The BRICS bucks explained
A year after the 2023 BRICS Summit took place in Johannesburg, Joseph Matola, acting head of SAIIA’s Economic Diplomacy programme, reflects on the BRICS currency for South Africa and what the intergovernmental organisation will do to move towards the use of their own currencies for trade.
SA’s new ‘bloated’ unity government under fire
Responding to criticisms of South Africa’s bloated executive, SAIIA’s Senior Researcher on African governance and diplomacy Gustavo de Carvalho tells AFP it is ‘fairly normal’ for democratic governments to fall short on their promises to downsize their Cabinet.
Ronald Lamola will need to be more accountable and pragmatic as foreign minister – pundits
In an interview with Daily Maverick, SAIIA’s Senior Researcher on African governance and diplomacy Gustavo de Carvalho says that South Africa’s foreign policy will not undergo drastic changes under International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola’s tenure.
Xi and Putin are pivoting to the Global South. It may not go to plan
SAIIA Senior Researcher Gustavo de Carvalho weighed in on China and Russia’s strategic attempts to develop stronger ties with developing nations as they try to counter the Western-led world order.
Despite big obstacles, AfCFTA viewed as key to weaving new trade and industrial tapestry
Africa’s yawning infrastructure gaps in the road, rail and ports sectors, as well as in information and communication technology (ICT), has also been identified as a potential hurdle to the full implementation of the AfCFTA treaty in the near term. “If Africa’s transport and ICT infrastructure remains underdeveloped, the AfCFTA will not reach its full potential,” says SAIIA’s Associate Economist Joseph Matola.
Skills refocus required for green hydrogen development
South Africa currently relies heavily on low-level-skilled workers, which has led to a notable disparity between technical and vocational skills, and industry needs. Engineering News interviewed SAIIA Futures Programme researcher Francois Pretorius about the skills demand and employment opportunities arising from the emerging green hydrogen economy.
South Africa: Will a coalition government change direction on Palestine?
In an interview with The Africa Report, SAIIA’s Senior Researcher on African governance and diplomacy Gustavo de Carvalho says that South Africa’s membership of the BRICS grouping is likely to continue, regardless of the outcome of coalition government negotiations between the pro-Palestine African National Congress(ANC) and other South African parties.
Drones, heavy weapons dominate DRC’s fight with M23
In an interview with Africa Defense Forum, SAIIA’s Senior Research Fellow Stephanie Wolters says that there is currently close potential for real war between Rwanda and the DRC.
Ebrahim Raisi’s unexpected death won’t shake Iran’s commitment to South Africa and BRICS
In an interview with Daily Maverick, SAIIA’s Senior Researcher on African governance and diplomacy Gustavo de Carvalho says that from a foreign policy perspective, there is likely to be a degree of continuity in Iran’s global engagement despite the recent death of the nation’s president.
South Africa: The era of coalition politics begins
In an interview with Forbes Africa, SAIIA’s Senior Researcher on African governance and diplomacy Gustavo de Carvalho says that the rise of the MK (uMkhonto weSizwe) Party as South Africa’s third largest political party is reflective of the factionalism and internal conflicts of the ruling ANC party.