Eyes on the prize: South African business in the DRC
The following Policy Insight provides a brief overview of some of the major South African and Congolese economic relations, trade and private investment in the post-conflict era of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
DRC: The election that never happened
The 2016 elections of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) were scheduled for mid-September this year, and then postponed to 27 November. But the country is still nowhere near being ready to conduct a legitimate vote, and tensions there are reaching critical levels. What should South Africa be doing to help?
Turkey In Somalia: Shifting Paradigms of Aid
As the global development landscape continues to evolve, new and emerging actors – countries transitioning from being aid recipients to aid providers – are becoming increasingly visible on the global scene.
Will the new constitution protect women’s rights in Tanzania?
Tanzania’s current legal framework has failed to address women’s rights and gender equality due to the prolonged and continued existence of forced child marriages, killings of elderly women, female genital mutilation and limited access to reproductive health services. Is the proposed new constitution likely to do a better job at protecting and promoting women’s rights in Tanzania?
The Gatvol Syndrome, The Apprentice and World Politics
Eight years ago the American people voted for “Yes, we can”, Barack Obama’s politics of hope. Eight years ago many across the world were celebrating the election of the first African-American president and the new politics that it might bring. But over the last eight years we have seen a rise in political extremes both in the US and across Europe.
Improving infrastructure finance for low-income countries: Recommendations for the ADF
Low-income countries (LICs) in sub-Saharan Africa face a substantial infrastructure-financing gap. Multilateral development banks (MDBs) have traditionally played an important role in mobilising finance for infrastructure in LICs, but their funding alone cannot match demand.
E-commerce in Africa: Definitions, issues and the evolving international regulatory landscape
E-commerce is becoming an integrated part of the global economy, with revenue in business-to-business and business-to-consumer e-commerce transactions rapidly increasing.
SMEs in the services sector – A new pathway to development in the LDCs?
It is common knowledge that SMEs make a significant contribution to their countries’ economies, but they often operate in a kind of twilight zone — seen and acknowledged, but not properly understood or catered for at the policy level.
Partnering with the New Development Bank: What improved services can it offer middle-income countries?
Multilateral development banks increasingly struggle to respond effectively to the needs of middle-income countries, influencing not only their potential development impact but also their own financial stability.
South Africa’s Drought Preparedness in the Water Sector: Too Little Too Late?
South Africa experiences droughts on a regular basis, often associated with significant negative impacts on society and the economy.