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This research paper argues that consumptive use policies for African elephants have yielded mixed results due to corruption and poor governance, and calls for African policymakers to shift toward a permanent global ivory trade ban, improved governance of trophy hunting, and the promotion of photographic tourism.

This research paper examines the intersection of Ghana's emerging offshore oil and gas sector and its artisanal fisheries. It argues that while the oil sector has created specific tensions—particularly regarding exclusion zones and maritime safety—the primary threats to the sustainability of Ghana's fisheries are fleet overcapacity, illegal fishing practices, and environmental stressors. The author advocates for a shift from merely minimizing oil-sector impacts toward a constructive 'socio-ecological compact' and integrated maritime governance to support the long-term viability of artisanal fishing.

This research paper examines the conflict between international regulatory norms, such as the CITES ivory trade ban, and the diverse local values held by communities in elephant range states and consumer markets. Using Cameroon's Congo River basin and Southern African states as primary examples, the authors argue that ignoring local societal values and the impacts of globalisation can lead to adverse reactions, undermining long-term conservation goals.

This briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines how South Africa can maximize the benefits of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) before its 2025 expiration and evaluates three potential frameworks for future trade relations with the United States: a 'simple' approach, a Partial Scope Agreement (PSA), and a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

This research paper analyzes the evolving partnership between Japan and Africa, focusing on the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD). It highlights Japan's shift from a primary focus on aid to a broader economic strategy involving trade and investment, while navigating geopolitical competition with China and seeking international support for UN Security Council reform.

This policy briefing describes the 2016 World Conservation Congress (WCC) convened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in Honolulu, Hawai’i. It outlines the congress's role in shaping the global conservation agenda through a motions process, its alignment with 2015 global sustainability frameworks, and the specific strategic interests and challenges facing African and South African member organisations.

The research paper argues that Southern Africa remains largely excluded from global value chains due to poor infrastructure, weak manufacturing, and a lack of data. It highlights that while South Africa has a strong services component in its exports, the broader region should leverage agro-processing and services liberalisation to drive economic growth and regional integration.

This research paper examines the role and challenges of informal cross-border trade in Zimbabwe, specifically in the context of government-imposed import bans on basic commodities. It argues that while governments view informal trade as a source of revenue loss and unfair competition, it provides critical employment and essential goods in an economy with high formal unemployment.

This research paper examines the role of employee share ownership plans (Esops) within South Africa's black economic empowerment (BEE) framework in the mining sector. It analyzes the limitations of debt-based equity models, which leave workers vulnerable to commodity price volatility, and proposes the integration of profit-sharing components to ensure more sustainable monetary benefits for employees.

This policy briefing examines the challenges of maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, highlighting the gap between the perceived prevalence of 'petro-piracy' and the actual data on maritime crime. The author argues that underreporting and a lack of specific legal frameworks hinder evidence-based policymaking and effective prosecution. The document identifies the October 2016 African Union summit in Lomé, Togo, as a critical opportunity to establish a legally binding charter to define maritime crimes and standardize reporting requirements.

The 2016 SAIIA Young Leaders Declaration is a statement of recommendations from South African youth aimed at implementing the COP 21 Paris Agreement, the African Union's Agenda 2063, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The document outlines specific demands for municipal, provincial, and national governments across five key areas: accountability, education, basic needs, economic development, and stakeholder engagement, while concluding with a pledge of youth commitment to these global and national goals.

This research paper analyzes the potential economic and trade implications for South Africa if the United Kingdom were to exit the European Union (Brexit). It examines the current scale of bilateral trade and investment, evaluates three potential Brexit scenarios, and discusses the risks to South Africa's financial stability and trade agreements.

This research paper analyzes the challenges facing Africa's youth population using reports from the African Peer Review Mechanism, focusing on education gaps and socio-economic exclusion while recommending partnerships between states and non-governmental bodies to foster entrepreneurship.

This research paper explores the potential for establishing regional automotive value chains within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) by drawing lessons from the ASEAN Industrial Cooperation (AICO) scheme. It analyzes the current state of the automotive sector in Southern Africa, the barriers to integration, and potential strategies for enhancing regional competitiveness.

This research paper explores the nature of intra-Commonwealth value chains to understand the interface between global and regional value chains, utilizing quantitative research methods such as trade intensity measures and firm-level GVC indicators.

An executive summary detailing the barriers to agricultural growth in Tanzania, the challenges facing agro-processing, and the necessary policy and partnership frameworks to integrate smallholder farmers into larger markets.

This executive summary outlines a study on the potential of Global Value Chains (GVCs) to drive growth, diversification, and job creation within the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) region, specifically focusing on increasing non-commodity exports and manufacturing value addition.

This briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the role of Regional Value Chains (RVCs) and Global Value Chains (GVCs) in promoting sustainable development and regional integration in Southern Africa, highlighting South Africa's central role in providing intermediate goods to neighboring countries.

This case study examines how different sources of foreign direct investment (FDI)—specifically international versus regional—impact value chains, skill development, and local linkages within Lesotho's apparel sector.

This case study examines the capacity of natural resource exploitation to foster local and regional value chains in the construction industry, specifically focusing on the rail infrastructure developed for coal discoveries in Tete, Mozambique.