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This research paper by Jamie MacLeod and David Luke discusses the implementation challenges of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). While African leaders maintain a strong political commitment to the agreement as a tool for post-COVID-19 recovery and industrialization, the transition from negotiation to actual trading has been stalled by unresolved technical details, most notably the rules of origin.

This report by Cenfri and FSD Africa analyzes how insurance regulators across 31 sub-Saharan African countries responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. It proposes a four-phase regulatory response framework—Identify, Determine/Implement, Monitor, and Adapt—to help supervisors manage future systemic risks such as climate change and cyber-security threats.

This report by Global Energy Monitor (GEM) provides a mine-level assessment of global coal mine methane emissions, finding that operating mines emit 52.3 million tonnes of methane per year. This volume rivals emissions from the oil and gas sectors and is significantly higher than many national inventories report. The analysis identifies China, specifically Shanxi province, as the primary source of these emissions and warns that proposed new mine projects could add another 11.3 million tonnes annually, potentially locking in emissions equivalent to the coal-based CO2 emissions of the United States.

This policy brief examines the coordination challenges between the African Union (AU), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and Rwanda regarding military interventions to combat violent extremism in Mozambique's Cabo Delgado province. It highlights the friction caused by the principle of subsidiarity, the lack of a joint strategic vision, and the differing operational approaches of the SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) and the bilateral Rwandan deployment.

This report by the South African Institute of International Affairs, commissioned by Oxfam South Africa, examines the potential role of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in supporting South Africa's transition to cleaner energy. It discusses the IMF's integration of climate risks into its global financial stability mandate and the specific macroeconomic challenges facing South Africa, while cautioning against the IMF's historical policy orthodoxies.

A statement by Good Governance Africa critiquing Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s maiden budget speech for failing to provide a real strategy to address severe fiscal risks, including ballooning debt, a shrinking tax base, and extreme unemployment.

The Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) advocates for a human-centered 2022/23 South African budget, proposing the permanent establishment of a basic income guarantee funded by commodity revenue windfalls rather than VAT increases. The IEJ calls for the cancellation of the Youth Employment Incentive, increased funding for industrial Master Plans to localize production, and the reversal of proposed real-term cuts to public service expenditure to address deteriorating infrastructure and social services.

The Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) outlines its expectations and recommendations for the South African 2022/23 budget, advocating for a 'human-centred budget' focused on job creation, expanded income support, and the improvement of public services to facilitate social and economic recovery from the pandemic.

The Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) challenges the 'culture of dependency' narrative used by opponents of a universal basic income guarantee (UBIG) in South Africa. The IEJ argues that unemployment is driven by structural economic failures rather than a lack of motivation or entitlement among the poor, and asserts that social grants often facilitate, rather than hinder, job searches by covering essential costs.

The Centre for Environmental Rights, acting for groundWork, has requested an extension of the time period to institute judicial review proceedings against the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment's decision to grant an Environmental Authorisation Amendment for Richards Bay Gas Power (Pty) Ltd.

A letter from the Life after Coal Campaign (LAC) and the Fair Finance Coalition South Africa (FFCSA) to the South African government requesting transparency and civil society involvement in the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) and the work of the Presidential Climate Finance Task Team.

This op-ed argues that universal access to electricity is a critical prerequisite for ending poverty and driving socioeconomic development in South Africa. The author contends that the South African government incorrectly defines 'access' as mere physical connection to the grid, ignoring the essential components of affordability and reliability. This narrow focus, combined with an inadequate Free Basic Electricity policy and a cost-recovery model, traps low-income households and small enterprises in poverty by making the electricity needed for economic growth unaffordable.

A memorandum from a coalition of organisations addressed to President Cyril Ramaphosa ahead of the 2022 State of the Nation Address, expressing concern over state instability, corruption, and the failure of service delivery in South Africa.

The Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) issued a press statement ahead of President Cyril Ramaphosa's 2022 State of the Nation Address, calling for a bold government agenda to address South Africa's triple crisis of poverty, structural unemployment, and inequality through increased social spending and the end of austerity.

The Centre for Environmental Rights, acting on behalf of groundWork and Earthlife Africa, submitted an appeal to the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment on 9 February 2022. The appeal seeks to set aside decisions made by the National Air Quality Officer on 30 October 2021 regarding Eskom's applications for alternative limits and the postponement and suspension of compliance timeframes under the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act 39 of 2004 Minimum Emission Standards.

This document is an appeal filed by groundWork and Earthlife Africa against decisions made by the National Air Quality Officer (NAQO) on 30 October 2021. The appeal disputes the granting of compliance postponements and suspensions regarding Minimum Emission Standards (MES) for several Eskom coal-fired power stations, arguing that these decisions violate the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act (AQA), the 2017 National Framework for Air Quality Management, and the Constitution of South Africa.

A statement by a coalition of civil society organizations advocating for the implementation of a universal basic income guarantee (Ubig) in South Africa, arguing that it is a constitutional and moral necessity to address poverty and hunger.

This report analyzes the global development of green taxonomies, highlighting three main approaches: whitelist-based, technical screening criteria (TSC), and principle-based. It focuses on the alignment between the EU and China taxonomies, noting that while the EU emphasizes six environmental objectives and strict 'do no significant harm' (DNSH) criteria, China focuses on three broader objectives aligned with its national pollution and climate goals. The report emphasizes the Common Ground Taxonomy (CGT) as a tool to reduce market fragmentation and facilitate cross-border investment. It also discusses implementation, noting mandatory disclosure requirements in the EU and mandatory labeling for onshore green bonds in China.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes political scenarios for South Africa leading up to 2029, focusing on the internal divisions of the African National Congress (ANC) and their impact on economic growth and national security.

Natural Justice submitted comments on 31 January 2022 regarding the South African Department of Mineral Resources and Energy's (DMRE) Gas Master Plan Base Case Report. The organization argues that gas development contradicts climate commitments, perpetuates fossil fuel dependence, and lacks sufficient protections for affected communities and the environment.