Eight themes. One question: what works for Africa?
Our research is organised around eight themes. Each is cross-referenced by region and country, and every publication is tagged so you can filter by topic, place, format and year.
Published research
Research by theme
Use the search form above to filter by keyword, theme, or year. New research published in a theme category appears here automatically, linked by title.
Governance
No published research yet in this theme.
Peace & Security
No published research yet in this theme.
Economy & Trade
A new international financial system? Ten things Africa should do now
The housekeeping African governments need to complete to benefit from any reform of the global financial architecture.
June 20, 2023
Industry & Infrastructure
No published research yet in this theme.
Climate & Energy
The cost of saving the climate, paid by Africa
Why the world's smallest emitters face the heaviest pressure to adopt low-carbon development — and what a fair deal looks like.
October 12, 2021
Health
No published research yet in this theme.
Digital
No published research yet in this theme.
Africa & the World
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala: a profile
Economist, former finance minister and global development leader with more than three decades in international finance.
July 30, 2021
The US-Africa Summit: a response to China, or a new chapter?
An early assessment of Washington's re-engagement with Africa, AGOA's limits and the case for investment over military aid.
July 28, 2014
01
Governance
Institutions that work are the foundation of every other policy goal. We study how African states and regional bodies build legitimacy, deliver services and stay accountable to their citizens.
Key questions: Why do some reforms stick while others are reversed? What makes an election credible to those who lose it?
Institutional Reform
Public-sector reform, decentralisation, the rule of law and the capacity of the African Union and regional economic communities.
Anti-Corruption
Illicit financial flows, procurement integrity, asset recovery and the institutions that hold power to account.
Elections & Democracy
Electoral integrity, term limits, unconstitutional changes of government and the transitions that follow them.
Latest
No published research yet in this theme.
02
Peace & Security
Conflict remains the single largest obstacle to development in parts of the continent. We examine its drivers, the responses of African and international actors, and the case for African-led solutions.
Key questions: Why have military responses to insurgency so often failed? Who should lead mediation in African conflicts?
Conflict & Terrorism
Insurgencies, violent extremism and the economic roots of recruitment, from the Lake Chad Basin to the Horn.
Sahel & Regional Security
Shifting security partnerships, foreign military presence and private military contractors in the Sahel and Central Africa.
Africa & International Justice
The International Criminal Court's relationship with Africa, accountability for atrocities and African alternatives.
Latest
No published research yet in this theme.
03
Economy & Trade
Africa's growth depends on trading more with itself and negotiating better terms with the rest of the world. We analyse trade agreements, integration and Africa's place in the global financial system.
Key questions: Can the AfCFTA deliver real intra-African trade? What should Africa ask of a reformed financial system?
Regional Integration & the AfCFTA
The African Continental Free Trade Area, regional economic communities, free movement and payment systems.
Trade Agreements: EPAs & the WTO
Economic Partnership Agreements with Europe, WTO negotiations, AGOA and preferential trade regimes.
Debt & Global Finance
Sovereign debt, credit ratings, multilateral development bank reform and the case for new financial institutions.
Latest
A new international financial system? Ten things Africa should do now
June 20, 2023
04
Industry & Infrastructure
No region has become prosperous by exporting raw materials alone. We look at how African economies can add value, manufacture and finance the infrastructure that makes both possible.
Key questions: Which industries can Africa compete in today? How should infrastructure deals with foreign partners be structured?
Industrialisation & Value Addition
Processing of minerals and agricultural produce, special economic zones and local-content rules.
Infrastructure Finance
Transport, power and digital infrastructure, and the terms of Chinese, Western and Gulf financing.
Agriculture & Food Systems
Productivity, agro-processing and food security as an industrial strategy.
Latest
No published research yet in this theme.
05
Climate & Energy
Africa contributes least to global emissions but faces some of the gravest climate risks — and heavy pressure to follow low-carbon paths. We ask how the transition can be fair, financed and compatible with development.
Key questions: Who should pay for Africa's adaptation? Can Africa electrify without locking itself out of gas?
Climate Finance & Negotiations
COP outcomes, loss and damage, carbon markets and the cost of climate commitments for African economies.
Energy Access & Transition
Electrification, the role of gas, renewables and critical minerals for the global energy transition.
Natural Resources & Environment
Forests, water, land and the governance of extractive industries.
Latest
The cost of saving the climate, paid by Africa
October 12, 2021
06
Health
Health is both a development outcome and an economic driver. We examine how African countries can finance stronger health systems and reduce dependence on external supply chains.
Key questions: How can domestic resources replace declining donor funding? What will it take to make vaccines and medicines in Africa?
Health Financing
Domestic resource mobilisation, insurance schemes and the future of donor-funded programmes.
Pandemic Preparedness
Disease surveillance, the Africa CDC and lessons from Ebola and COVID-19.
Local Manufacturing
Pharmaceutical and vaccine production, regulation and the African Medicines Agency.
Latest
No published research yet in this theme.
07
Digital
Digital technology is reshaping how Africans bank, trade, learn and vote. We study the policies that decide who benefits — and who controls the data.
Key questions: How should Africa govern its data? Can digital trade rules work for African start-ups?
Connectivity & Infrastructure
Broadband access, undersea cables, data centres and affordability.
Data Governance & AI
Data protection, digital identity, artificial intelligence and digital sovereignty.
Digital Economy
Mobile money, fintech regulation, e-commerce and the AfCFTA digital trade protocol.
Latest
No published research yet in this theme.
08
Africa & the World
Our longest-running line of work. Every major power is redefining its Africa policy. We assess each partnership against a single test: does it serve Africa's long-term development priorities?
Key questions: To what extent does Africa need the international community? How can Africa negotiate as a bloc rather than one country at a time?
Africa–China
FOCAC, infrastructure lending, trade imbalances and the terms of engagement.
Africa–Russia
Russia–Africa summits, security partnerships, grain, energy and debt.
Africa–United States
US–Africa Leaders Summits, AGOA and the balance between security and economic engagement.
Africa–Europe
Migration, trade agreements, development finance and the post-colonial relationship.
New Partners
The Gulf states, Turkey, India, Brazil and Africa's place in BRICS and the G20.
Latest
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala: a profile
July 30, 2021
The US-Africa Summit: a response to China, or a new chapter?
July 28, 2014