January 18, 2025
2025 CALL FOR EXPERTS: AFRONOMICSLAW QUARTERLY REPORTS ON CRITICAL
ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL ISSUES IN AFRICA
Click and Download the PDF of the Call for Experts
Afronomicslaw is a Not-for-Profit corporation that specializes in knowledge production on issues of international economic law and justice as they relate to Africa and the Global South. Established in 2019, a major goal of Afronomicslaw is to amplify the voices and issues relating to Africa and the Global South in scholarship, advocacy, and practice of international economic law.
The African Sovereign Debt Justice Network (AfSDJN), convened by Afronomicslaw, is a coalition of citizens, scholars, civil society actors, and church and religious groups committed to exposing the adverse impact of unsustainable levels of African sovereign debt on the lives of ordinary citizens and advocating for fundamental reforms of the global debt and financial architecture. The Network has published two books: How to Reform the Global Debt and Financial Architecture (Sheria Publishing House, 2023) and Transforming Climate Finance in an Era of Sovereign Debt Distress (Sheria Publishing House, 2023). It also publishes regular sovereign debt updates and hosts convenings on sovereign debt issues.
A. Background
The African debt landscape has become increasingly complex, with rising debt burdens posing significant risks to economic sovereignty, sustainable development, and social stability. The intersection of sovereign debt with key issues such as critical minerals, food security, illicit financial flows, tax justice, and climate finance and justice underscores the need for a more integrated approach to debt governance and production of knowledge relevant to the Global South in general and African in particular. For instance, Africa is home to sizeable reserves of the world’s critical energy transition minerals: 55% of cobalt, 47.65% of manganese, 21.6% of natural graphite, 5.9% of copper, 5.6% of nickel, 1% of lithium, and 0.6% of iron ore globally. While Africa’s vast deposits of critical minerals are central to global supply chains, resource-backed loans often deepen debt vulnerabilities while failing to deliver equitable economic benefits. Similarly, food security challenges are exacerbated by unsustainable debt, as governments struggle to finance agricultural development amid competing fiscal pressures. Meanwhile, illicit financial flows (IFFs) and tax avoidance continue to drain African economies of much-needed revenue, limiting their capacity for domestic resource mobilization and increasing dependency on external borrowing.
At the same time, the ongoing green transition and the push for climate resilience present both opportunities and risks for Africa’s fiscal future. While climate finance is essential for mitigating the effects of global warming, much of the funding comes in the form of loans rather than grants, deepening debt distress for already burdened economies. Furthermore, the debt crisis has fuelled social unrest across the continent, with protests against austerity measures highlighting the growing disconnect between economic policies and public well-being. These dynamics are occurring against the backdrop of the evolving role of African financial institutions and sub-regional governments in managing debt at national and local levels, as governments seek alternative financing mechanisms beyond traditional multilateral institutions. The increasing reliance on sub-regional governments in Africa to mobilize resources for development highlights significant gaps in debt management and governance frameworks. While mechanisms like green bonds have gained traction in cities such as Tanga, Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Lagos, their use often prioritizes investor returns over community needs, raising critical concerns about the financialization of essential public services. The intersection of climate adaptation, regional economic integration, and sovereign debt management therefore remains underexplored, particularly regarding how sub-national entities can navigate these challenges while fostering equitable and sustainable growth. With the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) scheduled for June 2025, there is an opportunity to address new and emerging issues, and the urgent need to fully implement the Sustainable Development Goals, and support reform of the international financial architecture.
Undoubtedly, without comprehensive debt justice mechanisms, Africa’s financial autonomy remains compromised, reinforcing a cycle of dependence on international financial institutions that operate under creditor-dominated frameworks. Addressing these issues requires urgent policy interventions that advance systemic reforms in the global financial and economic architecture. It is within this context that Afronomicslaw and AfSDJN seek expert insights to critically examine these pressing issues and propose solutions that centre African agency in global debt governance.
B. Thematic Areas
Afronomicslaw invites experts, scholars, policymakers, and practitioners to contribute as paid consultants to a series of quarterly reports on critical issues shaping Africa’s economic and financial landscape. These reports will take the form of policy briefs that are well-researched, written in clear and accessible language, and including actionable recommendations.
These policy briefs, of at least 8,000 words, will provide in-depth analysis, evidence-based policy recommendations, and thought leadership on key thematic areas including sovereign debt, economic justice, the green transition, and sustainable development across the continent.
We aim to produce policy briefs on the following topics:
1. Critical Minerals and Africa’s Debt Sustainability
2. Food Security and the Debt Crisis
3. Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) & Tax Justice
4. The Green Transition and Climate Finance
5. Financing for Development (FfD) and Debt Mechanisms
6. Protests and Debt Crises in Africa
7. African Financial Institutions and Regional Development
8. Sub-Regional Governments & Debt Management
C. How to Apply
Applicants must have a strong track record in creating research-driven content for policy advocacy and influence, irrespective of their area of expertise, including articles, reports, and briefing materials tailored for policymakers. Interested contributors should submit a detailed CV that shows evidence to related work, a writing sample and a letter expressing and explaining their interest in writing one of the policy briefs to afronomicslaw@gmail.com by 31st January 2025. All applications should indicate the thematic area your submission will address in the subject line of the email.
We look forward to receiving your applications as we work towards a more just and equitable financial architecture for Africa.