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This research paper argues for the creation of standardised principles for South-South Cooperation (SSC) to move beyond the lack of a universal definition and to establish a proactive, strategic approach to international and regional cooperation that differs from North-South relations.

This research paper argues for a rigorous conceptual distinction between 'South-South Cooperation' and 'development cooperation' to ensure scientific and policy utility. It emphasizes that while development cooperation is a subset of South-South Cooperation, it should not be used interchangeably with other flows such as trade and investment.

This executive summary details research by the Centre for Competition, Regulation and Economic Development (CCRED) and the Zambia Institute for Policy Analysis and Research (ZIPAR) into the soap, detergent, and cosmetics value chains of South Africa and Zambia. The document compares the industrial maturity and competitiveness of both nations, identifies barriers to growth for small and local firms, and proposes strategic interventions to increase regional production and reduce import reliance.

This case study analyzes the forestry value chain in South Africa, Mozambique, and Tanzania to identify opportunities for regional integration and growth. It highlights the structural differences between South Africa's plantation-dominated sector and the natural forest resources of Mozambique and Tanzania, while proposing regional policy initiatives to improve data, skills, and community participation.

This research paper examines agro-processing value chains across five SADC countries—South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia, Tanzania, and Mauritius—to propose policies for regional industrialization and climate change adaptation, with a specific focus on the sugar and soya sectors.

This research paper evaluates the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), detailing its establishment in 2003 to improve governance through voluntary peer review. It describes a cycle of initial success, a period of decline between 2008 and 2016 characterized by leadership vacuums and financial mismanagement, and a recent phase of reinvigoration under the leadership of Professor Eddy Maloka and various African heads of state. While the mechanism has expanded its mandate to track Agenda 2063 and Sustainable Development Goals, the author argues that political reluctance to publish critical reports and a lack of high-level attendance continue to hinder its effectiveness.

This briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs outlines the objectives and expected outcomes of the 4th Session of the UN Environmental Assembly (UNEA-4). The session focuses on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12, aiming to address unsustainable consumption and production patterns to support the UN 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development.

This research paper examines the energy cooperation between Russia and South Africa within the BRICS framework, analyzing Russia's strategic pivot toward emerging markets and South Africa's shift from a failed large-scale nuclear deal toward renewable energy projects.

This research paper analyzes the political transition in the Democratic Republic of Congo following the December 30 election, where Félix Tshisekedi was announced as the winner. The author outlines the significant domestic and regional hurdles Tshisekedi faces, including contested election legitimacy, the need for a peaceful handover from Joseph Kabila's 18-year regime, and the necessity of regional diplomatic cooperation to ensure stability.

This report by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) and UNDP examines the progress of African nations in implementing and monitoring Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16, which focuses on peace, justice, and strong institutions. Based on a survey of 126 stakeholders across 38 countries and a review of Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs), the document highlights Africa's leadership in governance statistics and the challenges of funding and data accessibility, while showcasing innovative national practices in data sovereignty and multi-stakeholder engagement.

This research paper examines the political economy of border economies in the SADC region, focusing on the Beitbridge and Chirundu border posts. It analyzes the causes of 'standing time' (truck delays) and the tensions between trade facilitation efforts and the sustainability of local border economies, providing policy recommendations to improve driver wellbeing, support small-scale traders, and diversify border town economies.

This policy briefing examines the potential for developing a domestic sunflower value chain in Malawi, identifying bottlenecks in production and processing while highlighting opportunities for industrial growth and diversification from traditional crops.

This research paper evaluates the feasibility of establishing a state-owned export credit agency (ECA) in South Africa, concluding that such an institution is unnecessary due to the existence of a robust trade finance market and current fiscal constraints.

This research paper examines the potential for increasing economic inclusion in the coastal and marine tourism sectors of Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) states by promoting the participation of local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

This research paper examines the Youth Employment Service (YES) initiative, a private sector-led programme launched in March 2018 to combat high youth unemployment in South Africa. While the initiative aims to create one million job opportunities over three years, the author argues that its success depends on overcoming structural barriers, including a poor education system, a technical recession, and the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

This policy brief examines the opportunities and challenges of integrating women into the renewable energy (RE) value chain in Africa, with a specific focus on case studies from Rwanda and South Africa. It argues that while RE offers a unique chance to move away from the non-gender-aware patterns of traditional energy sectors, significant barriers remain in leadership, financing, and education.

This policy insight examines the rise of sovereign debt in Africa, specifically focusing on Chinese lending and the 'debt trap' narrative. It analyzes the historical context of African debt, the failure of structural adjustment programmes, and the current trend of increasing debt-to-GDP ratios since 2012.

This briefing details a Civil Society Working Group Meeting held on 06 September 2018 in Windhoek, Namibia, as part of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Sensitisation Project in Namibia (ASPIN). The meeting, organized by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) and the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), focused on updating participants on the progress of a civil society submission to the APRM.

This report by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines the state of regional economic development within the Southern African Development Community (SADC). It analyzes the decline in intra-regional trade and investment since 2013, the persisting overdependence on primary commodities, and the structural, infrastructural, and political-economic barriers hindering deeper integration. The document evaluates current initiatives, such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA), while providing case studies on sector diversification in Mozambique, the macadamia nut regional value chain, and transport infrastructure in Tanzania and Namibia.

This scoping study examines the growth of the digital economy and digital trade, analyzing how these shifts create both opportunities for economic leapfrogging and risks of a widening 'digital divide' for developing and emerging economies.