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The document proposes a shift in South Africa's TVET sector from a jobs-centric model to a 'wellbeing economy' framework to support the emerging green hydrogen (GH2) sector. It advocates for 'skills governance'—integrating foresight, planning, and anticipation—to address unemployment and inequality. Key recommendations include establishing a skills governance working group, creating green economy skills incubator hubs, adopting innovative financing like social impact bonds, and implementing a Universal Basic Dividend (UBD) to redistribute wealth from common resources used in GH2 projects.

The document examines the governance challenges associated with the rising demand for critical minerals in Africa, highlighting the tension between developed nations' focus on supply security and African nations' goals for socio-economic development. It emphasizes that without responsible governance, the energy transition risks causing environmental harm and human rights violations. The author recommends the expedited implementation of the African Mining Vision (AMV) and calls for coordinated action among national governments, private sector companies, and civil society to ensure transparency and accountability.

The document identifies a critical gap between the technical vocational skills provided by South Africa's TVET sector and the requirements of the emerging green hydrogen economy. It critiques the current reliance on quantitative, top-down skills planning and proposes 'skills foresight' (SF)—a participatory approach that imagines multiple futures—to enhance systemic agility. The authors recommend establishing a dedicated foresight team within the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), creating a Cross-Sectoral TVET Advisory Board for Green Transversal Skills, and initiating participatory futures dialogues to co-create a new social compact for education that reduces the perceived inferiority of TVET qualifications compared to university degrees.

The EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), effective October 2023, imposes carbon tariffs on imports to prevent carbon leakage and encourage global decarbonisation. The document argues that the CBAM will disproportionately harm African countries, particularly least-developed countries (LDCs), by reducing GDP and exports of key materials like aluminium, iron, and steel. It highlights concerns regarding the mechanism's equity, its potential conflict with WTO non-discrimination rules, and the EU's plan to use revenues for internal debt rather than supporting LDCs. The brief recommends that the AfCFTA negotiate for exemptions, a slower phase-in period, and the exclusion of indirect emissions, while urging the EU to increase climate finance and technology transfers to Africa.

The research examines the drivers, barriers, and 'seeds' of circular economy (CE) practices within the SADC region, arguing for a contextually sensitive approach that moves beyond Global North narratives. It identifies critical drivers such as rapid urbanisation, e-waste challenges, and climate change, while highlighting systemic barriers including lack of uniform regulatory frameworks and knowledge disparities. The authors propose a multi-level resource use system that integrates indigenous solutions with disruptive technologies and recommends regional collaboration through the SADC Secretariat and AU to harmonise CE strategic frameworks, fiscal policies, and educational curricula.

The report examines 'state capture' in South Africa, defined as a systematic project to redirect state resources for private gain by weakening democratic institutions. It focuses on the Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture (Zondo Commission), detailing its findings on the targeting of state-owned enterprises like Transnet and Eskom, and the role of the Gupta family. The document also analyzes other South African commissions (e.g., Nugent, Mokgoro, Mpati) and provides a comparative analysis with Kenya's Bosire Commission to illustrate the limitations of commissions in achieving individual accountability. Finally, it discusses necessary reforms in public procurement, whistle-blower protection, and the professionalization of the public service to prevent future capture.

The report highlights a divide between emerging middle powers (IBSA) and Germany regarding the war in Ukraine, the dominance of the US dollar, and the role of BRICS+. While IBSA respondents prefer mediation in conflicts and view the US dollar's dominance unfavourably, German respondents support Ukraine and view the dollar's role as favourable. Despite these differences, there is shared optimism for the G20 and a common interest in the 2030 Agenda, specifically regarding technology transfer and global public investment.

The African Union is pursuing a long-term goal of customs, monetary, and fiscal union. While the AfCFTA has seen initial tariff offers, progress in liberalising intra-African tariffs remains limited. Achieving monetary union requires the convergence of diverse exchange rate regimes toward an intermediate managed float or crawling peg referenced to a common currency like the XDR. Fiscal stability is hindered by persistent deficits and debt burdens, necessitating countercyclical debt rules and economic diversification to reduce reliance on volatile commodity exports.

The document examines how African nations have responded to the Russia-Ukraine war, highlighting a trend toward non-alignment and a reluctance to support punitive measures against Russia. It argues that African responses are driven by a combination of historical grievances with Western leadership (such as the 2011 NATO intervention in Libya and COVID-19 vaccine inequity) and strategic national interests. The report details the economic opportunities arising from Europe's shift away from Russian energy, specifically regarding natural gas and critical minerals, while warning that geopolitical rivalry between the US, Russia, and China may undermine regional security initiatives like the Accra Initiative. It concludes by advocating for a foreign policy based on 'non-alignment' and 'indivisible security' to avoid becoming proxies in a new Cold War.

The document analyzes Russia's strategic pivot toward Africa as a means to diversify partners and evade Western sanctions following the invasion of Ukraine. It argues that while Africa is not a central priority for the Kremlin, it serves as a critical 'theater' for projecting power, securing natural resources, and challenging US-led unipolarity. The paper details Russia's approach across several sectors, including arms sales, nuclear energy, and mining, while highlighting the role of the Wagner Group in providing security in exchange for resource access. It concludes that Russia leverages African support at the UN to maintain its status as a global power and to promote a multipolar international system.

The report argues that South Africa must move beyond linear thinking and 'energy blindness' to embrace systems and futures thinking for its energy transition. It identifies critical leverage points—ranging from infrastructure and regulatory reform to paradigm shifts in economic growth—to avoid energy poverty and social unrest. The framework outlines four strategic priorities: championing cross-border collaboration for energy democracies, practicing active non-alignment in renewable energy diplomacy, challenging 'used' (borrowed) energy futures, and transitioning from growth-centric economic models to anticipatory energy governance.

The report outlines a framework for South Africa's energy transition toward 2050, promoting a 'Regenerative Prosperity' model that prioritizes ecological stewardship and well-being over unlimited growth. It identifies driving forces for change, such as shifting cultural values and civic technologies, while highlighting key uncertainties regarding geopolitical alignments and economic paradigms. The document urges a move away from growth-centric economies and 'used futures' toward inclusive governance and decentralized energy systems.

The document outlines strategic priorities to combat youth unemployment in Uganda, emphasizing the need for anti-corruption measures, investment in agribusiness infrastructure, and the alignment of education curricula with 21st-century labour market demands.

The document compares the macroeconomic resilience of Benin and Togo from 2000 to 2020, finding that Benin's economy was more volatile due to greater global integration, while Togo's performance was shielded by phosphate exports. Benin demonstrated more consistent counter-cyclical fiscal policy, whereas Togo's government spending tended to be procyclical during national crises. The brief recommends that Benin reduce its debt-to-GDP ratio and expand its tax base, while Togo should implement governance reforms and monitor inflation more closely.

The document outlines a roadmap for Malawi's future prosperity by focusing on youth-centric policies. It advocates for the integration of youth voices in national planning, the creation of a transformative education investment plan, the incorporation of mental health services into primary healthcare, and a shift toward community-based disaster risk reduction. These recommendations stem from a participatory research project using foresight methodologies like Futures Literacy Labs and the Three Horizons Framework, highlighting the urgent need for resilience following events such as Cyclone Freddy.

The document explores the transition from electronic money to CBDCs, focusing on China's e-CNY as a tool for renminbi internationalisation and its potential impact on Africa. It details the technical differences between cryptocurrencies and CBDCs, the specific two-tier design of the e-CNY, and the risks associated with privacy and financial disintermediation. For Africa, the paper highlights opportunities for financial inclusion and more efficient remittances, while cautioning against the risks of digital divide and state surveillance. It concludes with recommendations for African civil society and policymakers to engage in the design and standard-setting of digital currency frameworks to maintain monetary autonomy.

The document analyzes Russia's strategic use of public media (RT, Sputnik, TASS) and social media to expand its influence in Africa. It highlights the use of anti-imperialist rhetoric to appeal to African audiences and the deployment of 'troll farms' and local proxies to disseminate polarizing content. Case studies on Mali, Libya, and the Central African Republic illustrate how Russia combines digital influence with on-the-ground activities, such as funding local press and sponsoring cultural events, to present itself as a viable alternative to Western partners, despite operating with a limited budget.

The document evaluates G20 progress on international taxation, specifically the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework and the Two-Pillar Solution, noting that while African countries have gained representation—including the African Union's permanent G20 seat—significant gaps remain in technical capacity and revenue generation. It argues that African countries, with a tax-to-GDP ratio of 16%, must prioritise Domestic Resource Mobilisation (DRM) to fund Sustainable Development Goals. The brief recommends that future G20 presidencies focus on digitalising tax administrations, implementing a global carbon taxation system, and adopting more progressive tax policies to fund social protection for the informal sector, which comprises 85.8% of jobs in Africa.

The document outlines a framework for empowering Tanzanian youth through three strategic priorities: accelerating technological advancement with gender-inclusive training, ensuring unrestricted access to information via digital literacy and connectivity, and reforming employment policies to create inclusive economic growth. Based on youth-led participatory research using foresight methodologies, it identifies critical gaps in education, mental health support, and youth representation in decision-making, while calling for public-private partnerships to modernize vocational training and digitize government services.

The document outlines a strategic framework to harness the potential of Zambia's youth population, which comprises over 70% of the population under age 30. Based on participatory research using Futures Literacy Labs and the Three Horizon Framework, it identifies critical gaps in political representation, education, and technology. The brief proposes four strategic priorities: mandating youth quotas in decision-making bodies, fast-tracking the Climate Change Bill of 2022 to support agri-tech innovation, reforming curricula to emphasize practical skills for employment, and implementing a National Internet Connectivity Plan to bridge the digital divide.