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This 2009 briefing analyzes Namibia's agricultural sector and food security strategies. It highlights that while Namibia faced rising food prices, a conservative pricing agreement between producers and millers mitigated the impact. The report details the country's reliance on subsistence farming for 1.5 million people and the government's efforts to increase food security through irrigation (the Green Scheme), import controls on staples and horticulture, and targeted subsidies for communal farmers. It also discusses Namibia's trade position within SACU, SADC, and the WTO, emphasizing its status as a net food-importing developing country.

This report examines the integration of sustainable development into the regional and bilateral trade arrangements of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), comprising South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, and Swaziland. It analyzes the tension between trade liberalization and national development goals, the impact of the SACU Revenue Sharing Formula, and the outcomes of various Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). The study concludes that most trade deals focus almost exclusively on market access, neglecting social and environmental pillars of sustainable development.

This research paper by Marianne Camerer examines the requirements for effective anti-corruption systems, particularly within the context of new democracies in Africa. The author argues that a single-agency approach is often insufficient and that sustainable reform requires a combination of data-driven policy, a matrix of legal and oversight institutions, ethical leadership, and active partnerships with civil society and the media.

This research paper by Robert Mattes, published by the South African Institute of International Affairs, argues that representative public opinion surveys are essential for the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) to achieve a comprehensive national self-assessment. The author contrasts the limitations of 'participatory' public consultations with the precision of random probability sampling and provides a technical framework for conducting credible surveys in Africa, including sampling stages, cost estimates, and the necessity of avoiding 'head of household' bias.

The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) submitted a report to the South African Parliament on 28 July 2008 regarding the National Prosecuting Authority Amendment Bill and the South African Police Service Amendment Bill. The ISS argues for the retention of the Directorate of Special Operations (DSO) within the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to ensure independence from executive and political interference, particularly in high-level corruption and money laundering investigations.

This research paper by Victoria Ayer provides strategic advice for civil society organisations (CSOs) to influence parliaments and achieve legislative change, particularly in developing democracies. It emphasizes the importance of understanding electoral systems, conducting non-partisan research, building long-term relationships with political 'champions', and maintaining organisational legitimacy through financial transparency and community rooting.

This research paper argues that South Africa and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have failed to hold Robert Mugabe's regime accountable for electoral fraud and violence in Zimbabwe. The author contends that South Africa has underplayed its influence and calls for a decisive regional response, including sanctions and the recognition of the March 29, 2008, election results, to protect democratic institutions in Africa.

This research paper examines the relationship between governance, corruption, and foreign direct investment (FDI) in Africa, arguing that while good governance may not be the primary driver for short-term investment—particularly in resource-rich nations—it is essential for long-term economic stability and resource management.

This report provides a state-by-state overview of scheduled and potential elections across several African nations in 2008, noting a general trend where incumbents face little threat from fragmented oppositions, though some countries are experiencing significant leadership transitions.

This research paper examines the systemic advantages held by ruling parties in African electoral democracies, noting that incumbents often maintain power through state resource control, weak opposition structures, and the legacy of liberation movements.

This report by the South African Institute of International Affairs outlines a business-centric vision for Africa's economic development, arguing that the continent must prioritize political stability, basic infrastructure maintenance, access to credit, and the rule of law over large-scale projects or long-term social goals to achieve immediate growth.

This case study describes Thari ya Basadi, a group of women in Botswana who create beadwork, such as pins featuring the red AIDS ribbon and the Botswana flag, to generate income and combat the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs argues that international donor agencies and UN bodies are hindering malaria control in Africa by resisting the use of Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) and DDT in favor of less effective measures. The author contends that a 'vertical' health program approach, combining DDT-based IRS and Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT), is the most effective strategy, citing successful implementations in South Africa and India.

This research paper examines the structural challenges facing political opposition parties within the Southern African Development Community (SADC), arguing that the fusion of liberation parties with state and economic power creates an environment where opposition is largely ineffective and marginalized.

A research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs critiquing the Southern African Development Community (SADC) for its premature declaration that Mozambique's December 2004 elections were 'free and fair' before the vote counting process was completed.

This report examines the national AIDS control programmes of Botswana, Senegal, and Uganda to identify models of good practice for fighting the pandemic in Africa, a continent that accounted for approximately 64% of new global HIV/AIDS infections in 2005.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) examines the domestic implementation of the Rome Statute in five African countries: Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. It finds that while these states ratified the statute, none had enacted implementing legislation by early 2008, leaving them unable to fully respond to International Criminal Court (ICC) requests for arrest and surrender or to prosecute international crimes domestically. The report identifies systemic barriers, including a lack of political priority, capacity shortfalls in legal drafting, and concerns over official immunities.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies provides a progress update on the establishment of the African Standby Force (ASF), a multidisciplinary force designed to enable the African Union (AU) to respond to conflicts through peace support missions and interventions.

This briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs assesses South Africa's foreign policy, economic relations, and security role within Africa since 1994. It highlights the transition from the 'principled' approach of the Mandela era to the 'pragmatic' African Renaissance agenda under Thabo Mbeki, while noting the tensions between South Africa's regional economic dominance and its desire to avoid being perceived as a 'big brother'.

This 2008 report by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the economic impact of non-tariff barriers (NTBs) on the North-South Corridor between South Africa and Zimbabwe, specifically focusing on the Beit Bridge border crossing and Durban port. The study identifies administrative and trade policy barriers—most notably Zimbabwean foreign exchange controls and regional transport inefficiencies—as significant costs to businesses across various sectors including mining, fuel, and agriculture.