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The document outlines a four-step process for governments to integrate the mining sector into national development plans through local content policies. It categorizes these policies into five main types: local procurement, direct local employment, horizontal linkages (infrastructure and capacity), downstream linkages (product enrichment), and the strengthening of national mining companies. The guide emphasizes that there is no one-size-fits-all model, as success depends on a country's specific industrial base, skills availability, and business climate. It also addresses cross-cutting challenges, such as the impact of automation on employment and the potential conflicts between local content requirements and international trade and investment laws.

The report argues that global fossil fuel subsidies, estimated at USD 425 billion in 2015, represent a massive untapped financial resource that could fund universal energy access multiple times over. It contends that untargeted consumption subsidies are often regressive, benefiting wealthier households and potentially hindering energy access by straining utility budgets and encouraging fuel smuggling. The authors propose a 'Remove, Target, and Swap' framework: removing subsidies with no energy access benefit, targeting necessary subsidies toward the poor (e.g., through connection subsidies), and swapping fossil fuel support for investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency.

The EU-SADC EPA provides Lesotho with tariff preferences and liberal rules of origin for exports to the EU, supported by a development envelope of EUR 6 million. However, Lesotho currently exports almost no agricultural or agro-processed products to European markets due to low production volumes, inability to meet stringent EU and South African standards, and fragmented coordination between government and donors. While aquaculture (freshwater trout) is growing, other produce like apples, peaches, and tomatoes remains local or limited to South African markets. The document recommends that Lesotho integrate into South African value chains as a stepping stone to the EU and focus development efforts on a few specific products to achieve the necessary scale.

The document examines Kenya's strategic shift toward an integrated Blue Economy, encompassing maritime sectors and inland water bodies. While highlighting growth in port capacity and aquaculture, it identifies critical risks including illegal fishing, environmental degradation from large infrastructure projects, and social exclusion. The author emphasizes the need for better coordination between government ministries and inclusive national dialogue to ensure sustainable development.

The document analyzes Zimbabwe's transition following the ousting of Robert Mugabe, focusing on the 2018 general elections. It argues that while Emmerson Mnangagwa and ZANU-PF are likely to win, the legitimacy of the process is crucial for unlocking foreign investment and implementing economic reforms. The author suggests a 'pragmatic' economic approach, citing Cote d'Ivoire as a positive model for recovery through IMF engagement and market-friendly policies, while warning against the political instability seen in Egypt. Key priorities identified include addressing the $9 billion debt, stabilizing the currency, and re-engaging with Western partners and the IMF.

This report by the Public Affairs Research Institute (PARI) and Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) South Africa examines the role of taxation in state-society relations within sub-Saharan Africa, specifically focusing on South Africa, Mozambique, and Cameroon. The authors argue that the effectiveness of a tax system depends not only on institutional design but also on the socio-political dynamics and societal perceptions that influence tax morale and voluntary compliance.

The report examines the intersection of insurance and property markets in sub-Saharan Africa, identifying a gap between the theoretical potential of insurance to mitigate risks and provide financing and the actual low level of insurance penetration. It maps the property value chain—from land assembly to sale—and details the risks (credit, macroeconomic, political, and climate) and constraints (administrative bottlenecks and limited finance) that hinder development. Using Zambia as a case study, the report argues that while insurance can offer products like political risk insurance and performance bonds, its role is currently limited by the underdeveloped nature of the property markets themselves and a lack of aggregated, liquid investment vehicles that suit institutional insurers.

The EU–SADC EPA, effective October 2016, provides tariff preferences for South Africa and other SADC members, with higher benefits for processed goods. Despite this, South Africa has underutilised its quotas for several processed fruit products due to a lack of awareness, sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) issues, and drought. The document highlights the potential for growth in the canned fruit and juice sectors, noting that while large companies dominate, there are opportunities for SMEs if barriers such as the lack of local testing laboratories and changing EU consumer preferences (e.g., reduced sugar) are addressed. It recommends establishing information portals, improving SPS capacity, and providing technical assistance for niche markets like nuts to better integrate small-scale producers into the EU value chain.

The document examines the negative impacts of seismic surveys on marine fauna and evaluates the adequacy of current mitigation guidelines in South Africa and globally. It recommends that South Africa move away from company-led environmental impact assessments (EIAs) toward a national, legislated regulatory framework to ensure environmental integrity during oil and gas exploration.

The document examines how South Africa and Lesotho can leverage the SADC EPA to increase agro-processing exports to the EU. While South Africa has established capacity but struggles with quota uptake and SME integration, Lesotho starts from a 'near zero base' with significant infrastructure and standards gaps. The paper emphasizes the need for regional value chains and targeted EU development support to assist SMEs, women, and youth.

The document assesses the operationalisation of the SADC Regional Development Fund (RDF), arguing that while the fund aims to mobilise resources for regional integration and infrastructure, its success is hindered by the poor fiscal positions of member states and a critical lack of bankable projects. The authors highlight a significant financing gap in early-stage project preparation, noting that 69% of SADC PIDA projects remain in early development. The paper suggests that the RDF should prioritise early-stage project support over general project finance and recommends absorbing the existing SADC Project Preparation and Development Facility (PPDF) to leverage existing expertise and reduce setup costs. It also addresses the political dynamics of South Africa's economic dominance and the over-reliance on international cooperating partners (ICPs), proposing capacity-building initiatives to improve project conceptualisation and regulatory harmonisation across borders.

This document is a formal objection submitted by the Centre for Environmental Rights on behalf of a coalition of eight civil society and community non-profit organisations. The objection opposes an application by Atha-Africa Ventures (Pty) Ltd to change the land use of Portion 1 of the Farm Yzermyn 96 in Mpumalanga from agricultural to mining purposes to facilitate the construction of the Yzermyn Underground Coal Mine. The objectors argue that the project would cause irreparable harm to a strategic water source area, threaten biodiversity in the Mabola Protected Environment, and negatively impact vulnerable local communities, while failing to comply with municipal spatial development frameworks and national interest requirements under the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act (SPLUMA).

The document examines the intersection of community livelihoods and biodiversity conservation in the Quirimbas National Park (QNP), Mozambique. It highlights the vulnerability of coastal communities to climate shocks and the mixed success of past livelihood projects, which often failed due to a lack of sustainability strategies or failure to account for socio-economic contexts. The author argues for a systems approach that integrates community-led monitoring, sustainable resource use techniques—such as temporary octopus fishery closures—and improved access to finance through Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs).

The SADC region faces a significant electricity supply-demand gap, with 68% of residents lacking access and a heavy reliance on coal, primarily driven by South Africa. The report argues for a dual approach: strengthening the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) through better regional regulation and transboundary projects, and scaling up renewable energy mini-grids in rural areas. It highlights that while the region has vast solar, wind, and hydro potential, investment is hindered by poor policy frameworks and the financial insolvency of national utilities.

The document analyzes the energy crisis in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) regions, highlighting a significant gap between electricity generation and demand. It identifies key obstacles, including inadequate infrastructure investment, the insolvency of national utilities due to low tariffs, and the disproportionate influence of South Africa's coal-dominated energy system. The authors argue that while energy crises often push states toward inward-looking policies, regional cooperation, harmonized regulation, and transboundary projects offer the most viable path to energy security and economic development.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) submits that South Africa must urgently transition from coal to renewable energy due to the declining competitiveness of coal, severe health and environmental impacts, and extreme vulnerability to climate change. The CER argues against new coal and nuclear infrastructure, recommends the decommissioning of non-compliant coal plants, and calls for a transformation of Eskom into an organ of state promoting clean energy. It further emphasizes the need for meaningful public consultation in energy planning and warns against the continued operation of high-emission facilities like Sasol's Secunda complex.

The report concludes that Olifants River flows will likely decline substantially due to a combination of projected precipitation decreases and increased evaporation driven by rising temperatures. Using IPCC data and the South African Climate Change Reference Atlas, the author finds that warming is virtually certain, while annual precipitation is very likely to decrease by 5% to 25%. Drawing on analogs from the American Southwest, the analysis argues that even modest precipitation increases would be overwhelmed by temperature-induced evaporation. The document warns that these flow reductions will exacerbate existing water quality issues, such as pollutant concentrations and harmful algal blooms, and advises against the construction of new coal-fired power plants in the region.

The paper examines the macadamia nut sectors in South Africa, Mozambique, and Malawi to identify opportunities for regional value chain development and smallholder inclusion. It highlights South Africa's position as a global production leader and potential value-adding partner, while noting that Malawi and Mozambique face challenges such as limited technical knowledge, poor infrastructure, and a lack of extension services. The document recommends establishing a regional industry body for SADC producers and improving economies of scale through collaboration and the creation of local markets for industrialized macadamia products.

The research examines the adoption of ethanol stoves in Maputo, finding that while users appreciate the convenience and cleanliness compared to charcoal, adoption is low (17%) and often replaces other clean fuels like LPG or electricity rather than charcoal. High costs, poor fuel quality, and design flaws are primary barriers to sustained use.

The report evaluates the APRM, OGP, and EITI, finding that while the OGP and EITI successfully employ peer learning and pressure to enforce standards and protect civil society, the APRM lags behind due to a lack of critical engagement and a failure to implement sanctions for non-compliance.