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This report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the role of mobile technology and broadband in Africa's technological leapfrogging. It details the shift from fixed-line to mobile networks, the impact of mobile broadband on poverty reduction, and the emergence of satellite internet solutions to bridge connectivity gaps in remote areas.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the economic and social impacts of a 'Large Infrastructure and Leapfrogging' scenario for Africa through 2050, comparing it against a 'Current Path' baseline.

This research paper examines how technological leapfrogging, specifically through digital ID systems and mobile payment platforms, can facilitate the incremental formalisation of Africa's large informal economy to increase productivity and domestic revenue mobilisation.

A statement by Natural Justice arguing that African nations must accelerate their transition to sovereign renewable energy systems to avoid the economic instability and foreign control caused by global conflicts and fossil fuel dependency.

This research paper concludes that Africa's labour force growth is projected to outpace job creation, potentially leading to increased dependence on the informal sector, social instability, and irregular migration. It emphasizes the need for digitisation, investment in infrastructure, and a shift toward entrepreneurship and vocational training to harness the potential of the continent's youth and the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

This report by FSD Africa argues that domestic capital market development is essential for African economies to mobilize long-term finance for climate adaptation, infrastructure, and demographic shifts, especially as bilateral aid and foreign direct investment decline. It suggests that while public equity markets are often prioritized, they are frequently impractical for smaller or frontier markets due to high costs and information asymmetries. Instead, the report advocates for a focus on strengthening the savings base through pension reforms and macro-financial stability, developing corporate bond markets, and utilizing hybrid public-private structures, guarantees, and pooled investment vehicles to channel institutional capital into infrastructure, housing, and MSMEs.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the relationship between India and Africa, arguing that while India possesses significant comparative advantages based on historical ties and shared developmental goals, there is a persistent gap between its strategic rhetoric and material outcomes. The author identifies structural constraints—including limited fiscal headroom, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and reputational risks—that have caused India to lag behind other global powers like China. The report recommends a coherent Africa strategy focused on low-cost, high-impact initiatives in health, education, and digital finance, utilizing 'anchor states' such as South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and Egypt to scale interventions.

This policy brief examines how the methodologies of major private credit rating agencies (CRAs) negatively impact African development by inflating risk premiums and increasing the cost of capital. It argues that these agencies operate as an oligopoly with subjective, biased methodologies that ignore social indicators and long-term development. To counter this, the document discusses the establishment of the Africa Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA) and proposes broader reforms to the international financial architecture, including the creation of a global fiscal body and improved domestic fiscal transparency and debt management in African nations.

This briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the collapse of multilateralism in the Sahel, focusing on how military coups in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have led to the formation of the Alliance des États du Sahel (AES) and a strategic pivot away from Western-led institutions toward partners like Russia and China.

This briefing by the Institute for Security Studies argues that the election of Romuald Wadagni as president of Benin on 12 April 2026 provides a strategic opportunity to reset diplomatic relations with Niger and reduce regional tensions. The authors suggest that the African Union (AU), specifically through the AU Mission for Mali and the Sahel, is best positioned to facilitate this dialogue to address security and economic liabilities resulting from the current impasse.

The global electricity sector has transitioned from fossil-fuelled growth to clean growth, with clean power meeting all global demand growth in 2025. This shift is driven largely by the plateauing of fossil generation in China and the rapid scale-up of solar and wind power. Battery storage is now emerging as a critical technology to displace fossil fuels during non-daylight hours, particularly in high-solar regions.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the historical structural challenges of African agriculture and models an 'Agriculture scenario' to demonstrate how a transition toward high-productivity, technology-driven farming could reduce food insecurity and poverty by 2043.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies examines gender discrimination within the family sphere in Africa, focusing on child marriage, the unequal distribution of unpaid care and domestic work, and disparities in divorce and inheritance rights.

This report analyzes the projected impacts of a specific 'Agriculture scenario' for Africa by 2043, comparing it against a 'Current Path' forecast. The scenario envisions a significant increase in agricultural production, reduced food import dependence, and substantial poverty reduction, though it notes that these gains depend on technological adoption and climate factors.

This research paper analyzes the potential economic and social impacts of reducing gender gaps in education and labor force participation across Africa by 2043. It compares a 'Gender scenario' against a 'Current Path' forecast, finding that aggressive reductions in gender inequality would significantly increase GDP, raise GDP per capita, reduce extreme poverty, and improve child health and human development indices across the continent.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the potential economic impact of achieving full gender parity in Africa by 2043. It compares a 'Gender Equality scenario' against a 'Current Path' and a 'Gender scenario', focusing on GDP growth, per capita income, and poverty reduction across different African regions and income levels.

This research paper presents an 'Agriculture scenario' for Africa, modeling the potential impact of an agricultural revolution through eight specific interventions using the IFs forecasting platform. The scenario aims to address low productivity, climate vulnerability, and food insecurity to stimulate rural economic transformation and diversification.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies examines agricultural reforms in China, Brazil, and Egypt to identify potential lessons for improving productivity and food security in Africa.

The Climate Litigation Lab report summarizes discussions from a 2025 event in Magaliesburg, South Africa, focusing on Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) and the legal challenges facing environmental defenders in Africa.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies outlines a proposed 'Energy Policy scenario' for Africa to transition toward a low-emissions energy future. It analyzes the gap between current fossil fuel production and climate targets, the potential for scaling renewables and nuclear energy, and the role of energy efficiency in reducing total demand.