Reports
The Royal African Society (RAS), in collaboration with the APPG for Africa and partners, regularly conducts policy consultations and inquiries, publishing the findings and policy recommendations in comprehensive inquiry reports for His Majesty’s Government (HMG). The subjects and terms of reference for these inquiries are developed in close consultation with the elected Parliamentary Officers of the APPG for Africa. They are designed to address topics requiring broader stakeholder consultation, thereby enhancing parliamentary oversight of key policy issues.
These inquiries feature an open call for written evidence aligned with the terms of reference, alongside oral evidence-gathering sessions held in Westminster. The resulting reports present the inquiry’s findings and offer strategic recommendations for UK policymakers and Government Departments. All reports are formally submitted to the Government for a written response and have successfully influenced significant policy changes. Additionally, RAS with the APPG produces submissions for relevant inquiries by official parliamentary select committees.
APPG for Africa policy reports
2025
Parliament’s All Party Parliamentary Group for Africa (AAPPG) publishes today a report highlighting the importance of achieving a just and rapid energy transition in Africa, one that responds to the need for cleaner energy while expanding energy access and enabling more rapid development. In this transition, Britain has an important and constructive role to play. This report has been produced by the AAPPG in partnership with the Royal African Society (“the Society”), which acts as the Secretariat for the AAPPG.
2022
APPG Africa Education Inquiry Report
The evidence set out in this report points clearly to the fact that many British children still leave school with little knowledge or mistaken impressions about Africa. This can be damaging – to the children, to Britain’s diverse society, and to Britain’s relations with Africa – and needs to be corrected. But the report also makes clear that this can be quite easily remedied with some simple actions that can be taken by the key groups and bodies concerned – schools, teachers, exam boards, publishers, OFSTED and government.
2021
Climate, Conflict and Demography in Africa Conference
On 14 September 2021, Africa Confidential, International Crisis Group and the Royal African Society co-hosted a high-level conference on Climate, Conflict and Demography in Africa. An audience of over 1000 people from the UK, North America, Europe and Africa heard 25 speakers from all three continents, including the Vice-President of Nigeria, former Prime Minister of Ethiopia and former President of the African Development Bank, as well as ministers, envoys, ambassadors, economists, academics and representatives from business, civil society and the media.
2020
Official Government response to APPG’s 2019 report on Visa problems for African Visitors to the UK
In November 2020, 15 months after publishing the APPG’s exposing report in to Visa problems for African visitors to the UK, we received an Official UKVI response to the APPG’s recommendations along with a Letter of response from the Immigration Minister, Kevin Foster MP together with Annex 1 and Annex 2 to the letter which provides data on the UKVI visa application footprint across Africa.
Please see the original 2019 report below.
UK-Africa Trade After Brexit: Challenges & Opportunities (November 2020)
This briefing, produced in partnership with Oxford Brookes University, builds on the findings of the APPG for Africa’s 2017 trade report. It presents the outcomes and shared consensus of the APPG Africa’s parliamentary symposium held in January 2020 and reflects on the current context and direction of UK-Africa trade since then and concludes with policy recommendations.
This written submission from the APPG for Africa together with the Royal African Society and AFFORD-UK drawers on our public-parliamentary webinar looking into the disproportionate impact that Covid 19 has on BAME communities in the UK.
Policy briefing: Mental Health in Africa (January)
A policy briefing for the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Africa following a wider consultation in partnership with the Centre for Global Mental Health at LHTSM, the Mental Health Innovation Network and CBM International.
2019
Inquiry report: Visa problems for African Visitors to the UK (July)
A joint All-Party Parliamentary Group Report by the APPG for Africa, the APPG for Diaspora, Development & Migration and the APPG for Malawi
Please see the Government response above (received November 2020).
Written evidence to the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee (October)
Written evidence to the House of Lords International Relations Committee (October)
This was submitted in response to the call for evidence for this inquiry on Sub-Saharan Africa. The Royal African Society also submitted written evidence separately of the APPG. Watch our Director giving oral evidence here.
2018
Africa APPG submission to the International Trade Committee
Submission from the APPG Africa & Royal African Society to the International Trade Committee-inquiry into trade relations with developing countries
2017
Inquiry Report: The Future of Africa UK Relations Post Brexit (July)
Africa APPG & RAS Submission to Trade Bill Committee
2016
Inquiry Report: Lessons from Ebola Affected Communities: Being prepared for future health crises
2015
Written submission to the House of Commons International Development Committee inquiry on responses to the Ebola Crisis
2014
Inquiry Report: Democracy and Development in Africa
Democracy Soup – Letter of Response from then Secretary of State for International Development Lynne Featherstone
Written submission to the House of Commons International Development Committee
Written evidence submission from Africa APPG to the International Development Committee Inquiry on the ICAI report on DFID’s approach to anticorruption
2013
Written evidence submitted by the Africa All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG)
Booklet: Parliamentarians Ending Poverty
An accompanying guide to international development in Parliament
2012
Inquiry report: DFID’s Aid Priorities and Africa
A Report on the Bilateral Aid Review by the Africa All Party Parliamentary Group
All the Talents
How new roles and better teamwork can release potential and improve health services
Security and Africa: An Update
A collection of essays on developments in the field of security and Africa since the UK Government’s 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review.
Brief: Africa APPG Report on EU Visit
Letter from PM MDGs
International Development APPGs – Post-MDG Declaration
2011
Royal African Society and Libya-Analysis.com:
Submission 1: The State of the Transition and Britain’s Role
Submission to Foreign Affairs Select Committee inquiry: British foreign policy and the ‘Arab Spring’: the transition to democracy.
Royal African Society and Libya-Analysis.com:
Submission 2: Business Opportunities for British Companies
Submission to Foreign Affairs Select Committee inquiry: British foreign policy and the ‘Arab Spring’: the transition to democracy.
2010
Written submission: Security and Africa
The Africa All Party Parliamentary Group’s submission to the 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review
2009
Inquiry report: Land in Zimbabwe: Past Mistakes, Future Prospects
2008
Inquiry report: Strengthening Parliaments in Africa: Improving Support
2006
2005
Inquiry report: The UK Government and Africa in 2005: How joined up is Whitehall?
2004
Inquiry report: Averting Catastrophe: AIDS in 21st Century Africa