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This research paper by the Africa Policy Research Institute critically examines the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), arguing that its perceived success in promoting democracy was based on a narrow focus on elections while ignoring broader governance failures. The author contends that ECOWAS's tendency to defer to the interests of heads of state has led to a loss of legitimacy among citizens, contributing to a wave of coups since 2020 and the subsequent formation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).

This research paper examines the implementation, achievements, and challenges of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) free movement protocols. It analyzes the impact of geopolitical fragmentation, security threats, and protectionist policies on regional integration, while discussing the implications of the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to form the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).

This research paper argues for the creation of a region-wide vaccine certification and verification system within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). It proposes linking digital health passports to foundational digital IDs to prevent the border closures and economic disruptions seen during the Ebola epidemic and COVID-19 pandemic, drawing on successful models from the EU and ASEAN.

This research paper argues that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) must align its pursuit of economic structural transformation with economic sovereignty to regain credibility among its citizens. It highlights the region's potential to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) in critical minerals and renewable energy while warning that overdependence on external funding and fragmented infrastructure hinder sustainable growth.

This research paper examines the strategic coordination between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU) within the context of shifting global peacekeeping dynamics and the drawdown of United Nations (UN) operations in West Africa. It argues for a formalised division of labour and stronger alignment between the regional and continental bodies to improve the effectiveness of African-led peace operations and secure sustainable UN funding.

This research paper analyzes the evolution of Nigeria's climate policy and governance, highlighting a persistent struggle with institutional fragmentation and the misalignment of petroleum policies with climate goals. It examines the transition through four 'policy moments,' the impact of International Oil Company (IOC) divestments, and the recent centralization of climate authority under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu through the creation of the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy on Climate (OSPEC) and the Presidential Climate Action Committee (PCAC).

This research paper analyzes Nigeria's climate policy and diplomacy, arguing that while the country has established a comprehensive policy architecture, its effectiveness is severely hampered by institutional fragmentation, inter-ministerial competition, and a lack of elite consensus. The author examines the shift toward centralized governance under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the challenges of aligning domestic petroleum interests with global energy transition goals.

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 research paper analyzes the resurgence of 'resources-for-security' deals in Africa, driven by the global demand for critical raw materials (CRMs) for green energy and military technology. It contrasts three primary models: Russia's use of private military companies (PMCs) for mining rights, the US's transactional 'peace-brokering' approach to secure supply chains, and China's 'infrastructure-for-resources' strategy via the Belt and Road Initiative. The paper argues that while these deals offer short-term security or development gains, they often reinforce dependency and authoritarianism, mirroring colonial and Cold War extractive patterns.

RMI and UNDP have launched a Climate Risk and Resilience Toolkit to help developers integrate climate adaptation into the life cycle of rural African minigrids. The toolkit provides a five-step framework to mitigate risks from hazards like flooding and extreme heat, which otherwise threaten both energy infrastructure and the livelihoods of rural populations. While resilience measures increase costs—often passed to consumers via higher tariffs—they are presented as essential for maintaining critical services and supporting climate-smart agriculture.

This research paper examines Turkey's strategic efforts to secure critical raw materials (CRMs) in Africa to support its domestic industrial goals in defence, electric vehicles, and renewables. It analyzes Turkey's diverse engagement modalities—ranging from direct extraction to integrated industrial hubs and security-linked partnerships—and proposes a trilateral cooperation framework involving the European Union (EU) and African nations to align standards and enhance supply chain resilience.

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.

This position paper by the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) and Schneider Electric advocates for gender equality in the renewable energy (RE) sector to accelerate universal energy access by 2030. It argues that women are essential agents of change who reinvest a higher portion of their income into community services than men. The document provides specific recommendations for RE companies, funding partners, and investors to implement gender-sensitive approaches, alongside case studies from India and the Sahel region demonstrating the socio-economic impact of empowering women entrepreneurs and leaders in the energy transition.

An address by Dirco Deputy Minister Alvin Botes detailing South Africa's strategic foreign policy approach amidst a shifting geopolitical landscape. The speech emphasizes non-alignment, the role of multilateralism through BRICS+ and the G20, and the necessity of addressing regional security and climate change to protect national interests.

The March 2025 Peace & Security Council Report analyzes critical instability in South Sudan and Sudan, the African Union's (AU) struggles to manage post-coup transitions in several member states, and the shortcomings of AU election observer missions in 2024. It calls for the Peace and Security Council (PSC) to adopt more risk-based, high-level engagement strategies and improve internal coordination to prevent the fragmentation of states and the entrenchment of military juntas.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs analyzes UN voting patterns on Ukraine as of February 2025. It highlights a divergence between European demands for Russian accountability and the Trump administration's shift toward de-escalation, alongside a more strategic, pragmatic approach by Global South nations seeking diplomatic mediation over binary confrontation.

This research paper by Jakkie Cilliers, commissioned by the Netherlands Scientific Council for Government Policy (wrr), examines the potential for Africa to achieve a demographic dividend. It analyzes the stages of demographic transition, the role of urbanization, and the specific conditions—such as health, education, and governance—required to convert a youthful population structure into economic growth. The paper models an ambitious 'Demographics and Health' scenario to demonstrate how accelerated improvements in fertility and mortality could enhance Africa's development trajectory and its relationship with Europe.

This seminar report, co-hosted by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) and the UN Office of the Special Adviser on Africa (UNOSAA) on 27 September 2024, examines the implications of the UN's Pact for the Future for Africa. The document discusses the alignment of the Pact with Africa's Agenda 2063, the need for reforming international financial institutions, and the shift toward a more political, rather than military-centric, approach to peace and support operations (PSOs) on the continent.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies and the Global Public Policy Institute argues that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is facing a profound legitimacy crisis following the January 2025 withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. The authors contend that to survive and restore stability, ECOWAS must move beyond its original economic mandate and the current intergovernmental status quo toward deeper political integration and supranationalism.

This policy brief examines how African youth are utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies to decentralize peacebuilding, shift early warning systems toward data-driven analysis, and challenge traditional conflict narratives. While youth act as key knowledge creators, the document warns that digital divides, gender gaps, and underdeveloped policy frameworks risk marginalizing these contributions and reinforcing existing power hierarchies.