Evidence that is willing to be checked.
NEXEC publishes flagship reports, sector studies, policy briefs, indices and practice notes. Everything we release carries a stated method, disclosed data sources and named authorship.
What we will and will not publish.
A great deal of South African economic commentary is advocacy with a footnote. We hold a different standard, and it constrains what we are able to say.
Every NEXEC publication states its method before its findings, discloses its data sources and their limitations, names its authors, and passes independent internal review before release. Where the evidence does not support a conclusion, we say so rather than reaching for it.
We do not publish client-commissioned work as independent research. Where a publication has been funded, the funder is disclosed on the cover.
Publications
NEXEC National Health Sector Summit 2026 — Strategic Outcomes & Proceedings Report
Proceedings and strategic outcomes from the NEXEC National Health Sector Summit, convened with the NEXEC Health Subcouncil on youth participation in healthcare transformation.
Download PDFCultural-Economic Conclave Report
Proceedings from the Cultural-Economic Conclave convened with the NEXEC Arts and Creative Council, setting out the Cultural Economy Compact for South Africa’s creative sector.
Download PDFThe NEXEC Business-Government Conclave Report
Proceedings from the Business-Government Conclave convened with EmpowaWorx, bringing government, business and youth leaders into direct dialogue on structural barriers to youth-driven growth.
Download PDFMinisterial Youth Think Tank Report
Proceedings from the Ministerial Youth Think Tank convened by the Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, setting out youth-generated proposals on economic exclusion and structural reform.
Download PDFNational Budget Response Forum Report
Proceedings from the National Budget Response Forum convened with EmpowaYouth, analysing the 2026 National Budget’s implications for youth, enterprise and sector growth.
Download PDFThe Youth Economic Participation Index
An annual composite measure of youth participation across employment, enterprise, asset ownership and institutional representation, disaggregated by province and district.
The Index exists because South Africa measures youth unemployment well and youth economic participation badly. Employment is one channel of participation among several, and treating it as the whole picture has distorted a decade of policy design.
Full methodology, indicator definitions and the underlying dataset are published alongside each edition.
First edition in preparation
Methodology, indicator definitions and the underlying dataset will be published alongside the first edition. Register your interest to receive it on release.
Five publication series
Flagship Reports
Annual, book-length treatments of a structural question. Peer reviewed.
Sector Reports
Sub-council studies of a single sector’s economics and constraints.
Policy Briefs
Short, targeted interventions in a live policy process.
Indices & Data
Recurring measurement products with published datasets.
Practice Notes
Method and implementation guidance for practitioners.
Five ways to begin a relationship with NEXEC.
Whether you are commissioning advisory work, convening a national conversation or building a pipeline of young professional talent, there is a defined route in.
Request Advisory Services
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Co-convene a platform, co-fund a programme, or work with a technical division as an institutional partner.
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Register with our talent network — practitioners and young professionals building the next economy.
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Policy briefs, sector reports and evidence notes from the resource centre.
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