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This report identifies and ranks the supply-side market barriers that increase the cost and limit the access of formal remittance services in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). It analyzes the remittance value chain across the first, middle, and last miles, categorizing impediments into business case, regulatory, infrastructure, and consumer-related barriers. The study finds that SSA is the most expensive region globally for remittances, with an average cost of 9.4%, driven by a combination of rigid KYC requirements, a persistent preference for cash, and underdeveloped payment infrastructure.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies compares peacebuilding and inclusivity efforts in Liberia and South Sudan to provide practical recommendations for the United Nations and other international actors on sustaining peace.

This research paper examines the establishment and potential implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), signed on 21 March 2018. It analyzes the projected economic gains, the challenges posed by varying levels of national development, and the political and technical hurdles that may impede the creation of a continent-wide free trade area.

This policy brief evaluates the African Union's (AU) 2017 theme, 'Harnessing the Demographic Dividend Through Investments in Youth.' While acknowledging the existence of frameworks like the African Youth Charter and initiatives such as the YouthConnekt Africa Summit, the authors argue that significant gaps remain in the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of youth policies. The paper emphasizes that the AU lacks the power to enforce policies on member states, making the domestication of regional instruments into national law essential for meaningful youth empowerment and political inclusion.

This policy briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs evaluates the progress of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance eleven years after its inception. The author argues that while there are normative commitments to democratic consolidation, many African states remain trapped in an 'electoral fallacy' where regular elections occur but democratic governance is not entrenched across institutions. The document identifies internal and external pressures—including the rise of authoritarian models and the prioritization of counter-terrorism over democratic norms—that contribute to democratic deconsolidation.

This report from the Institute for Security Studies provides a retrospective of the African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC) for the term April 2016 to March 2018, analyzes the role of South Africa and Nigeria in continental initiatives like the AfCFTA, and features an interview with Morocco's Minister of Foreign Affairs regarding its entry into the PSC.

This report analyzes the effectiveness of peer learning and peer pressure within three Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives (MSIs): the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), the Open Government Partnership (OGP), and the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). It evaluates how these initiatives use mutual dialogue, best practices, and sanctions to improve governance, transparency, and accountability among member states.

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 briefing by the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the role of private-sector investment in climate change mitigation within Sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on UNFCCC-backed instruments and national policies to identify effective levers for mobilising finance to meet nationally determined contributions (NDCs).

This case study by the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) examines the application of user-led behavioral research to improve the effectiveness of development interventions. Using a study on mango value chains in Hola, Kenya, the document demonstrates how understanding the specific needs and behaviors of small-scale farmers can explain the failure of technology adoption and help design more targeted, cost-effective solutions.

This research paper analyzes the USD 18-36 trillion climate investment gap in developing countries and identifies key barriers to scaling finance, such as access to capital and investor skill gaps. It evaluates the roles of various public finance actors—including MDBs, bilateral DFIs, and National Development Banks—highlighting that while NDBs provide the largest flows, they often lack risk mitigation tools. The authors recommend that public actors adopt more flexible capital strategies, harmonize standards, and shift from project-specific finance to broader financial system development to better leverage private investment.

This research paper evaluates South Africa's foreign policy under President Jacob Zuma, contrasting his approach with that of his predecessors. It highlights a shift toward strategic partnerships with emerging powers, specifically China and the BRICS grouping, while noting a decline in domestic human rights adherence and strained relations with the West.

This document is a speech delivered by a representative of the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) regarding the domestic governance and economic priorities necessary to restore South Africa's international influence and internal stability.

In 2017, global green bond issuance grew by 78% to reach USD 155.5 billion, driven largely by the US, China, and France. The market saw a significant increase in sovereign and sub-sovereign issuance, including the first African sovereign green bond from Nigeria. While renewable energy remains the most common use of proceeds, there was a notable rise in allocations for low-carbon buildings and energy efficiency. The report highlights a trend toward the diversification of financial instruments, such as Green MBS and Green Sukuk, and an ongoing effort to unify regional green finance standards.

This 2018 report by the Climate Bonds Initiative and IFC provides a comprehensive guide for emerging markets to develop green bond markets. It emphasizes the necessity of national guidance to ensure market integrity and alignment with climate goals, while highlighting the success of China's regulatory approach and the innovation of green sukuk in Malaysia and Indonesia. The report introduces a 'Green Bond Market Development Toolkit' to help regulators move from nascent to robust markets through structured milestones and capacity building.

This report assesses progress toward Goal 4 of the New York Declaration on Forests, which focuses on supporting alternatives to deforestation driven by basic needs, such as subsistence farming and fuelwood collection. The document highlights a significant lack of aggregate global data to measure progress, relying instead on proxy indicators like the distribution of clean cookstoves and related financial funding.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies examines the practical application of 'sustaining peace' in Liberia and Sierra Leone. It analyzes the transitions from UN peacekeeping to peacebuilding, arguing that while both nations have shown resilience, UN transitions have often failed to address the root causes of conflict. The document provides recommendations for the UN and regional partners to enhance local ownership, capacity building, and economic diversification to ensure long-term stability.

This report details a civil society training workshop held on April 17-18, 2018, in Windhoek, Namibia. The event, part of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Sensitisation Project in Namibia (ASPIN), aimed to engage civil society in the Namibian APRM process. Organized by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) and the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), the workshop provided guidance on the APRM's structure, the importance of early civil society submissions, and lessons from other African nations.

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 provides a comprehensive overview of the legal and policy frameworks governing migration in Africa. It details the roles of the African Union (AU), various Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and partnerships with the European Union (EU) in managing refugees, internally displaced persons, labour migration, and the fight against human trafficking and smuggling.