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A research paper by Zero Carbon Analytics (ZCA) examines the economic and health costs of red and processed meat consumption in high-income countries. The analysis finds that wealthy nations in Asia, Europe, North America, and Oceania face a substantial disease burden from meat consumption, with some countries spending heavily to treat preventable conditions rather than investing in primary prevention. The report argues that shifting toward dietary interventions could significantly reduce healthcare spending and improve public health outcomes.

This report by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the intersection of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). It analyzes how Chinese infrastructure investment and trade goals overlap with Africa's ambition for a single continental market, highlighting both the potential for synergy and the risks of economic imbalance.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the multidimensional political, economic, and social crisis in the Republic of Congo. It details how President Denis Sassou Nguesso utilized constitutional reforms to bypass term limits and maintain power, leading to increased political fragmentation, the use of coercive state machinery, and a reliance on manufactured consensus through stage-managed dialogues.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) argues that South Africa is caught in a 'middle-income trap' characterized by sluggish growth, deep inequality, and declining government effectiveness. The authors advocate for a paradigm shift away from a state-led developmental model toward a more flexible, labour-intensive economy and a knowledge-based society driven by private sector partnerships and technological innovation.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the diplomatic, economic, and security engagement between China and Liberia from 2003 to 2013. It analyzes China's role in the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), bilateral development aid, trade imbalances, and large-scale mining investments, concluding that the relationship is characterized by a significant imbalance where China is the 'absolute winner'.

This research paper examines the prevalence and impact of non-tariff barriers (NTBs) within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. It argues that while tariff liberalisation has progressed, NTBs—particularly those resulting from poor design and implementation—significantly constrain regional trade and undermine the benefits of the SADC Free Trade Area. The author uses evidence from private sector entities like Shoprite and Woolworths to illustrate the high costs of administrative compliance and border delays, and proposes the creation of a coordinated action plan and a 'naming and shaming' mechanism to accelerate the removal of these barriers.

This research paper evaluates the viability of the South African Customs Union (SACU) transitioning from a Common Monetary Area (CMA) to a full monetary union. Using Southern African Development Community (SADC) convergence criteria, the authors find that while there is strong convergence in inflation, debt, and reserves, significant fiscal deficits in Lesotho and Swaziland present a major hurdle. The paper suggests that a monetary union would be beneficial and that the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) is well-positioned to lead the process.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the economic relationship between China and Zambia, focusing on debt sustainability, development assistance, and trade. It argues that while China provides critical financing and investment opportunities, the lack of transparency, weak regulatory frameworks in Zambia, and the extractive nature of the trade relationship pose significant risks to sustainable development.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the evolving relationship between China and Nigeria, specifically focusing on the Nigerian banking sector's regulatory reforms and the potential for increased Chinese investment in the financial industry to complement existing economic ties in oil, infrastructure, and agriculture.

This report documents the proceedings of a Critical Thinking Forum hosted by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) on March 23, 2010. The forum brought together economists, government officials, and industry representatives to debate the relationship between South Africa's exchange rate, trade policy, and industrial strategy, specifically addressing whether the government should intervene to weaken the rand to boost export competitiveness.

This research paper by Professor Awadi Sadiki Mawenya, published by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), examines the systemic nature of corruption in African public procurement. It argues that corruption in this sector is a primary driver of poverty on the continent and proposes a holistic strategy for mitigation involving legal reform, political commitment, and international cooperation.

This briefing records a discussion on the liberalisation of trade in services within the Southern African Development Community (SADC). It examines the current fragmented legal landscape, the role of South African foreign direct investment (FDI) in the region, and the challenges of creating a unified regional framework for services trade to improve economic integration and global competitiveness.

This research paper examines the evolution of South Africa's defence industry from its growth during the apartheid era to its restructuring and reorientation toward global markets after 1994. It details the shift from state-driven self-sufficiency to a commercially focused model based on exports, international partnerships, and strategic procurement policies.

The first issue of the SADC Barometer, published by the South African Institute of International Affairs in March 2003, evaluates the Southern African Development Community's (SADC) internal restructuring, regional security integration, and economic convergence. The report highlights significant disparities between South Africa and other member states, the impact of HIV/AIDS on food security, and the challenges of implementing a regional Free Trade Area (FTA) amidst non-tariff barriers and political instability in countries like Zimbabwe.

This research paper by Paras Kharel, Kshitiz Dahal, and Dikshya Singh examines the challenges and opportunities facing Nepal's textile and clothing export sector as the country prepares to graduate from Least Developed Country (LDC) status. The authors analyze structural barriers to competitiveness, the role of niche markets and craftsmanship in industry survival, and the need for a shift in government policy from direct subsidies to institutional coordination and business development services.