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This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs reviews the economic impact of Jacob Zuma's presidency, detailing a period marked by corruption, state capture, and economic decline, alongside specific policy successes in healthcare and renewable energy.

This briefing discusses the developmental implications of e-commerce negotiations at the 11th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC11), advising African and developing countries on how to navigate rules regarding transparency, data flows, and regional digital strategies.

This research paper examines the history and systemic challenges of sexual abuse and exploitation perpetrated by United Nations peacekeepers. It details the 'food-for-sex' scandals, the legal hurdles preventing the UN from prosecuting troops due to national jurisdiction, and the policy responses implemented to combat these crimes, including Resolution 2272.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the fragility of Kenya's democratic institutions and social cohesion following the divisive repeat elections of 2017, contrasting the country's economic strength with its political instability.

This briefing discusses the role of cities as primary vehicles for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasizing that urban governance and knowledge-sharing between cities can address global societal problems. It highlights how decentralization and municipal empowerment enable cities to implement pragmatic solutions, which is particularly relevant for Africa's rapidly growing urban centers.

The paper analyzes the G20's role in supporting sustainable development in Africa, highlighting a growing alignment between G20 initiatives, the UN's 2030 Agenda, and the AU's Agenda 2063. While acknowledging progress in areas like infrastructure and industrialization, it criticizes the lack of African consultation in key initiatives like the Compact with Africa and the absence of a G20 focus on regional economic integration. It recommends that South Africa and other African representatives push for better resourcing of the AU and NEPAD within the G20 and advocate for a more integrated, multi-stakeholder approach to SDG implementation.

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the evolution of relations between the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU), arguing that the relationship remains a model of dependency rather than a true partnership. It analyzes the history of various conventions and agreements, evaluates the Joint Africa–EU Strategy (JAES), and discusses the priorities of the fifth AU–EU Summit held in Abidjan in November 2017, specifically regarding youth, migration, and investment.

This policy brief analyzes the evolving migration relations between the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU) leading up to the November 2017 AU-EU Summit in Abidjan. It highlights a fundamental mismatch in priorities: the EU focuses on stemming irregular migration and border control, while African nations prioritize development, employment, and the management of remittances. The author critiques the EU's use of aid conditionality through the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF) and notes the lack of a unified African position on migration, which weakens the continent's leverage in bilateral and international negotiations.

The OR Tambo Children's Declaration 2017 is a statement by children and youth committing to the values of OR Tambo and the implementation of the United Nations Global Goals for Sustainable Development.

The O.R Tambo Children’s Declaration is a statement by children of Southern Africa, submitted on October 24, 2017, outlining commitments to the United Nations Global Goals for Sustainable Development and proposing specific policy actions across economic, environmental, educational, health, and social sectors to improve their communities.

This research paper explores the collaboration between Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) and national entities in South Africa and Ethiopia regarding environmental and social (E&S) safeguards for infrastructure. It analyzes the transition toward 'country ownership' of these safeguards, highlighting the tension between MDB standards and national sovereignty. Using the Medupi Power Station in South Africa and infrastructure projects in Ethiopia as case studies, the paper identifies gaps in capacity building and accountability. It recommends the creation of country-specific E&S plans, enhanced regional capacity building based on the Asian Development Bank model, and a stronger role for national Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) to ensure sustainable infrastructure development.

This research paper analyzes the strategic relationship between Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) during a period of political transition in Angola. It argues that ensuring a stable and predictable DRC is Angola's primary foreign policy objective, though Luanda's support for President Joseph Kabila has diminished due to electoral delays and regional instability.

This research paper examines the 'use of country systems' (UCS) approach by multilateral development banks (MDBs) in Africa, analyzing the benefits of utilizing domestic processes over external conditionalities and the challenges that hinder its implementation.

This research paper analyzes the internal dynamics and global positioning of the BRICS grouping amidst a shift in US foreign policy. It highlights the economic dominance of China within the group, the tension between the narrative of equality and actual power imbalances, and the group's commitment to maintaining an open global economy and climate agreements like the Paris accord despite internal rivalries.

This research paper examines how voluntary sustainability standards (VSS) act as both barriers and enablers for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) attempting to enter global value chains (GVCs) coordinated by multinational corporations (MNCs), with a specific focus on South Africa and Kenya as regional economic gateways.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) analyzes South Africa's immigration regime and its impact on African economic migrants. It examines the tension between the government's desire to attract highly skilled talent and its efforts to deter irregular, semi-skilled migration. The paper evaluates the 2016 Green Paper on International Migration, noting its potential to streamline some processes while criticizing its regressive proposals for asylum seekers. It also compares South African policies with those of the European Union and discusses the role of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in regional migration governance.

This research paper examines Tanzania's capacity to attract foreign investment, highlighting the shift from socialist governance to a model that relies on foreign capital for job creation and social upliftment. It identifies key competitive advantages and proposes structural reforms to improve the country's investment destination status.

This case study examines the state of e-commerce in South Africa as of 2017, analyzing its scale, regulatory environment, and potential for economic inclusion. It highlights a growing market dominated by a few key players and a legislative framework primarily governed by the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 2002. The document identifies significant supply-side infrastructure gaps and demand-side trust issues as primary barriers to growth, while suggesting that e-commerce could be a vital tool for the empowerment of women and the poor.

This research paper evaluates the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi), an effort initiated by Ivanka Trump to provide over US$1 million for women entrepreneurs in developing countries. While acknowledging the initiative's goal to address the fact that approximately 70% of women-owned small and medium enterprises in the developing world lack adequate finance, the author warns against 'economic instrumentalism' and the 'Smart Economics' doctrine. The paper argues that providing financial resources alone is a 'quick fix' that fails to address structural gender inequalities, such as legal restrictions on property ownership and culturally-based patriarchy, and urges We-Fi to prioritize legal, social, and policy-related interventions for lasting impact.

This research paper analyzes the German G20 presidency in 2017, focusing on Germany's strategic initiatives for Africa and the challenges posed by the United States' shift toward protectionism under President Donald Trump.