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The NewClimate Institute provides a briefing on the Science Based Targets initiative's (SBTi) Corporate Net-Zero Standard v2.0, released in June 2026. The analysis evaluates the standard's strengths in transparency and implementation, while highlighting concerns regarding flexibility, the lack of mandatory hourly matching for electricity, and the need for clearer Scope 3 guidance.

The April 2026 Peace & Security Council Report examines key African Union (AU) initiatives, including a UN resolution on slavery reparations, the integration of governance intelligence into security actions via the APRM-PSC interface, the precarious stability of South Sudan ahead of 2026 elections, and a review of Angola's tenure as AU chair.

This report from the Institute for Security Studies evaluates the functionality of the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council (PSC) subcommittees, examines the transition to constitutional order in Guinea, analyzes the decline of international humanitarian aid to Africa, and proposes strategies for enhancing continental maritime security, specifically through the Combined Maritime Task Force for the Gulf of Guinea.

This report summarizes a webinar titled 'State of Africa’s Digital Agenda' held on October 20, 2021, by the Africa Policy Research Institute (APRI) and the University of Johannesburg. The event aimed to map the progress and gaps in the implementation of digital strategies across African nations and discuss a coordinated approach to the continent's digital transformation.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and CUTS International tracks the progress of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Joint Statement Initiative on Investment Facilitation from 2020 to early 2021. It details the transition from structured discussions to formal negotiations, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on investment flows and governance, and the roadmap leading toward the 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12).

This report provides a detailed history and status update on the efforts of an informal Working Group of over 90 World Trade Organization (WTO) Members to support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). It outlines the group's activities from 2018 to early 2020, focusing on improving MSME access to information, trade finance, and global markets, while analyzing the role of regional trade agreements and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on these initiatives.

This research paper evaluates South Africa's foreign policy under President Jacob Zuma, contrasting his approach with that of his predecessors. It highlights a shift toward strategic partnerships with emerging powers, specifically China and the BRICS grouping, while noting a decline in domestic human rights adherence and strained relations with the West.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies provides a comprehensive overview of the legal and policy frameworks governing migration in Africa. It details the roles of the African Union (AU), various Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and partnerships with the European Union (EU) in managing refugees, internally displaced persons, labour migration, and the fight against human trafficking and smuggling.

The October 2017 Peace & Security Council Report by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes several African security crises, including the transition of AMISOM in Somalia, the resurgence of violence in the Central African Republic, the pro-Biafra movement in Nigeria, and the African Union's initiative to combat illegal weapons. It also details the ongoing funding disputes between the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) and the UN Security Council (UNSC) regarding AU-led peace operations.

This report by the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) analyzes provincial policies and municipal bylaws regarding the cosmetic use of pesticides in Canada. It evaluates the structure, implementation, and efficacy of these regulations, identifying best practices for protecting public health and the environment while critiquing weaknesses such as broad exceptions for golf courses and the lack of indoor pesticide regulation.

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.

The August 2014 Peace & Security Council (PSC) Report by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the African Union's (AU) response to crises in Mali and Nigeria, the operationalization of the PSC's counter-terrorism sub-committee, and ongoing reviews of the Council's internal working methods.

This report by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) provides a high-level snapshot of the mitigation landscapes in 14 priority partner countries and regions to inform the development of intended nationally determined contributions (INDCs) for COP21. It analyzes national legislation, emission targets, Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs), and donor-funded projects, highlighting the diversity in ambition and capacity across developing nations.

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 policy brief examines the delays in operationalising the African Standby Force (ASF), an African Union (AU) mechanism designed for rapid response to violent armed conflicts in Africa. Despite multiple roadmaps and timelines (2005, 2008, 2010), the force remained non-operational as of 2012, with a revised target of 2015. The author identifies systemic failures in political command, logistical infrastructure, and institutional capacity, arguing that the AU has relied too heavily on ad hoc missions rather than using actual deployments to refine the ASF architecture.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the trend toward increasing transparency in investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS). It analyzes how states are moving away from the traditionally confidential nature of private commercial arbitration by integrating specific transparency rules into bilateral investment treaties (BITs) and free trade agreements (FTAs), particularly regarding public notice, document access, open hearings, and amicus curiae submissions.

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 briefing by the Institute for Security Studies examines the cycle of disarmament campaigns in Jonglei state, South Sudan, specifically comparing the failed 2006 effort with the 2009-2010 campaign. The author argues that the government's reliance on disarmament as the sole response to endemic violence ignores structural failures in local governance, the lack of civilian protection by the SPLA, and a cattle-based economy that incentivizes raiding and child abduction.

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.