Areas of work
Five scientific areas, one shared method, and one rule: every published claim cites a source.
Strategic areas
Where we focus our work
A1
Geopolitics, international relations and African strategies
Geopolitics of Africa, Africa–world relations, diplomacy, sovereignty, great-power strategies and international realignments. Peace, security and defence: conflicts, international and African security, defence, strategic doctrines, terrorism, new threats and security policies.
A2
Governance, public policy and institutions
Governance, public policy, institutions, democratisation, political transformations and regional governance.
A3
Political economy, development and African transformations
International political economy, development, industrialisation, strategic resources, international trade, value chains, geoeconomics and economic and social transformations.
A4
Law, norms and international governance
International law, African law, regional integration, international norms, regulation and legal sovereignty.
A5
Economic intelligence, management and international strategies
Economic and strategic intelligence, international management, organisational strategy, country risk, competitiveness and the internationalisation of African companies.
Cross-cutting themes
Topics that run through our areas
African sovereignty
Strategic resources and minerals
International trade
Strategic intelligence and country risk
Digital and technological transformations
Africa–Europe relations
Africa–emerging powers relations
Youth, research and innovation
Energy transition and environment
Projects
Ongoing research
Ongoing work programmes. Final titles and partners will be confirmed at publication.
Ongoing
Gulf of Guinea Observatory
Tracking of maritime incidents and a periodic risk note for port operators and insurers.
Ongoing
AfCFTA SME Barometer
Annual survey on the real use of the preferential regime by small and medium-sized enterprises.
Ongoing
Mapping of governance reforms
Monitoring the implementation of administrative reforms in the CEMAC states.
Method
How a study is produced
We start from a decision, not a topic. The researcher formulates the question that the commissioning party or public debate genuinely needs answered, then builds the evidence base: documents, data, field interviews and, where necessary, direct observation.
A second researcher reviews and challenges the conclusion. Sources are listed, the degree of certainty is stated, and where evidence is lacking the report says so rather than filling the gap.