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This report by Z/Yen Group Limited for FSD Africa analyzes the role of onshore and offshore financial centres, with a specific focus on African cities. It utilizes the Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI) to categorize centres by connectivity, diversity, and specialty, while providing a roadmap for African centres to improve their competitiveness through infrastructure, business environment reforms, and human capital development.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies examines the African Union's (AU) adoption of the Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection. It argues that while the convention is a positive step, African states face significant hurdles in ratification and implementation due to capacity gaps, free speech concerns, and the global nature of cybercrime.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) evaluates the progress and challenges of regional integration in Africa, drawing primarily on Country Review Reports (CRRs) from the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). It examines the gap between the African Union's high-level rhetorical commitments to a continent-wide common market and the practical realities of limited trade growth, administrative incapacity, and political reluctance to cede national sovereignty.

This research paper examines legal gaps in the international criminal justice system, specifically regarding the obligation of states to exercise national jurisdiction and the lack of a horizontal framework for interstate cooperation. It assesses two intergovernmental initiatives—the International Law Commission (ILC) study on crimes against humanity and the Belgium, Slovenia, and Netherlands (BSN) initiative—aimed at enhancing complementarity by establishing conventions for mutual legal assistance and the obligation to prosecute or extradite.

This policy briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs analyzes the behavior and voting patterns of African states within the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) between July 2010 and July 2014. It highlights a tension between the African Group's organized coordination and its diverse, often inconsistent, responses to human rights violations both within Africa and globally.

A fact sheet by the South African Institute of International Affairs explaining the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a US-Africa trade deal active since 2001 that provides duty-free US market access to qualifying sub-Saharan African states.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies warns that cybercriminals use major events like the 2014 World Cup to deploy phishing scams, malware, and fraudulent apps. It argues that African governments must implement comprehensive public awareness campaigns to protect citizens, citing a lack of cybercrime laws and rapid internet growth as factors making the continent a potential 'safe harbour' for cybercrime.

This briefing note by the International Institute for Sustainable Development reviews the role, composition, and effectiveness of National Councils for Sustainable Development (NCSDs) over the past 25 years. It identifies success factors for these bodies as countries prepare to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the Post-2015 Development Agenda.

This briefing by the International Institute for Sustainable Development analyzes the potential role of National Sustainable Development Councils (NCSDs) in designing and delivering the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Based on a survey of 12 countries, it examines existing national strategies, the challenges of monitoring progress, and the varying responsibilities of NCSDs in advising and implementing sustainable development policies.

This briefing, published by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network in 2014, distils the findings of the IPCC's Fifth Assessment Report specifically for Small Island Developing States (SIDS). It outlines the observed and projected impacts of climate change on SIDS, including sea level rise, temperature increases, and the degradation of critical ecosystems like coral reefs. The document discusses the high economic costs of adaptation relative to SIDS' GDP, the risks of 'maladaptation', and the necessity of international cooperation and finance to avert existential threats to atoll nations.

This research paper describes a participatory methodology used to identify and address climate adaptation barriers in Jamaica, focusing on the agriculture, fisheries, and tourism sectors. Through stakeholder mapping and workshops, the study highlights a disconnect between national-level planning and local-level implementation, identifying specific policy and funding barriers and proposing practical, consensus-based solutions to build climate resilience.

This research paper describes a participatory methodology used to identify and address climate adaptation barriers in St Lucia, focusing on the agriculture, fisheries, and tourism sectors. The study highlights a disconnect between national-level planning and local-level implementation, identifying land use planning and conflicting stakeholder values as primary obstacles to resilience.

This policy briefing by the South African Institute of InternationalCS International Affairs (SAIIA) argues that 'best practices' identified within the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) are an underutilised resource for peer learning. While over 200 practices have been documented across 15 country review reports, the author contends they remain confined to these reports with little impact. The document recommends formalising the definition of best practices, integrating their identification into country self-assessments, and creating dedicated repositories and forums to disseminate these home-grown solutions to improve governance across Africa.

This policy briefing examines the engagement of African nations with the G-20's financial regulation and development initiatives. It highlights the challenges of aligning international standards, such as Basel II/III, with local developmental goals and identifies the institutional channels through which African countries can influence global financial policy.

This research paper examines the prevalence and impact of non-tariff barriers (NTBs) within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. It argues that while tariff liberalisation has progressed, NTBs—particularly those resulting from poor design and implementation—significantly constrain regional trade and undermine the benefits of the SADC Free Trade Area. The author uses evidence from private sector entities like Shoprite and Woolworths to illustrate the high costs of administrative compliance and border delays, and proposes the creation of a coordinated action plan and a 'naming and shaming' mechanism to accelerate the removal of these barriers.

This case study examines the challenges and mechanisms for financing infrastructure in Africa, with a specific focus on the Southern African Development Community (SADC). It analyzes the shift from official development assistance and commercial bank lending toward alternative funding modalities, including Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), infrastructure bonds, sovereign wealth funds, and diaspora-led financing, to meet the massive capital requirements of regional development plans.

This case study provides a political-economy analysis of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) regional support programme for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+). It examines the valuation of forests as global, regional, and local public goods, the challenges of forest governance in Southern Africa, and the implementation of a regional MRV (measurement, reporting, and verification) project to support carbon sequestration goals while balancing regional equity.

This case study examines the SADC Payment Integration System, specifically the launch of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Integrated Regional Electronic Settlement System (SIRESS) in July 2013. The system aims to facilitate cross-border payments and financial integration across SADC member states, starting with a pilot in the Common Monetary Area (CMA).

This case study examines the political economy of the sugar sector within the Southern African Development Community (SADC), highlighting the role of private-public partnerships, regional trade agreements, and the challenges posed by a distorted global market. It details the production capacities of member states and the mechanisms used to manage regional trade and protect producers from international dumping.

This case study examines the role of the Communications Regulators’ Association Southern Africa (CRASA) in harmonising telecommunications, broadcasting, and postal policies among member states of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). It highlights the active participation of private sector companies, such as Vodacom and MTN, within government delegations to provide technical expertise and influence regional regulatory frameworks.