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This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) analyzes the persistent political and security instability in Lesotho. It argues that while regional interventions by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have provided temporary calm, long-term stability requires addressing the root causes: a politicized military, a flawed electoral system that encourages factionalism, and a small economy heavily dependent on government employment.

This policy brief provides an overview of local procurement regulations for the mining and petroleum sectors across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. It distinguishes between demand-side policies, which encourage companies to buy locally, and supply-side policies, which support local supplier capacity. The document highlights a regional trend toward state intervention to create backward linkages from extractive activities to the wider economy, noting that while most SADC countries have some form of local procurement language, the depth of regulation varies significantly, ranging from vague 'best effort obligations' to specific, measurable targets.

This case study by Mike Muller examines the political economy of water resource development and management within the Southern African Development Community (SADC). It argues that a disconnect exists between local/national priorities and regional agendas, largely because the latter have been driven by donor preferences for environmental conservation over infrastructure development. The author highlights that while some bilateral projects have succeeded, the broader region has suffered from 'economic water scarcity' due to a lack of long-term finance for infrastructure, a gap recently being filled by new financiers like China and Brazil.

This briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines the proposed preferential trade agreement (PTA) between the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and India. It details the economic rationale, negotiating interests, and potential challenges of the deal, while considering its place within the broader IBSA (India, Brazil, South Africa) Dialogue and the possibility of a future trilateral free trade agreement.

This fact sheet by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) outlines various donor-funded financing programs available for renewable energy manufacturing and clean energy innovation, primarily targeting Africa and other developing regions.

This research paper examines the role of local governments in locally led adaptation (LLA), focusing on the Local Climate Adaptive Living Facility (LoCAL) mechanism. Using case studies from Niger, Lesotho, and Cambodia, the paper argues that local governments are underutilized actors capable of mediating between national authorities and communities to manage climate finance and institutionalize adaptation within existing government structures.

This fact sheet describes the Northern Drakensberg Collaborative (NDC), a multistakeholder partnership formalised in May 2023 to improve the stewardship of water and natural resources in the Northern Drakensberg Strategic Water Source Area. The NDC focuses on addressing water insecurity, unequal water access, food security, and climate change resilience in a region critical for water supply to multiple South African provinces.

This document outlines 'Impact Goal 1' of the WWF South Africa Strategy 2030, which aims to reshape land and seascapes by integrating people as primary custodians of nature. The strategy focuses on four priority geographic areas aligned with Mega Living Landscapes (MLLs) and Strategic Water Source Areas (SWSAs), utilizing four interlinked pathways: biodiversity stewardship, livelihood enhancement, economic transition, and financial mobilization.