New South Institute

Strengthening Delicate Democracies by Building Effective and Accountable Institutions

Latest Insights

16/06/2025
NSI and Stellenbosch University host Daniel Kaufmann for lecture on global State Capture

The New South Institute (NSI), in partnership with Stellenbosch University’s School of Public Leadership, is pleased to support an upcoming public lecture featuring renowned governance expert Daniel Kaufmann.

16/06/2025
Jelena Vidojević in conversation with Amy Niang

In this 'Missing Voices' interview, Amy Niang critiques Western-centric international structures and proposes a global future grounded in African sovereignty, South–South solidarity, and historical coherence.

Our Impact

NSI’s purpose is to provide evidence-based policy and applied research on complex problems of government in delicate democracies. We will judge our success on whether our insights and recommendations lead to actions by government to improve performance of state institutions and the other cornerstone institutions of democracy.

Our Projects

NSI provides evidence-based policy and applied research on complex problems of government in emergent democracies. NSI’s team has deep expertise in research, policy and advocacy. We currently run six research programmes. All adopt a common approach characterised by a focus on institutions and how to build them, research that brings theory and practise together, both in-country and comparatively, and an emphasis on working through partnerships with those who must implement the change. Our big data capability and analytics adds significant value to our research.

Our Aim

At the New South Institute (NSI), we do more than research and advise on policy—though we excel at both. We believe that passionate people can transform the world by strengthening democracies and building capable, accountable governments.

Our focus is on the New South—fragile democracies grappling with state capture, social fragmentation, and the legacies of civil conflict. We’ll know we’re successful when:

• Corruption is dismantled and public institutions work for the people.
• Policy is shaped by evidence, not private interests.
• Communities thrive under transparent and responsive governance.

We are not just studying change—we are driving it.

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As we work to strengthen delicate democracies, your support helps us build effective and accountable institutions. Each contribution is a step towards this vital goal. Visit our donation page