Working against the grain: Can Liberia avoid violence in the upcoming elections?
Tomorrow, Liberia will hold an election marking its first post-war handover of power.
Trump’s Africa policy is still incoherent, but key signals are emerging
Africa’s leaders, along with everyone else interested in US-Africa relations, have waited eight months for US President Donald Trump’s administration to explain its Africa policy. We aren’t there yet.
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.
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?