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This policy brief examines the application of blockchain and distributed ledger technologies (DLT) in the African mining sector, specifically for mineral traceability and due diligence. While these technologies offer a tamper-proof record of provenance, the authors argue that blockchain alone cannot guarantee ethical production and must be coupled with rigorous due diligence to prevent the exclusion of artisanal miners and the persistence of human rights abuses.

The July 2019 Peace & Security Council Report examines the progress of African Union (AU) institutional reforms, the coordination between the AU and Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and specific political transitions in The Gambia and Algeria. It also analyzes the potential for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to stabilize the Horn of Africa and evaluates the 'Silencing the Guns' initiative.

This research paper examines the implementation of the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) in Africa, using Zambia as a primary case study. It analyzes the benefits of trade facilitation for landlocked lower-middle-income countries, the role of the TFA Facility and donor assistance, and the specific challenges and successes of trade facilitation reforms at four of Zambia's strategic border posts.

The April 2019 Peace & Security Council Report by the Institute for Security Studies examines critical stability challenges across Africa, focusing on the fragility of peace deals in the Central African Republic and South Sudan, the trend of constitutional amendments to extend presidential terms, and the escalating crises in Cameroon and Sudan.

This fact sheet from the International Institute for Sustainable Development argues for the integration of a circular economy into cobalt and lithium supply chains to support green energy technologies and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It highlights how recycling, reuse, and remanufacturing can mitigate supply shortages, reduce environmental degradation, and create sustainable jobs.

The February 2019 Peace & Security Council Report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the election of four new members to the African Union's Peace and Security Council (PSC), the 2019 AU chairmanship of Egypt, and South Africa's upcoming 2020 chairmanship. It also analyzes the viability of a new peace deal in the Central African Republic, the humanitarian focus on refugees in 2019, and the escalating political crisis in Sudan.

This report documents a workshop held in August 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa, hosted by the SADC Secretariat and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD). The meeting focused on defining and implementing 'facilitating investment for sustainable development' for SADC member states, distinguishing this approach from traditional investment facilitation and trade facilitation.

This executive summary report, produced by WWF South Africa in collaboration with IIASA, assesses the current and future potential for sustainable aviation biofuel feedstock production in sub-Saharan Africa. Using a systems analysis approach and RSB sustainability criteria, the study identifies 'REMAIN' land—areas not required for food security or environmental conservation—and evaluates the technical potential of various feedstocks to meet a minimum 60% greenhouse gas (GHG) savings criterion. The report concludes that while significant technical potential exists, it is likely to decrease by 2050 due to population growth, food demand, and climate change.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies outlines recommendations for the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and the Assembly of States Parties (ASP) to address state non-cooperation with the International Criminal Court (ICC). It proposes specific legal and political mechanisms to ensure the ICC can effectively investigate and prosecute serious international crimes.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies examines the distribution of power and influence within the Southern African Development Community (SADC). It argues that while South Africa remains the dominant economic and military power, the region would benefit from decentralising responsibilities by identifying 'regional champions' or 'locomotives' to drive specific sectoral priorities outlined in the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP).

The 2019 report 'Dynamiser le financement de l’accès à l’énergie : UN TOUR D’HORIZON', produced by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) and Climate Policy Initiative, analyzes public and private financing for electricity and clean cooking access across 20 developing countries from 2013 to 2017. It highlights a significant gap between current investments and the funding required to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) by 2030, noting that while electricity funding reached a record in 2017, clean cooking finance collapsed and most funds do not reach the most vulnerable populations.

The Energy Progress Report 2019, a joint publication by five custodian agencies, tracks global progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7). While the world is making progress in electricity access, renewable energy adoption, and energy efficiency, the report concludes that current ambition levels are insufficient to meet 2030 targets. Significant gaps remain in clean cooking access and electricity availability, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa.

This report, produced by DMA Global for FSD Africa, examines the drivers and barriers influencing the migration of remittance senders from cash-based agent services to digital channels for transfers from the UK to Africa. Based on focus group discussions (FGDs) with 74 members of various African diaspora communities in London, the report finds that while online service usage has surged in some communities, a strong 'stickiness' to cash remains in others, often linked to the quality of digital payment infrastructure in the receive-country.

This executive summary evaluates progress toward Goal 10 of the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF), focusing on the relationship between forest governance and deforestation. It concludes that while some progress has been made in transparency and law enforcement, governance improvements are too slow to significantly reduce deforestation, with critical failures remaining in the recognition of indigenous rights and the prevalence of corruption.

This executive summary evaluates progress toward Goal 10 of the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF), which focuses on strengthening forest governance, transparency, and the rule of law while empowering indigenous peoples and local communities. The report finds that while some progress has been made in transparency and law enforcement, improvements are too slow to measurably reduce deforestation, and significant challenges remain regarding corruption, illegal logging, and the violation of land rights.

This executive summary evaluates progress toward Goal 10 of the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF), focusing on forest governance, the rule of law, and the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities. It concludes that while some progress has been made in transparency and law enforcement, improvements are too slow to quantifiably reduce deforestation, with significant gaps remaining in land rights and the protection of environmental defenders.

This policy brief evaluates progress toward Goal 10 of the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF), which focuses on improving forest governance, transparency, and the rule of law while empowering indigenous peoples and local communities. The report concludes that while some progress has been made in transparency and demand-side measures, governance improvements are too slow to effectively reduce deforestation, and violence against land defenders is increasing.

This executive summary evaluates progress toward Goal 10 of the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF), focusing on forest governance, the rule of law, and the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities. It concludes that while some progress has been made in transparency and international cooperation, governance improvements are too slow to measurably reduce deforestation, which continues at an alarming rate.

This report examines the intersection of gender and migration in South Africa, arguing that current migration policies are largely gender-neutral or geared toward men, which increases the vulnerability of women migrants. Through focus groups and interviews with mixed migrant women in the Western Cape, the study highlights the 'triple discrimination' of xenophobia, racism, and misogyny faced by African women migrants, and calls for rights-based, gender-sensitive policy reforms.

This document is a formal comment by groundWork submitted to the South African Department of Energy regarding the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2018. The author argues that the IRP 2018 fails to address the urgency of the climate crisis, underestimates the health and environmental costs of coal, and maintains an outdated energy model that prioritizes coal and gas over a rapid transition to renewables.