March 2024 Edition
South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA)
African Perspectives, Global Insights.
This edition features recent research on China’s digital currency agenda, the latest SAIIA Journal issue, South Africa’s geopolitical energy transitions and our upcoming and past events.
China’s Central Bank Digital Currency: A New Force in African Finance?
China is leading the digital currency rollout globally. Dr. Lauren A. Johnston (江诗伦) writes that understanding the form and implications of its digital currency agenda, and how that may directly and indirectly shape China’s economic relations with Africa, is important in informing the continent's own digital currency debate.
Sajia Vol 30.4 Explores Qatar, Türkiye and the Muslim Brotherhood in the Mena Region, and More
The latest issue of the South African Journal of International Affairs (SAJIA) includes several articles on varied topics, including one on the formation of the alliance between Qatar, Türkiye and the Muslim Brotherhood in the Middle East and North African region.
Strengthening Africa’s Climate-Smart Agriculture and Food Systems Through Enhanced Policy Coherence and Coordinated Action
Since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, Africa has experienced approximately $30 million in food shortages, pushing many people into severe poverty and causing a widespread increase in malnutrition. Rising global energy prices also have implications for Africa’s farm-to-market transportation costs, further exacerbating poverty levels on the continent. Romy Chevallier looks at how the continent should respond to these impacts.
Measuring Economic Vulnerability and Resilience to Climate Change
Two new indices developed by SAIIA show that low-income economies, many of which are African, face the highest vulnerabilities and lowest resilience to climate change and therefore warrant a greater share of climate financing. Report by Joseph Upile Matola, Ph.D.
Navigating South Africa’s Geopolitical Energy Transition by 2050
In an era defined by rapid technological advancements, shifting global dynamics and a growing awareness of environmental concerns, the energy landscape is undergoing a transformation of unprecedented scale. This report by Deon Cloete , Letitia Jentel , Ndeapo Wolf , Litha Lethu Mzinyati and Lune du Plessis delves into the intricate realm of critical minerals in Southern Africa, where the convergence of geopolitics, energy transition and sustainability creates a nexus of immense significance.
UPCOMING EVENTS
The South African National Defence Force: Mandate, Capacity and Constraints
Join our Western Cape Branch for a discussion on the mandate of the South African National Defence Force as set out and enshrined in the Constitution with Professor Abel Esterhuyse .
PAST EVENTS
South Africa's Ambassador to the World Trade Organization , Mzukisi Qobo , led a review of the outcomes of the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference, which took place in Abu Dhabi from 26 February to 2 March 2024. If you missed it, watch the recording below.
Our Chief Executive, Elizabeth Sidiropoulos , delivered a keynote address at the FIIA Forum 2024, where participants discussed the lessons learned and challenges ahead for the European Union in a year of change. In case you missed it, watch the recording of the discussions.
SAIIA’s Senior Researcher, Gustavo de Carvalho, participated in a webinar by the Policy Center for the New South to discuss the dynamics and future of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and its continued global implications. To catch up on the conversation, watch a recording of the event.
Until next time,
The SAIIA Team