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This report analyzes the relationship between Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives (MSIs) and the media, focusing on the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), the Open Government Partnership (OGP), and the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). It examines why these initiatives often fail to capture public attention and suggests strategies to move from mere transparency to actual government accountability.

This policy brief argues for the integration of marine and coastal Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) into national climate strategies, particularly for vulnerable island and coastal states. It highlights the protective value of ecosystems like mangroves and coral reefs, the current gap in their inclusion in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and the need for innovative financing models to scale up these nature-based solutions.

This FSD Africa briefing highlights the persistent gender gap in financial inclusion in sub-Saharan Africa and presents Savings Groups as a successful strategy for empowerment. These member-owned groups provide low-income women with access to savings, credit, and insurance, serving as a pathway to formal financial services. The FSD Network has invested over $28 million since 2008 to expand these groups across several African nations and is partnering with the SEEP Network to generate evidence on their impact on women's empowerment.

The African Borrowing Charter (2018), published by the African Forum and Network on Debt and Development (AFRODAD), is a policy framework designed to prevent unsustainable public debt accumulation in Africa. It establishes guiding principles for debt contraction, management, and transparency, while proposing a robust legal framework and a Fiscal Responsibility Act to ensure that borrowing supports inclusive development and protects future generations.

This executive summary from Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) analyzes finance commitments for electricity and clean cooking access in 20 high-impact developing countries, comparing the 2015-16 period to 2013-14. While electrification finance increased, it remains insufficient to meet 2030 goals, and clean cooking finance has declined. The report highlights a significant geographical imbalance, with Sub-Saharan Africa falling behind and a heavy reliance on a few Asian countries for total finance flows.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the African Union's (AU) use of mediation as a conflict-prevention tool. It analyzes the institutional gaps, the tension between formal and informal approaches, and the need for a more structured, long-term strategy to address the root causes of conflict in Africa.

This working paper by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) provides lessons on leveraging private sector finance for climate compatible development based on projects in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. It emphasizes the need for country-specific approaches, strong public sector leadership, and the use of innovative financial instruments to bridge the gap between commercial interests and climate goals.

This briefing by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the emergence of agricultural growth poles (agropoles) and corridors in Africa. It describes these as coordinated investments in infrastructure and industry designed to transition African agriculture from subsistence to commercial systems. The document outlines the operational challenges facing these projects, the necessity of robust legal frameworks to avoid creating 'enclaves', and a three-step model (vision, design, and implementation) for ensuring responsible and sustainable development.

This working paper by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) proposes a practical framework for implementing climate action in cities, particularly in developing countries. Based on an analysis of seven urban projects across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, the paper identifies five critical levers—power and leadership, communication and engagement, capacity building, financing implementation, and the demonstration effect—that practitioners can use to overcome barriers and embed climate compatibility into urban planning and investment.

This research paper by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) identifies five critical success factors for increasing the climate resilience of water infrastructure. Based on a review of six projects across Africa, South Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean, the paper argues that resilience requires moving beyond engineering design to include strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and institutional capacity building to avoid 'stranded assets' and protect economic growth.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines the governance of marine and coastal resources in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region. It advocates for the adoption of integrated spatial planning, ecosystem-based management, and inclusive, community-led conservation models to support a sustainable 'Blue Economy'. The author emphasizes that marine conservation must be integrated with socio-economic development agendas to ensure the resilience of biodiversity and the livelihoods of coastal populations.

This research paper analyzes the impact of commodity price trends, geopolitical shifts under the Trump administration, and the Fourth Industrial Revolution on investment and economic growth in African countries. It argues that while some commodity prices are recovering, African nations should pivot away from fossil fuels and nuclear energy toward minerals essential for renewable energy and digital technologies to avoid premature de-industrialization.

This fact sheet from the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) outlines the evolution of China-Africa relations, tracing them from historical ties to contemporary economic, diplomatic, and security partnerships. It highlights the role of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the shift in China's approach from 'non-interference' to active engagement in peace and security, while noting the impact of China's 'new normal' economic slowdown on bilateral trade and investment.

This research paper analyzes the impact of climate change on hydropower within the Zambezi River Basin and the Southern African Power Pool, focusing on electricity generation costs, greenhouse gas emissions, and the necessity for cooperative governance.

The Centre for Environmental Rights, acting for Earthlife Africa Johannesburg, submitted formal objections on 20 January 2017 to the Integrated Water Use Licence Application (IWULA) for the proposed 1200MW coal-fired Thabametsi power station near Lephalale, Limpopo. The submission argues that the application is fatally flawed due to outdated data, failure to account for climate change, risks to groundwater and wetlands, and a lack of guaranteed water availability for the project's 40-year lifespan.

The Centre for Environmental Rights, acting for Earthlife Africa Johannesburg, submitted formal objections on 20 January 2017 to the Integrated Water Use Licence Application (IWULA) for the proposed Thabametsi power station, a 1200MW coal-fired project near Lephalale, Limpopo. The objections argue that the application is legally flawed, relies on outdated data, fails to secure a sustainable water supply for the project's 40-year lifespan, and poses significant risks to groundwater and wetlands.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines climate adaptation readiness in Southern Africa by analyzing the region's response to the severe 2015/16 El Niño-induced drought. The author argues that while the El Niño cycle is a natural phenomenon, the resulting drought serves as a critical test of the region's institutional and policy capacity to handle severe environmental stress. The paper identifies significant gaps in national and regional response capacities, highlighting the need for a shift from reactive 'response' to proactive 'prevention' and the scaling of successful local and regional adaptation strategies.

This report by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) synthesises seven years of experience in promoting 'climate compatible development'—an approach that integrates climate mitigation and adaptation with poverty eradication and human development. The document provides a framework for mainstreaming climate concerns into national macroeconomic planning, sectoral policies, and local governance, while emphasizing the necessity of political leadership, cross-government coordination, and inclusive stakeholder engagement. It details the financial challenges of transitioning to a low-carbon economy, the role of 'knowledge brokers' in translating science for policy-makers, and the importance of gender-sensitive implementation to ensure equitable outcomes.

The December 2016 Peace & Security Council Report by the Institute for Security Studies evaluates the African Union's (AU) role in managing continental crises. It finds that the Peace and Security Council (PSC) often relied on regional bodies rather than leading interventions. Key issues discussed include the impact of land privatisation and climate change in Kenya's Kajiado County, the contested nature of several 2016 national elections, and the AU's efforts to promote women's rights despite a perceived failure to challenge dictatorial regimes. The report also details the funding struggles of AMISOM in Somalia and the diplomatic complexities surrounding Morocco's request to rejoin the AU.

This report by Friends of the Earth International examines the impacts of 'dirty energy'—including coal, oil, gas, nuclear, and mega-dams—across the African continent. It argues that these energy systems exacerbate climate change, cause severe health and environmental damage, and fail to provide universal energy access, while often benefiting corporate elites over local communities.