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This report summarizes a workshop hosted by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) on June 23, 2009, regarding energy services within the Southern African Customs Union (SACU). The document outlines the challenges of liberalizing trade in energy services, the tension between universal electricity access and tariff levels for Independent Power Producers (IPPs), and the need for a regional integrated resource plan to reduce dependence on Western information and fossil fuels.

This report by the South African Institute of International Affairs analyzes the Strategic Partnership between the European Union (EU) and South Africa, focusing on the second Heads of State meeting held in Cape Town on 11 September 2009. It examines the shift from a development-focused relationship to a high-level political alliance aimed at addressing global issues, trade, and regional stability in Africa.

This policy brief examines the operationalisation of the SADC Regional Development Fund (RDF) to address infrastructure financing gaps in Southern Africa. It argues that the region's infrastructure deficit is primarily caused by a lack of bankable projects due to failures in early-stage project preparation and a lack of national capacity, rather than a simple lack of overall funding. The authors recommend that the RDF prioritise seed funding for project definition, pre-feasibility, and capacity building, while leveraging existing structures like the SADC Project Preparation and Development Fund (PPDF) to ensure sustainability and regional ownership.

This research paper examines Botswana's experience with multilateral development banks (MDBs) in financing infrastructure, specifically focusing on the African Development Bank (AfDB). It identifies systemic delays in loan processing and procurement as primary challenges while highlighting the success of non-lending knowledge services. The document also evaluates alternative financing sources, such as public-private partnerships (PPPs) and domestic bond markets, noting that while these exist, they have not yet replaced the need for MDB lending.

This June 2011 report by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) provides a civil society perspective on the implementation of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) in South Africa. It evaluates progress against the Country Review Report (CRR) and National Programme of Action (NPoA) across eight governance themes, including the justice system, party-state relations, and service delivery. The report generally finds that while some legislative progress has been made, implementation is often lacking, and there is a significant disconnect between official government reporting and the experiences of civil society.

This fact sheet from the South African Institute of International Affairs outlines the 'key certainties' and 'key uncertainties' regarding the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in Southern Africa, highlighting trends in urbanisation, energy costs, and climate vulnerability.

This research paper by Gregory Mthembu-Salter for the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines the historical, political, and economic relationships between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), China, and India. It analyzes how these two Asian powers engage with the DRC's mining, telecommunications, and infrastructure sectors, highlighting the contrast between China's state-led, resource-for-infrastructure strategy and India's more fragmented, private-sector-driven approach.

This policy briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines Botswana's need for economic diversification as diamond revenues decline. It evaluates the potential of coal and iron ore as intermediate revenue sources while arguing that long-term sustainable growth should be anchored in eco-tourism and investments in human and physical capital.

This policy briefing analyzes Ghana's readiness to manage upcoming commercial oil production, evaluating the potential for oil revenues to either strengthen or undermine the country's democratic institutions and economic stability. It emphasizes the need for legislative frameworks, economic diversification, and community consultation to avoid the 'resource curse'.

This policy briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the impact of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) on South Africa, arguing that FDI does not automatically guarantee economic growth or job creation. The author suggests that the government should prioritize public investment in economic infrastructure and industrialization over the mere attraction of FDI, particularly in sectors like retail where large foreign entities may displace local businesses.

This policy briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the legal and procedural failures regarding land acquisition and compensation in Uganda's oil sector. It argues that while the 1995 Constitution guarantees property rights, subsequent laws and practices often violate these rights, leaving land owners—particularly those with customary tenure—vulnerable to insufficient compensation and inaccessible legal remedies as the government develops oil infrastructure and a refinery.

This research paper examines the risk of stranded assets in Africa's extractives sectors as the global economy transitions toward low-carbon energy and a circular economy. It analyzes the economic threats to fossil-fuel-dependent nations, the potential for 'premature deindustrialisation', and the opportunities presented by the rising demand for critical minerals. The author argues for a 'just transition' that prioritizes social and developmental goals through economic diversification and improved governance to avoid the 'resource curse'.

This policy brief examines the challenges of measuring and reporting local procurement in the African mining sector. It argues that aggregate spending figures often mask a lack of genuine local value addition, as many 'local' suppliers are merely importers. While some governments and international standards are beginning to demand more granular data, the document highlights a significant gap between current reporting practices and the data needed to steer effective economic policy.

This policy brief provides an overview of local procurement regulations for the mining and petroleum sectors across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. It distinguishes between demand-side policies, which encourage companies to buy locally, and supply-side policies, which support local supplier capacity. The document highlights a regional trend toward state intervention to create backward linkages from extractive activities to the wider economy, noting that while most SADC countries have some form of local procurement language, the depth of regulation varies significantly, ranging from vague 'best effort obligations' to specific, measurable targets.

This report summarizes a conference held on June 9-10, 2011, at the South African Institute of International Affairs in Johannesburg. The event focused on the evolving economic, political, and security relationships between India, South Africa, and the broader African continent, emphasizing South-South cooperation, trade synergies, and joint efforts toward reforming global governance institutions like the UN and IMF.

A 2014 SAIIA research report evaluating the first ten years of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). It describes the APRM as a unique, African-led voluntary governance assessment system that fosters mutual accountability among heads of state. While noting successes in expanding democratic space and identifying governance deficiencies, the report highlights failures in acting on early warnings and a lack of systematic knowledge management. It recommends deeper institutionalization within national planning systems and a shift away from reliance on individual political champions.

The South African Durban Youth and Children’s Protocol is a statement negotiated and agreed upon by South African youth and children during the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 17) in November 2011. The document outlines recommendations for the global community, African peers, the South African national government, and youth themselves to address climate change and environmental sustainability.

This guide, developed by UNICEF and the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) in collaboration with South African youth aged 13 to 25, provides a framework for young people to prepare for and respond to emergency situations. It focuses on building community resilience, identifying hazards, creating emergency plans, and navigating the recovery process following disasters such as floods, fires, and civil unrest.

Senegal's progress toward its NDC commitments is hindered by a severe lack of international climate finance, the absence of a national monitoring (MRV) system, and a strategic shift toward oil and gas exploitation that threatens its low-carbon goals. While the country has successfully implemented large-scale wind and solar projects and is developing green transport (BRT and TER), these are overshadowed by the $10 billion investment in hydrocarbons. The COVID-19 pandemic further delayed key projects and diverted budgetary resources toward immediate socioeconomic resilience.

This research paper examines the evolution and implementation of Benin's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) between 2015 and 2021, focusing on the energy, agricultural, forestry, and waste sectors. It analyzes how these climate commitments align with national development priorities and suggests integrating monetary policy with climate goals to enhance sustainability and private sector investment.