From the 2^nd to 6^th of March 2026, the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC), Agricultural Research Council (ARC), National Department of Agriculture (DoA) and the Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDoA) hosted colleagues from the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission as part of the activities of the Pan-African Network for Economic Analysis of Policies (PANAP) mission to South Africa.

PANAP was established in 2019 under the aegis of the African Union (AU) – European Union (EU) partnership. The network is co-hosted by the European Commission – Joint Research Centre (JRC), the African Union Commission – Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment (ARBE), and the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA).

The mission, led by Dr. Andrea El MELIGI and Dr. Victor NECHIFOR from the JRC, aimed to strengthen collaboration with South African research partners and organisations, and to expand the use of economy-wide modelling for policy analysis for research-based advisory services. The engagements included representatives from several national departments and research institutions. The mission began in Pretoria with bilateral meetings with the EU Delegation and South African government, academic and research institutions. Discussions focused on expanding PANAP activities in South Africa through new studies, improved data products such as updated Social Accounting Matrices (SAMs), broader and deeper collaboration on policy analyses related to agriculture, trade, food security, and employment.

Capacity building formed a central part of the mission. Technical sessions hosted in Pretoria introduced participants to the South African SAM for 2019 and demonstrated tools used in economy-wide analysis, including macroeconomic multipliers and policy scenario modelling. Participants also received hands-on training on the CGE Emulator and greenhouse gas emissions module of the DEMETRA[1] modelling framework, highlighting their application in analysing policy shocks and sectoral impacts in the South African economy.

A key highlight of the mission was a PANAP workshop on “Economy-wide Modelling for Trade Policy in South Africa”, where researchers presented ongoing studies using computable general equilibrium (CGE) modelling approaches. Presentations explored topics such as the implications of VAT-free chicken meat for food security, the effects of European Union regulations on South Africa’s citrus exports, and the impact of trade efficiency improvements on economic performance. The workshop also introduced the 2019 South African SAM and the Jobs Calculator tool, demonstrating how economy-wide models can inform policy decisions by identifying key constraints in labour, land, and capital. In addition, featured a panel discussion of key expects who shared their perspectives on trade challenges in a changing geopolitical landscape.

The mission concluded in Cape Town with engagements hosted by the WCDoA. Activities included the launch of the INTPA Academy training course for capacity building in economy-wide modelling and further demonstrations of the CGE Emulator and emissions modules. Discussions with provincial departments explored opportunities for new research collaborations and policy studies under PANAP, particularly in areas related to trade, agriculture, food security, labour inclusion, and the green transition.

Overall, the mission reinforced the growing collaboration between the South African research institutions, and the PANAP network. By strengthening technical capacity, improving data infrastructure, and fostering joint research initiatives, the mission contributed to enhancing evidence-based policymaking in South Africa and across the African continent. PANAP activities are set to expand to regional countries through NAMC as the anchor and focal point.

[1]  The Dynamic Equilibrium Model for Economic development Resources and Agriculture (DEMETRA) is a single-country computable general equilibrium (CGE) model, developed in GAMS