Search Climate Insights Directory

This report by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines youth climate advocacy in Africa, focusing on the roles of civil society, government, and international networks. It documents how young people are transitioning from symbolic participants to active agents of change through networking, social media, and policy engagement, while highlighting the systemic barriers—such as the digital divide and tokenism—that hinder meaningful intergenerational equity in climate governance.

This report examines the potential for electric vehicle (EV) adoption within the Southern African Development Community (SADC), highlighting the opportunities presented by low-speed electric vehicles (LSEVs) and the systemic barriers to a just transition.

This research paper argues that addressing instability and violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the wider Great Lakes region requires a strong regional political process and a shift in international approach toward non-democratic governments in the area.

This report details a youth working meeting on 08 October 2020 aimed at identifying governance issues for a South African submission to the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). Participants outlined a vision for success involving increased youth representation and better service delivery, and identified key concerns such as unemployment, gender-based violence, and climate change. The project will utilize 12 working groups to develop a submission, with a final launch planned for March 2021.

This research paper examines how the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced South Africa's leadership and relations within Africa. While the author praises South Africa's multilateral coordination of the continental health response as AU chair, they argue that domestic failures—specifically institutionalised xenophobia and corruption—undermine the country's soft power and long-term leadership potential on the continent.

This policy brief proposes the creation of a legislated National Strategy and Development Council (NSDC) within the South African presidency to centralize national strategy and ensure institutional continuity across different administrations. It specifically advocates for restructuring the International Relations Trade and Security (IRTS) cabinet cluster into a directorate and establishing an independent, non-governmental Council on International Relations and Cooperation (CIRC) to provide expert advice and research.

This policy brief analyzes the insurgency in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique, arguing that while the conflict is framed as religious extremism, it is rooted in systemic neglect, regional inequality, and a 'resource scramble' involving rubies and natural gas. The authors suggest that the Mozambican government's security response and the marginalization of local communities have exacerbated structural problems, drawing parallels to the Niger Delta in Nigeria.

This policy brief examines the implications of large-scale electric vehicle (EV) adoption for the mining sectors of Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states. It argues that while the region possesses vast reserves of EV-related minerals and metals (EVMM), it primarily exports raw materials. The author advocates for regional cooperation, the establishment of a public-private EVMM working group and coalition, and the adoption of a circular economy approach to ensure a just mining transition and the development of local value chains.

This research paper examines the increasing risk of African sovereign debt defaults exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, focusing on China's role as a primary bilateral lender and the limitations of international debt relief initiatives like the DSSI.

This briefing, produced by the South African Institute of International Affairs and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, outlines strategic priorities for a green transition and energy access partnership between the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU). It emphasizes the need to maintain momentum on climate goals despite the COVID-19 pandemic, advocating for a transition that supports Africa's developmental objectives, including industrialization and employment growth.

This briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines how regional integration, specifically through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and a strategic partnership with the European Union can accelerate the transition to green energy in Africa. It identifies significant energy deficits and systemic constraints—including finance, technical capacity, and domestic policy—that hinder progress, arguing that a regional approach can overcome the limitations faced by individual nation-states.

This briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the intersection of skills transfer, gender equality, and the green energy transition in Africa. It highlights the systemic under-representation of women in energy value chains and the need for a 'just transition' that addresses unemployment risks in fossil fuel-dependent economies through reskilling and targeted AU-EU strategic partnerships.

The policy brief advocates for an integrated strategy to build resilience in Africa by combining decentralised renewable energy solutions with expanded digital economy access. It highlights that current energy and internet deficits hinder the continent's ability to respond to crises like COVID-19 and climate change. The document calls for an AU-EU partnership to invest in green energy, broadband infrastructure, and ICT skills to drive inclusive economic growth and improve health and education outcomes.

This policy brief examines the potential for the European Union (EU) and the African Union (AU) to collaborate on a circular economy transition in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. It argues that the EU's goal to shorten global value chains for food and medical security, combined with Africa's need for sustainable economic growth and job creation, provides a mutually beneficial opportunity to implement green recovery strategies and achieve Sustainable Development Goals.

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the role of green financing and blended finance in scaling renewable energy across Africa, using Kenya as a primary case study to illustrate how public and private capital can be combined to meet rising energy demands and climate commitments.

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs argues that integrating renewable energy—specifically solar mini-grids—with agricultural finance and cooperative reform can unlock a 'green revolution' in Africa. Using Uganda as a case study, the document highlights how low productivity and a lack of post-harvest processing limit economic growth and food security, proposing a trifecta of energy access, financial incentives, and micro-enterprise training to empower smallholder farmers.

This policy brief argues for a strategic AU-EU partnership to facilitate sustainable energy transitions, emphasizing that such cooperation can provide Africa with increased energy access and jobs while helping the EU meet its carbon neutrality goals. It highlights the need for diplomatic sensitivity, tailored incentives, and a focus on 'just transitions' to ensure that fossil-fuel-dependent African nations are not unfairly penalized by European climate standards.

This policy brief examines the tension between fossil fuel development and renewable energy transitions in Africa, highlighting the geopolitical competition between China's Belt and Road Initiative and the EU's 'green transitions' strategy. It argues that for the EU to effectively partner with African nations, it must shift its framing from climate change to energy security and economic development, while promoting transparency and social innovation to avoid foreign exploitation and 'debt traps'.

This policy brief examines the political drivers and historical context of Egypt's nuclear power plant project in Dabaa, developed in partnership with Russia's ROSATOM. The author argues that the project is framed as a 'techno-nationalist' mega-project linked to national prestige and self-sufficiency, rather than being based solely on energy or economic needs. The document highlights a lack of transparency in decision-making, public consultation, and the management of safety risks and spent fuel.

This policy brief assesses the Africa Energy Guarantee Facility (AEGF), a risk mitigation instrument launched by the European Investment Bank to attract private investment into Africa's sustainable energy sector. While the AEGF aims to unlock $1.4 billion in clean energy investment by providing insurance against political and sovereign risks, the document argues that its success depends on African policymakers creating enabling regulatory frameworks and reducing the high transaction costs and risks that currently deter private investors.