Policy Papers
Our policy papers provide data-driven insights and strategic recommendations to inform policymakers and stakeholders on key issues affecting Africa's development and stability.
Our Key Policy Insights
Kenya's Peace and Security Diplomacy: Gains and Gaps
By Nala Center | August 2026
This policy brief is informed by the proceedings of a youth dialogue on Kenya’s peace and security diplomacy, convened on 14 August 2026. It finds that Kenya's challenge is not a shortage of diplomatic assets but a shortage of institutional machinery to convert them into durable outcomes, and recommends a permanent mediation support unit, transparent intervention criteria, and a national action plan on youth, peace and security.
Harnessing Kenya-France Relations in a Shifting Global Order
By Getrude Maina | June 2026
Following the 2026 Africa Forward Summit, this brief examines Kenya's strategic partnership with France across maritime security, economic transformation, and regional governance. It explores how Kenya can navigate asymmetrical trade, leverage equity-based partnerships, and avoid bilateral silos to convert global diplomatic visibility into sustainable regional stability and domestic industrial gains.
Paralysis in Peacekeeping: The African Union's Mediation Challenges in Sudan
By Getrude Maina | January 2026
This policy brief highlights the urgent need for a coordinated African response to Sudan's escalating war, which has exposed the African Union's institutional constraints and declining credibility as a peace broker. The paper assesses key challenges including coordination issues between the AU and UN, inadequate civilian protection mechanisms, and the vested interests of external actors undermining inclusive peace efforts.