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The conflict in Cabo Delgado is driven by a combination of political marginalisation, economic inequality, and climatic shocks. While the discovery of offshore natural gas promised development, it instead led to forced relocations, inadequate compensation, and unmet employment expectations, which Islamist militants have exploited for recruitment. These grievances are compounded by extreme weather events, including Cyclones Idai and Kenneth, which destroyed infrastructure and increased food insecurity. The document argues that military responses alone are insufficient and calls for inclusive natural resource governance and climate resilience strategies to address the root causes of the insurgency.

The paper advocates for the adoption of nuclear power in Africa to combat energy poverty and meet climate goals, noting that nuclear energy is a zero-emission source with a high capacity factor. It addresses safety concerns by comparing death rates and highlighting new reactor designs, while suggesting that Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) could mitigate high upfront costs and long construction times. The author emphasizes the need for robust national regulatory frameworks and international cooperation through bodies like the IAEA and FNRBA to ensure safety and security.

The Zimbabwe APRM Popular Sensitisation (ZAPS) project validation workshop, held on 8 July 2021, served as a platform for civil society organisations (CSOs) to present and refine a submission to the APRM. The workshop identified critical governance failures in Zimbabwe, including a "constitutional amendment crisis" that has expanded presidential powers, the "militarisation of politics" through the installation of military leaders in political roles, and systemic corruption where legislative frameworks are applied only to "small fish" while elite corruption persists. Other key areas of concern included the shrinking of civic space—marked by 932 reported cases of organised violence and torture between March and November 2020—and the decline of state enterprises and parastatals, which now contribute less than 2% of the GDP. The project aims to use these findings to catalyze reform and enhance accountability and transparency in Zimbabwe's governance.

The document advocates for the use of Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) in Africa to bridge the gap between biodiversity protection and community livelihoods. It highlights that while traditional protected areas often displaced local populations, OECMs allow for diverse governance—including community and private partnerships—that can deliver both conservation and economic gains. Through case studies in South Africa and Kenya, the briefing demonstrates how these models can generate income via tourism, sustainable ranching, and ecosystem services. It concludes that African governments should collectively advocate for community-centred conservation in the post-2020 global biodiversity framework, provided that rights-based approaches, innovative financing, and context-specific research are prioritised to avoid elite capture and ensure equitable benefit distribution.

The document argues that African states must shift from a strategy of blocking new negotiations to one of active participation to avoid becoming 'rule takers' in the global trade system. It specifically recommends narrowing the TRIPS waiver proposal to focus solely on COVID-19 vaccines to secure broader support and suggests that African states prioritize a few key development outcomes from the stalled Doha Round while engaging in Joint Statement Initiatives (JSIs) on e-commerce and investment. The brief also emphasizes the need for the African Union to coordinate common policy positions and the establishment of regional vaccine production hubs in countries like South Africa, Senegal, Algeria, and Tunisia.

The paper examines how the APRM's Expanded Mandate has revitalized the agency by introducing targeted reviews and monitoring roles for Agenda 2063 and the SDGs, while cautioning that these additions may distract from its core mission of comprehensive country reviews. It highlights the role of the 'Kagame Reforms' and the leadership of CEO Prof. Eddy Maloka in restoring institutional stability and financial predictability. The author argues that the APRM must now consolidate these gains, rationalizing its activities to ensure that new instruments, such as National Governance Reports, do not become weak substitutes for rigorous peer reviews.

The document examines China's four waves of SOE reform since 1978, highlighting the use of market competition under state ownership and mixed governance. It argues that while China's unique political system makes direct replication difficult, African nations can adopt tactical lessons such as using quality global exchanges for IPOs, creating competing state-owned units to monitor management, and ensuring durable compensation for workers displaced by reform. The author emphasizes that state capacity and institutional design must precede large-scale ownership reform.

The document advocates for a 'One Health' strategy in Africa to address the interconnected crises of human health, biodiversity loss, and climate change. It argues that blanket bans on wildlife trade are unworkable and may increase the risk of zoonotic spill-over by driving trade underground. Instead, it recommends nature-positive investments, green stimulus packages, and financial incentives for source countries to reduce IWT and improve governance. The brief emphasizes that socio-economic factors, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, drive IWT, and suggests that supporting rural communities through alternative livelihoods is the most effective way to reduce pathogen spill-over risk.

The South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) issued a letter of condolence to the High Commission of Zambia following the death of President Kenneth Kaunda. The letter describes Kaunda as a 'great African' and a 'friend of democratic South Africa' who served as the father of Zambia's independence from British rule. SAIIA highlights his role as a 'central player and supporter of liberation movements' in Southern Africa, specifically noting that he hosted the African National Congress (ANC) and the South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO) 'at great cost to his own country'. The document further notes that after stepping down as president in 1991, Kaunda continued to serve the region as a 'respected elder statesman'.

The document analyzes the impact of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Trans-Asian Railway (TAR) Network on rail standardization, specifically the shift toward high-speed, standard-gauge rail. Using examples from Malaysia, Cambodia, and Lao PDR, it highlights that while technical standards are a concern, the primary challenges are project costs, debt sustainability, and the need for cross-border trade facilitation. The author recommends that African nations prioritize integrated regional planning, transparency in procurement, and low-carbon transport strategies to maximize the development impacts of rail expansion.

The document argues that while the AU's PIDA PAP 2 prioritises 69 regional projects, many of which cross fragile and conflict-affected states (FCAS), there is a lack of integrated policy linking infrastructure development with peace and security (P&S). It highlights that over half of the 39 global FCAS are in Africa and that approximately 48% of PIDA projects involve at least one such country. The brief recommends establishing cross-sectoral coordination between AU departments, creating conflict-specific project templates and terms of reference under the PIDA Service Delivery Mechanism (SDM), and hosting a knowledge centre within AUDA-NEPAD to collect evidence on infrastructure's impact on peacebuilding. It emphasizes that while large-scale projects can enhance state authority, they risk fueling corruption or conflict without in-depth, Africa-specific conflict assessments and community-driven development components.

The document argues that African nations must align their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and Long-term Low Emissions Strategies (LTSs) with a cohesive vision for carbon neutrality by 2050. It highlights the necessity of integrating COVID-19 green recovery plans with these climate goals and emphasizes that current global mitigation and adaptation pledges remain insufficient to meet IPCC recommendations. For Africa, the briefing identifies climate finance, adaptation, loss and damage, and youth inclusion as critical priorities for the COP26 agenda.

The research paper explores the concept of a restoration economy in Africa, focusing on the South African 'Working for Wetlands' programme. It identifies key enablers for success, such as linking restoration to poverty relief and vocational training, while noting constraints like bureaucratic rigidity and over-reliance on public funding. The author argues that for Africa to 'build back better' post-COVID-19, ecological restoration must be integrated into development planning and funded by the production sectors (mining, agriculture, forestry) that impact ecosystems, moving toward a circular economy model.

The document highlights the rapid degradation of Africa's natural resources and advocates for a financing strategy for the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Agenda that combines the mobilization of new resources with the removal of subsidies that drive biodiversity loss. It suggests that conservation targets should be linked to international climate goals via nature-based solutions and that 'green' finance mechanisms, such as debt-for-nature swaps, be integrated into post-pandemic economic stimulus packages for African nations.

The document analyzes the 'arduous' journey of Zambian civil society in the APRM process, highlighting the establishment of a dedicated CSO APRM Secretariat in 2007 and its eventual closure in 2011. It details how the process was hindered by resource constraints, political instability following the death of President Levy Mwanawasa, and overlaps with a contentious national constitutional review. Key achievements include the production of an independent CSO thematic report that influenced the Country Self-Assessment Report and the Country Review Report. The author argues that the lack of a plan to monitor the National Programme of Action (NPoA) after the Secretariat's closure was a fundamental flaw, and emphasizes the need for long-term funding and collective capacity building for effective governance oversight.

The document examines the role of nuclear science and technology in Africa, highlighting the use of 10 research reactors for education and medical/environmental research. It emphasizes the critical need for radiotherapy machines to combat rising cancer rates and the use of nuclear techniques in agriculture to ensure food security and manage zoonotic diseases. The brief outlines the legal framework for peaceful use, including the Pelindaba Treaty and the NPT, and identifies challenges such as public skepticism, financial instability, and safety risks. It recommends expanded continental training and continued cooperation with the IAEA and AFCONE.

The document details the Botswana APRM Popular Sensitisation (BAPS) Project, an initiative led by the Botswana Council of Non-Governmental Organisations (BOCONGO) and the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA). It describes how over 35 CSOs collaborated to produce a governance report covering 12 key areas, despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The briefing provides a set of recommendations for other countries, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity, non-partisan coordination, and the use of ICTs to facilitate civic engagement in governance reviews.

The document examines how the global shift toward low-carbon energy, driven by the Paris Agreement, creates a risk of stranded assets for fossil fuel-dependent African nations. While this transition threatens export revenues and economic stability, it offers opportunities through increased demand for critical minerals like cobalt and copper. The author argues for a 'just transition' that avoids premature deindustrialisation and leverages fossil fuel revenues for economic diversification and green industrialisation.

The report examines the intersection of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), noting that while BRI infrastructure investments can support AfCFTA goals, a lack of coordinated African strategy poses risks. It highlights China's incentive to access the AfCFTA's massive consumer market while warning that cheap Chinese imports could undermine the free trade area's objectives.

The document examines the transition of the mining sector from diesel and grid power to renewable energy (RE), primarily solar PV and wind. It argues that while RE has high initial capital expenditure, it offers lower long-term operating costs and provides a hedge against volatile fuel prices. The paper highlights the role of hybrid systems and energy storage in overcoming the intermittency of RE to meet the constant baseload demands of mines. It also explores the potential for portable RE systems for exploration sites and the use of rehabilitated mine land for utility-scale RE generation.