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This report, published by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), examines the development of Africa's private sector and the role of South African companies. It argues that sustainable development in Africa requires a flourishing private sector and emphasizes the necessity of public-private partnerships, providing recommendations for policy-makers.

This research paper by Professor Okechukwu Ibeanu examines the relationship between think-tank funding and institutional independence, focusing on the Nigerian experience. It analyzes how the transition from military to civilian rule shifted funding dynamics between public and private research institutions and explores whether government funding necessarily inhibits a think-tank's ability to criticize the state.

This research paper examines the historical context of superpower competition in Africa during the Cold War and analyzes the potential implications of a 'new' Cold War or a shift toward multi-polarity between the West and Russia for African states.

This research paper argues that Swaziland (now Eswatini) requires urgent political and institutional reform to address severe socio-economic crises, including widespread poverty, a devastating HIV/AIDS epidemic, and an absolute monarchy that lacks accountability.

This 2008 briefing outlines South Africa's objectives for the 63rd UN General Assembly, emphasizing the 'African Agenda,' the mid-term review of the Millennium Development Goals, and the promotion of South-South cooperation via partnerships like IBSA. It highlights the use of the 2010 FIFA World Cup as a development milestone and South Africa's push to democratize the UN by increasing the powers of the General Assembly.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the sustainability of South Africa's current account deficit and critiques proposed policy interventions. The author argues against currency devaluation and trade barriers, suggesting instead that the deficit reflects the country's ability to attract capital inflows for investment. The paper advocates for long-term competitiveness through infrastructure improvement, education, and the removal of structural barriers rather than short-term industrial subsidies.

This research paper by Raymond Louw argues that a free and independent media is an indispensable component of good political governance and a cornerstone of democracy. The author criticizes the African Union's (AU) African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) for omitting media freedom from its criteria for good governance, suggesting this exclusion allows authoritarian states to achieve passing ratings. Through case studies of South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, and Rwanda, the paper demonstrates that these countries fail to recognize the media's essential watchdog role in their APRM reports. The document also highlights the 'Declaration of Table Mountain' and the prevalence of 'insult laws' across Africa that criminalize critical reporting of public officials.

This research paper by Raymond Louw, published by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) in September 2008, argues that free and independent media are essential for good governance and democratic accountability. The author criticizes the African Union's (AU) African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) for omitting media freedom from its criteria for good governance, suggesting this exclusion is likely due to the prevalence of 'insult laws' across the continent. The paper examines case studies from Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, and South Africa, concluding that none of these countries fully recognize the media's 'watchdog' role in their national reports. It also discusses the 'Table Mountain Declaration' and provides specific proposals to integrate media freedom into the APRM questionnaire.

This research paper examines South Africa's approach to services liberalisation, arguing that despite the sector's significant contribution to the economy, the government maintains a defensive negotiation strategy and allows key network services to remain state-dominated and inefficient.

This research paper argues that China's engagement with Africa is fundamentally transforming China's own foreign policy and self-conception. While Western perspectives often focus on how China's 'no conditions' approach undermines good governance in Africa, the author contends that ties with African 'pariah and petro-states' are instead reshaping Beijing's diplomatic certitudes, forcing it to move away from its strict principle of non-intervention toward supporting internationally-sanctioned interventions in specific conflicts.

This research paper examines the legal possibilities and political obstacles to putting Robert Mugabe on trial, analyzing the roles of universal jurisdiction and the International Criminal Court (ICC).

This research paper by Marianne Camerer examines the requirements for effective anti-corruption systems, particularly within the context of new democracies in Africa. The author argues that a single-agency approach is often insufficient and that sustainable reform requires a combination of data-driven policy, a matrix of legal and oversight institutions, ethical leadership, and active partnerships with civil society and the media.

This research paper by Robert Mattes, published by the South African Institute of International Affairs, argues that representative public opinion surveys are essential for the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) to achieve a comprehensive national self-assessment. The author contrasts the limitations of 'participatory' public consultations with the precision of random probability sampling and provides a technical framework for conducting credible surveys in Africa, including sampling stages, cost estimates, and the necessity of avoiding 'head of household' bias.

This research paper by Professor Awadi Sadiki Mawenya, published by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), examines the systemic nature of corruption in African public procurement. It argues that corruption in this sector is a primary driver of poverty on the continent and proposes a holistic strategy for mitigation involving legal reform, political commitment, and international cooperation.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs analyzes the establishment of a Strategic Partnership between the European Union (EU) and South Africa, culminating in a July 2008 Heads of State summit in France. The document details the shift from a development-focused relationship to a strategic alliance aimed at addressing global geopolitical changes, energy security, and African development.

This research paper examines the social and economic dynamics of organised crime in South Africa, highlighting the challenges posed by the sophistication of criminal networks and their ability to gain community support through financial incentives and legitimising myths.

A statement by the South African Institute of International Affairs reflecting on Africa Day 2008, arguing that celebrations of the continent's beauty and culture must be balanced with a critical assessment of governance failures, political instability, and humanitarian crises.

This research paper by Chomba Chella and Simon Kabanda analyzes the 2000-2001 campaign in Zambia that successfully prevented President Frederick Chiluba from amending the Constitution to seek a third term in office. The authors detail the tactics used by the government to drum up support, the formation of the Oasis Forum coalition, and the specific methods of citizen activism that led to Chiluba's capitulation on May 4, 2001.

This research paper examines the successful 2006 citizen activism campaign in Uganda to save the Mabira Central Forest Reserve from being donated to the Mehta Group for sugar production. It details how a coalition of civil society, religious, and cultural groups used empirical research, legal challenges, and public mobilization to expose governance deficits and block the government's proposal. The paper highlights the evolution of environmental law in Uganda, the importance of public access to information, and the intersection of environmental conservation with national governance and accountability.

This research paper by Bashir Twesigye analyzes the 2006 citizen-led campaign to prevent the Ugandan government from granting 7,100 hectares of the Mabira Central Forest Reserve to the Mehta Group for sugarcane production. The author examines how environmental activism served as a vehicle for broader governance and accountability demands, leveraging Uganda's 1995 Constitution and the National Environment Act to successfully halt the land transfer.