Afreekonomics - DNA's Blog

DNA is a specialist economic consulting firm – working for diverse clients across a wide range of sectors – largely within South Africa, but also in a number of neighbouring countries.  In our work and daily lives we regularly encounter important and some not-so-important economic issues and questions; and we always have an opinion.  We aim to share our most original thoughts with you through this blog.  The views expressed here are those of DNA economists.  Economists seldom agree with each other and these views might not correspond with those of our managers, directors and our clients.

Renewable Energy and Employment – Measuring the Impact of Green Jobs

Vincent van der Westhuizen
The impact of renewable energy development on employment is uncertain and depends on a combination of direct effects, within the renewable energy sector, and the wider implications across other sectors of the economy.  In a new DNA blog post Vincent van der Westhuizen highlights the need for further economy-wide studies ...

The Resurgence of Industrial Policy and Implications for South Africa

Itumeleng Mokoena, Itumeleng Mokoena
Industrial policy has re-emerged as a central economic strategy in many advanced and developing economies. Driven by global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical tensions, and climate change, this resurgence has significant implications for countries worldwide. @Itumeleng Mokoena explores the potential impact of this resurgence on South Africa.  ...

Africa’s Position in a Deglobalizing World

Kreyan Shunmugam
Africa's nearly 420 million youth embody the continent's vast potential for economic and social development. However, one third of these youth are currently unemployed and raising economic growth is crucial for harnessing this demographic dividend . In the previous period of globalisation, Africa depended heavily on exports of commodity goods ...

Escaping the EKC hypothesis – South Africa’s problematic choice

Vincent van der Westhuizen
The EKC hypothesis believes that developing countries will find themselves facing a trade-off between pursuing economic growth and environmental sustainability. For South Africa, this hypothesis seems to hold, placing the country in a very difficult position given its economic circumstances. In this blog, we discuss how South Africa finds itself ...