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The briefing examines the intersection of food safety, health security, and agricultural production in Southern Africa, arguing that unsafe food and food insecurity exacerbate the burden on health systems already strained by infectious diseases. It highlights risks from globalisation, such as antimicrobial resistance and longer food chains, and calls on the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to increase agricultural capacity and reduce dependence on food exports and aid to ensure long-term socioeconomic development.

The policy brief contends that the deadlock in global climate finance negotiations stems from a lack of predictability in financial flows. It suggests that Africa can lead a breakthrough for the Paris (COP21) conference by shifting focus from quantifying 'adequate' finance to securing 'predictable' flows. The author argues that by demonstrating the ability to effectively deploy available resources and aligning adaptation needs with low-carbon development pathways, African nations can create a 'win-win' scenario that encourages developed nations to provide sustained funding. The brief recommends identifying off-budget and market-driven financial sources to avoid the unreliability of traditional budget support.

The document argues that developing countries can increase their access to climate finance by demonstrating strong fund management and project delivery. Rwanda is presented as a model for this approach, utilizing a national climate-responsive development plan (GGCRS) and a dedicated fund (FONERWA) to streamline resources and improve project quality. Key success factors identified include the use of joint sector reviews for cross-institutional coordination and the 'ubudehe' community-based system for inclusive needs assessments. The briefing recommends that other African nations establish similar dedicated funds to manage funding, prepare viable projects, and implement rigorous monitoring and evaluation to attract further international investment.

The document examines Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) as a multi-sectoral governance approach to balance the development, use, and protection of coastal zones. It traces the global shift from sectoral 'command-and-control' methods to ecosystem-based management and analyzes South Africa's transition from a conservation-focused model to one prioritizing sustainable livelihoods and poverty eradication. The author highlights the 2008 Integrated Coastal Management Act as a key legal framework but notes significant failures in local-level implementation, particularly in the Eastern Cape, where unregulated sand mining and illegal development persist due to a lack of municipal capacity and political will.

The policy brief examines the link between presidential term extensions and political instability in Africa, citing coups in Burkina Faso and Burundi as evidence. It argues that the African Union (AU) has been too reactive, focusing on suspending governments after coups rather than preventing the constitutional manipulations that trigger them. The author calls for the AU to formalize presidential term limits within its governance architecture, specifically suggesting amendments to the AU Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance. The brief recommends that 'anchor states' like South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya use preventive diplomacy to discourage term extensions, noting that such practices undermine the goals of Agenda 2063 and regional security.

The research paper argues that South Africa can bridge the conceptual divide between its 'Latin American' and 'African' foreign policy by treating the South Atlantic Zone as a single entity. It highlights the Zone of Peace and Cooperation of the South Atlantic (ZPCSA) as a framework for security and economic collaboration. Key drivers for this engagement include the 'Operation Phakisa' blue economy initiative, the need to combat piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, and the exploitation of untapped oil and gas reserves. While trade between South Africa and Latin American partners like Brazil and Argentina remains low due to similar commodity exports, the document identifies significant growth potential and the role of South Africa as a strategic gateway between Latin America and Asia.

The document examines the Grand Inga hydropower project in the DRC as a catalyst for energy dialogue and regional integration in Southern Africa. While the project offers immense generation potential, it faces significant hurdles including the DRC's poor infrastructure, institutional instability, and the need for massive international investment. The author argues that for Inga 3 and the broader Grand Inga scheme to succeed, South Africa and the DRC must shift from national priorities toward regional planning, engaging other SADC members and international financial institutions to secure the necessary funding and transmission networks.

The document examines the conflict between mining, oil, and gas extraction and the conservation of protected areas (PAs) and World Heritage (WH) sites in Africa. It highlights that 32% of African natural WH sites are 'in danger' and argues that extractive activities are incompatible with WH status. The author calls for the implementation of 'no-go zones' in WH sites and the adoption of strict operational guidelines and biodiversity offsets where mining in other PAs is unavoidable. It emphasizes the role of the private sector as a custodian of the environment, noting that financial institutions and international standards (such as the Equator Principles) are increasingly driving corporate compliance to avoid investor stigma and protect shareholder value.

The author contends that for BRICS to be perceived as a force for positive global change rather than just a new set of dominant powers, it must move beyond narrow self-interest. The paper proposes an inclusive agenda centered on four key challenges: rising inequality, the finite nature of the Anthropocene age (climate change and sustainable development), the rise of identity-based radicalism, and the tension between state sovereignty and global public goods. The author suggests that by leading on these issues, BRICS can build collective soft power and a more legitimate global compact.

The paper examines the fragmented nature of investment promotion in South Africa, where provincial agencies operate with varying levels of professionalism and often compete against one another. It highlights a gap between investment regulation—exemplified by the Promotion and Protection of Investment Bill of 2013—and investment promotion. The author recommends that Trade and Investment South Africa (TISA) implement a more coordinated national framework, including a central 'one-stop shop' and a formal referral system, to attract high-quality, sustainable FDI that aligns with national development goals.

Botswana faces a critical juncture as diamond revenues decline, threatening its historical economic growth and political stability. The document argues that the country must diversify its economy, moving away from exhaustible resources. While coal and iron ore could provide temporary revenue, the author recommends prioritising eco-tourism as a sustainable long-term economic anchor. This transition requires significant investment in human and physical capital, using remaining diamond rents to build a skilled workforce and necessary infrastructure.

The document examines the AU Panel of the Wise (PoW) as a key pillar of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), focusing on its use of preventive diplomacy in crisis-prone elections. It argues that while the PoW can attenuate violence and promote peaceful outcomes, such interventions often prioritize immediate peace over electoral legitimacy, potentially deferring structural conflicts to future cycles. The author emphasizes that the success of preventive diplomacy depends on the timing of 'early action' and the commitment of political stakeholders, noting that long-term governance transformation is necessary to resolve deep-rooted conflicts.

The document examines the tension between South Africa's constitutional mandate to redress apartheid-induced inequalities through black economic empowerment (BEE) and its commitments under first-generation bilateral investment treaties (BITs). It analyzes the South African government's decision to terminate these treaties in favor of the Promotion and Protection of Investment Bill (PPIB), noting that this unilateral approach creates reputational risks and potential legal inconsistencies with customary international law. By comparing South Africa's experience with India and Indonesia, the author argues that emerging economies can successfully carve out policy space within the international framework rather than abandoning it. The paper concludes that South Africa should leverage its unique history to influence the development of third-generation investment agreements while maintaining the signaling power and investor certainty provided by international regimes.

The SAIIA Youth Policy Committee condemns xenophobic violence in South Africa, emphasizing the historical support provided by other African nations during the apartheid era. The committee calls for a national discussion to address the causes of xenophobia and urges government and local leaders to employ political will and grassroots engagement to stop the violence.

The author reflects on Zambia's historical support for Southern African liberation movements and its use of a compulsory 'Civics' curriculum to pre-empt xenophobia from childhood. The text suggests that South Africa lacks a similar educational mechanism to teach citizens about the role other African countries played in its struggle, which contributes to recurring xenophobic violence. It recommends the creation of a Presidential Working Group on Xenophobia and calls for prominent African executives in South Africa to be more open about their origins to combat negative perceptions.

The document examines South Africa's 2014 five-point plan to mitigate electricity shortages, which includes emergency measures, cogeneration, gas substitution, coal independent power programmes, and nuclear and renewable energy exploration. It highlights a lack of clarity in government prioritisation of energy sources and notes that private sector confidence is waning, as evidenced by companies like Sibanye Gold Limited seeking energy independence. The author argues that the government must update the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2010-2030 and provide a transparent assessment of the financial viability and suitability of different energy sources, particularly regarding the high costs and long lead times associated with nuclear and coal investments.

The document analyzes the shift in South Africa's investment policy from bilateral investment treaties (BITs) toward the Promotion and Protection of Investment Bill (PPIB) of 2013. It highlights how the PPIB prioritizes the state's right to regulate in the public interest and replaces international arbitration with domestic dispute resolution. The author argues that this creates regulatory uncertainty and misalignment with the SADC Finance and Investment Protocol (FIP) and the SADC Model BIT, potentially hindering foreign direct investment (FDI) and regional integration.

The document analyzes FDI inflows into the SADC region from 2003 to 2014, noting a heavy reliance on natural resources. It argues that the slump in commodity prices in 2014 necessitates a move away from 'dated ideological' policies like beneficiation toward global value chain integration and improved regional infrastructure to attract more diversified investment.

The document provides a conceptual overview of foreign direct investment (FDI), categorizing it into types such as greenfield, brownfield, mergers and acquisitions, and joint ventures. It argues that while FDI can drive growth through employment and technology transfer, its benefits depend on a host country's absorptive capacity and industrial policy. Focusing on South Africa, the text details a strategic shift from a liberal, treaty-based approach to a domestic regime aimed at maximizing domestic benefits, including black economic empowerment and inclusive growth. It notes that South African FDI has been volatile and historically dominated by mergers and acquisitions in the mining, finance, and retail sectors.

The 2015 Nigerian election saw the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) defeat the incumbent People's Democratic Party (PDP), a result attributed to better APC organization, widespread dissatisfaction with the PDP's handling of security and the economy, and technological improvements in the electoral process. The author argues that President-elect Muhammadu Buhari must prioritize combating Boko Haram, addressing potential instability in the oil-producing Delta region, and implementing anti-corruption measures to restore public confidence and attract global investment. Key economic recommendations include boosting agriculture, improving electricity supply, and passing the Petroleum Industries Bill to reform the oil sector.