The upcoming G20 Summit in November is the first G20 Summit to be held on the African continent. This historical event marks the continent’s growing role in governance and focuses on the theme Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability. In today’s podcast ERSA’s host sits down with Olawunmi Ola-Basuri, the Political Impact Manager at ONE Campaign and Richmond Commodore, a Senior Economist at the African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET), to demystify the cost of capital in Africa, and how it impacts Africa’s future. Across the continent, countries are paying some of the highest borrowing costs in the world. What is underneath this? Is […]

Industrial policy is once again central to global debates on economic growth and development. Governments worldwide are deploying new strategies to stay competitive amid geopolitical shifts, climate imperatives and rapid technological change. South Africa is no exception. The International Economic Partnership (IEP) Programme invites you to listen to a four-part webinar series on industrial policy. The fourth and final session, chaired by Margaux G, focuses on The Role of Development Finance in Industrial Policy. This webinar explores how development finance can catalyse investment, innovation, and inclusive economic growth, while aligning with broader macroeconomic and sustainability goals. Together Antonio Adreoni, Adria Rius, Annie […]

Industrial policy is once again central to global debates on economic growth and development. Governments worldwide are deploying new strategies to stay competitive amid geopolitical shifts, climate imperatives and rapid technological change. South Africa is no exception. The International Economic Partnership (IEP) Programme invites you to listen to a four-part webinar series on industrial policy. The third session chaired by Fouché Venter, focuses on Public Procurement as an Industrial Policy Lever. This webinar explores how local content regulations, preferential procurement, and public sector demand can stimulate industry while aligning with broader structural reforms and international trade commitments. Together Philipp Lamprecht, Annie Sugrue, […]

Industrial policy is once again central to global debates on economic growth and development. Governments worldwide are deploying new strategies to stay competitive amid geopolitical shifts, climate imperatives and rapid technological change. South Africa is no exception. The International Economic Partnership (IEP) Programme invites you to listen to policymakers and experts for a four-part webinar series on industrial policy. The second of these webinars is chaired by Lauralyn Kaziboni and focuses on the Role of Industrial Incentives in the South African Economy. This webinar critically examines the design, effectiveness, and future direction of South Africa’s industrial incentive framework as a driver of development.  […]

Industrial policy is once again central to global debates on economic growth and development. Governments worldwide are deploying new strategies to stay competitive amid geopolitical shifts, climate imperatives and rapid technological change. South Africa is no exception. The International Economic Partnership (IEP) Programme invites you to listen to policymakers and experts for a four-part webinar series on industrial policy. The first of these webinars is chaired by Yash Ramkolowan and focuses on Growth Enhancing Infrastructure for Industrial Development. Infrastructure is the backbone of industrial development. Strategic investment in energy, transport, digital networks, and water systems can boost productivity, attract foreign investment, and enable […]

Thirty years ago, South Africa’s education system emerged from apartheid with a mission to dismantle entrenched inequalities. Since then, policy has undergone major reforms to promote equality, strengthen foundational learning, and smooth the transition from secondary school into the workplace. In today’s podcast, ERSA’s host is joined by Professor Martin Gustafsson, Associate Professor at the University of Stellenbosch, to unpack his research “Basic Education Policy in South Africa: From 1994 till now”, co-authored with Kholosa Nonkenge from the Department of Basic Education. They explore how education has evolved since 1994: Where does South Africa stand internationally on foundational learning? What […]

Awaiting the outcome of a trade deal between the United States and South Africa, reciprocal tariffs of 30% are set to be imposed on South African exports on 1 August 2025. With the USA being South Africa’s second biggest bilateral trade partner, after China, these tariffs are bound to impact the automotive, aluminium and steel industries especially. Over 80% of all products exported by SA to the US, will face the full brunt of the 30% reciprocal tariff increase. With such a profound impact on our economy it is important to explore how policy can respond such that it is […]

In this podcast, ERSA’s host sits down with Brent Cloete and Bradley Kent, to discuss their research on environmental policy in South Africa: From 1994 till now – A Climate for Development. Since our democracy in 1994, South Africa’s approach to sustainable development has reflected the shifts in the global sustainable development framework. Where policy initially prioritized economic growth and social development as a separate function to the environment, it evolved to recognize the interdependence with the environment. How does South Africa rank internationally and who does climate change impact the most? What can we learn from past policies and […]

Since our democracy in 1994, South Africa’s competition policy has received positive international attention. The Competition Act of 1998 was ahead of its time, recognizing that credible competition law and effective structures are necessary for an efficient functioning economy. 30 years later, how has South Africa’s competition policy evolved? In this podcast, ERSA’s host sits down with Prof Willem Boshoff, who is a  Professor of Economics and Co-Director of the Center for Competition Law and Economics at Stellenbosch University to discuss his research on “Two competing approaches in South African competition policy: Merger control and anti-cartel enforcement over three decades”. […]

Shortly after the April MPR, ERSA’s host sat down with Dr Chris Loewald, the Head of the Research Department at the Reserve Bank, and a member of the Monetary Policy Committee to discuss inflation targeting amidst the increasing international trade tensions, global uncertainty and concerns of stagflation. As a relatively complex and small economy that trades with both advanced economies and emerging markets, adopting the inflation targeting regime has served South Africa well over the last 25 years. With increasing global uncertainty, what is working and what isn’t working with this monetary policy regime? What can we learn from other […]