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The document examines decentralisation across five Eastern African countries, highlighting a recurring gap between formal policy and actual practice. While Rwanda is noted for significant achievements in inclusion and service delivery through strong political commitment, other countries like Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, and Uganda struggle with elite capture, central government interference, and financial constraints. The report argues that decentralisation often serves as a tool for political control or patronage rather than genuine local empowerment, and recommends deepening participatory democracy and strengthening the capacity of local leaders.

Good Governance Africa calls on the re-elected ANC leadership to move beyond internal divisions and address critical national challenges, specifically the energy crisis and the need for stable coalition governance ahead of the 2024 elections.

The report investigates the management of urban flooding in selected cities in Ghana, specifically focusing on the Greater Accra and Greater Kumasi areas. It examines the extent to which Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) prioritize green infrastructure and engage residents in flood-prone communities to enhance city resilience. While local authorities generally recognize the importance of green spaces for flood control, the study finds that many residents do not prioritize green spaces on their own properties due to concerns about waste dumping, crime, and economic pressure to build shops. However, there is a strong overall willingness among residents to participate in decision-making processes if they trust the governance system and see their input implemented.

Good Governance Africa evaluates COP27, noting the establishment of a fund for vulnerable developing countries as a major achievement but criticizing the lack of accountability from the Global North. The statement highlights that Africa is disproportionately affected by climate change despite contributing only 4% of global emissions. It identifies critical gaps in adaptation finance, noting that the $100 billion pledge remains unmet and that $300 billion is needed by 2030. The document also critiques African disunity over the role of gas in energy transitions, poor local governance in disaster management, and the failure of oil-wealthy nations like Nigeria and Angola to achieve sustainable development due to corruption.

This briefing by Good Governance Africa outlines the economic challenges facing Zambia's mining sector and recommends a profit-based Mineral Royalty Tax (MRT) framework to attract investment and increase copper production for the global energy transition.

Zambia is positioned to benefit from the global demand for copper and cobalt driven by the energy transition, but faces challenges from a history of unstable mining taxes and poor relations with investors. The briefing recommends adopting a profit-based Mineral Royalty Tax (MRT) to encourage capital investment and exploration, particularly as ore grades decline and underground mining costs rise. It also calls for clarifying the role of Zambian Consolidated Copper Mines Investment Holdings (ZCCM-IH) and resolving disputes with companies like Vedanta Resources to restore investor confidence.

The 2022 Lesotho National Assembly Elections saw a record 65 political parties contest, a trend driven by the 'politics of the stomach' and low registration thresholds. Despite the high number of parties, manifestos were largely identical, focusing on unemployment and corruption without providing specific mechanisms for improvement. While international observers commended the peaceful voting process, the document highlights risks of post-election destabilization due to incomplete constitutional reforms, a problematic voters' roll, and the influence of Famo Music Groups. The elections resulted in a coalition government led by the RFP, AD, and MEC, though voter turnout dropped to a historic low of 37.71%.

The Russia-Ukraine war has worsened systemic weaknesses in the international food system, disproportionately affecting African countries due to their high reliance on food, fuel, and fertiliser imports from Russia and Ukraine. This vulnerability is compounded by climate-induced weather events, internal conflicts, and structural infrastructure deficits. The report highlights that food price shocks have already triggered protests in countries like Uganda, Malawi, Senegal, and Sudan. To mitigate these risks, the authors recommend that private companies support the diversification of food sources and local agribusiness capacity, while African governments should reduce regulation and leverage regional integration platforms like the AfCFTA.

The Government of Ghana formally requested an IMF bailout on July 1, 2022, to address macroeconomic instability and debt sustainability. This decision follows a period of high inflation, significant depreciation of the Ghana cedi, and rising public debt, which the government attributes partly to COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war. The move is contentious due to the current administration's previous commitment to 'home-grown' policies and the 'Ghana Beyond Aid' agenda, as well as public fear of restrictive IMF conditionalities such as public sector employment freezes.

The analysis concludes that South Africa's 4IR strategy is uniquely home-grown and driven by socioeconomic development, although it shares commonalities with the US and China regarding the central role of government and a focus on cybersecurity. While South Africa consulted US organizations like Amazon and Cisco during its strategy formulation, it does not lean excessively toward either superpower, nor was it significantly influenced by the US-China trade war. A key distinction is that South Africa's approach is open-ended and developmental, whereas the US and China are more competitive, security-minded, and focused on a 2025 target date.

The report examines how COP26 outcomes, such as pledges to end deforestation and phase out fossil fuel vehicles, drive demand for critical minerals in Africa. It emphasizes that while the energy transition offers economic opportunities, mining companies must adopt ESG frameworks and UN Sustainable Development Goals to ensure a 'just decarbonisation process' and avoid community conflict. The document highlights the challenge of scope 3 emissions and recommends that African governments create incentive platforms for decarbonisation.

The document argues that South Africa's environmental governance of mining is hindered by a "perilous lack of clarity" resulting from an unsynchronised transition to the 'One Environmental System'. This legislative obscurity is exemplified by the legal dispute over whether Shell's 2014 exploration right required a NEMA environmental authorisation in addition to an MPRDA-approved Environmental Management Programme (EMPr). The author contends that the current framework creates a "legislative vacuum" and risks environmental degradation by placing enforcement responsibility within the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, whose primary mandate is to promote mining.

The report argues that South Africa's policy of elevating trophy hunting as a conservation tool lacks empirical support and is economically insignificant compared to non-consumptive tourism. It highlights systemic governance failures, particularly in the Association of Private Nature Reserves (APNR), and suggests that the practice may actually harm biodiversity by targeting prime males and fragmenting landscapes. The author recommends a moratorium on trophy hunting for elephants, rhinos, leopards, lions, and giraffes, proposing a shift toward non-lethal alternatives like carbon and biodiversity credits.

Good Governance Africa argues that South Africa's budget speech ignores critical fiscal threats, including ballooning debt, a shrinking tax base, and extreme unemployment. The author criticizes the lack of a clear plan for private sector job creation and the insufficient attention given to climate change and the energy transition, specifically regarding the retirement of coal plants and the development of renewables.

The paper analyzes the root causes of political violence in Ethiopia, attributing it to an institutional crisis within the EPRDF and a historical 'cult of violence'. It proposes a transition from a 'politics of victimhood' to a 'survivors' political project' inspired by Mahmood Mamdani's theories and the hagiography of Saint Krəstos Śämra. The author suggests that peace-building requires a multi-track political dialogue, a sovereign apology from the state for historical violence, and the transformation of enemies into political adversaries to build a multicultural state.

The report assesses the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) in Ghana, finding that while the office has a strong legal mandate, it has struggled with inadequate funding, staffing deficits, and political interference. Interviewed anti-corruption agencies generally agree that the OSP has not yet significantly reduced corruption or the public perception of it, though there is trust in the capacity of the second Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng. The document recommends amending the OSP Act to grant full prosecutorial independence from the Attorney General and increasing actual budget disbursements.

The report provides a comprehensive poverty profile of the Obuasi Municipality and Obuasi East District, highlighting a 'resource curse' where the presence of gold mining has not translated into widespread local prosperity. Key findings indicate high unemployment due to the loss of agricultural lands to mines, insufficient household incomes, and significant gender disparities in education and economic vulnerability. Environmental degradation, including water pollution and structural damage to homes from mining blasts, is prevalent. While AngloGold Ashanti has implemented some positive social interventions, such as malaria control and youth training, residents report limited direct employment and a lack of inclusive governance by local District Assemblies.

The report finds that while Sierra Leone ratified the AfCFTA on November 7, 2018, actual implementation has been slow and lacks formal policy frameworks, strategic plans, or dedicated implementation structures. The country's economy remains heavily dependent on the extractive sector, particularly minerals like titanium ore and diamonds, which limits its intra-trade competing capacity. Significant barriers to success include a severe lack of access to finance for SMEs—with 65.1% of SMEs citing it as a major impediment—and a lack of data on business preparedness. The report recommends that the Ministry of Trade and Industry lead the development of a national AfCFTA Policy Framework and establish a steering committee to coordinate implementation.

The report analyzes the security landscape of West Africa, identifying a complex interplay of weak governance, economic inequality, and emerging threats like violent extremism and transnational crime. It highlights how these factors undermine regional stability and development, particularly in the Sahel. While Ghana is relatively stable, it faces risks from porous borders and internal community tensions. The document recommends pursuing economic integration via the AfCFTA, addressing youth unemployment, and strengthening regional security alliances to combat terrorism and trafficking.

The document argues that despite the 2013 Constitution's provisions for media freedom, the Zimbabwean government continues to use restrictive legislation and state control to stifle independent journalism. It details a history of repression from the Robert Mugabe era through the current administration of Emmerson Mnangagwa, highlighting the use of laws like AIPPA, POSA, and MOPA to control narratives and intimidate journalists. While the digital revolution has provided new avenues for free expression and citizen journalism, the government has responded with surveillance bills and internet shutdowns. The brief recommends a total overhaul of the legal framework, the restoration of the Zimbabwe Media Commission's independence, and increased support for women in journalism and ethical investigative reporting.