As global trade tensions, geopolitical competition and economic uncertainty reshape the international landscape, South Africa’s ability to respond effectively depends increasingly on strong evidence-based policymaking.
This was the focus of a two-day policy dialogue hosted by Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Policy Innovation Lab, bringing together policymakers and experts to explore the future of economic diplomacy and strengthen the ability to translate evidence into practical policy advice.
Hosted at the School for Data Science and Computational Thinking on 10 and 11 June 2026, the dialogue focused on trade, foreign policy and economic diplomacy, with an applied policy brief writing component supporting the Policy and Research Services (PRS) Branch within The Presidency of South Africa.
The workshop was facilitated in collaboration with Dr Konosoang Sobane from the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), who guided participants through developing effective policy briefs. It formed part of the Policy Innovation Lab’s broader commitment to strengthening the connection between research, policy and decision-making.
Economic diplomacy in a changing global order
A key message emerging from the discussions was that economic diplomacy can no longer be viewed only through the lens of trade agreements and foreign relations. Instead, it sits at the intersection of domestic reform, industrial development, regional integration, geopolitics, infrastructure, technology and social cohesion.
“South Africa’s external influence depends heavily on the credibility, coherence and capability of its domestic policy system,” was a recurring theme throughout the dialogue.
Dr Sven Grimm German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS), who reflected on global trade trends and South Africa’s position in the international economy, highlighted that the global trading environment is becoming increasingly uncertain. The multilateral trading system is under pressure, while major powers are using tariffs, subsidies, export controls and market access as strategic tools.
For South Africa, this presents both challenges and opportunities. Strong links with markets such as China, the United States and the European Union allow for strategic engagement but also expose the country to global instability.
Grimm highlighted the automotive sector as an example of the need for strategic planning. While South Africa’s manufacturing base, skills and supply chains provide resilience, uncertainty around trade arrangements and global value chains can affect investment decisions.
He also emphasised the importance of diversification, regional integration and what he described as “crafty diplomacy”: using partnerships and strategic alliances to advance national interests in an increasingly fragmented global system.
Building better policy advice
A central focus of the workshop was strengthening the skills needed to turn research and expert knowledge into usable policy advice.
Dr Sobane emphasised that policy briefs are not simply shorter documents. They are decision-support tools requiring careful problem definition, strong evidence and a clear understanding of the policy environment.
Participants explored the importance of moving beyond symptoms to identify root causes of complex challenges. Issues such as migration, unemployment, violent crime and pressure on public services show how policy responses can fail when they focus only on visible problems rather than underlying drivers.
A key insight was that evidence should not only justify decisions after they have been made. It should help decision-makers anticipate risks, identify emerging trends and prepare proactive responses.
Through practical exercises, participants considered why policy briefs sometimes fail, identifying challenges such as weak evidence, poor timing, unclear recommendations, limited understanding of political realities and insufficient engagement with those responsible for implementation.
The discussion highlighted that successful policy advice must be technically sound, politically aware, feasible and clear about who needs to act.
Navigating major-power competition
Prof Adekeye Adebajo Center from the Centre for the Advancement of Scholarship at the University of Pretoria provided a broader historical and geopolitical perspective, examining South Africa’s position in a world increasingly shaped by competition between the United States and China.
He noted that South Africa has significant diplomatic assets: it is an important African economy, a member of BRICS and the G20, and a strategic partner to several major global actors. However, he cautioned that these strengths are affected by domestic challenges, including inequality, social tensions and institutional pressures.
A key takeaway was the need for a practical form of non-alignment — one that allows South Africa to engage different partners while maintaining strategic independence and pursuing its own interests.
The discussion also highlighted the importance of South Africa’s credibility on the African continent. Addressing issues such as xenophobia and social exclusion is not separate from economic diplomacy; it influences how the country is perceived as a regional leader.
The role and risks of artificial intelligence in policymaking
The second day focused on refining policy briefs and examining how emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), can support policy work.
Led by Prof Willem Fourie, Dr Gray Manicom and Dr Monique Bennett from SU’s Policy Innovation Lab, participants analysed an AI-generated policy brief based on discussions from the first day.
The exercise demonstrated both the potential and limitations of AI tools. Participants recognised that AI could assist with drafting, structuring, summarising and improving written outputs, but stressed that it cannot replace expert judgement, contextual understanding or accountability.
Concerns included unsupported claims, inaccurate references, limited understanding of South African policy realities and the risk of producing polished but superficial content.
The discussion emphasised that the key question is not whether AI is used, but whether the person using it remains accountable for the accuracy, evidence and recommendations contained in the final product.
From policy documents to policy impact
Another major theme was that a policy brief should not be viewed as the end product of research, but as part of a wider engagement process.
Dr Sobane highlighted the importance of stakeholder engagement, timing and communication in ensuring that policy advice leads to action. Effective policy dialogues require careful planning, targeted participation and a clear understanding of who can contribute, influence implementation or support change.
Participants also explored the importance of making policy advice accessible through effective communication and data visualisation. Maps, graphs and other visual tools can help decision-makers identify trends, understand patterns and focus interventions — provided they are used strategically.
Strengthening the research-policy connection
The dialogue demonstrated that effective policy advice requires more than good analysis. It requires evidence, collaboration, practical understanding of decision-making environments and the ability to translate complex issues into clear recommendations.
For the Policy Innovation Lab, the workshop reinforced the importance of creating spaces where researchers and policymakers can engage meaningfully.
“In an increasingly fragmented global order, South Africa’s economic diplomacy depends not only on how it navigates relationships with major powers, but also on strengthening domestic policy coherence, regional credibility and the ability to turn evidence into timely advice,” was a key conclusion from the dialogue.
By bringing together expertise, practical training and policy engagement, the dialogue contributed to strengthening the systems needed to support more responsive and evidence-informed governance.