Development Policy Research Unit (DPRU)

Prof Haroon Bhorat Contributes Launch of Harvard’s Global Economic Transformation Initiative

DPRU Director joins global leaders shaping new approaches to inclusive growth and development

Professor Haroon Bhorat, Director of the Development Policy Research Unit (DPRU) at the University of Cape Town (UCT), recently participated in the launch of the Global Economic Transformation Initiative at the Harvard Kennedy School—an important global platform aimed at rethinking development in a rapidly changing world.
The initiative was officially launched on 4 May 2026 as part of Harvard’s annual Global Empowerment Meeting (GEM), convened by the Harvard Center for International Development (CID). This flagship gathering brought together leading economists, policymakers, and practitioners from around the world to explore how development strategies must evolve in response to growing economic uncertainty, rising inequality, climate pressures, and shifting geopolitical dynamics.
Led by Harvard economists Dani Rodrik and Gordon Hanson, the Global Economic Transformation Initiative represents a major international effort to generate new ideas and evidence-based strategies to promote inclusive and sustainable growth. The initiative focuses on key global challenges such as the green energy transition, innovation and industrial policy, and the urgent need to create “good jobs” across both advanced and developing economies.
Professor Bhorat joined a distinguished group of global experts contributing to the launch discussions, including Raghuram Rajan, Arkebe Oqubay, and Yuen Yuen Ang. The sessions addressed critical issues shaping the future of development, including structural transformation, the changing roles of manufacturing and services, and the importance of governance systems that enable experimentation, learning, and coordinated policy responses.
As a leading development and labour economist, Prof Bhorat’s participation highlights the growing recognition of African scholarship in global economic debates. His extensive work on labour markets, poverty, and inequality continues to inform policy discussions in South Africa and across the continent, reinforcing the importance of context-specific and evidence-based approaches to development.
The launch of the initiative also reflects a broader shift in development thinking. Traditional models of economic growth are increasingly being reconsidered in favour of more inclusive and resilient frameworks that prioritise both productivity and job creation. Discussions at the convening emphasised the need to move beyond rigid sectoral approaches and instead focus on policies that support sustainable structural transformation.
For the DPRU and UCT, Prof Bhorat’s participation in this global forum reinforces the unit’s role as a key contributor to international policy discourse. It underscores the importance of connecting rigorous academic research with real-world policy challenges, particularly in the Global South.
As economies continue to navigate rapid transformation and uncertainty, engagements such as this remain critical. The contribution of scholars like Prof Bhorat helps shape policy pathways that advance inclusive growth, strengthen labour markets, and promote sustainable development outcomes globally.

Vanishing Acts: An Econometric Exploration of Firm Delistings in South Africa
The DPRU team has published a new report, delivering a compelling and methodologically rich analysis of firm delistings from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. Drawing on econometric analysis, machine‑learning techniques, cross‑country comparisons, and insights from market participants, the paper offers fresh evidence on why firms are disappearing from the JSE. Its findings challenge simplistic narratives of decline, showing instead how firm‑level dynamics and broader macroeconomic conditions shape the sustainability of public equity markets in South Africa — making this an essential read for researchers, policymakers, and market participants alike.
The DPRU Director, Prof Haroon Bhorat did an interview on Monday 13 April 2026 at CNBC-Africa. It is related to the DPRU study supported by ASISA on Delistings from the JSE.
https://www.cnbcafrica.com/media/7776099447868/jse-delistings-raise-market-concentration-concerns

DPRU Hosts Design Workshop at UCT on AI for Young Jobseekers in South Africa:

On 31 March 2026, the Development Policy Research Unit (DPRU) in the School of Economics at the University of Cape Town (UCT) hosted a design workshop titled “AI for Young Jobseekers in South Africa.” The event brought together researchers, policymakers, and technology partners to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) can support unemployed youth in navigating South Africa’s challenging labour market.
The workshop formed part of an ongoing DPRU-led research project headed by Dr Tim Köhler, which examines whether generative AI-powered career guidance tools can help young jobseekers overcome information constraints and improve their labour market outcomes. The research is funded by Schmidt Sciences as part of their AI at Work programme and aims to generate rigorous evidence on the role of AI in a developing-country contexts.
Proceedings began with opening remarks from Dr Köhler, followed by a scene-setting presentation on youth unemployment in South Africa by Professor Ariane De Lannoy (SALDRU). Participants were then introduced to the design of the experiment and were then given a live demonstration of the beta version of the AI tool presented by FynbosAI.
A key feature of the day was a series of interactive breakout sessions, where youth employment experts were given access to the AI tool itself and provided feedback on the tool’s functionality, accessibility, and relevance. These discussions highlighted both the promise of AI as a complement to existing job-readiness interventions and the importance of context-sensitive design.
The workshop concluded with a plenary discussion and closing reflections, reinforcing the DPRU’s commitment to evidence-based research on labour market challenges and innovative policy responses.
The event was made possible through the generous support of Schmidt Sciences, UNU-WIDER, and FynbosAI.

Remembering: Prof David Kaplan
A Memorial in Honour of the Late Professor David Kaplan

On 11 March 2026, A Memorial in Honour of the Late Professor David Kaplan was held at the UCT School of Economics to recognise his extraordinary intellectual contributions, his leadership in shaping South Africa’s economic policy discourse, and his profound impact on generations of scholars, colleagues, and policymakers.
Prof Kaplan’s distinguished career spanned decades of rigorous scholarship anchored in a deep commitment to the public good. His work influenced national debates on industrial policy, innovation, competitiveness, and inclusive economic development.
This hybrid memorial was hosted by DPRU and PRISM, with the support of the School of Economics and brought together colleagues, former students, collaborators, family and friends to reflect on his scholarship, his mentorship, and the indelible imprint he left on the economic, policy and academic community.
The memorial served as a heartfelt celebration of Professor Kaplan’s life and as an affirmation of his enduring legacy within the School of Economics and the broader policy community, bringing together an academic and personal community to honour his life, intellectual legacy, and the profound human impact he had on colleagues, students and friends.
The programme started with a welcome and opening remarks from Prof Lawrence Edwards of PRISM, followed with the DPRU Director, Prof Haroon Bhorat who started the Programme by chairing Session One. Speakers reflected not only on his distinguished academic career, but also on his generosity as a mentor, his collegial spirit, and his quiet but enduring leadership.
Reflections from a wide range of scholars, policy practitioners and close collaborators, alongside personal tributes from family members, painted a portrait of a scholar whose work shaped institutions, debates and lives. We extend our sincere appreciation to all who joined us in celebrating the life and work of Professor Kaplan. His scholarship, mentorship & intellectual leadership remain deeply valued.

Throw back!!!
In September 2025, the Late Professor Vishnu Padayachee’s legacy was celebrated with the book launch of Political Economy and Critical Engagement in South Africa: Essays in Honour of Vishnu Padayachee. This book explores contemporary understandings of social change and political economy in a democratic South Africa through the lens of the intellectual, social and political life of Professor Vishnu Padayachee.
The programme started with opening remarks from the DPRU Director, Professor Haroon Bhorat, then featured a keynote address by Alec Erwin, followed by conversations with Prof Robert Van Niekerk, Prof Imraan Valodia, and Prof Rajend Mesthrie. We rounded off the evening with Jo Rushby sharing a reading and closing remarks.
The book brings together a distinguished and diverse community of progressive scholars, many of whom had the pleasure of working closely with Professor Padayachee throughout his remarkable 50-year career. Their contributions reflect on his substantial work in macroeconomics, economic history, development, and policymaking, as well as his engagement with university transformation, trade unionism, resistance politics, and broader cultural life. What an amazing event it was!

How can economic policy deliver better jobs in a rapidly changing world?

The 𝗝𝗼𝗯𝘀 & 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 invites policy-relevant research on labor and development economics, with a focus on solutions for low- and middle-income countries.

We invite papers on all areas of labor and development economics, with particular interest in:
• AI, technology & structural transformation
• Energy transition, resilience & labor markets
• Labor market policies and institutions
• Skills, education & lifelong learning
• Demographic change, migration & youth employment
• Inclusion, job quality & decent work
• Fiscal policy, growth & jobs

📍 Hosted by HKUST (IEMS), Hong Kong, 9–10 October 2026
🗓️ Submission deadline 20 March
🔗 Learn more: https://go.unu.edu/LXwSS

HKUST Institute for Emerging Market Studies World Bank Group International Labour Organization Development Policy Research Unit (DPRU)

IEA World Congress 2026, Belgrade | Call for papers

Submission of papers for the upcoming IEA World Congress to be held in Belgrade on June 22-26, 2026 is open as of today.

https://url.za.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/gwEXCP1KvQU4oWLyZtzfzhxa716

EDITORIAL: Never mind the numbers, focus on substance of jobs debate We should also be asking about GDP numbers and whether they reflect the informal sector