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This research paper examines the potential for triangular cooperation between the European Union (EU), Indonesia, and African nations in the critical raw materials (CRM) sector. It argues that while the EU and Indonesia currently employ different partnership models in Africa—the EU focusing on supply chain integration and ESG standards, and Indonesia focusing on downstream industrialisation and South-South cooperation—these differences are complementary. The authors propose a framework where EU financial instruments and ESG expertise combine with Indonesia's technical experience in mineral processing to support African goals of local value addition and industrialisation, thereby reducing all parties' dependence on China.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) analyzes the dispute settlement function within national investment laws, based on a review of 167 laws. It examines the prevalence of adjudicative mechanisms like national courts and arbitration, as well as non-adjudicative options such as administrative review and amicable settlement. The report warns against the risks of 'advance consent' to international arbitration and provides a framework for policy-makers to assess and reform their national investment laws to minimize legal and financial risks.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) analyzes the dispute settlement functions within 167 national investment laws. It examines the prevalence of various mechanisms—including national courts, arbitration, administrative review, and amicable settlements—and provides a framework for policymakers to design or reform these laws to minimize legal and financial risks, specifically warning against the inclusion of prior consent to international arbitration.

The April 2026 Peace & Security Council Report examines key African Union (AU) initiatives, including a UN resolution on slavery reparations, the integration of governance intelligence into security actions via the APRM-PSC interface, the precarious stability of South Sudan ahead of 2026 elections, and a review of Angola's tenure as AU chair.

This report evaluates the state of industrialisation in Africa, analyzing the causes of stagnation and premature deindustrialisation while modeling a 'Manufacturing scenario' to forecast the potential economic benefits of scaled-up investment in the sector by 2043.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes trends in stability and armed conflict in Africa, highlighting the role of state-based violence, organized crime, and rapid urbanization in driving fatality rates.

This report outlines the 'Combined scenario' for Africa's economic structural transformation toward 2043, focusing on the shift from low-productivity to high-productivity sectors. It details the projected roles of manufacturing, services, agriculture, and ICT, while emphasizing the necessity of urban resilience and regional trade integration via AfCFTA to achieve a diversified, knowledge-based economy.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the state of the manufacturing sector across Africa, highlighting a trend of premature deindustrialization and the varying levels of industrialization across different income groups. It examines the role of Chinese investment in the continent's industrial landscape and the challenges African nations face in moving from raw material exports to high-value manufacturing.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the historical shift in African development strategies from the state-led goals of the 1980 Lagos Plan of Action to the market-driven Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAPs) imposed by the World Bank and IMF. It analyzes how these competing frameworks, alongside Cold War proxy conflicts and debt crises, contributed to a period of economic decline and decreased per capita income between 1980 and 1994.

This research paper analyzes projections for Africa's fossil fuel carbon emissions up to 2063, comparing a 'Current Path' with a 'Combined scenario' that incorporates ambitious development improvements. It identifies a small number of key countries whose energy policies will determine the continent's overall contribution to global emissions.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the projected economic and social impacts of a 'Manufacturing scenario' for Africa between 2023 and 2043. The scenario forecasts that a strategic push toward industrialization will drive structural economic transformation, increase GDP, generate millions of jobs, and reduce extreme poverty and income inequality across the continent.

This research paper analyzes the economic trajectory of Africa on its 'Current Path' through 2043, highlighting a growing divergence in GDP per capita between Africa and the rest of the world despite an increase in the absolute size of the African economy.

This methodology brief by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) details a four-pathway framework for tracking capital mobilization resulting from its support of innovative climate finance vehicles. The approach distinguishes between direct mobilization (capital flowing to vehicles) and indirect mobilization (capital flowing to end investees), aiming to provide a comprehensive view of how upstream technical assistance and grants catalyze downstream investment in climate mitigation and adaptation within emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs).

The March 2026 Peace & Security Council Report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the outcomes of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit, the composition and normative challenges of the Peace and Security Council (PSC), and the adoption of a new memorandum of understanding to coordinate the Africa Standby Force (ASF).

This research paper examines Russia's diplomatic, economic, and security relations with Southern African nations, particularly since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. It argues that while Russia leverages historical liberation-era ties and anti-Western rhetoric to maintain influence, its impact is severely limited by economic weakness, international sanctions, and a reliance on symbolic gestures over tangible developmental gains.

This briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) outlines five critical themes and questions the organization will monitor during the 2026 Investing in Africa Mining Indaba in Cape Town. The document focuses on the intersection of geopolitics, industrialization, infrastructure, regional cooperation, and the role of civil society in Africa's mineral sector.

The February 2026 Peace & Security Council Report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the declining influence of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), the gap between AU normative frameworks and electoral realities, the limited impact of informal consultations on post-coup transitions, and the critical economic necessity of improving water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH) infrastructure across Africa.

This guide by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) provides a framework for climate finance practitioners to manage physical climate risks and design investments that enhance climate resilience. It outlines a three-goal process: assessing and managing climate risk to meet international standards, defining a clear adaptation investment thesis to secure funding, and designing impact measurement strategies to track resilience outcomes.

This landscape study by FSD Africa provides a comprehensive assessment of the asset management industry and pension systems across 54 African countries. It identifies a general trend of conservative investment strategies, uneven regulatory oversight, and significant gaps in coverage for informal workers and women. The report recommends a shift toward risk-based supervision, the expansion of micro-pensions, and the development of national ESG taxonomies to mobilize domestic capital for sustainable economic growth.

The African Climate Foundation and Dalberg developed the NDC Investment Planner (NIP) to help African governments translate Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) from broad policy frameworks into bankable project pipelines. The NIP provides a structured, three-stage process—Identify, Evaluate, and Select and Act—to align climate ambition with investment logic and economic transformation goals.