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This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) analyzes the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) as a multi-stakeholder initiative (MSI). It compares the APRM with the Open Government Partnership (OGP) and the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) to provide recommendations for improving the APRM's governance, transparency, and engagement with civil society.

This briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs discusses the objectives and context of the September 2019 UN Climate Action Summit in New York. It highlights the urgency of the 'climate crisis' as defined by the IPCC and UN Secretary General António Guterres, the role of youth activism, and the need to balance climate change mitigation with adaptation, specifically through Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) in Africa.

This briefing examines the motivations, benefits, and challenges for African nations considering membership in the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), noting a significant infrastructure finance gap and differing levels of suitability based on a country's income level.

The South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) issued a statement condemning recent xenophobic violence in South Africa, calling for political leadership to stop scapegoating migrants and for the state to prosecute criminals and implement civic education based on common humanity.

This research paper examines the role of digital financial services (DFS) in promoting financial inclusion, with a detailed case study on South Africa. It explores the global benefits and risks of digitisation, South Africa's progress toward its National Development Plan targets, and the broader opportunities for digital financial transition across the African continent.

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines the process of engaging Namibian civil society organisations (CSOs) in the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). It details how the APRM Sensitisation Project in Namibia (ASPIN), supported by SAIIA and the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), enabled CSOs to develop an evidence-based submission on 13 critical governance issues to influence the country's self-assessment process.

This policy briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the role of marine and coastal Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) in enhancing climate resilience, particularly in Southern and East Africa. It advocates for the integration of biodiversity and ecosystem services into national climate policies to protect vulnerable coastlines and livelihoods from sea-level rise and extreme weather events.

This policy brief examines the application of blockchain and distributed ledger technologies (DLT) in the African mining sector, specifically for mineral traceability and due diligence. While these technologies offer a tamper-proof record of provenance, the authors argue that blockchain alone cannot guarantee ethical production and must be coupled with rigorous due diligence to prevent the exclusion of artisanal miners and the persistence of human rights abuses.

This synthesis report by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines the role of Marine and Coastal Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) in enhancing climate resilience in Southern Africa, specifically focusing on Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, and Tanzania. It advocates for the integration of biodiversity and ecosystem services into national climate policies and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to protect vulnerable coastal populations and ecosystems.

This research paper assesses the progress and challenges of the institutional reform process of the African Union (AU) led by Rwanda's President Paul Kagame. Based on the 2017 'Kagame Report', the reforms aim to address inefficient bureaucracy, funding shortages, and overlapping mandates. The paper analyzes specific achievements, such as the reduction of AU commissioners and the restructuring of NEPAD and the APRM, while highlighting significant resistance from member states—particularly within SADC—and the ongoing struggle for financial autonomy through the Kigali Financing Decision.

This policy brief examines the Tanzania Urban Resilience Programme (TURP) and its efforts to build climate resilience in the Msimbazi Basin of Dar es Salaam. It highlights the shift from hard-engineering to nature-based solutions, the importance of stakeholder engagement, and strategic project framing to secure diverse funding sources.

This briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines the challenges and pitfalls associated with relying on private sector investment to bridge Africa's infrastructure financing deficit. It argues that while private capital is often promoted for its speed and lack of conditionalities, it is significantly more expensive, risk-averse, and less focused on development outcomes than public or multilateral funding. The document recommends that African policymakers strengthen domestic capacity and strategically use public funds for social infrastructure and project preparation to enhance regional agency.

This policy brief examines the intersection of mining, the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), and the transition to a low-carbon circular economy, using South Africa as a primary case study. It argues that while a low-carbon future requires increased mineral extraction, this must be decoupled from environmental degradation through green industrialisation and technological innovation.

This research paper examines the implementation of the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) in Africa, using Zambia as a primary case study. It analyzes the benefits of trade facilitation for landlocked lower-middle-income countries, the role of the TFA Facility and donor assistance, and the specific challenges and successes of trade facilitation reforms at four of Zambia's strategic border posts.

This briefing examines the inequitable resource interdependency between Europe and Africa in the extractive sector. It argues that a symbiotic relationship can be achieved by implementing 'extractive justice'—incorporating procedural, distributive, and recognitional justice—into legal and policy frameworks to address wealth imbalances and governance deficits.

This briefing argues that private sector development in fragile and conflict-affected states (FCAS) is not inherently peace-positive and can often increase fragility if not conflict-sensitive. It highlights the disincentives for businesses to engage in peacebuilding, including the risk of government reprisals and the potential loss of profits derived from unjust systems. The document calls for 'systems shapers'—those who finance and regulate the private sector—to prioritize corporate accountability and move away from 'de-risking' strategies that decouple corporate risk from socio-political impacts.

This briefing argues that the European Union's (EU) reliance on 'formalisation'—increasing legalisation and transparency—in natural resource governance has failed to improve human wellbeing in producer countries. Using case studies from Sierra Leone's diamond sector and Liberia's forest sector, the author contends that these technocratic approaches often ignore local socio-political contexts and fail to deliver tangible benefits to affected populations. The document calls for the EU to adopt a 'human security' approach, shifting focus from state security to the security of individuals, specifically targeting freedom from want and fear.

This fact sheet describes a research project by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), in partnership with the Southern Africa Trust and DFID, aimed at enhancing climate resilience in Southern Africa through the integration of marine and coastal Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) into national climate responses.

This research paper compares the migration regimes of South Africa and Germany, analyzing how each country manages the influx of refugees and economic migrants. It argues that while Germany has developed a sophisticated, integration-focused infrastructure to offset an ageing population, South Africa struggles with a securitized approach and socio-economic pressures that fuel xenophobia. The author suggests that South Africa can learn from Germany's inter-departmental coordination, private sector involvement, and proactive integration strategies to avoid the creation of 'parallel societies'.

This research paper examines the potential for Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) in South African coastal cities, specifically Durban and Cape Town. It argues that EbA provides a triple benefit of biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation, and socio-economic development. The authors identify significant barriers to implementation, including a reliance on 'grey' infrastructure, lack of promulgated Coastal Management Lines (CMLs), and constrained municipal budgets. The paper recommends integrating EbA into local government planning tools, fostering cross-sectoral partnerships, and exploring innovative financing such as payments for ecosystem services and insurance-industry partnerships.