What’s Coming in 2026: Key Publications from Southern Africa Resource Watch

Much of our work this year is shaped by ongoing field research, multi-country consultations and iterative analysis. Here’s a look at what you should be watching out for:

• Following a year of policy brief releases, SARW will continue to use this format as a key knowledge and advocacy tool in 2026. Policy briefs allow us to respond quickly to policy shifts, legislative developments and sectoral conversations, while grounding analysis in research and lived community experiences.
• Several strands of SARW’s ongoing work in 2026 are rooted in multi-country field research, including community consultations, baseline surveys and economic and social impact studies in mining-affected areas. As this work progresses through validation, analysis and peer engagement, it will feed into a range of outputs including research reports, thematic papers and learning products.
• SARW’s 2026 research agenda will further interrogate the governance, economic, environmental and social dimensions of this transition. Publications emerging from this work will seek to unpack who benefits, who bears the costs and how policy frameworks can better support equitable and sustainable outcomes for communities.
• In addition to longer-form research, SARW will continue producing shorter analytical pieces, commentary and learning outputs that respond to emerging developments across the region.

We encourage readers to follow SARW’s website, mailing list and social media platforms for updates as new publications are released throughout the year.