Akhona Myataza is an Economist: Sustainable Development at TIPS. She has expertise in financial economics, macroeconomic research, and renewable energy policy advisory. She holds a Master of Philosophy in Economics (with distinction) from the University of Pretoria, with advanced knowledge of econometrics and financial market modelling. Akhona has worked as a consultant for ED Platform, supporting economic development components of renewable energy bids under South Africa’s REIPPPP, and as a macroeconomic researcher at SARS, where she contributed to policy briefs and model-based economic forecasts. She has also served as a part-time lecturer and econometrics tutor at Nelson Mandela University. Her…

TIPS industry studies aim to provide a comprehensive overview of key trends in leading industries in South Africa. They aim to provide background for policymakers and researchers, and to strengthen our understanding of current challenges and opportunities in each industry as a basis for a more strategic response. This study…

TIPS industry studies aim to provide a comprehensive overview of key trends in leading industries in South Africa. They aim to provide background for policymakers and researchers, and to strengthen our understanding of current challenges and opportunities in each industry as a basis for a more strategic response. This study…

Foreign direct investment (FDI) remains a critical source of capital and technology transfer for South Africa. As of 2023, the top five sources of FDI are the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium, the United States, and Germany. These countries collectively account for over R1.4 trillion in inward FDI stock. This…

TIPS industry studies provide a comprehensive overview of key trends in leading industries in South Africa. They aim to provide background for policymakers and researchers, and to strengthen our understanding of current challenges and opportunities in each industry as a basis for a more strategic response. This study on sustainability…

TIPS industry studies aim to provide a comprehensive overview of key trends in leading industries in South Africa. They aim to provide background for policymakers and researchers and strengthen our understanding of current challenges and opportunities in each industry, thereby enabling a more strategic response. This industry study examines technological…

Zamaswazi Shabalala has over a decade of experience as a project coordinator and administrator across higher education, non-profit, and international development sectors. She has a proven track record in stakeholder management, project management and programme implementation, data management, logistics, budget management, and event coordination. She holds a Diploma in Office Management and Technology (majoring in Business Administration) from the University of South Africa (Unisa), and a Diploma in Information Technology (NQF 5) from Jeppe College of Commerce and Computer Studies. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration (majoring in Business Management) at Unisa. She has completed short courses in Project…

Bongeka Ngcobo holds a degree in Social Science and an Honours in Social Science (Public Policy), both from the University of KwaZulu Natal. She has over five years of experience in donor-funded programmes. She also has an extensive background in administration , community development, youth empowerment and stakeholder relations. 

TIPS industry studies aim to provide a comprehensive overview of key trends in leading industries in South Africa. They aim to provide background for policymakers and researchers and strengthen our understanding of current challenges and opportunities in each industry, thereby enabling a more strategic response. This industry study examines global…

This report is a summary of a feasibility study that explores the potential of promoting timber in South African construction by addressing challenges and leveraging benefits. It emphasises capacity building and demand creation deliverables to unlock timber’s environmental, economic, and social benefits in various construction industries. The study was prepared…

The aims of this study were to review current policies and initiatives in the cosmetics sector, including funding support; developing a cosmetic sector strategy over the short- and long-terms; and defining funding and technical models to support the implementation of the strategy. It comprises a brief literature review, analysis of the…

This paper is intended to contribute to the discussion on how to build a broader framework to respond to the EU CBAM and engage in diplomacy with the EU to support South Africa and Africa’s “just energy transition”. With South Africa being the Presidency of the G20 in 2025, this…

TIPS industry studies aim to provide a comprehensive overview of key trends in leading industries in South Africa. They aim to provide background for policymakers and researchers and strengthen our understanding of current challenges and opportunities in each industry, thereby enabling a more strategic response. Horticulture is a subsector of…

South Africa maintained a positive trade balance in the first quarter of 2025, though the surplus fell to R28 billion, from R64 billion in the fourth quarter of 2024. Year-on-year, the surplus grew from R11 billion from the first quarter of 2024, rebased by CPI to the first quarter of 2025.…

This policy brief examines the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), its member states, its objectives and trade between the member states. It also looks at the trade relationship between SACU and the United States (US), focusing on the US reciprocal tariffs and SACU’s exports to the US. Lastly, the policy…

TIPS industry studies aim to provide a comprehensive overview of key trends in leading industries in South Africa. They aim to provide background for policymakers and researchers and strengthen our understanding of current challenges and opportunities in each industry, thereby enabling a more strategic response. This industry study examines the…

TIPS industry studies aim to provide a comprehensive overview of key trends in leading industries in South Africa. They aim to provide background for policymakers and researchers and strengthen our understanding of current challenges and opportunities in each industry, thereby enabling a more strategic response. This industry study on sustainability…

The case for reform of public employment programmes (PEPs) has become increasingly urgent, as South Africa grapples with an ongoing unemployment crisis – alongside the need to address some scepticism about whether these programmes are delivering meaningful value for participants, society and the economy. The purpose of reform of PEPs…

South Africa’s quarterly exports over the 10-year period spanning the first quarter of 2015 (Q1 2015) to the first quarter of 2025 (Q1 2025) have trended in an overall upwardly direction, and have outperformed imports in several instances. In Q1 2025, exports fell on a quarterly basis, but remain higher than…