Are private sustainability standards obstacles to, or enablers of, SME participation in value chains?
This discussion paper examines the roles of South Africa and Kenya as regional gateways for global value chains (GVCs) coordinated by multinational corporations (MNCs), and the obstacles small and medium enterprises (SMEs) face in entering those value chains, owing to the voluntary sustainability standards (VSS) enacted by MNCs.
South Africa and Secondary Powers: Contestation in Sub-Saharan Africa
The second most powerful states in regional hierarchies – or secondary powers – can be expected to contest against hegemons.
South Africa’s rhino paradox
South Africa’s recent reversal of a ban on trade in rhinoceros horn has invigorated support for commercial farming of the product. But breeders’ argument that a legal market will protect wild populations ignores how the illicit trade in wildlife products actually functions.
The DRC will be the first foreign policy priority for Angola’s new president
João Lourenço has become Angola’s first new president in 38 years. Dr Alex Vines of Chatham House explains why a stable DRC is a top priority for the new leader: A stable and predictable Congo is Luanda’s most important international objective.
Angola’s new president must quickly focus on its oil and gas future
Dr Alex Vines of Chatham House writes that Angola’s new President João Lourenço needs to quickly focus on the country’s oil and gas future to attract fresh investment: The country should introduce credible policies to diversify its economy, but in the short term, the new president has no choice but to focus on Angola’s economic lifeblood.
Informing the approach of Multilateral Development Banks to use of country systems
Most countries consider infrastructure development as a key enabler of development, as it spurs job creation, trade and investment.
AGOA: It’s time to move on
The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) has been the cornerstone of US-Africa trade relations since its inception in 2000.
To stop poaching, ivory ban must be permanent
Elephants in the wild are under serious threat: Save the Elephants estimates that 100,000 elephants were killed for their ivory in Africa between 2010 and 2012.
Have China’s global ambitions outgrown BRICS?
Has China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) usurped BRICS as China’s flagship forum? And if so, what does this mean for future BRICS co-operation?
BRICS headed towards new global era?
In the age of Western powers reorganising their priorities in the global arena, along with their diminishing relative economic and political weight, BRICS’ growing influence cannot be denied.