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This special edition of the Peace & Security Council Report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the resurgence of military coups and unconstitutional changes of government (UCGs) in Africa, specifically focusing on a 'third wave' since 2019. The report analyzes the drivers of these coups, the role of 'constitutional coups' (manipulating term limits), the impact of civil-military relations, and the effectiveness of African Union (AU) and regional sanctions.

This policy paper maps the landscape of standards and initiatives related to plastic pollution to support international cooperation. It categorizes instruments into government regulations, voluntary multistakeholder standards, and non-governmental initiatives. The paper highlights the role of these standards in the ongoing negotiations for a global plastics treaty (INC) and the WTO Dialogue on Plastics Pollution (DPP), emphasizing the need for inclusiveness for developing countries and the identification of 'standards gaps' across the plastics life cycle.

This report by the South African Institute of International Affairs outlines strategies to strengthen Africa's digital infrastructure to enhance economic resilience. It identifies critical gaps in both 'hard' infrastructure (power and broadband) and 'soft' infrastructure (digital ID and payment systems) and proposes a coordinated continental approach through the African Union and the AfCFTA to reduce fragmentation and attract investment.

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs provides recommendations for African Union (AU) member states to develop a comprehensive e-commerce blueprint within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). It emphasizes the need for a unified African position in international negotiations, a proactive strategy for digital taxation, and the harmonisation of fragmented regional regulations to avoid Africa becoming a 'rule taker' in the global digital economy.

This report by the Africa Policy Research Institute evaluates climate change adaptation policies and locally led adaptation (LLA) in Nigeria. It argues that while the Nigerian government has established several national frameworks, these typically employ a 'top-down' approach that excludes frontline communities. Through three case studies in Ogun, Lagos, and Anambra states, the report demonstrates that community-driven initiatives—such as biogas production, aquaculture modifications, and traditional erosion control—are already occurring and align with national goals, but suffer from limited financing and a lack of integration into mainstream national discourse.

This report by the Global Climate and Health Alliance, prepared by Abt Associates, examines the sources of methane emissions from the waste sector—specifically municipal solid waste and wastewater—and the associated public health benefits of mitigation strategies. It provides technical solutions for reducing methane and outlines a framework for international, national, and local action to improve health equity and climate resilience.

This report by the Global Climate and Health Alliance examines the intersection of methane emissions from the waste and wastewater sectors and human health. It details how improving waste management can reduce tropospheric ozone and other pollutants, thereby preventing premature deaths and diseases, while providing strategies for international, national, and local action.

This policy brief examines the prevalence and risk factors of online child sexual exploitation and abuse (OCSEA) in Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Cabo Verde. It highlights a significant gap between official data and actual prevalence, noting that OCSEA is likely drastically underreported due to social stigma and weak identification processes. The document identifies systemic failures in legal frameworks, law enforcement capacity, and victim support, while recommending regional harmonization of laws and increased collaboration between governments and the technology sector.

This case study examines the cooling access gap in Nigeria and the policy measures, such as the 2017 Nigeria Building Energy Efficiency Code, being implemented to promote sustainable cooling in buildings and cities.

This report by the Africa Policy Research Institute examines the potential impacts of the G7 Climate Club on African countries. While acknowledging the goal of achieving global net-zero emissions by mid-century, the author argues that the Club's current design—particularly its focus on rapid decarbonisation and carbon-leakage reduction—could undermine African economic growth, energy security, and industrialisation. The report calls for a co-designed approach that prioritises climate justice, technological transfer, and financial support over trade-based sanctions.

This case study describes a pilot project in Kiguna, Nigeria, where a solar-hybrid minigrid powers a 3-ton walk-in cold room to reduce post-harvest fish losses and increase incomes for artisanal fishers and traders.

This research paper by the Africa Policy Research Institute examines the health cooperation between Germany and African states, arguing that current partnerships are rooted in colonial legacies and lack genuine reciprocity. The author contends that recent shifts toward 'securitization' of health—prioritizing global health security and economic interests—often override the needs of marginalized populations and the goal of strengthening local health systems.

This research paper analyzes the evolving energy relations between Germany and Africa, noting a shift from traditional development cooperation toward a broader approach combining energy diplomacy, foreign policy, and technical cooperation. The author highlights a tension between Germany's commitment to a 'just transition' and its strategic interests in securing both renewable energy (particularly green hydrogen) and fossil fuel imports to ensure energy security.

This research paper by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) examines the disparity between solar energy potential and installed capacity in developing economies, attributing the gap to high costs of capital driven by sovereign and off-taker risks. The authors propose the establishment of a Global Credit Guarantee Facility (GCGF) to de-risk cross-border financing and lower risk premiums for renewable energy projects in Emerging Market & Development Economy (EMDE) countries.

This research paper examines the historical and contemporary health cooperation between Germany and African nations, arguing that these relations remain unequal and lack reciprocity. The author contends that while Germany promotes multilateralism and health security, its actions often prioritize economic interests and security over the public health needs and autonomy of African partners, calling for a decolonial shift toward health and climate justice.

This research paper analyzes the 'paradigm shift' in German migration policy under the current coalition government, specifically its impact on African partner countries. While the government aims to transform Germany into a modern immigration country by attracting skilled workers, the author argues that the policy remains rooted in old concepts, primarily linking legal migration pathways to increased cooperation on the repatriation of migrants.

This report analyzes poverty and inequality trends in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), highlighting that the country has one of the highest numbers of people living in extreme poverty globally and is unlikely to meet the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals on its current trajectory.

This research paper analyzes the German government's announced 'paradigm shift' in migration policy, which aims to transform Germany into a modern immigration country by easing access for qualified workers. The authors argue that despite the rhetoric, the policy remains rooted in old methods, heavily conditioning legal pathways on the acceleration of returns and continuing the externalization of migration control in Africa.

This briefing by the Global Climate and Health Alliance argues that climate change and biodiversity loss are the primary global health threats of the 21st century, but that integrating health into climate policy presents a significant opportunity to reduce emissions and improve public health. It details the direct and indirect health risks of warming—including heat-related mortality, air pollution, infectious disease spread, and food system collapse—while highlighting that the health co-benefits of decarbonisation and meeting Paris Agreement goals can substantially offset the economic costs of climate action.

This research paper examines the evolution of German-African energy relations, tracing the shift from a primary focus on development cooperation and energy poverty to a more complex framework involving energy diplomacy, technology-driven cooperation, and strategic geopolitical interests. The author analyzes the tensions between 'green' and 'fossilist' objectives, the risks associated with the roll-out of hydrogen diplomacy, and the trend toward the financialization of development through multi-stakeholder partnerships.