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This policy briefing outlines a strategic framework for South Africa to navigate the geopolitical energy transition by 2050. It advocates for a shift toward complex adaptive systems thinking and the adoption of four strategic priorities: fostering sustainable energy democracies, practicing active non-alignment in diplomacy, challenging 'used energy futures,' and implementing anticipatory energy governance to move beyond growth-centric economic models.

This policy brief examines the implementation of biometric digital identification (ID) systems in Ethiopia and Uganda, highlighting the tension between the goals of increased inclusion and the risks of exclusion, surveillance, and data misuse. While digital IDs aim to facilitate access to government services and economic rights, the document warns that without robust legal frameworks for data protection and privacy, these systems can marginalise vulnerable populations and enable ethnic profiling.

The South African Youth Statement, published by the South African Institute of International Affairs, outlines a comprehensive set of recommendations for climate action ahead of COP28. The document advocates for climate justice, intersectional approaches to protect marginalised groups, and a fundamental reform of global climate finance to support the Global South. It calls for a just energy transition in South Africa, the recognition of climate migrants under international law, and the transformation of food systems to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines the integration of the ocean-climate nexus within the UNFCCC process, evaluating progress from the 'Ocean Super Year' of 2022 through COP27 and looking toward COP28. It emphasizes the need for African stakeholders to shift the global dialogue from negotiation to concrete implementation, leveraging regional initiatives and policy frameworks to drive ambitious ocean-climate action.

This report evaluates the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices of Chinese-financed infrastructure projects in Africa, specifically focusing on energy and industrial park sectors in Egypt, Nigeria, and Ethiopia.

This report by the South African Institute of International Affairs outlines strategies to strengthen Africa's digital infrastructure to enhance economic resilience. It identifies critical gaps in both 'hard' infrastructure (power and broadband) and 'soft' infrastructure (digital ID and payment systems) and proposes a coordinated continental approach through the African Union and the AfCFTA to reduce fragmentation and attract investment.

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs provides recommendations for African Union (AU) member states to develop a comprehensive e-commerce blueprint within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). It emphasizes the need for a unified African position in international negotiations, a proactive strategy for digital taxation, and the harmonisation of fragmented regional regulations to avoid Africa becoming a 'rule taker' in the global digital economy.

This policy brief examines how the BRICS bloc can support the digitisation of African agriculture to drive economic growth. It highlights the potential for investment through the New Development Bank, knowledge transfer from BRICS members' digital agricultural reforms, and the role of South Africa's 2023 BRICS chair to advance continental goals like Agenda 2063 and the AfCFTA.

This research paper examines the evolving geopolitics of mineral supply chains, specifically how industrialised states are seeking to reduce dependencies on certain countries following the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It focuses on the potential for African economies to benefit from this restructuring as the global transition to renewable energy increases the demand for critical minerals.

The policy brief argues that climate finance is largely gender-neutral and fails to address the differentiated impacts of climate change on women, men, boys, and girls. It identifies significant barriers, including a lack of technical capacity and a tendency to conflate 'gender' with 'women's issues.' The document calls on public development banks (PDBs) to adopt a gender-transformative approach that addresses root causes of inequality through staff training, dedicated gender units, and the integration of gender analysis into operational frameworks.

This policy brief examines the intersection between UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1540, which mandates the prevention of chemical, biological, and nuclear (CBN) weapons proliferation to non-State actors, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement. It aims to identify policy options to ensure that the removal of trade barriers under the AfCFTA does not increase proliferation risks, while ensuring that non-proliferation controls enable secure and predictable economic development in Africa.

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs outlines the systemic challenges facing food production in Africa and proposes specific interventions for the G20 to help the continent avoid missing the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030 and AU Agenda 2063 targets.

This policy brief abstract discusses the conflict between global climate goals established by the 2015 Paris Agreement and the pursuit of natural gas development in Africa to address the continent's low energy access and drive economic development.

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs advocates for the upscaling of marine and coastal ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) within the Southern African Development Community (SADC). It highlights the vulnerability of coastal and island states to climate risks and argues that integrating EbA into national policies and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) can simultaneously address climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and socio-economic development.

This research paper examines the impact of the geopolitical rivalry between the United States and China on Africa, specifically focusing on technology, global supply chains, and trade between 2018 and late 2021. It analyzes how African actors can exercise agency to navigate these tensions amidst socio-economic crises and institutional under-preparedness.

This policy brief advocates for the scaling of Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) in the coastal and marine environments of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to enhance climate resilience, conserve biodiversity, and promote socio-economic development.

This policy brief examines the integration of gender mainstreaming within climate finance, arguing that current efforts are often superficial and fail to address the root causes of gender inequality. It specifically highlights the role of public development banks (PDBs) as key vehicles for shifting financial flows toward gender-transformative climate action, recommending a move beyond 'women-focused' strategies toward a comprehensive approach that engages all genders to dismantle systemic power imbalances.

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs evaluates the effectiveness of African Union (AU) mechanisms, specifically the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and the Africa Governance Report (AGR), in improving governance across Africa. The author concludes that governance standards have generally remained static or declined since 1996, and that while APRM membership correlates with better performance, the review process itself does not guarantee improvement.

This research paper examines the integration of marine and coastal ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) within the climate policies and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of 10 SADC member states. It identifies a systemic gap where terrestrial concerns often overshadow marine issues, leading to a disconnect between high-level global pledges and local implementation. The author analyzes national case studies, identifies significant hurdles—including capacity gaps, siloed governance, and financing shortages—and provides recommendations for strengthening the 'seascape' approach to climate resilience in Southern Africa.

This research paper examines ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) interventions in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) coastal region, focusing on how these projects can provide livelihood opportunities and be scaled. The authors identify an incremental, community-led model—starting with periodic fishery closures to meet immediate food needs before expanding to broader conservation—as a highly effective approach for achieving sustainable outcomes.