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This policy briefing examines the institutionalisation of pan-Africanism and the African Renaissance within African institutions, specifically the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). It explores the tension between universal governance norms and the need for African-led ownership and localisation to avoid neo-colonialism.

This policy brief examines the barriers to upscaling Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) in sub-Saharan Africa and proposes policy interventions to enhance food security and climate resilience.

The document examines the failure of mining community trusts in South Africa to deliver broad-based empowerment, highlighting the risks of the 2016 Mining Charter III's new state-managed agency and contrasting the success of the Bafokeng with the maladministration seen in the Bapo Ba Mogale and Bakwena Ba Mogopa communities.

This policy brief examines the institutional and policy frameworks of Tanzania's agricultural sector regarding climate change adaptation. It identifies significant gaps in national policy, data accessibility, and institutional capacity, arguing that decentralization and private sector engagement are essential to building resilience for the country's predominantly subsistence-based farming population.

This briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs outlines four strategic priorities for the government of Lesotho under Tom Thabane to ensure stability and economic growth, focusing on agricultural diversification, revenue independence, human rights compliance for US trade access, and labor upskilling.

This research paper analyzes the political instability in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) caused by President Joseph Kabila's efforts to delay elections, a phenomenon termed 'le glissement' (slippage). The author argues that the UN and South Africa, both key historical peacebuilding partners, are currently failing to provide the necessary support to prevent a return to civil war and ensure the implementation of the December 2016 political agreement.

A joint statement by representatives from various international think tanks and academic institutions expressing unwavering commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development following the announcement of the United States' withdrawal.

This policy briefing examines the interdependence between the 'Blue Economy' and maritime security within the African maritime domain, arguing that a thriving ocean economy is impossible without integrated governance that addresses criminal activity at sea.

This policy briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the opportunities and constraints of transitioning to low-carbon energy in Africa, focusing on West Africa and Nigeria. It argues that while the continent has vast renewable potential, progress is hindered by fragmented governance, inadequate investment, and a lack of coordination between niche projects and national grids.

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the role of civic technology and open data in driving accountability in South Africa. It argues that technology alone is not a solution for social change and proposes the 'accountability stack' framework, which prioritizes human-centric problem solving over the mere delivery of digital tools.

This research paper discusses the restorative justice mandate of the International Criminal Court (ICC), specifically focusing on the role of the Trust Fund for Victims (TFV) in providing reparations and assistance to victims of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

This research paper examines the causes and resolution of land-use conflicts between farmers and pastoralists in Tanzania, specifically focusing on the Pawaga division. It argues that these conflicts are driven by historical evictions, 'green grabbing' for conservation, large-scale agricultural investments, and a formal land dispute settlement system that is biased against pastoralists. The author proposes a community-based coalition model, piloted by the Tanzania Natural Resource Forum (TNRF), as a more effective alternative to formal judicial and administrative mechanisms.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines the governance of marine and coastal resources in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region. It advocates for the adoption of integrated spatial planning, ecosystem-based management, and inclusive, community-led conservation models to support a sustainable 'Blue Economy'. The author emphasizes that marine conservation must be integrated with socio-economic development agendas to ensure the resilience of biodiversity and the livelihoods of coastal populations.

This policy briefing examines why 'technology for transparency and accountability' (T4T&A) initiatives in Africa have failed to achieve large-scale impact despite expanding mobile networks and falling costs. The author argues that failures stem from a poor understanding of technology, a lack of user research, and a tendency for non-tech organisations to build custom tools from scratch rather than using existing ones. The document recommends shifting from short-term pilots to building a supportive innovation ecosystem that emphasises iterative learning and stronger links between technologists and accountability actors.

This policy brief examines the relationship between natural resource extraction and the funding of four violent extremist groups in Africa: al-Shabaab, the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), the Janjaweed militia, and Boko Haram. It finds that while some groups rely heavily on illicit trade in charcoal, ivory, or gold, others have little to no connection to resource extraction.

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) criticizes the development of the Total Official Support for Sustainable Development (TOSSD) statistic. The author argues that the measure, driven by the OECD, lacks transparency, excludes the perspectives of developing countries, and risks undermining existing Official Development Assistance (ODA) commitments by allowing donors to inflate their contributions through the inclusion of non-concessional loans and in-donor costs.

This policy brief examines the prevalence and impact of illegal blast fishing in Tanzania, highlighting its role in destroying coral reef ecosystems and threatening the national economy. It argues for a multi-stakeholder, cross-sectoral governance approach to eliminate the practice through stricter law enforcement, community-led management, and the provision of alternative livelihoods.

This research paper examines the poultry value chain in Southern Africa, highlighting the dominance of vertically integrated South African firms and the obstacles preventing the formation of a coordinated regional value chain (RVC).

This research paper explores the relationship between Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) frameworks and biotrade in Namibia, specifically focusing on how to implement the Nagoya Protocol without hindering the commercialisation of biological resources.

This briefing examines Turkey's multifaceted involvement in Somalia, analyzing how its approach to South-South cooperation—characterized by direct aid delivery and public-private partnerships—has strengthened the Somali Federal Government (SFG) while introducing risks related to clan bias, lack of transparency, and the potential for fueling patronage networks.