Rising Powers, South–South Co-operation and Africa

This policy briefing examines the evolution of South–South co-operation (SSC) and the shifting landscape of global development effectiveness. It argues that while the rise of emerging powers provides African nations with more diverse options and reduced dependence on Western donors, these new partners primarily pursue their own national interests. The author recommends that African states, regional bodies, and the African Union proactively develop codes of conduct, enhance negotiating capacity, and insist on transparency and accountability to ensure SSC aligns with national and regional development priorities.

• South–South co-operation (SSC) has evolved from its origins in the 1960s and 1970s into a significant economic and political tool that illustrates the decreasing dependence of the developing world on Western and former colonial powers, particularly following the 2008 global financial crisis.
• The rise of emerging powers has challenged the Western monopoly on development models, introducing concepts like 'state capitalism' (exemplified by China) and leading to the creation of new financial institutions, such as the proposed BRICS Development Bank initiated in New Delhi in 2012.
• Despite the rhetoric of solidarity, the 'South' is fragmenting as rising powers prioritize their own national imperatives, such as securing access to minerals and oil, rather than assuming global responsibility for the development system.
• The concept of 'development effectiveness' has expanded beyond traditional aid to include trade, investment, finance, and remittances, reflecting a need for policy coherence (e.g., addressing how EU agricultural subsidies or China's currency control affect other developing nations).
• In September 2011, the African Union adopted the first African common position on development effectiveness in Addis Ababa, emphasizing capacity development, the unlocking of domestic resources, and the need for a unified voice in negotiations to exit aid dependency.
• The author recommends that African states adopt specific measures to manage SSC, including using national and regional development strategies as the basis for cooperation, insisting on transparent monitoring and evaluation, and developing regional codes of conduct for investments, particularly regarding farmland sales and food security.
• To improve the management of development flows, the document highlights South Africa's Development Co-operation Information System, maintained by the National Treasury, as an OECD-recognized example of good practice for tracking inward Overseas Development Assistance (ODA).

APA

Sidiropoulos, E. (2012). Rising Powers, South–South Co-operation and Africa. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Policy-Briefing-47.pdf

Chicago

Sidiropoulos, Elizabeth. Rising Powers, South–South Co-operation and Africa. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2012. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Policy-Briefing-47.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Sidiropoulos |first1=Elizabeth |title=Rising Powers, South–South Co-operation and Africa |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=March 2012 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Policy-Briefing-47.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{sidiropoulos2012rising, author = {Sidiropoulos, Elizabeth}, title = {{Rising Powers, South–South Co-operation and Africa}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2012}, month = mar, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Policy-Briefing-47.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }