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This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies examines the purported link between the HIV/AIDS epidemic, the resulting increase in orphaned children, and rising crime rates in Africa, particularly southern Africa. The author argues that while the epidemic creates environments conducive to crime through poverty and demographic shifts, there is little empirical evidence to suggest that AIDS orphans are disproportionately more likely to commit crimes than other poor children.

This conference report, prepared by Masiiwa Rusare of the Trade & Development Studies Centre (TRADES Centre), documents a regional meeting held in September 2005 in Harare, Zimbabwe. The event focused on the experiences of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) in negotiating Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) with the European Union (EU). The report details the institutional structures of the negotiations, areas of convergence and divergence between the two regional blocs and the EU, the specific interests of South Africa, and the challenges of integrating non-state actors and the poor into the trade process.

This research paper analyzes the challenges facing the SADC-EPA group in negotiating Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) with the European Union, focusing on the complexities of multiple membership in regional trade blocs and the impact of the Trade and Development Cooperation Agreement (TDCA) between South Africa and the European Community.

This research paper examines how social stigma and cultural taboos act as primary barriers to HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment in Botswana and South Africa, arguing that financial resources alone are insufficient to combat the pandemic if fear of discrimination prevents people from seeking testing and care.

This research paper examines the illicit trafficking of stolen and hijacked vehicles from South Africa into Zimbabwe, specifically focusing on the Beit Bridge border post. It analyzes the methods used by criminal networks, the institutional challenges of border policing, and the systemic weaknesses that facilitate smuggling.

This policy brief analyzes the principle of Prior Informed Consent (PIC) within the context of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the TRIPS Agreement. It argues that mandatory international disclosure requirements for PIC in patent applications are necessary to prevent the misappropriation of genetic resources and traditional knowledge, ensuring a more equitable intellectual property system.

This research paper examines the relationship between remittances and political influence in Cape Verde, the Comores, and Lesotho. It argues that the political weight of a diaspora is not determined by its size or the volume of remittances, but rather by the structure and organization of the recipient state.

This research paper examines the relationship between organised crime and terrorism in Southern Africa, focusing on how illicit trades in arms, narcotics, and minerals provide resources for terrorist activities and how state-sponsored terrorism operates within the region.

This report by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) evaluates the implementation of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in Africa, analyzing their potential to address infrastructure and service backlogs. Through eight case studies across sectors including transport, telecommunications, water, power, and eco-tourism, the document argues that while PPPs can offer efficiency gains and fiscal benefits, they are not a 'magic bullet' and are susceptible to the same failures as full privatisation, such as corruption, poor pricing, and lack of transparency. The report provides a comprehensive set of recommendations for African governments to improve regulatory frameworks, conduct thorough feasibility studies, and build institutional capacity to ensure PPPs deliver value for money and social benefit.

This report, based on a 2004 conference hosted by the South African Institute of International Affairs, examines the impacts of the Trade, Development, and Co-operation Agreement (TDCA) between South Africa and the European Union. It analyzes the TDCA as a potential benchmark for Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) being negotiated between the EU and other Southern African states, while highlighting the systemic challenges posed by overlapping regional memberships (the 'Spaghetti Bowl') and the legal complexities of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU).

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies examines the incidence, magnitude, and control of money laundering in Southern Africa. It analyzes predicate crimes—primarily drug trafficking and corruption—the role of informal remittance systems, and the legislative and institutional challenges facing the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region in implementing anti-money laundering frameworks.

This report evaluates the legislative and institutional capacity of several East and Southern African countries—specifically Botswana, Kenya, Lesotho, and Malawi—to detect and control money laundering and terrorist financing. It identifies systemic weaknesses, including a lack of dedicated anti-money laundering (AML) laws in some states, poor inter-agency cooperation, and the vulnerability of both formal and informal financial sectors to the laundering of proceeds from corruption, drug trafficking, and organized crime.

This research paper examines the motivations, impacts, and competitiveness of South African business investment across Africa, while discussing the potential and pitfalls of regulating such investment behavior to address regional sensitivities and corruption.

The report provides a quarterly update on international intellectual property (IP) developments for the third quarter of 2004, focusing on the intersection of IP and development. It specifically analyzes the implementation of the FAO's International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) and tracks IP-related negotiations across multilateral bodies like the WTO and WIPO, as well as regional and bilateral free trade agreements.

This 2004 report by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines the experiences of South African firms expanding into other African markets. It identifies systemic structural challenges—such as political risk, corruption, and poor infrastructure—while highlighting the growth of South African investment in sectors like banking, telecommunications, retail, and mining. The document provides specific case studies on Uganda, Morocco, Mozambique, and Ghana to illustrate the diverse operating environments across the continent.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies examines the intersection of anti-personnel landmines and the development of peacekeeping standby forces in Africa. It analyzes the operational challenges posed by landmines in irregular African conflicts, the progress of the Ottawa Convention across the continent, and the specific legislative and policy frameworks adopted by South Africa and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to combat mine proliferation.

This report, published by the South African Institute of International Affairs in October 2003, examines the critical state of transport, financial, and social infrastructure within the Southern African Development Community (SADC). It argues that poor management and political apathy, rather than just physical decay, hinder regional economic competitiveness and integration.

Botswana is characterized by a paradox of high GDP growth and strong fiscal management—driven largely by diamond mining—alongside declining human development indicators, high income inequality, and a severe HIV/AIDS crisis.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines the complexities of trade-related subsidies, focusing on the divide between developed and developing nations. It argues that current WTO indicators for measuring subsidies are inadequate for resolving trade disputes and proposes the use of 'terms-of-trade' as a more effective metric. The document provides detailed case studies on the subsidy regimes and trade impacts in India, the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), and Brazil, highlighting how subsidies in OECD countries often harm the economies of developing nations, particularly in agriculture.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies explores whether auditors in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region can provide unique insights into money laundering and the extent to which they can assist in combating it. Based on surveys and interviews with professionals from four multinational auditing firms, the paper concludes that while general auditors are poorly positioned to detect money laundering, forensic auditors may offer valuable qualitative data. It further identifies significant gaps in auditors' understanding of anti-money laundering regulations and highlights systemic challenges in the SADC region that hinder the effectiveness of legal measures.