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The paper examines the debate surrounding the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Amendment Bill of 2013, specifically the potential shift from a 'first-in, first-assessed' (FIFA) system to competitive bidding for mining rights. It outlines the advantages of auctions—such as rent maximisation and increased transparency—while warning of risks including high administrative burdens, delays in mine development, and the potential for corruption in weak institutional environments. Using examples from Afghanistan and Liberia, the authors argue that any such system must be clearly enshrined in law to limit ministerial discretion and should ideally be a mixed system based on the availability of geological data.

The document argues against the withdrawal of African states from the International Criminal Court (ICC), asserting that such a move would undermine human rights and the fight against impunity. It specifically addresses the situation in Kenya, noting that the ICC acted as a court of last resort after domestic efforts to prosecute post-election violence failed. The authors acknowledge global inconsistencies in international justice but argue that expanding ICC membership is the correct path to widening access to justice.

The document analyzes state fragility in Africa as a self-reinforcing syndrome driven by poor governance, conflict, inequality, and poverty. Using the International Futures system, it forecasts that while 16 of the 26 identified fragile countries may transition toward resilience by 2050, ten are at risk of remaining in a 'fragility trap'. The authors emphasize that while Africa's overall economy is projected to grow significantly, the gap in extreme poverty between fragile and resilient states is expected to widen unless inclusive growth and improved governance are achieved.

The document evaluates South Africa's interventions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) across sectors such as security sector reform, governance, and economic development. It finds that while South Africa possesses significant moral authority and technical expertise, its efforts have often been uncoordinated, short-term, and hampered by inadequate funding and strategic planning. The brief recommends the creation of a coherent national post-conflict strategy and the development of a specialized pool of peacebuilding experts to move beyond demand-driven, dispersed engagements.

The policy brief contends that offensive military intervention is frequently required to stop conflicts before peacekeeping can begin, noting that international bodies often fail to act promptly. It analyzes the increasing capabilities of opposing forces in Africa—including better training, equipment, and leadership—and the logistical challenges posed by vast strategic and operational distances. The author argues that South Africa, as a regional economic power, should develop an autonomous intervention capability within the SANDF, including enhanced special forces, airlift, and reconnaissance, potentially requiring a defense budget of approximately 2% of GDP, while still cooperating with SADC and the African Union.

The document analyzes the evolution of Russia-Angola relations from the Cold War era to 2013, noting a strong political and military bond that has not yet translated into significant bilateral trade. While state-owned enterprises like ALROSA and VTB have found success, Russian SMEs face high barriers to entry in Angola. The authors argue that both nations must institutionalize their cooperation and diversify economic ties beyond hydrocarbons to achieve a fully-fledged strategic partnership.

The vulnerability assessment in the Virunga landscape reveals that climate-related disturbances affect different social groups and activities unevenly. While non-Batwa women identified that direct consequences of events like flooding can be mitigated to reduce impacts on income, Batwa groups perceive themselves as more severely affected by destructive disturbances such as strong winds. The Batwa are identified as a particularly vulnerable group due to extreme poverty, high dependency on the park, and displacement resulting from restricted park access, leaving many in poor housing.

The document assesses the G-20's food security commitments from an African perspective, focusing on food-price volatility, agricultural productivity, and nutrition. While it finds broad alignment in rhetoric and focus areas, it argues that the G-20 fails to implement critical regulatory reforms in financial markets and trade that would meaningfully benefit Africa.

The document examines Russia's strategic return to Africa after a period of decline in the 1990s. It details the transition from Soviet-era ideological support to a modern, pragmatic approach focused on natural resources, arms trade, and diplomatic influence. The analysis highlights the role of the BRICS framework, particularly South Africa's membership, as a catalyst for renewed engagement. While Russia has established diplomatic ties with all African nations and increased investments in mining and energy, the paper notes a gap between high-level agreements and practical implementation, as well as a continued disparity in attention between North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa.

The research paper argues that the Southern African Development Community (SADC) is struggling to fulfill its mandate because its resources and attention are consumed by permanent political crises and conflict mediation in member states. The author contends that this focus on crisis management has marginalized the region's trade integration and developmental agenda, leaving the SADC secretariat underfunded and understaffed. The document calls for the 33rd Summit in Lilongwe to re-engineer the institution's governance to move beyond a 'lowest common denominator approach' to political governance.

The document analyzes the shift from traditional official development assistance (ODA) and commercial bank lending toward alternative financing for infrastructure in Africa. It highlights the role of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), blending finance, and institutional investors like pension funds and sovereign wealth funds. A significant portion of the text focuses on the SADC Regional Infrastructure Development Master Plan (RIDMP), which requires an estimated $500 billion in capital, and the systemic challenges facing the region, including underdeveloped financial markets and high utility tariffs.

The case study examines the implementation of REDD+ within the SADC region, highlighting the tension between global carbon sequestration goals and regional needs for sustainable development. It details the SADC FANR Directorate's efforts to provide a 'regional value add' through a support programme, specifically focusing on a measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) project funded by GIZ. The analysis emphasizes that while carbon is the primary global driver, local and regional benefits—such as hydrological services and non-timber forest products—are often more critical to the region's population. The document concludes that SADC's approach to REDD+ pilots balances carbon effectiveness with regional equity to avoid marginalizing countries with lower forest cover.

The document examines the establishment of Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) in Southern Africa, highlighting their role in protecting regional public goods and fostering integration. It identifies the Peace Parks Foundation (PPF) and SADC as key drivers, while noting significant barriers such as rhino poaching, livestock disease concerns, and sovereignty issues. The study concludes that successful implementation relies on a combination of high-level political leadership and ground-level collaboration among officials and local communities.

The document examines the evolution of the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) from a cooperative pool to a competitive regional electricity market (REM). It highlights the role of the SADC Energy Protocol and the integration of independent power producers (IPPs) and renewable energy sources (RES), using South Africa's REIPPPP as a primary example of private sector participation. The analysis identifies significant challenges, including the lack of political will among member states, disparities in national energy policies, and infrastructure deficits, while noting the potential for regional integration through shared hydropower and thermal resources.

The report argues that while trade integration in SADC has been stagnant, integration in public goods sectors like water, power, and conservation has seen varying degrees of success. It finds that these processes are heavily dependent on third-party financing and often suffer from a disconnect between donor-driven regional agendas and national service delivery priorities. The document highlights that SADC lacks the institutional capacity to implement policies, often requiring independent entities or NGOs to manage funds and projects. Case studies on REDD+, transfrontier conservation areas (TFCAs), and the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) illustrate that bottom-up collaboration and the transposition of regional goals into national law are more effective than top-down mandates.

The Southern African sugar sector is a vital agricultural industry characterized by high levels of state involvement and concentrated private ownership, particularly by South African firms. While the SADC region accounts for approximately 54% of African sugar production, the sector operates within a highly distorted global market marked by heavy subsidies and dumping. Regional cooperation is managed through the SADC Protocol on Trade (Annex VII), which establishes import quotas for surplus producers to access the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) market. The industry faces significant risks from the reform of the EU's preferential trade scheme for ACP countries, which threatens the value of exports for several regional producers.

The document analyzes how CRASA facilitates regional regulatory integration in Southern Africa, highlighting the active role of private sector companies like Vodacom and MTN in government delegations. While CRASA successfully develops model guidelines and supports digital migration, the process is hindered by national incompetencies in transposing regional agreements into law. The study notes that telecommunications is a critical driver of economic growth, though penetration rates vary significantly across the region, with some states lagging due to weak regulatory capacity.

The paper examines why Angola, SADC's second-largest economy, has remained outside the SADC Free Trade Area (FTA) despite signing the Protocol on Trade (PoT) in 2003. While the government of Angola (GoA) cites the need to rebuild its war-ravaged industry and protect 'infant industries' from cheap imports, the author argues that this protectionism is contradictory given Angola's openness to imports from China, Brazil, and Portugal. The analysis suggests that vested interests—specifically 'Empresários de Confiança' (trusted businessmen with political links)—benefit from existing high-cost import monopolies and may be discouraging the FTA. The document also critiques the SADC Secretariat for its lack of enforcement mechanisms to hold member states accountable for protocol violations.

The report examines South Africa's transition from an aid recipient to a provider of development assistance in Africa. It details the limitations of the previous African Renaissance Fund (ARF) and the subsequent push to establish the South African Development Partnership Agency (SADPA) to coordinate diverse domestic stakeholders and align with the 'African Agenda'. The analysis highlights South Africa's comparative advantages in peace-building, public financial management, and infrastructure, while noting tensions between altruistic 'ubuntu' diplomacy and the need for strategic economic diplomacy to support South African commercial interests.

The case study examines SADC's efforts to address infrastructure deficits through the Regional Infrastructure Development Master Plan (RIDMP) Vision 2027, which targets six priority sectors. It highlights the shift from donor-led projects to a bottom-up, member-state-driven approach to ensure regional ownership. The document identifies critical barriers, including financing gaps, conflicts between national and regional priorities, and a lack of regulatory frameworks. It also analyzes the roles of traditional Western donors versus emerging partners like China and India, and South Africa's position as a regional champion for infrastructure investment.