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This research paper by the International Institute for Sustainable Development analyzes the role of the UNFCCC in addressing fossil fuel subsidies, specifically focusing on opportunities at COP 28 and beyond. It highlights the gap between government rhetoric and the record USD 1.3 trillion in subsidies provided in 2022, arguing that the UNFCCC can strengthen global commitments through clear deadlines, improved transparency in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and integration into climate finance discussions.

This briefing note by the Institute for Security Studies examines the outlook for natural gas in Africa up to 2043, highlighting the tension between significant proven reserves and a global market facing slowing demand and potential supply gluts.

This briefing note outlines the current state and future prospects of nuclear energy in Africa, detailing existing infrastructure in South Africa, ongoing construction in Egypt, and the exploratory interests of other nations.

This scoping report by the Africa Policy Research Institute examines the intersection of green technology and youth employment in Africa. It identifies a significant gap between the potential for job creation in green technology and the current design of major funding programmes, while highlighting opportunities in ICTs, indigenous knowledge, and local manufacturing.

This report by Zero Carbon Analytics examines the role of smallholder farmers in global food security, their productivity, and their adoption of sustainable agricultural practices. It highlights that small-scale farms, particularly those between two and five hectares, produce a significant portion of the world's food and often exhibit higher land productivity and biodiversity than larger farms. The document emphasizes the importance of integrating smallholders into modern agrifood supply chains and providing financial resources to scale climate-smart agricultural practices, especially in Africa.

This research paper by FSD Africa analyzes the integration of gender strategies within the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of 31 African countries. Using the IUCN's Environment and Gender Information (EGI) framework, the study finds that while most African NDCs mention gender, there is a significant lack of gender analysis, sex-disaggregated data, and gender-responsive budgeting. The paper highlights a disconnect between the mobilization of climate finance and gender intentionality, noting that countries with high funding levels often fail to prioritize gender-responsive budgets.

This fact sheet from the Institute for Economic Justice argues that a Guaranteed Universal Basic Income (UBIG) empowers individuals to build sustainable livelihoods and stimulates local economic growth through investment and a multiplier effect on consumption.

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.

The November 2023 Peace & Security Council Report examines the diplomatic implications of the first Saudi-Africa summit, the coordination between the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) and the UN Security Council's A3 members, the precarious state of South Sudan's transition toward elections, and the AU's efforts to integrate youth into peacebuilding and economic integration via AfCFTA.

This briefing note provides guidance for finance ministers of debtor countries participating in the Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable (GSDR). It argues for the establishment of guiding principles for domestic debt restructuring (DDR) to ensure that long-term economic growth and poverty reduction are prioritized and that the burden of adjustment is shared fairly between domestic and foreign creditors.

This policy brief by the African Center for Economic Transformation examines the challenges of youth unemployment in Africa and evaluates school-to-work transition programs. It highlights a systemic trade-off between the scale and quality of these initiatives, noting that large-scale programs often lack relevant training, while high-quality programs fail to reach a significant portion of the youth population.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the intersection of violent extremism and illicit economies in northern Côte d’Ivoire between 2019 and 2023. It specifically analyzes how extremist groups, including those linked to GSIM and IS Sahel, have infiltrated the livestock economy and illegal artisanal gold mining to secure funding, logistics, and human resources. The document details a three-phase security sequence in the north-east, moving from exploratory incursions to active attacks and a subsequent lull, while providing policy recommendations for regulating the mining and livestock sectors to deprive these groups of resources.

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 research paper examines illicit financial flows (IFFs) stemming from migrant smuggling in Senegal and Sierra Leone. It analyzes how smuggling proceeds are generated, moved through formal and informal channels, and laundered into legitimate sectors. The report highlights a significant gap between the existence of anti-money laundering policies and their practical implementation, noting that financial intelligence units in both countries lack the resources and expertise to effectively 'follow the money' in smuggling cases.

This policy brief examines illicit financial flows (IFFs) resulting from migrant smuggling in Senegal and Sierra Leone. It identifies a significant gap between the existence of anti-money laundering laws and the actual investigation of smuggling proceeds, which are primarily moved through cash and informal channels. The document highlights institutional weaknesses, including underfunded financial intelligence units and corruption, and provides recommendations to prioritize 'follow the money' approaches to disrupt smuggling networks.

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs outlines the systemic challenges facing food production in Africa and proposes specific interventions for the G20 to help the continent avoid missing the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030 and AU Agenda 2063 targets.

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 report by the Institute for Security Studies examines how violent extremist groups, specifically JNIM and ISGS, exploit illicit activities in northern Benin to secure financial, logistical, and human resources. It documents established links to fuel smuggling, illegal hunting, and drug trafficking, while identifying emerging risks associated with artisanal gold mining and arms trafficking.

This research paper examines the illicit proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALW) in the West African Sahel, focusing on Burkina Faso, Niger, and Nigeria. It identifies specific tri-border 'nodes' that facilitate trafficking and analyzes the socio-economic and security drivers, key actors, and the impact of these flows on regional stability and local economies.