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An address by Dirco Deputy Minister Alvin Botes detailing South Africa's strategic foreign policy approach amidst a shifting geopolitical landscape. The speech emphasizes non-alignment, the role of multilateralism through BRICS+ and the G20, and the necessity of addressing regional security and climate change to protect national interests.

This research paper outlines the priorities of South Africa's 2025 G20 presidency regarding climate finance, emphasizing the mobilization of resources for just energy transitions and the elevation of African concerns within the G20 framework, building upon the foundations laid during Brazil's 2024 presidency.

This policy note examines the Compact with Africa (CwA), an initiative launched in 2017 to increase private investment and infrastructure in African countries through coordinated reform agendas and stakeholder cooperation.

This research paper argues that ongoing unrest in Mozambique following the October 2024 general elections is driven by deep-seated socioeconomic grievances and distrust of the ruling Frelimo party, rather than electoral fraud alone. The author highlights systemic issues including high youth unemployment, government corruption—specifically the 'hidden debt scandal'—and a history of electoral misconduct. The paper notes a shift in public action, with protests now targeting private sector companies over land rights and infrastructure failures, and warns that the new government under Daniel Chapo faces significant instability unless a genuine dialogue including opposition figure Venâncio Mondlane is established.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs analyzes UN voting patterns on Ukraine as of February 2025. It highlights a divergence between European demands for Russian accountability and the Trump administration's shift toward de-escalation, alongside a more strategic, pragmatic approach by Global South nations seeking diplomatic mediation over binary confrontation.

This research paper examines urban transportation challenges in Africa, using South Africa as a primary case study to illustrate the impact of colonial and apartheid legacies on infrastructure. It evaluates the effectiveness of high-cost rail projects versus Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems and the role of informal paratransit, while proposing policy interventions to improve accessibility and safety.

This policy brief argues that Africa must transition from a reliance on international financial institutions to a model of economic, mineral, and energy sovereignty to unlock the full potential of its mining sector. The authors propose a 'resource leverage strategy' to exchange mineral access for technology transfer and local beneficiation, while advocating for the creation of independent African financial institutions and standardized resource reporting to reduce dependency on the Global North.

This research paper examines the water crisis in Johannesburg as a symptom of broader systemic failures in South Africa's municipal and national governance. It argues that the inability to deliver basic socio-economic rights, such as water and sanitation, is driven by a combination of severe capacity constraints, corruption, and a national government strategy of fiscal consolidation that prioritizes debt reduction over constitutional obligations to citizens.

The research paper discusses the establishment of the AfCFTA Implementation Review Mechanism (AFIRM) in July 2024 to address delays in the implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement. It argues that the AFIRM's current focus on direct compliance assessments may cause state resistance and suggests adopting the WTO's TPRM approach—focusing on transparency and general trade policy—to ensure member buy-in and avoid the blocking of reports by the Council of Ministers.

This report, developed through a collaborative workshop in September 2025, provides strategic recommendations for African foreign ministries to enhance their influence at the United Nations. It argues for a shift from 'principles to pragmatism,' emphasizing the need for institutionalized coordination, financial self-reliance within the African Union (AU), and a more flexible approach to UN Security Council (UNSC) reform to avoid diplomatic deadlock.

This report by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) synthesizes the climate, sustainability, energy, and climate finance commitments made by G20 member countries from 2008 to 2024. It tracks the evolution of these commitments through various summits, highlighting the shift from general statements to specific frameworks like the Paris Agreement and the challenges posed by inconsistent national policies, particularly those of the United States. The document also details the priority areas for South Africa's 2025 G20 presidency, which emphasizes solidarity, equality, and sustainability.

This report by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines the evolution of the G20's agenda regarding food systems and global food security. It details the initiatives of various G20 presidencies, the role of international organisations like the FAO and WFP, and the synergies between G7 and G20 priorities. The document specifically outlines South Africa's priorities during its 2024-2025 G20 presidency, focusing on inclusive growth, climate resilience, and the empowerment of women and youth in agrifood systems.

This policy brief examines the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Digital Trade Protocol, focusing on overcoming digital exclusion and harmonising regulations to boost intra-African digital trade. It provides specific recommendations for member states across regulatory reform, digital public infrastructure, and human capital development to bridge the digital divide and create a predictable business environment for digital services.

This policy note by Daniel Bradlow of the South African Institute of International Affairs outlines priorities for South Africa's 2025 G20 presidency to address the sovereign debt crisis in Africa. The author argues that current global governance mechanisms, including the IMF and G20 frameworks, are insufficient to meet the combined debt, climate, and development needs of African nations. The document proposes a 'holistic approach' to debt restructuring that integrates financial obligations with social and environmental commitments, suggests using the Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable (GSDR) for reform, and discusses the tension between liquidity and solvency perspectives on restoring financial access.

This policy brief examines the potential for the South African G20 presidency to facilitate the rechannelling of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) to Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), specifically the African Development Bank (AfDB). It outlines the financial mechanisms for such a transfer, the political and legal hurdles preventing it, and the potential development impacts for African nations.

This policy note outlines the financial crisis in Africa, where rising public debt—reaching $1.8 trillion in 2022—is hindering climate and development goals. It calls for South Africa to use its 2025 G20 presidency to advocate for a holistic debt architecture that balances creditor obligations with social and environmental commitments.

President Cyril Ramaphosa's remarks at the G20 Closing and Handover Ceremony in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on November 19, 2024, marking South Africa's assumption of the G20 Presidency. He outlines the theme and priorities for the upcoming year, emphasizing the first time an African country will lead the group.

This policy brief examines the potential for carbon markets to provide finance for climate-resilient smallholder farmers in Africa. It argues that while carbon markets can fund climate-smart agricultural practices that improve soil health and food security, significant barriers—including strict credit requirements, high costs, and a lack of localized research—currently limit participation. The document calls for policymakers to move away from 'one-size-fits-all' regulations and instead prioritize frameworks that value non-carbon co-benefits like nutrition and economic development.

The Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) is a financial market infrastructure led by Afreximbank and supported by the AfCFTA Secretariat to enable instant cross-border payments across Africa using local currencies. It aims to reduce reliance on foreign currencies, lower transaction costs, and increase financial inclusion, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises. While it has gained support from 13 African central banks and over 115 commercial banks as of May 2024, its widespread adoption is hindered by low awareness, fragmented regulatory frameworks, and inadequate digital infrastructure.

The COP29 South African Youth Statement, presented by the Youth Policy Committee Global Change Working Group via Youth@SAIIA, outlines a comprehensive set of demands for the South African government delegation to COP29. The statement advocates for a climate justice approach that integrates human rights, gender equality, and social justice, calling for urgent reforms in water sanitation, waste management, and the energy transition to protect marginalized communities.