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This policy brief examines how the methodologies of major private credit rating agencies (CRAs) negatively impact African development by inflating risk premiums and increasing the cost of capital. It argues that the current system is marred by oligopolistic structures, subjective biases, and a lack of transparency, which hinders access to financing for infrastructure and climate projects. The document advocates for the establishment of the Africa Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA) and a global fiscal body to create a more equitable financial architecture, while advising African nations to improve data transparency, debt management capacity, and macroeconomic fundamentals.

This executive summary describes a roundtable discussion involving 42 journalists, scholars, and civil society representatives focused on the challenges of journalism in authoritarian contexts across Africa. The report examines the nature of intimidation, newsroom dynamics, psychological impacts, and coping strategies used by reporters facing state pressure.

A report by the South African Institute of International Affairs analyzing the internal complexities and competing interests of the expanded 10-member BRICS bloc regarding global energy governance and the energy transition.

This research paper analyzes the rapid growth and tactical evolution of the Islamic State–Sahel Province (IS-SP) between 2019 and 2026. It details how IS-SP has transitioned from a small affiliate to a deadly regional force through structural governance, tactical innovations—including the first use of drones in Niger—and increased strategic guidance from IS Core. The document highlights the collapse of regional security architectures and the escalating rivalry between IS-SP and the al-Qaeda-affiliated JNIM as primary drivers of instability in the Sahel.

This policy brief examines how the methodologies of major private credit rating agencies (CRAs) negatively impact African development by inflating risk premiums and increasing the cost of capital. It argues that these agencies operate as an oligopoly with subjective, biased methodologies that ignore social indicators and long-term development. To counter this, the document discusses the establishment of the Africa Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA) and proposes broader reforms to the international financial architecture, including the creation of a global fiscal body and improved domestic fiscal transparency and debt management in African nations.

This briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the collapse of multilateralism in the Sahel, focusing on how military coups in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have led to the formation of the Alliance des États du Sahel (AES) and a strategic pivot away from Western-led institutions toward partners like Russia and China.

A policy brief detailing the rapid expansion of the Islamic State–Sahel Province (IS-SP) between 2019 and 2026. It highlights a significant increase in manpower, the adoption of structured governance in Mali, and the first use of combat drones in a January 2026 attack on Niamey's airport. The report attributes this growth to the collapse of regional security following coups in the Sahel, rivalry with al-Qaeda's JNIM, and strategic guidance from IS Core.

This report by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the risks posed to nuclear safety by military threats, using the occupation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant as a case study to argue for strengthened regulations and enforcement mechanisms to protect nuclear facilities, particularly within Africa.

This research paper analyzes the foreign policies of Ethiopia, Senegal, and South Africa using a comparative framework to distinguish between 'cautious' and 'assertive' diplomatic postures. The study finds that while these states often maintain cautious, non-aligned stances internationally to diversify partnerships, their regional behaviors vary significantly based on national interests, ranging from Senegal's interventionism in Gambia to Ethiopia's assertive pursuit of sea access. Ultimately, the paper argues that these diverse strategies are all aimed at consolidating strategic autonomy.

This research paper examines Russia's diplomatic, economic, and security relations with Southern African nations, particularly since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. It argues that while Russia leverages historical liberation-era ties and anti-Western rhetoric to maintain influence, its impact is severely limited by economic weakness, international sanctions, and a reliance on symbolic gestures over tangible developmental gains.

This briefing note by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines how the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU) can collaborate to reform global governance, specifically the UN Security Council (UNSC), amidst a period of systemic rupture and geopolitical fragmentation.

This briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) outlines five critical themes and questions the organization will monitor during the 2026 Investing in Africa Mining Indaba in Cape Town. The document focuses on the intersection of geopolitics, industrialization, infrastructure, regional cooperation, and the role of civil society in Africa's mineral sector.

This policy brief analyzes how African nations can leverage China's dominance in green energy technology and shifting financing models to accelerate electrification. It highlights a 'window of opportunity' created by US-China geopolitical tensions and China's internal focus on national security and environmental sustainability. The author recommends that African governments professionalize project pipelines, adopt innovative financing to reduce sovereign debt, and pursue regional integration—citing examples like the Southern African Power Pool and Kenya's renewables sector—to ensure long-term developmental gains.

This research paper examines the increasing flow of foreign direct investment from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries—specifically the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar—into Africa. It details how these states are leveraging Africa's renewable energy potential and mineral resources to diversify their own hydrocarbon-dependent economies and secure food supply chains, while providing Africa with an alternative to Western and Chinese financing to address its infrastructure gap.

This research paper analyzes the potential for African countries to finance climate mitigation and adaptation by redirecting explicit fossil fuel subsidies (EFFS) and increasing environmental taxes. While these domestic fiscal tools can contribute approximately 1.7% and 1.1% of Africa's GDP respectively, the author concludes they are insufficient to close the continent's overall climate finance gap of 5–10% of GDP. The paper recommends establishing independent fuel reserve authorities to stabilize prices and adopting gradual subsidy withdrawal strategies to avoid social unrest and inflation.

This research paper evaluates South Africa's G20 presidency, noting its partial success in raising global awareness of Africa's challenges in accessing affordable development finance while highlighting a lack of consensus on reforming the G20's Common Framework for debt restructuring and the governance of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs argues that democracy in Africa often exists as a procedural ritual that masks enduring colonial socio-economic structures and elite control. Using foresight methods and a case study of the South African National Dialogue, the document proposes a shift toward 'transformative solidarity economics' and structural reforms in education, governance, and constitutional frameworks to move from procedural survival to substantive democratic resilience.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) and the European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM) analyzes the potential for the EU-AU summit in Luanda to reinvigorate the partnership between Europe and Africa as a driver for multilateral reform, specifically regarding global peace, security, and governance.

This research paper analyzes South Africa's G20 presidency, focusing on its efforts to advance African priorities and the broader Global South development agenda amidst a challenging geopolitical climate. The author evaluates four primary priorities—debt sustainability, climate and energy transitions, disaster resilience, and critical minerals—concluding that while the presidency has successfully raised global awareness and shaped the narrative for African development, the ambitious goals are unlikely to be fully realized in practice due to a lack of international consensus.

This research paper introduces a project by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) focused on the 'just transition' in South Africa and Brazil. It examines the need to reconcile climate action with economic development, specifically focusing on protecting vulnerable populations and addressing extreme inequality while shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy.