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This research paper examines implementation methods for the "Food Security in a Climate Perspective strategy 2013-15," focusing on private sector development and public-private partnerships (PPP) in agriculture, climate change, and food security across five African nations.

This policy brief examines the alignment of Africa's maritime ambitions, specifically the African Union's 2050 Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy (2050 AIM Strategy), with the regional efforts of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). It highlights the challenges of institutional fragmentation and the need for improved communication and coordination to realize the economic and environmental potential of the Blue Economy.

This World Bank Group report provides a framework for using investment contracts to maximize the benefits and minimize the risks of large-scale agricultural projects in developing countries. It identifies five key positive outcomes and five primary weaknesses associated with these investments, offering specific legal and contractual options to ensure sustainable development and the protection of local communities.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development discusses the intersection of climate change and peacebuilding in fragile states, arguing that climate risks can undermine development progress and drive conflict. It advocates for a dual approach involving climate-resilient peacebuilding and conflict-sensitive climate responses.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the potential of bond markets as an alternative to bank loans for financing large-scale infrastructure projects in Africa. It details various bond types—including municipal, corporate, sovereign, diaspora, and Islamic bonds—and analyzes the current state of bond markets in South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya. The author argues that while bonds offer lower borrowing costs and avoid equity dilution, their growth in Africa is hindered by underdeveloped secondary markets, weak regulatory frameworks, and a lack of institutional investors.

This research paper examines the relationship between food security outcomes and climatic variables in Zambia, specifically analyzing how climate-smart agricultural practices affect crop yields and resilience for smallholder farmers.

This policy brief details the findings of a pilot case study in Zambia conducted between February and October 2014 by the Red Cross/Red Crescent Climate Centre, the Met Office Hadley Centre, and the Zambia Red Cross Society. The study evaluated how climate science can inform long-term development and humanitarian planning, concluding that there is currently no evidence of climate information being used for long-term planning or infrastructure decisions in the country.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies examines the African Union's (AU) adoption of the Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection. It argues that while the convention is a positive step, African states face significant hurdles in ratification and implementation due to capacity gaps, free speech concerns, and the global nature of cybercrime.

This report examines the alignment between global, regional, and national development strategies for food security and sustainable agriculture in Zambia. It finds significant gaps between the aspirational goals of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the actual implementation of policies in Zambia, which remain heavily focused on maize production and large-scale commercial farming. While national policies mention diversification and sustainability, political incentives and subsidy structures (like the FISP) reinforce a maize-centric system that fails to address systemic barriers to food security for smallholder farmers. The report suggests that small-scale ICT interventions and conservation farming offer potential pathways toward the SDGs, but require systemic shifts in governance and investment to be scaled effectively.

This guide, produced by the Adaptation Finance Accountability Initiative (AFAI), provides a five-step methodology for civil society organizations (CSOs) to track climate change adaptation finance. It aims to improve transparency and accountability by helping CSOs gather evidence on funding flows from international donors to local communities, ultimately informing evidence-based advocacy to ensure resources reach the most vulnerable populations.

This special edition of Climate and Development Outlook describes the scoping phase of the Future Climate For Africa (FCFA) programme, a five-year international research initiative funded by the UK's Department for International Development (DFID) and the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). The programme focuses on improving the scientific understanding of sub-Saharan African climate on decadal timescales and enhancing the communication and uptake of this information for long-term climate-resilient development strategies.

This policy briefing examines the decline in momentum of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) in Zambia, focusing on the waning involvement of civil society and challenges in implementing the National Programme of Action (NPoA). While Zambia initially pioneered innovative civil society engagement, the process has since struggled with funding, coordination, and a lack of integration into national development planning.

This briefing outlines the potential for the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) to increase rice production in Tanzania, Zambia, and Malawi, while identifying systemic constraints and the current limited scale of SRI adoption.

This briefing by the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines agricultural cooperatives as a model for inclusive investment. It details the types of cooperatives, their benefits for smallholders, the role of foreign investment in reducing risk and improving skills, and the necessary government support and legal frameworks to ensure their success without undue state interference.

This research paper by Khabele Matlosa examines the evolution of democratic governance in Africa, focusing on the relationship between the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG). It analyzes the transition from the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) to the African Union (AU), the challenges of implementing governance reviews and National Programmes of Action (NPoAs), and proposes strategic imperatives to enhance synergy between the AU's governance and peace architectures.

This research paper examines the shifting landscape of Africa's extractive sector, noting the rise of emerging market companies and increasing pressure on all firms to demonstrate developmental and environmental contributions. It argues that Western and OECD companies can gain a competitive edge by adapting their business models to support local processing, reskilling workers, and enhancing transparency.

This research paper explores the relationship between adaptive capacity and social protection within agroforestry systems, utilizing case studies from Zambia and Honduras to illustrate how these two elements mutually support one another in mitigating climate risks like drought.

This technical paper reviews the 'Community-Led Disaster Risk Reduction' project in the Mongu district of western Zambia, which focuses on increasing resilience to climatic shocks through capacity building for flood and drought management and the promotion of livelihood diversification.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies presents three plausible scenarios for South Africa's economic and political trajectory up to 2030: 'Bafana Bafana' (continued underachievement), 'Mandela Magic' (high growth and vision), and 'Nation Divided' (political instability and populist decline). Using the International Futures forecasting system, the author analyzes how leadership choices, particularly within the African National Congress (ANC) and its alliance with COSATU, will impact GDP, employment, and social stability.

This research paper examines the state of transport infrastructure in central and northern Mozambique, focusing on how foreign investment in the mining and energy sectors is driving infrastructure development. The authors analyze whether these projects, often led by foreign companies due to limited state capacity, foster national development and regional integration or primarily serve resource extraction.