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The paper argues that South Africa's National Development Plan (NDP) 2030 target of 5.4% average annual GDP growth is 'very ambitious' and unlikely to be met under current trends. Using the International Futures (IFs) model, the authors find a 'Base Case' average growth of 3.4% for 2014-2030, significantly lower than the NDP target and regional peers. While the 'Highway' scenario shows that combining aggressive interventions—such as reducing corruption, curbing HIV/AIDS, and increasing foreign direct investment—could push growth above 5%, such a path requires systemic structural change. Conversely, the analysis suggests that targets for education and infrastructure are 'eminently achievable' even with lower economic growth, indicating a potential lack of integration in the NDP's sectoral planning.

The document evaluates the National Development Plan 2030, arguing that its core economic growth target of 5.4 per cent average GDP is very ambitious and requires significant structural changes and leadership to achieve. It notes that while some sectoral targets in education and infrastructure are attainable with lower growth, the current capital-intensive economic model is insufficient for job creation and addressing structural inequality.

The report examines how Indonesia can optimize its role in global value chains (GVCs) to move toward higher value-adding activities. It identifies key internal governance factors, such as market diversification and standards compliance, and external factors, including labour market stability, connectivity, and contract enforceability. The author argues that GVC participation does not automatically lead to economic or social upgrading and requires a coherent strategy involving R&D, innovation systems, and the reduction of regulatory inconsistencies to ensure sustainable growth.

A study of 50 companies in Southern Africa identifies a split in trade barriers between SACU members and non-members, with common constraints including customs delays, corruption, and infrastructure deficits. While large firms can manage these hurdles, the environment is not conducive to small-business growth. The report recommends the implementation of a SADC-wide business visa, uniform labour permit regulations, and improvements to weighbridge and border crossing systems to facilitate trade.

The discovery of oil and gas in Ghana's Western Region in 2007 created high expectations for economic development and job creation that have not been met. Local populations, particularly youth, fishermen, and farmers, report marginalisation, loss of livelihoods, and rising costs of living. The lack of tangible infrastructure and employment opportunities has led to frustration and threats of illegal roadblocks. The author recommends that the government engage local chiefs, provide skills training for youth, and initiate urgent infrastructure projects to avert potential conflict.

The document outlines systemic inefficiencies at SADC borders, including endemic corruption, inadequate infrastructure, and bureaucratic hurdles that delay logistics. It highlights specific failures in electronic customs systems, such as at the Beitbridge Border, and contrasts the restrictive work permit environment in Botswana with the more efficient systems in Mozambique and Mauritius.

The document outlines the top ten business constraints in the SADC region, identified by collating results from Business Climate Surveys and Investment Climate Assessments. These barriers range from financial and regulatory issues to infrastructure and corruption, all of which contribute to an economic climate that is not conducive to investment. The findings serve as a basis for firm-level case studies across various sectors and member states to further explore these constraints.

The document details the business environment in the Democratic Republic of the Congo through the experience of ALASKA, a company importing goods from South Africa and Mauritius. It highlights systemic failures in the DRC's administration, including a cumbersome investment code requiring travel to Kinshasa for registration, high levels of corruption among agencies like the DGDA and OCC, and a fragmented tax system. Infrastructure deficits, specifically poor roads and lack of electricity, increase transport costs and limit the import of frozen products. Additionally, the company faces financial hurdles due to a lack of trust in Congolese banks, high interest rates (up to 36% per annum for micro-finance), and a lack of harmonization in regional SADC traffic laws regarding truck weight loads.

The Mohammed Enterprises Tanzania Ltd (MeTL) Group, a major conglomerate contributing 2.5% of Tanzania's GDP, faces significant operational barriers in the SADC region, primarily due to unreliable power, poor transport infrastructure, and regulatory uncertainty. MeTL reports that expensive and unreliable electricity makes local goods uncompetitive, with the Confederation of Tanzania Industry estimating annual business income losses of USD 19.6M from power interruptions. To mitigate these issues, MeTL is investing in a container depot near the Port of Dar es Salaam and planning biogas electricity generation from sisal waste. The group advocates for regional industrialization policies to protect strategic industries from competition from India and China, alongside the implementation of a regional Public Private Partnership (PPP) framework for infrastructure development.

The report examines how information and communication technologies (ICTs) can be strategically applied to climate change adaptation in Africa. It utilizes an analytical framework that categorizes adaptation interventions into four areas: addressing vulnerability drivers, building response capacity, managing climate risks, and confronting climate change. The analysis is supported by case studies from Senegal, Malawi, and Uganda to suggest practical actions and policy interventions for building adaptation capacities.

The document analyzes the differing strategies of China and India in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). China employs a state-led approach, utilizing loans from the Export-Import Bank to secure mining assets and fund infrastructure in exchange for resources. India's engagement is characterized as more market-driven, with private companies operating in mining and telecommunications, though the Indian government provides some credit lines for power projects. While both are drivers of growth, the paper notes concerns regarding transparency, labor conditions, and environmental pollution associated with smaller firms from both nations.

South Africa has long served as a primary entry point for international companies into Africa due to its sophisticated economy, financial hubs, and infrastructure. However, the document argues that its status is being challenged by the rise of regional gateways, increasing competition from other African ports and airlines, and internal issues including labour unrest, high port costs, and power price hikes.

The report examines the role of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in sustainable development, contrasting theoretical advantages—such as efficiency, risk transfer, and access to capital—with practical challenges including high tender costs, reduced transparency, and a lack of institutional capacity. It argues that while PPPs can drive innovation if governments provide correct incentives, they are currently not being used to advance environmental and social sustainability. The author recommends adopting a whole life value approach and integrating sustainability safeguards into pre-project approvals and performance evaluations to ensure PPPs support sustainable development rather than just economic growth.

The report identifies the top ten business constraints in the SADC region to facilitate policy dialogue and practical solutions. By reviewing World Bank data, World Economic Forum reports, and various Business Climate Surveys, the authors found that SADC countries generally perform poorly in ease of doing business, with Mauritius ranking 23rd and the Democratic Republic of Congo ranking 178th in 2012. The final list of top constraints includes issues such as access to finance, tax administration, lack of skilled labour, policy uncertainty, and infrastructure deficits.

The report finds that while Vietnam has a basic legal framework for environmental protection, sustainability criteria are rarely integrated into infrastructure procurement, which remains driven by the lowest immediate cost. Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) are the primary tool, but their implementation is weak due to limited monitoring and low fines for non-compliance. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) lack the capacity and information to meet higher standards, though they are increasingly pressured by foreign markets and donors. The report recommends a phased roadmap for SPP, including the integration of sustainability standards into the pre-selection of developers, increased awareness campaigns, and the potential use of public-private partnerships (PPPs) to improve life-cycle cost efficiency.

The Zambia–China Cooperation Zone (ZCCZ), comprising the Chambishi and Lusaka East subsections, is China's first economic and trade co-operation zone in Africa. While it has attracted significant investment, primarily in copper smelting, the project faces critical implementation hurdles including poor surrounding infrastructure, a lack of regulatory frameworks for local content and technology transfer, and labour disputes stemming from differing work cultures. The document argues that for the ZCCZ to succeed, both Chinese investors and Zambian authorities must increase transparency and develop a cohesive industrial strategy that integrates local entrepreneurs.

The Sicomines agreement is a multibillion-dollar barter deal where a Chinese joint venture (Sicomines) received mining titles in the DRC's Katanga Province in exchange for constructing transport and social infrastructure funded by China Exim Bank loans. Originally signed in 2007 and renegotiated in 2009, the deal reflects a shift in global political economy and China's consolidated role as a foreign policy actor. The 2009 amendments, which reduced the infrastructure component to a maximum of $3 billion and removed the Congolese state guarantee for mining investments, aligned the agreement with the preferences of the IMF and World Bank. This shift was driven partly by China's own ambition to take a more active role within the IMF. While the investment benefits the DRC's mining sector, the ultimate value of the deal depends on the pricing and monitoring of the infrastructure projects, managed by the Congolese Agency for Public Works (ACGT).

A budget vote speech delivered by Minister Edna Molewa on 14 April 2011, outlining the Department of Water Affairs' strategy to increase water availability for economic growth and job creation in South Africa. The speech details major infrastructure projects, water security measures, regulatory frameworks for water quality, and plans for legislative review to prevent water hoarding.

The policy brief examines the broad economic relationship between China and Nigeria, highlighting significant investments in oil, infrastructure, and agriculture, while identifying the banking sector as an under-developed area for future cooperation. It details existing financial links, such as the involvement of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) and First Bank, and suggests that current reforms in the Nigerian banking sector create opportunities for Chinese acquisitions and investments. The author notes that while past projects were often marred by corruption, the banking sector offers a new avenue for mutual economic benefit and regional expansion.

The report examines food insecurity in Indonesia, specifically in the provinces of East Nusa Tenggara, West Nusa Tenggara, and Yogyakarta. It argues that while national food supplies were generally sufficient during the 2007/08 global food crisis, poor infrastructure and low incomes hindered access to affordable food. The author criticizes the 'Swasembada Pangan' (food self-sufficiency) approach for ignoring the dimensions of accessibility and affordability, recommending a shift toward improving transportation infrastructure and creating sustainable employment in the agro-industry.