Deepening democratic norms is crucial for a self-assured Ethiopian foreign policy

Ethiopia, Africa’s second most populous country, and one of the 12 fastest growing economies in the world is heading to a general election on 24 May 2015. There is very little to suggest that the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), which came to power after a bloody civil war in 1991 should have much to worry about.
Democratising the BRICS image through inclusive global agendas

The BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa) Academic Forum in Moscow took place from 21-23 May 2015.
South Africa’s foreign policy priorities for the 21st century: a closer look at the potential for co-operation in the South Atlantic zone

The South Atlantic Zone refers to a grouping of countries from Latin America and Africa that fall on the littoral border of the South Atlantic Ocean. This region holds significant strategic and economic potential for countries from both regions.
Safeguarding Africa’s Natural Heritage: The Case of Mining in Protected Areas

Protected areas (PAs) are conservation management tools designed to safeguard the world’s most threatened species and protect essential ecosystem services and biological resources. Today 200,000 PAs, including national parks and indigenous and communal areas, cover approximately 14.6% of the world’s land surface and 2.8% of its oceans.
The World Health Assembly revisited: renewed focus on regional governance in 2015

The 68th session of the World Health Assembly is being held in Geneva from 18 to 26 of May. The focus for this year’s Assembly is ‘Ebola: Ending the current outbreak, strengthening global preparedness and ensuring the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) capacity to prepare for and respond to future large-scale outbreaks and emergencies with health consequences,’ and ‘Health in the post-2015 development agenda’.
Getting Back to Good Governance this Africa Day

This year’s Africa Day commemorations on 25 May – celebrating the founding of the Organisation of African Unity in Ethiopia in 1963 – occur against the backdrop of deadly xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
What Role for Natural Resources in Botswana’s Quest for Economic Diversification?

Botswana is typically perceived as a development anomaly on the continent. With a stable democracy and strong economic growth since 1966, the country’s success is in danger of being taken for granted.
Benchmarking South Africa’s Foreign Direct Investment Policy

This policy insights paper examines South Africa’s proposed law on the promotion and protection of investment, and highlights the differences between this law and SADC’s regional approach as adopted by South Africa.
SADC Investment Perspectives in a Changing International Investment Landscape

The global arena for foreign direct investment (FDI) has become much more fluid and complex in the five years from 2010 to 2015. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) as a region has shown exceptional growth but relatively lacklustre FDI inflows.
The case for better FDI data in South Africa

Detailed and carefully collected foreign direct investment (FDI) statistics are essential for the effective design and evaluation of public policy on inward foreign investment.