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This research paper examines Russia's diplomatic, economic, and security relations with Southern African nations, particularly since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. It argues that while Russia leverages historical liberation-era ties and anti-Western rhetoric to maintain influence, its impact is severely limited by economic weakness, international sanctions, and a reliance on symbolic gestures over tangible developmental gains.

The February 2026 Peace & Security Council Report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the declining influence of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), the gap between AU normative frameworks and electoral realities, the limited impact of informal consultations on post-coup transitions, and the critical economic necessity of improving water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH) infrastructure across Africa.

The ARE Energy Access Investment Forum (EAIF) 2026, held in Nairobi, Kenya, from 21 to 24 April 2026, served as a platform for advancing renewable electrification. The event brought together 1,400 participants, including 215 investors, to discuss funding landscapes, green mini-grids, grid modernisation, and productive uses of energy. Key outcomes included the launch of a USD 25 million project preparation facility by COMESA and the rebranding of ARE to the Alliance for Renewable Electrification.

The report identifies 30 international financial mechanisms mobilizing US$ 25.9 billion for tropical forests, though this remains far below the US$ 66.8 billion annual requirement estimated by UNEP. Financing is concentrated in conservation and is heavily skewed toward a few countries like Brazil and Guyana. While REDD+ mechanisms provide over half of the identified funding, there is a significant gap in the actual disbursement of planned funds, particularly from private and blended sources.

The report identifies 30 international financial mechanisms mobilizing US$ 25.9 billion for tropical forests, though this is far below the US$ 66.8 billion annual need estimated by UNEP for 2030. While Brazil and Guyana have high access to these funds, many high-potential countries remain underserved. Financing is dominated by credit, grants, and results-based payments (especially JREDD+), with a strong current focus on conservation over restoration and deforestation reduction.

This policy brief by the Africa Policy Research Institute examines how the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) can be leveraged to combat youth unemployment by promoting greentech and Indigenous environmental practices. It argues that shifting from importing green goods to local manufacturing and trading within Africa can create millions of sustainable jobs, particularly in renewable energy, while integrating traditional knowledge to ensure inclusive development.

This technical guide, produced by the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) with support from ADEME, provides a reference for designing and installing solar photovoltaic (PV) power systems for healthcare facilities in rural sub-Saharan Africa.

This research paper examines the potential for trilateral cooperation between the European Union (EU), China, and African nations within critical raw material (CRM) supply chains. It argues that while the EU seeks to reduce its dependence on China, the deep integration of Chinese firms in midstream and downstream processing, combined with African demands for local value addition, makes a cooperative approach more viable than immediate decoupling. The author proposes a specific model for trilateral cooperation in the Democratic Republic of Congo's cobalt sector to balance the strategic interests of all three parties.

The report by the Africa Policy Research Institute (APRI) analyzes the landscape of bilateral and multilateral agreements between African states and global powers to secure critical minerals essential for the green energy and digital transitions. It examines the strategies of twelve key actors—including China, Russia, the EU, and the US—highlighting a trend toward resource diplomacy driven by national security concerns and the need to diversify supply chains away from dominant suppliers.

This research paper by Kholofelo Kugler and Tani Washington analyzes the impact of the Trump administration's 2025 tariff policies on African nations. It details the structure of the new tariffs, the specific vulnerabilities of countries like Lesotho and Madagascar, the potential advantages for Egypt and Kenya, and the precarious future of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

This research paper by Jane Nalunga and Jonathan Lubega analyzes agricultural subsidies in Uganda, examining their impact on the economy, livelihoods, and the environment. While initiatives like NAADS and insurance subsidies have increased production and protected some farmers, the authors argue that subsidies are often poorly managed, underfunded, and biased toward large-scale operators, while contributing to environmental degradation through the promotion of agrochemicals and monoculture.

This research paper, authored by Marco V. Sánchez of the FAO and published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development, argues that low-income and lower-middle-income countries, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, can achieve significant gains in food security and economic growth by optimizing their existing public spending on agriculture rather than relying solely on budget increases.

This special edition of the Peace & Security Council Report focuses on the 2025 African Union (AU) senior leadership election process, detailing the procedural rules, the candidates for the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson positions, and the institutional challenges facing the incoming leadership.

This report examines gender-equitable participation in climate adaptation decision-making, analyzing barriers and enablers across global and national scales with a specific focus on women. It utilizes secondary data from Vietnam, Ecuador, Madagascar, and India, and employs the Gender at Work Framework to propose interventions and recommendations for policy actors, CSOs, and international agencies.

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.

This research paper by Facundo Calvo analyzes the agriculture negotiations for the WTO's 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13), arguing that success depends on moving beyond non-binding declarations toward binding commitments. The author focuses on the potential for an exemption from export restrictions for least developed countries (LDCs) and the deep divisions among WTO members regarding domestic support and public stockholding.

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.

The Natural Justice Strategy 2024-2028 outlines a pan-African approach to securing social and environmental justice through the legal empowerment of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. The organization focuses on strategic litigation, policy influencing, and the protection of traditional knowledge to combat the impacts of the climate crisis and harmful extractive projects.

This report, based on the 2023 Energy Access Investment Forum (EAIF), outlines the potential and challenges of green mini-grids in sub-Saharan Africa. It emphasizes the need for patient growth capital, improved regulatory frameworks, and the integration of productive uses of energy to ensure the commercial viability and sustainability of distributed renewable energy (DRE) solutions.

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.