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This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines how Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)—comprising digital identity, payments, and data-sharing systems—can be used to reduce the shadow economy and improve domestic resource mobilisation (DRM) in Africa.

This policy brief examines the prevalence and risk factors of online child sexual exploitation and abuse (OCSEA) in Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Cabo Verde. It highlights a significant gap between official data and actual prevalence, noting that OCSEA is likely drastically underreported due to social stigma and weak identification processes. The document identifies systemic failures in legal frameworks, law enforcement capacity, and victim support, while recommending regional harmonization of laws and increased collaboration between governments and the technology sector.

This report analyzes Investment Dispute Prevention and Management Agencies (DPMAs), which are government bodies designed to mitigate investor-state disputes. The authors critique the assumptions used by international institutions to promote DPMAs and propose a typology to categorize these agencies based on their intervention point and operational logic. Through case studies of seven countries, the report highlights the diversity in DPMA design and warns of risks such as agency capture and the prioritization of investor interests over public policy goals.

This report examines the practice of requiring sitting presidents to resign or step aside before seeking re-election to mitigate the abuse of incumbency. Using case studies from Cabo Verde and Madagascar, the author argues that this mechanism helps level the electoral playing field and reduces post-electoral violence by improving the perceived integrity of the process.

This policy brief examines the failure of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to enforce its democratic electoral standards, using Zimbabwe's July 2018 elections as a primary case study. The author argues that SADC's institutional weaknesses and a culture of 'brotherhood' solidarity among leaders prevent the effective implementation of the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections, leading to a culture of impunity for member states that violate democratic norms.

This research paper by Crispian Olver examines state capture and systemic corruption within the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality (NMBM), focusing on the Human Settlements Department and the Integrated Public Transport System (IPTS). The author, who served on a national intervention team, details how political factions and private syndicates captured municipal functions to extract rents, leading to administrative collapse, financial crisis, and the murder of a councillor. The paper analyzes the subsequent 2015 intervention led by Mayor Danny Jordaan and the broader political implications for the ANC in the 2016 local elections.

The ATI Network Shadow Report 2016 analyzes the implementation of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) in South Africa based on 369 requests made by civil society organizations between August 1, 2015, and July 31, 2016. The report highlights significant barriers to accessing information from both public and private bodies, including high refusal rates, failure to meet statutory timeframes, and the misuse of grounds for refusal.

This policy brief examines the management of the Bali Cultural Landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage Site centered on the subaks—traditional farmers' organizations that manage irrigation and water temples. The document highlights the tension between preserving centuries-old cultural practices and the pressures of rapid socio-economic change, tourism, and bureaucratic hurdles in Indonesia. It focuses specifically on the Catur Angga Batukaru (CAB) region, arguing that the long-term viability of the site depends on meaningful, farmer-led governance and addressing existential threats such as water scarcity, high land taxes, and the declining interest of youth in farming.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines the use of business delegations accompanying the South African president on state visits as a tool for economic diplomacy. It analyzes the benefits and challenges of this practice, particularly under President Zuma's administration starting in 2009, and proposes a new model to improve the coordination and effectiveness of private sector participation in foreign policy.

This research paper by Paul Hoffman examines the role of accountability in making constitutionalism a reality, specifically within the context of post-liberation African societies. Using South Africa as a primary case study, the author evaluates the effectiveness of constitutional frameworks in limiting government power, maintaining domestic legitimacy, and protecting human rights.

The December 2009 edition of SA Crime Quarterly examines the state of crime and justice in South Africa, highlighting a reversal in the downward trend of overall crime rates and the rise of 'trio crimes'. The report analyzes the effectiveness of social crime prevention versus law enforcement, the implementation of right-to-information laws, and the systemic challenges within the correctional and policing systems.

This research paper by Chomba Chella and Simon Kabanda analyzes the 2000-2001 campaign in Zambia that successfully prevented President Frederick Chiluba from amending the Constitution to seek a third term in office. The authors detail the tactics used by the government to drum up support, the formation of the Oasis Forum coalition, and the specific methods of citizen activism that led to Chiluba's capitulation on May 4, 2001.

This report analyzes the implementation of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) in four pioneer countries: Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, and South Africa. It examines the institutional structures, research methodologies, and political dynamics of each national process, highlighting the tension between government control and the need for independent civil society participation to ensure credible self-assessments and effective Programmes of Action.

This report explores market-based price risk management options for coffee farmers, particularly smallholders in developing countries. It analyzes the volatility of Arabica and Robusta coffee prices and the barriers preventing farmers from accessing futures and options markets. The authors argue that while traditional risk mitigation (like diversification) is costly and inefficient, market-based instruments can make earnings more predictable, provided that intermediaries like local banks and cooperatives are leveraged to bridge the gap between small growers and international exchanges.

This report chapter examines money laundering in Zimbabwe from 2004 to 2006, analyzing the impact of hyperinflation, the role of financial institutions in laundering schemes, and the adequacy of the country's legal and regulatory frameworks. It highlights a gap between the establishment of anti-money laundering (AML) infrastructure and the actual prosecution of offenders.

This research paper examines the relationship between gender equality and peace processes in Africa, arguing that conflict can serve as a catalyst for transforming patriarchal gender roles. Through a comparative analysis of UN peacekeeping missions in South Africa (UNOMSA) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC), the author contends that the inclusion of a critical mass of women in peacekeeping enhances mission effectiveness and challenges traditional gender stereotypes.

This research paper examines the disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration (DDR) processes in Zimbabwe, Namibia, and South Africa following their respective transitions from liberation wars to peace. The author argues that while disarmament and demobilisation were often achieved, the reintegration of former combatants into civilian life was consistently neglected or poorly implemented across all three nations, leading to long-term security threats and economic burdens.

This research paper analyzes the impact of United Nations (UN) Panel of Experts missions in Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) between 1999 and 2002. The author argues that these panels serve as critical peace-building tools by providing credible, independent investigations into sanctions violations and the illegal exploitation of natural resources, which in turn reduces the military capacity of spoilers and criminalizes the activities of those fueling conflict.

This report by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the development of small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in Brazil, focusing on the role of SEBRAE as a model for public-private partnership. It contrasts the Brazilian approach—which emphasizes logistical support, training, and clear categorization over direct financing—with the strategies used in South Africa and Lesotho.

This report by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the evolution of corporate governance in South Africa, focusing on the influence of the King Reports and the country's role as a model for other African nations. It details the transition from a closed, racially-exclusive economy to a liberalised market with sophisticated governance codes, while highlighting ongoing challenges in enforcement capacity and the complexities of black economic empowerment.