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This report, published by the Africa Policy Research Institute in 2023, examines the diverse narratives surrounding China's engagement in Africa. It challenges binary Western interpretations—which often frame China as either a benevolent partner or a predatory actor—by highlighting the agency of African states and the pragmatic ways they leverage Chinese finance and infrastructure for domestic goals. The document analyzes specific narrative contests, such as the 'debt-trap' discourse and the 'Indo-Pacific' strategic concept, arguing that African perspectives are often marginalized in global policy discussions.

The Stockholm Environment Institute's (SEI) Finance for Sustainable Development (FSD) Program, established in 2022, focuses on bridging the gap between micro-level business viability and macro-level climate and development finance policies. The program specifically targets low- and lower-middle-income countries (LLMICs) to identify how sustainable projects can generate private economic value and attract private-sector investment through research, advisory services, and training.

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 April 2024 report by Global Energy Monitor and partners reveals that while global coal capacity reached a record 2,130 GW in 2023, there is a stark divide: China continues to expand its fleet, while most other countries are reducing new construction. The report highlights that only 15% of operational capacity has retirement plans aligned with the 1.5°C goal. Regional analysis shows significant progress in the EU and UK, stability in Sub-Saharan Africa (dominated by South Africa), and a lack of new projects in the MENA region.

This document introduces a report on Kenya, part of a broader series titled "From Climate Risk to Resilience" produced by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and commissioned by the African Climate Foundation (ACF). The report analyzes the economic and social impacts of climate change on Kenya's climate-vulnerable and critical economic sectors across four sections: climate profile projections, economic and macroeconomic implications, government adaptation measures, and strategic recommendations for funding mobilization.

This report is a country study on Zambia, part of a broader series titled "From Climate Risk to Resilience" produced by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) for the African Climate Foundation (ACF). It outlines a framework for analyzing climate change impacts across four areas: climate profile projections, economic sector implications, existing government adaptation measures, and strategic recommendations for funding and resilience.

This research paper analyzes the European Union's strategic partnerships with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia to diversify critical raw material (CRM) supply chains and reduce dependence on China. It examines the geopolitical tensions between Western security agendas and the industrialization goals of the producing nations, while highlighting significant governance risks and the lack of comprehensive national CRM policies in the DRC and Zambia.

The Lobito Corridor is a 1,300 km railway project in Angola designed to transport critical raw materials (CRMs) and electric vehicle (EV) battery value chain products from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia to the EU and US. While supported by various MoUs and a consortium including Trafigura, Mota-Engil, and Vecturis, the project faces significant competition from established Chinese supply chains and alternative transport routes to the Indian Ocean.

This policy brief, produced as part of the 'Youth and Social Justice Futures: Identifying Future Skills and Training in Africa' project, outlines strategic recommendations for Malawi to improve youth empowerment, education, mental health, and disaster resilience. The document is based on participatory action research using Futures Literacy Labs and the Three Horizons Framework, incorporating the perspectives of Malawian youth to envision inclusive and resilient future pathways.

This policy brief, produced by the South African Institute of International Affairs as part of the 'Youth and Social Justice Futures' project, advocates for the integration of Zambian youth into the nation's socio-economic development. Based on workshops using Futures Literacy Labs and the Three Horizon Framework, the document identifies critical gaps in youth employment, political representation, education, and technological access. It proposes four strategic priorities: increasing youth representation in civic and public institutions, enhancing climate-resilient agriculture through agri-tech, reforming education to prioritize practical skills and entrepreneurship, and ensuring equitable internet connectivity.

This report by FSD Africa evaluates the Africa Regulatory Support Programme (ARSP), which provided technical assistance to capital markets regulators across Africa from September 2018 to March 2023. The document outlines key lessons from interventions in eight countries and three regional blocs, emphasizing the need to balance international best practices with local context, the challenges of regulatory and market capacity, and the importance of sequencing and clustering interventions for maximum impact.

This report by the African Future Policies Hub, APRI, and LSE assesses the economic impacts of a proposed global shipping carbon tax on African states. Using a CGE model and a case study of Ghana, the authors find that while GDP impacts are limited, a shipping levy would increase commodity prices, reduce household incomes, and exacerbate existing freight cost imbalances for African nations. The report recommends that the International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopt measures that allow for the redistribution of revenues as direct grants to climate-vulnerable countries for out-of-sector mitigation and resilience projects.

This policy brief by the Southern African Resilience Academy (SARA) advocates for the integration of Gender Transformative Approaches (GTAs) into policies and programs across Southern Africa to build equitable and resilient livelihoods. It argues that traditional gender mainstreaming fails to address the root causes of inequality, such as entrenched social norms, and proposes a shift toward GTAs that challenge and change these structures to enhance community and ecosystem resilience against climate change and food insecurity.

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.

This research paper examines the negotiations surrounding the Loss and Damage Fund established at COP27, detailing the friction between developed and developing nations over the fund's governance, eligibility, and funding sources ahead of COP28.

This guidance note, published by the Global Resilience Partnership in December 2023, examines 24 marginal, small-scale initiatives termed "Seeds" within African food systems. The document analyzes how these initiatives contribute to equity and sustainability, the barriers they encounter, and how development partners can better support them to achieve systemic transformation.

This background note provides energy production and demand forecasts for Africa and the global community up to 2043, based on the International Futures (IFs) forecasting platform. It details the transition of energy sources, the growth of African energy demand driven by population increases, and the status of fossil fuel reserves and renewable energy projects across the continent.

This background note from the Institute for Security Studies analyzes Africa's energy export and import trends under a 'Current Path' forecast up to 2043, highlighting the contrast between a few major energy exporters and a majority of countries dependent on imports.

This fact sheet from the Institute for Economic Justice explains how a Universal Basic Income Guarantee (UBIG) can empower individuals to escape poverty and stimulate local economies. It argues that providing a guaranteed basic income allows people to invest in productive activities and creates a 'multiplier effect' that benefits the broader economy, drawing on evidence from various global cash transfer programs.

This report examines parental leave policies within the large-scale mining sector, comparing international standards, national laws across 12 countries, and the specific policies of major mining companies. It highlights a discrepancy between formal policies and the actual workplace culture, which often contributes to a "leaky pipeline" where women leave the industry at earlier career stages.