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This research paper examines the drivers and consequences of increased Eurobond issuance and sovereign credit ratings in Africa over the last decade, arguing that the 'big three' rating agencies exert significant influence over African debt costs while lacking accountability and local context.

This research paper examines the drivers and consequences of the increased issuance of Eurobonds and sovereign credit ratings in Africa. It argues that while Eurobonds were intended to reduce reliance on aid, the dominance of the 'big three' rating agencies—Moody's, Fitch, and Standard & Poor's—has often led to deteriorating credit ratings, higher borrowing costs, and constrained policy space for African governments, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This policy brief examines the challenges faced by developing countries and least-developed countries (LDCs) participating in the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) on electronic commerce. It highlights a significant digital divide in infrastructure and information, arguing that current negotiations focus too heavily on regulatory cooperation rather than the foundational capacity building and technical assistance required for these nations to implement future commitments and benefit from the digital economy.

The April 2022 Peace & Security Council Report examines the security crisis in Burkina Faso, the implementation of the African Union's (AU) youth, peace and security agenda, the appointment of the fifth Panel of the Wise, and Senegal's priorities as AU chair.

This policy brief by the Africa Policy Research Institute examines the evolving nature of sovereign debt in Africa, highlighting a shift from traditional multilateral creditors to private bondholders and emerging economies like China. It argues that current debt relief mechanisms are insufficient because they lack statutory, human rights-based frameworks and fail to compel the participation of private creditors, leaving African nations vulnerable to economic shocks like the COVID-19 pandemic.

This report by Cenfri and FSD Africa analyzes how insurance regulators across 31 sub-Saharan African countries responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. It proposes a four-phase regulatory response framework—Identify, Determine/Implement, Monitor, and Adapt—to help supervisors manage future systemic risks such as climate change and cyber-security threats.

This research paper by the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines the evolution of international land governance, focusing on the transition from top-down desertification efforts to the concept of Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN). It details the drivers of land degradation, the role of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), and the socio-economic barriers—such as land tenure and gender inequality—that hinder restoration efforts.

This policy brief by the Africa Policy Research Institute examines the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Africa, highlighting the tension between the continent's central role in the AI supply chain and the dominance of foreign technologies. It analyzes emerging national AI strategies in Egypt, Mauritius, and Rwanda, and discusses risks associated with biometric surveillance, precarious digital labor, and the limitations of adopting European regulatory frameworks like the GDPR and the EU AI Act.

This fact sheet, based on the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report, details the observed and projected impacts of climate change in West Africa. It highlights significant increases in temperature, extreme weather events, and sea-level rise, which threaten human health, food security, biodiversity, and economic stability. The document emphasizes the region's high vulnerability despite its low contribution to global emissions and calls for transformative adaptation and increased financial and research investment.

This factsheet summarizes the IPCC's Sixth Assessment Report for West Africa, detailing how the region is warming faster than the global average. It highlights severe risks to food security, human health (specifically heat-related mortality and diarrhoeal diseases), and biodiversity. The report emphasizes that while adaptation options like ecosystem-based solutions exist, they are severely hindered by a lack of finance and critical data gaps in climate research.

The FSD Africa Impact Report 2022 details the agency's efforts to transform financial markets in Africa, specifically through its 2021–2025 green strategy. The report highlights the mobilization of £1.9 billion in long-term capital for sectors like housing and energy, the issuance of pioneering gender bonds, and the development of climate-resilient financial infrastructure to address the continent's vulnerability to climate change and economic shocks.

The FSD Africa Impact Report (2022) is an executive summary detailing the organization's performance under a strategy revised in early 2021. It highlights efforts to transform African financial markets through green bonds, local currency bond funds, climate resilience ventures, and natural capital initiatives, while also reporting on gender inclusivity and COVID-19 response measures.

The COP27 Resilience Hub Synthesis Report outlines the outcomes and key messages from the Resilience Hub at COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh. The Hub serves as a physical and virtual space to mobilise ambition and investment for climate resilience, acting as the home for the UN-backed Race to Resilience campaign. The report synthesises findings across nine thematic areas and four regional hubs, emphasizing the need for locally-led adaptation, increased and diversified finance, and the integration of arts and culture into resilience strategies.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the challenges and opportunities for African nations in global climate change negotiations leading up to COP 27. It examines the structural weaknesses in African diplomacy, the complexities of balancing diverse national interests, and the influence of developed nations on climate policy and trade.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies examines the intersection of climate change and human security in Africa. It argues that climate change acts as a 'threat multiplier' that interacts with existing socio-economic and political vulnerabilities to drive instability. The document advocates for a shift in climate governance from a focus on emissions and environmental risk to a development-led investment approach that builds economic resilience and social stability.

This report chapter analyzes the growth of the lower-middle-income population in high-impact countries in 2022, highlighting the risks associated with their potential purchase of inefficient cooling devices and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on income levels.

This report section analyzes the increasing vulnerability of the urban poor to extreme heat across 54 high-impact countries in 2022, highlighting a rise in the population at high risk due to lack of access to cooling.

This report examines the critical role of sustainable cooling and electricity in health services, focusing on vaccine cold chains, the management of temperature-sensitive medical products, and the need for temperature regulation in hospitals and clinics to improve patient care and resilience against heat stress.

This report examines the critical role of sustainable cooling and cold chains in reducing global food loss, improving nutrition, and supporting agricultural economies, particularly in low-income and high-impact countries.

This report section analyzes the growth of the rural poor population lacking access to cooling across 54 high-impact countries in 2022, highlighting the role of the COVID-19 pandemic in increasing extreme poverty despite improvements in electricity access.