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This policy briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the legislative process for reauthorising the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which was scheduled to expire on 30 September 2015. The author argues that African stakeholders should focus their advocacy on the US Congress rather than the Executive Branch, as the legislative process is complex and subject to partisan stalemates and lobbying from US interest groups.

This policy briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) evaluates South Africa's third African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) National Programme of Action (NPoA) implementation report (SAIR3), launched in January 2014. While the author notes significant improvements in the quality, honesty, and consultative nature of the reporting compared to previous efforts, the briefing concludes that the APRM remains largely a foreign policy tool with minimal domestic impact due to a lack of integration into national planning and persistent governance challenges.

This research paper analyzes the impact of 'mega-regional' trade agreements on the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the strategic position of South Africa. It argues that the rise of agreements like the TPP and TTIP, driven by the needs of global value chains, threatens the WTO's centrality and creates a risk of a multi-bloc trade world. The author suggests that South Africa must recalibrate its trade strategy, move beyond a blocking strategy in the WTO, and utilize regional negotiations to prepare for new global regulatory norms to avoid isolation.

This research paper analyzes the potential impact of future oil revenues on political stability and economic development in Ghana, Liberia, Uganda, and Tanzania. Using a game-theoretic model, the author argues that oil rents often disrupt political incentives, leading to predation, repression, or patronage that undermines economic performance. While Ghana shows more resilience due to its robust democracy and civil society, the author concludes that radical policy interventions like 'cash-to-citizen' transfers are implausible. Instead, the paper advocates for incremental, incentive-compatible reforms that respect existing elite bargains to avoid instability.

This research paper by Khabele Matlosa examines the evolution of democratic governance in Africa, focusing on the relationship between the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG). It analyzes the transition from the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) to the African Union (AU), the challenges of implementing governance reviews and National Programmes of Action (NPoAs), and proposes strategic imperatives to enhance synergy between the AU's governance and peace architectures.

This research paper examines the transition of Russia toward a 'green economy,' analyzing the gap between official policy documents and practical implementation. It highlights Russia's immense natural capital and the critical need to reduce its economic dependence on hydrocarbon exports and improve energy efficiency to ensure long-term sustainable development.

This policy brief describes the African Governance Architecture (AGA) and the African Governance Platform, designed to coordinate efforts among African Union (AU) organs and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) to strengthen democracy, human rights, and governance across Africa. It outlines the AGA's structure, its relationship with the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), and provides recommendations to improve its effectiveness and citizen engagement.

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs analyzes the 2013 elections in Kenya and Zimbabwe, which followed periods of severe electoral violence in 2007 and 2008. The author examines how different levels of constitutional reform, the available lead-time before polling, and the influence of transitional justice and Western diplomatic pressure shaped the outcomes of these 'first-generation' elections.

This research paper examines South Africa's use of economic statecraft and economic diplomacy in its relations with Zimbabwe and Swaziland, analyzing the country's reluctance to leverage economic power to promote democratic reform and human rights in these neighboring states.

This research paper evaluates the African Union's (AU) role in promoting democratic values in Africa through an electoral lens, arguing that while AU declarations have positively influenced the electoral landscape, elections remain a weak point in the continent's democratisation process.

This research paper examines the shifting landscape of Africa's extractive sector, noting the rise of emerging market companies and increasing pressure on all firms to demonstrate developmental and environmental contributions. It argues that Western and OECD companies can gain a competitive edge by adapting their business models to support local processing, reskilling workers, and enhancing transparency.

This research paper examines the relationship between South Africa's normative foreign policy goals—centered on democracy, human rights, and good governance—and its economic diplomacy within the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The author argues that there is an inconsistent linkage between these two areas, as South Africa often prioritizes economic interests and historical political alliances over the enforcement of its normative values.

This policy briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines the architecture of extractive governance in Africa, focusing on the Africa Mining Vision (AMV) and the African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC). It argues that for these African-led initiatives to succeed, they must integrate ground-level research, avoid duplication of efforts, and leverage the experience of existing global and multilateral frameworks.

This policy briefing examines the artisanal gold mining sector in Zimbabwe, highlighting its role in poverty alleviation and its associated governance challenges. The authors argue that current state approaches, which often criminalise artisanal miners, are ineffective and recommend a shift toward formalisation, improved regulation, and collaborative partnerships between artisanal and large-scale commercial miners to foster sustainable development.

This research paper by Christopher Wood of the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the stalled negotiations of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union. The author identifies four primary obstacles—export taxes, the Most Favored Nation (MFN) clause, agricultural safeguards, and rules of origin—and proposes specific compromises to ensure the agreement's completion and successful implementation.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) analyzes the trade dynamics between South Africa and its BRICS partners (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) from 1995 to 2011. It examines trade value, intensity, complementarity, and structure, noting a significant shift in South Africa's trade balance and a growing reliance on primary commodity exports to meet the demand of emerging economies, particularly China.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the diplomatic, economic, and security engagement between China and Liberia from 2003 to 2013. It analyzes China's role in the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), bilateral development aid, trade imbalances, and large-scale mining investments, concluding that the relationship is characterized by a significant imbalance where China is the 'absolute winner'.

This policy briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines the relationship between mineral resource dependence and development in Africa, using South Africa as a primary case study. It argues that the 'resource curse' is not deterministic and that the quality of development depends on the strength and nature of a country's institutions, which mediate political incentives and determine whether mineral wealth leads to inclusive growth or adverse governance outcomes.

This policy briefing examines the partnership between China and Angola in constructing satellite towns to address Angola's housing crisis, focusing on the Kilamba Kiaxi project as a case study. It analyzes the 'resources for infrastructure' financing model and identifies challenges regarding local adaptation, affordability, and the provision of public services.

This policy note from the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the challenges and progress in African fisheries governance, focusing on the tension between economic development, environmental sustainability, and social justice. It analyzes the roles of small-scale and industrial fisheries, the impact of illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishing, and the transition toward co-management systems to address the limitations of centralized governance.