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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.

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 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 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 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 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 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.

The May 2023 Peace & Security Council Report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the African Union's (AU) responses to crises in Sudan and Chad, the slow adoption of structural vulnerability assessments, the complexities of the AU-EU partnership, and the challenges facing the 'Silencing the Guns' initiative.

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.

This policy brief provides a state-of-play analysis of the WTO Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) on Electronic Commerce as of December 2022. It examines the evolving global e-commerce governance landscape, including national regulatory trends and the rise of Digital Economy Agreements, while detailing the progress of JSI negotiations, the restructuring of the consolidated negotiating text, and the efforts to address the digital divide and development concerns.

This report provides a status update on the World Trade Organization (WTO) Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) on E-commerce as of December 2022. It analyzes the initiative's progress during its fifth year, contrasting it with broader trends in national, regional, and multilateral digital governance. The report highlights a shift toward a potentially less ambitious agreement for the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13), focusing on resolved trade facilitation issues while deferring controversial market access and data flow topics.

This report provides a status update on the WTO Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) on e-commerce as of December 2022. It analyzes the evolving landscape of digital trade governance at national, regional, and multilateral levels, noting a trend toward more flexible regional Digital Economy Agreements (DEAs) and an increased focus on the digital divide within the WTO's broader Work Programme. The author suggests that the JSI is likely moving toward a less ambitious agreement focusing on minor facilitation points to ensure a conclusion by the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13).

The 2023 CleanAir NDC Scorecard by the Global Climate and Health Alliance analyzes 170 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to assess how governments integrate air quality and health considerations into their climate plans. The report finds that while most NDCs mention air quality, there is a significant gap in quantifying health impacts and establishing forward-looking targets, with low- and middle-income countries generally showing higher levels of integration than high-income nations.

This report examines the state of global forest governance, highlighting the critical link between strong legal frameworks and the ability to curb deforestation. It evaluates progress across protected areas, national policy reforms, industrial logging practices in developed nations, trade regulations, and the legal recognition of Indigenous Peoples' and local communities' land rights.

The 'Cadre d´orientation des politiques minières de l'IGF' is a comprehensive guide published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in 2023. It provides a policy framework for the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF) to support its 80 member countries in implementing sustainable mining laws and regulations. The guide is structured around six pillars: laws and institutions, financial benefits, socio-economic benefits, environmental management, mine closure transition, and artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM).

The November 2022 Peace & Security Council Report by the Institute for Security Studies examines political instability in Tunisia, counter-terrorism strategies in the Sahel, and the security risks posed by acute food insecurity across Africa.

This briefing by the Stockholm Environment Institute argues that multilateral adaptation finance largely treats climate risk as a local phenomenon, failing to address transboundary and 'teleconnected' risks that cross borders through trade, financial flows, and shared ecosystems. The authors propose a shift toward 'systemic resilience'—interventions focusing on whole systems rather than individual countries—to deliver shared benefits for both recipient and contributor nations.

The 2022 Forest Declaration Assessment evaluates global progress toward the 2030 goals of halting deforestation and restoring 350 million hectares of degraded land. The report concludes that no global indicator is currently on track to meet these targets, noting that while some regional progress exists, radical transformations in finance, governance, and production are required to shift the global forest trajectory.

The October 2022 Executive Summary of the Forest Declaration Assessment evaluates global progress toward the 2030 goals of ending natural forest loss and degradation and restoring 350 million hectares of degraded forest land. The report concludes that no global indicator is currently on track to meet these targets, highlighting significant gaps in financing, corporate accountability, and governance.