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The document examines how COVID-19 disrupted mining employment through lockdowns, supply chain failures, and commodity price volatility. It highlights the vulnerability of contractual and migrant workers, the risk of insolvency for local SMEs, and the potential for accelerated automation. The author argues that recovery requires shifting from blanket stimulus to targeted support, redesigning workplaces for health safety, and diversifying local industrial bases to reduce dependency on mining jobs.

The document examines how COVID-19 disrupted mining operations, specifically affecting direct employment, contractors, and local suppliers. It highlights the vulnerability of underground mining and non-permanent workers, while noting that automation and 'essential service' designations mitigated some impacts. The report argues for a transition from general stimulus packages to sector-specific support, emphasizing the need for new health protocols, increased local sourcing to reduce global supply chain dependency, and investment in worker reskilling to prepare for future systemic shocks.

The document analyzes how COVID-19 disrupted the mining sector through supply chain failures, reduced demand, and health-related closures. It highlights the vulnerability of non-permanent workers and local SMEs, while noting that automation may accelerate as a risk-mitigation strategy. The author recommends transitioning from general to targeted support, updating health and safety regulations, and investing in worker retraining to build long-term resilience against future 'black swan' events.

The National Adaptation Plan Framework for Botswana provides a high-level strategic guide for integrating climate change adaptation into national and subnational development planning. It outlines a multi-sectoral approach emphasizing horizontal and vertical integration, ecosystem-based adaptation, and community-centered planning. The framework proposes a governance structure led by a National Climate Change Unit (NCCU) and a National Committee on Climate Change (NCCC), while prioritizing the needs of youth, women, and vulnerable groups. It also details strategies for mobilizing domestic and international climate finance and aligning the NAP with existing policies like Vision 2036 and NDP 11.

The document examines the African Peer Review Mechanism's (APRM) drive for universal membership, arguing that while a worthy goal, the organization must first address its backlog of 'slow states' and improve the implementation of National Programmes of Action (NPoAs). It highlights that 40 of 55 African states have joined, but many have failed to undergo first reviews or progress to second reviews. The authors warn that 'targeted reviews' may allow governments to avoid sensitive issues and suggest that the APRM adopt stricter measures, similar to the OGP or EITI, to handle inactive members.

The research analyzes 259 autocratic regimes from 1946 to 2008 to determine if the predictability of election dates influences regime durability. The author posits that regular election cycles create focal points for dissident collective action and prevent incumbents from 'surfing' favorable political or economic conditions. Statistical analysis indicates that regimes with more regular electoral cycles have a significantly higher probability of failure. The study suggests that manipulating the electoral calendar—through snap elections or delays—serves as a survival strategy to stymie challengers and optimize the use of state violence.

The document highlights the extreme vulnerability of the San community in D’kar, Botswana, during the Covid-19 pandemic. It notes that government lockdown measures and health advice are ineffective because they ignore the communal living conditions, high poverty levels, and linguistic needs of the San. The author warns that the pandemic threatens the survival of the San's ancient culture and traditional knowledge, while detailing grassroots efforts to provide hygiene supplies and information.

The report details a Zoom workshop held on 20 May 2020, organized by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) and the Botswana Council of Non-Governmental Organisations (BOCONGO). The session aimed to build the capacity of Botswana's civil society organisations (CSOs) to participate in the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) by providing an overview of the mechanism and sharing lessons from Namibia and Zambia. Key discussions focused on the importance of inclusive National Governing Councils (NGC), the role of umbrella bodies like BOCONGO in coordinating CSOs, and the challenges of maintaining momentum and independence from government. The workshop also addressed the impact of COVID-19 on the process and outlined a plan for CSOs to develop evidence-based written submissions on up to 12 key governance issues in Botswana.

The study finds that FDI in the SADC region is heavily concentrated in South Africa and primarily flows into service sectors, while many countries remain locked in primary value chain stages. While secondary activities like manufacturing and construction drive job creation, there is a mismatch between FDI levels and export potential in sectors such as aquaculture and meat. The report suggests that the region can leverage growth in agro-processing and sustainable services through targeted policies, skills development, and local content incentives to align with the SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap (SISR).

The document examines how COVID-19 disrupted African extractive industries through reduced global demand, supply chain failures, and operational shutdowns. It highlights the vulnerability of oil-dependent economies like Nigeria and the specific challenges facing South Africa's mining sector. Conversely, it identifies a 'silver lining' in the increased demand for gold due to its role in rapid antibody tests. The report argues that the crisis provides a governance opportunity for African nations to diversify their economies, reduce reliance on Chinese demand, and implement structural reforms to protect property rights and broaden tax bases.

The analysis finds that while FDI in the SADC region is heavily driven by natural resource endowments and GDP, secondary activities (manufacturing and construction) are the primary drivers of job creation and inclusive growth. The paper highlights a mismatch between export potential and FDI in sectors like aquaculture and meat, while identifying strong growth opportunities in agro-processing and a potential revival in textiles driven by sustainable sourcing. It concludes that while services are growing, they provide significantly fewer jobs than industrial activities, validating the SISR's focus on industrialisation.

The report details a sensitisation project in Botswana led by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) and the Botswana Council of Non-Governmental Organisations (BOCONGO). Key activities included a workshop for 20 civil society organisations (CSOs) on 10 March 2020, where participants discussed the APRM's potential to depoliticise socio-economic criticism and the risks of an 'implementation deficit' regarding National Programmes of Action (NPoA). The project identified a need for additional funding to ensure representation of CSOs outside the capital, Gaborone, to avoid the lack of national coverage experienced in a similar Namibian project. Meetings were held with the Botswana government, including the Director of Governance in the Office of the President, who admitted the country is "still far behind" in APRM implementation. Consultations with international partners like the European Union, the British High Commission, and Friedrich Ebert Stiftung focused on securing funding and aligning the project with donor objectives. The report also notes meetings with the University of Botswana and the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) to foster collaboration between academia, government, and civil society.

The paper analyzes how the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) proposals—specifically Pillar 1 and Pillar 2—could affect the mining industry. It argues for the exclusion of the entire mining value chain from Pillar 1's 'Amount A' to protect the taxing rights of resource-rich countries and expresses concern that 'Amount B' and 'Amount C' could legitimize offshore marketing hubs and shift profits away from source countries. Regarding Pillar 2 (Global Anti-Base Erosion), the author supports a minimum tax to reduce costly tax competition but emphasizes that the rate must align with the mining sector's typically higher statutory rates (25% to 35%) and that mineral royalties should be excluded from the minimum effective rate calculation.

The report analyzes the services sector's role in African development and the implications of the AfCFTA. It identifies Egypt, Morocco, South Africa, Ghana, and Nigeria as the continent's largest services exporters. The study highlights a significant gap in comprehensive services trade data, particularly for Mode 3 (commercial presence), and recommends implementing the 2010 Manual on Statistics of International Trade in Services. For South Africa, the report finds that services value added in gross exports is more than double the share of services exports, emphasizing the sector's role as an input for manufacturing. It argues for a developmental trade strategy that integrates services with industrial policy and warns against premature deindustrialization.

The report concludes that the Batang Toru hydroelectric project is an unnecessary endeavor that threatens the Tapanuli orangutan with extinction. It finds that North Sumatra already has a power surplus and that planned gas, geothermal, and other hydroelectric projects render Batang Toru's peak and baseload power redundant. Furthermore, the report argues that the project's claims regarding CO2 emission reductions and balance of payments relief are significantly inflated or incorrect, while highlighting the operational risks associated with the contractor, Sinohydro.

The paper analyzes the role of sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) in Africa, focusing on their ability to manage resource revenues and combat the 'resource curse'. Through case studies of Angola, Botswana, Ghana, and Nigeria, it finds that while some funds have strong legal frameworks, their success is heavily dependent on the country's overarching fiscal culture and the presence of independent oversight. The author argues that SWFs cannot operate in isolation and must be integrated into broader public financial management reforms to prevent political misuse and ensure long-term sustainability.

Natural Justice's 2020-2022 strategy shifts from siloed programs to three integrated streams: affirming rights to lands and resources, defending rights against environmental impacts, and standing with communities through legal empowerment. The organization aims to strengthen the capacity of African Indigenous and local communities to challenge extractive projects, influence climate policy, and protect traditional knowledge. Key initiatives include the Community Environmental Legal Officers (CELOs) program, the African Environmental Defenders Initiative, and the Just Energy Transition Africa project. The strategy also details a resourcing plan focused on funding growth, financial sustainability, and internal system upgrades to support its Pan-African operations.

The proposal seeks USD 347,838 over 18 months to develop mandatory Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and labelling schemes for refrigerators and distribution transformers in Malawi. It aims to reduce electricity losses and GHG emissions by creating a policy roadmap, strengthening institutional capacity, and identifying financing mechanisms to facilitate market transformation toward higher efficiency products.

The proposal outlines a plan to implement Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and labelling schemes for refrigerators and distribution transformers in Namibia to reduce electricity losses and GHG emissions. It requests USD 328,755 over 18 months to conduct market analysis, form policy and technical committees, develop national roadmaps, and identify financing mechanisms. The project aims to mitigate the impact of growing electricity demand and high energy losses, which currently burden the government budget due to electricity subsidies.

The report argues that framing migration as a security threat—driven largely by EU policies to stem migration to Europe—leads to restrictive border controls and the criminalisation of smuggling. Using Agadez, Niger, as a case study, the author demonstrates that these securitised approaches do not stop irregular migration but instead increase local insecurity, empower high-level smugglers, expose migrants to greater risks, and erode trust between citizens and governments. The document recommends shifting the narrative toward evidence-based migration management and expanding legal pathways for movement within Africa and between Africa and the EU.