The COVID-19 pandemic has tested the BRICS countries’ collective strength, and found them largely wanting. The bloc has therefore missed a chance to bolster its advocacy of international governance reform, and cast doubt on its fitness for purpose in r …

The following article is part of a series on youth innovation during COVID-19 developed by the African Centre for the Study of the US at Wits University, the Youth Bridge Trust, and the Africa Portal. The Covid-19 pandemic has unveiled the crippling in …

Discussions about youth have taken various forms in Africa, as this segment of the population grows exponentially, propelling government responses and policy interventions to meet the needs of young people. A coordinated response requires a shared unde …

The BRICS bloc has contributed to global governance by establishing multiple platforms that enhance dialogue and cooperation. In 2018 a forum dedicated to the empowerment of women will be added. Where do the BRICS countries stand in terms of gender par …

Promoting African development priorities is at the core of South Africa’s engagement in global forums, including in the BRICS. This briefing discusses two key African priorities within the BRICS: industrialisation and infrastructure financing. It refle …

2018 is a key year for the BRICS. Not only is it a decade since the first BRICS meeting, it is also the first time the bloc will directly address gender disparities through the proposed creation of the BRICS Gender and Women’s Forum, championed by Sout …

This paper explores both the efforts of the BRICS in advancing reforms in international financial institutions (IFIs), considering specifically how coherent and united the grouping has been in these efforts and the extent to which each member of the gr …

This paper reflects on the African Union’s (AU) 2017 theme, ‘Harnessing the Demographic Dividend Through Investments in Youth.’ Although there has been a focus on youth-related issues in 2017 there is a need to critically examine the gains and challeng …

As Zimbabwe, Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) prepare to hold historic polls in July, October and December respectively, concerns around violence, intimidation and credible electoral processes are rising. In Zimbabwe, incidents of in …

South Africa’s 2019 general elections will be a critical moment for democracy as the country welcomes a post-Zuma future. Equally important is the impact of his presidency on South Africa’s international standing, writes Luanda Mpungose. This piece wil …