Malawi, and Zambia. It argues that while these programs can stabilize production in the short term, they often hinder the transition to climate-resilient systems and negatively impact soil health. The document emphasizes that successful reform requires a holistic approach combining organic inputs, improved land governance, and complementary investments in infrastructure and market development.

The report analyzes Zimbabwe's development path to 2043, comparing a 'Current Path' (business-as-usual) with various sectoral and combined scenarios. It identifies manufacturing as the most critical driver for GDP growth and poverty reduction. While the Current Path suggests slow progress toward Sustainable Development Goals, the 'Combined scenario'—integrating reforms in governance, infrastructure, health, and trade—could significantly increase GDP per capita, reduce extreme poverty to 3%, and transition the energy system toward renewables, drastically cutting carbon emissions.

The report projects that Zambia's GDP per capita will rise to US$5,467 by 2043 under the Current Path, though extreme poverty remains high at 67.3%. It identifies the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and 'leapfrogging' through renewable energy and ICT as the most impactful drivers for economic growth. While carbon emissions are forecast to peak in 2036 and then decline due to increased hydroelectricity, the report highlights critical vulnerabilities in food security, secondary education, and rural electricity access.

The report forecasts that Zambia's GDP per capita would increase by 51% by 2043 under the Combined Agenda 2063 scenario compared to the Current Path, potentially lifting an additional 9.4 million people out of extreme poverty. While the economy would grow to US$157.5 billion, the services sector would continue to dominate, and carbon emissions are projected to rise to 6 million tons due to economic expansion.

Tanzania is a lower-middle-income country in East Africa characterized by steady GDP growth but significant gaps in human development and political stability. While the economy has grown at an average of 6% annually, the country faces persistent poverty and environmental challenges such as deforestation and soil erosion. Politically, the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) maintains dominance, though the 2025 general elections were marked by irregularities, violence, and the suppression of opposition parties, leading to international condemnation and a deepening governance crisis.

The document introduces Zimbabwe as a landlocked, lower-middle-income country in Southern Africa. It details the nation's administrative structure, its membership in regional bodies like SADC and the AU, and its ethnic makeup, which is predominantly Shona (81%) and Ndebele (12%). The text describes Zimbabwe's diverse topography and rich natural resources, including lithium and platinum, while noting that the country has struggled with governance and economic instability since its independence from Britain in 1980.

The report analyzes Africa's unique governance trajectory, noting that the territorial state was a late colonial imposition. It details how slavery and the Cold War hindered state formation and discusses the subsequent waves of democratisation, highlighting a significant gap between electoral and liberal democracy on the continent.

As of March 31, 2026, the GCF has total pledged amounts of USD 30.0 billion, with USD 24.0 billion in committed funding. The Fund's accredited entity network has grown to 168 entities, with a strong emphasis on Direct Access Entities (DAEs). The portfolio shows a shift toward adaptation, which now represents 59% of funding in grant equivalent terms. The GCF is managing a pipeline of 139 concept notes and 51 funding proposals. However, several projects face implementation challenges, including the Mali solar rural electrification project, which is awaiting formal termination following the government's decision to cancel co-financing.

The inventory identifies nature-based solutions (NbS) in Zimbabwe, focusing on reforestation and wildlife corridor conservation in biodiversity hotspots like Hwange and Zambezi National Parks. These projects integrate traditional knowledge with modern practices across sectors such as water management and sustainable agriculture to combat droughts, unpredictable rainfall, and rising temperatures.

The IEU report for February to May 2026 outlines the progress of several independent evaluations, including those on gender, the Project Preparation Facility, and the private sector. It highlights the ongoing Third Performance Review (TPR) and the LORTA impact evaluation programme, which supports 23 evaluations. The Unit also reports on its strategic engagement with other multilateral climate funds, the use of AI in evaluation synthesis, and its budget expenditure, which stood at 19% (USD 1.5 million) of the annual budget as of 30 April 2026.

The inventory details nature-based solutions (NbS) in Namibia, emphasizing community-based natural resource management and the integration of biodiversity conservation with climate adaptation. It highlights the critical need for NbS due to Namibia's high vulnerability to arid conditions, recurrent droughts, and land degradation, which threaten agriculture, tourism, and rural livelihoods.

The document inventories nature-based solutions (NbS) in Zambia, emphasizing the integration of community-driven conservation, gender-responsive approaches, and livelihood development. It highlights Zambia's high economic dependency on natural resources—with agriculture, forests, and fisheries contributing significantly to GDP—which increases vulnerability to climate threats like erratic rainfall and droughts. The inventory aims to align these projects with national frameworks and avoid duplication among stakeholders.

The report inventories nature-based solutions (NbS) in Uganda since 2015, noting that these interventions are distributed across diverse ecosystems including wetlands, forests, and savannahs. It highlights that NbS projects typically address coupled societal challenges—such as food insecurity and water stress—and focus on reducing habitat degradation rather than species-specific conservation. While social inclusion is present, the report notes it is uneven across the project portfolio.

The report provides a detailed inventory of 13 nature-based solutions (NbS) projects across Zambia, focusing on their approaches, targeted ecosystems, and the climate and biodiversity risks they address. It highlights the high dependency of Zambia's economy on natural resources, with agriculture employing about 70% of the population, and the resulting vulnerability to temperature extremes, erratic rainfall, and floods. Key interventions across the documented projects include the restoration of wetlands and forests, the implementation of agroforestry and conservation farming, and the development of sustainable livelihoods such as beekeeping and non-timber forest product harvesting. The inventory notes that projects are heavily concentrated in ecologically vital landscapes, including national parks and major basins like the Barotse and Lake Tanganyika. Many initiatives emphasize gender-responsive approaches and participatory governance to ensure inclusive adaptation.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo's economy is heavily reliant on mining, particularly copper and cobalt, which generate over 90% of mining revenues. While the country possesses vast hydropower potential, electricity access remains limited to 19% of the population. The sector is characterized by a mix of large-scale mining and significant artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM), the latter of which is linked to conflict minerals (3TG) in the east. Infrastructure development is currently focused on strategic corridors like the Lobito Corridor and the TAZARA rehabilitation to improve export logistics.

The report analyzes the transition from traditional input subsidies to sustainable public support for agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa. It argues that while inorganic fertilizer subsidies provide short-term yield gains, they often lead to soil degradation, fiscal strain, and inequitable access. Through case studies in Kenya, Malawi, and Zambia, the document demonstrates that integrating soil health management, utilizing digital eVoucher systems for better targeting, and aligning subsidies with broader land tenure and market reforms are essential for long-term food system resilience.

The document describes Mozambique as a low-income country with significant mineral and marine resources but persistent structural challenges. While the country saw rapid growth between 1993 and 2015 and improvements in health and electricity access, it has struggled with a narrow productive base and high poverty levels. Recent growth has slowed due to the 'hidden debt' scandal, insurgency, and climate shocks. The report highlights the risk that gas megaprojects may not lead to inclusive development without strategic governance and economic diversification.

Malawi is a low-income, landlocked country in Southern Africa facing severe economic and climatic vulnerabilities. Despite a stable democratic governance structure and the long-term 'Malawi Vision 2063' blueprint, the nation struggles with high poverty rates, a heavy reliance on agriculture, and significant fiscal deficits. Recent shocks, including El Niño-induced droughts in 2024 and the 2025 freezing of USAID funds, have exacerbated food insecurity and budgetary pressures.