This research project explored the intended outcomes of the 2007 National Industrial Policy Framework (NIPF) and assessed some of the progress (and unintended consequences) achieved in implementing the Industrial Policy Action Plan since 2008. (2015). See policy brief.

Since the launch of the APDP there has been significant changes to the global economy, which has impacted on the automotive sector as well as the production incentive. A review was undertaken to better understand how the incentive has been working, the growth in the automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and the impact on the downstream producers.

This research project looked at the potential for the development of the Nigerian automotive sector as part of their diversification away from oil. While many constraints exist there is potential, a history of domestic manufacturing and significant market size to grow their domestic industrial base through automotive production.

The Mining Phakisa was a South African government initiative led by the Presidency based on a “quick, fast results” methodology developed initially in Malaysia that brings together all stakeholders in the industry into a “lab” with the aim of identifying constraints and developing a shared vision and growth strategy for the long-term development and transformation of the sector.

TIPS provided research support for the Mining Phakisa. This involved providing support to the secretariat as well as undertaking and contracting research. Sixteen briefing notes and 11 research reports were prepared, including on the following topics: environmental effects; mining sector and municipalities; infrastructure financing and costing; an analysis of investment in mining; opportunities for local procurement; upstream and downstream linkages in the mining value chain and the cost structure of mining industry. These briefing notes and research reports as well as a number of reference documents were used as background information at the Phakisa. (2015)

TIPS Newsletter January 2026
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TIPS Newsletter May 2025
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TIPS Newsletter July 2024
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TIPS Newsletter October 2023
This newsletter includes the latest editions of The Real Economy Bulletin, details of the TIPS Annual Forum and APORDE programme, with links to recent research and videos from TIPS Development Dialogues held recently.
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TIPS Newsletter May 2023

This newsletter reports on some of our recent projects, including the latest editions of the REB State of Small Business and Provincial Review, the Black Intustrialists Case Studies, the Annual Forum and APORDE, with links to recent research and policy briefs.

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TIPS Newsletter December 2022

This newsletter reports on some of our recent projects, including the new Green Economy Bulletin, the Annual Forum and APORDE, with links to recent research and policy briefs.

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TIPS Newsletter April 2017

Projects covered in this issue include: 

• The Manufacturing Circle's new survey: the Manufacturing Composite Investment Tracker (MCIT),
• Details of the research support for the Department of Trade and Industry's agro-processing desk, and
• TIPS's input to the Fees Commission on the social, economic and financial implications of providing fee-free higher education and training.

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TIPS Newsletter November 2016

Projects covered in this issue include: 

• TIPS's work for the Steel Task Team,
• The green economy project for the Department of Trade and Industry, and 
•  A study on reducing the administrative burden for small business.

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TIPS Newsletter July 2016

Research covered in this issue: 

• The trade and investment relationship between South Africa and the United States.
• Research commissioned by WWF South African on climate change adaptation and agriculture in South Africa.
• TIPS's work for the Steel Task Team.

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TIPS Newsletter March 2016

Research covered in this issue: 

• Regional integration and regional value chains: this included research on South Africa's industrial policy and industrialisation as part of a SADC strategy on regional economic growth and integration.
• A paper for Nedlac on regional industrial development; and a look at three regional value chains: soya, infrastructure and capital equipment.
• Details of a study conducted to determine a baseline expenditure on Green R&D.

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TIPS Newsletter October 2015

Research covered in this issue:  

• Some key findings from the Manufacturing Circle's second quarter survey and bulletin.
• Findings from research on mining value chains and green growth in South Africa. 
• A study for the United Nations Development Programme on the impacts of social and economic inequality on economic development in South Africa, with an article, based on the study, published by City Press on Inequality is growth's enemy.

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TIPS Newsletter June 2015

Research covered in this issue:

• A study for the Department of Trade & Industry on how South Africa can improve the strategic use of its technical infrastructure to lock out substandard and unsafe products, and through this grow the local manufacture of high-standard, safe products for the domestic economy and for export.
• A review for Nedlac of the electricity planning process through an evaluation of South Africa’s Integrated Resource Plan.
• A collaboration with the Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation on a study on migrancy and mining in the North West Province in the context of the strikes on the platinum mines.

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TIPS Newsletter February 2015

Research covered in this issue:

• A look at the benefits for South Africa of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
• A study on the impact of electricity price increases on the energy usage practices and competitiveness of selected mining sector and smelting value chains in South Africa.

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RSVP by email: daphney@tips.org.za to confirm attendance

Presenters

Thomas Farole is a Lead Economist at the World Bank, where he works on the intersection between jobs and productivity, trade, and private sector development. He is the author of a number of books and papers on topics such as special economic zones, FDI spillovers in local markets, and the implications of trade for lagging regions. He holds a PhD in economic geography from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).

Faizel Ismail has recently been appointed as Adjunct Professor at the UCT School of Economics. He is also an advisor to the dti on International Trade and Special Envoy on the African Growth and Opportunity Act. He has served as the Ambassador Permanent Representative of South Africa to the WTO (2010-2014). 

Ben Turok was a Member of Parliament in South Africa until recently, representing the ruling party, the African National Congress. In the 1994 democratic government, he was first Head of the Commission on the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) in the Gauteng Provincial Cabinet and then moved to Parliament in 1995. He was Co-Chair of the Committee on Ethics and Member’s Interests of both Houses in Parliament. He was a member of the Liberation Movement for decades, was an accused in the 1956 Treason Trial, served three years in prison, and was in exile for 25 years, returning in 1990.

Neva Makgetla, Programme Manager, Trade and Industry

World at Work (Independent) September 20, 2015

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Neva Makgetla, Programme Manager, Trade and Industry, and Saul Levin, TIPS Executive Director

World at Work (Independent) September 20, 2015

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Neva Makgetla, Programme Manager, Trade and Industry, TIPS

World at Work (Independent) September 20, 2015

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The Real Economy Bulletin - Third Quarter 2015: 

Growth in the GDP and employment: In the past quarter manufacturing showed a significant recovery, although both mining and agriculture contracted. Read more

Trends in trade: In US dollar terms, exports declined in the past year, but rapid depreciation means they have generally increased in rand terms. Within manufacturing, the past quarter saw higher exports from wood and paper and to a lesser extent from auto, but chemicals exports dropped sharply. Imports declined in both dollar and rand terms over the year to the third quarter of 2015. Read more

Profitability and investment: In the second quarter of 2015 — the latest available — mining as a whole made a loss, but construction saw a higher return on capital. Investment trended down in mining compared to 2014, but increased in manufacturing. Read more

What's behind the trends? Slower growth in the real economy mostly resulted from the end of the commodity boom, with a sharp downturn in mining and metals refineries. Still, within manufacturing, electrical equipment and most consumer goods industries have done well in the past six months, essentially due to the national build programme, the more competitive exchange rate, and the end of loadshedding. Agriculture and agro-processing have, however, been slowed by the drought. Read more

Electricity and the carbon tax: Lower production by the main metals refineries means loadshedding has ended, although breakdowns at municipal level still cause unpredictable blackouts. The National Treasury's proposed carbon tax aims ultimately to make coal and oil more expensive fuels. Although it is being initially introduced at a low rate, to achieve the desired outcome would require a fundamental shift in the structure of manufacturing. Read more

Manufacturing Competitiveness Enhancement Programme in context: The recent freeze on applications to the dti’s MMCEP stirred controversy. The short-term decision to end applications essentially reflects increasing efficiency in the dti approval processes. In the medium term, however, Treasury's current efforts to reduce state spending seem likely to bring to a halt the past decade’s rapid growth in the resources available for the incentive. Read more