Institute for Security Studies
The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) is an independent African non-profit research institute founded in 1991, headquartered in Pretoria with offices in Addis Ababa and Dakar. It produces policy analysis, training, and research on peace, security, and governance for African governments, the African Union, security practitioners, and civil society.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1991
- HeadquartersPretoria, South Africa
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Institute for Security Studies does
The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) is an independent African non-profit research institute founded in 1991 and headquartered in Pretoria, South Africa, with regional offices in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) hosting the African Centre for Peace and Security Training, and Dakar (Senegal) covering West Africa and the Sahel. The organization produces evidence-based policy research, analysis, and training on peace, security, and governance issues affecting the African continent, serving African governments, regional bodies such as the African Union Peace and Security Council, security practitioners, civil society, and academic researchers.
ISS operates a portfolio of interconnected research products. Core publications include the daily ISS Today analysis series, the Peace and Security Council Report, Policy Briefs, Monographs, Books, and an Africa Report series covering five sub-regions (Central, East, North, Southern, and West Africa). Specialized sub-brands include African Futures — which uses the third-party International Futures (IFs) forecasting platform for development scenario modeling — Crime Hub for crime data, and ENACT for organized crime research. The organization also publishes two peer-reviewed academic journals (African Security Review and South African Crime Quarterly) and delivers training through the Training for Peace Programme and ACPST. Multimedia distribution occurs via the ISS website, ISS Live video seminars, infographics, YouTube (ISSAfricaTV), and email newsletters.
ISS is funded by development partner grants from foundations and governments rather than commercial revenue. The core Partnership Forum comprises the Hanns Seidel Foundation, the European Union, Open Society Foundations, and the governments of Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden, with additional support from entities such as GIZ, UNSCAR, the International Organisation of La Francophonie, and the Bosch Foundation. All research, analysis, and training outputs are provided free of charge to target audiences. The organization is governed by a Board of Trustees; founder Dr Jakkie Cilliers serves as Chairman and Head of African Futures & Innovation, and Executive Director Fonteh Akum announced his departure in January 2026 alongside the institute's 35th anniversary.
Institute for Security Studies firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Institute for Security Studies
- Legal name
- Institute for Security Studies
- Website
- https://issafrica.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1991
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) is an independent African non-profit research institute founded in 1991, headquartered in Pretoria with offices in Addis Ababa and Dakar. It produces policy analysis, training, and research on peace, security, and governance for African governments, the African Union, security practitioners, and civil society.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Institute for Security Studies industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Policy Research and Security Analysis
- NAICS
- National Security (928110), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), National Security and International Affairs (9281)
- SIC
- Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Security Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) Advisory (BPAKADAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Security Risk Assessment, Auditing & Security Consulting Training (BPAKAOAH), Cyber Defense & Information Security (National Security) (BPAIAHAE)
Keywords
Where Institute for Security Studies is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Pretoria
- HQ country
- South Africa
- HQ region
- Africa
Offices3 records
Markets served
Institute for Security Studies business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Development Partner Grants: The ISS receives funding from development partners including foundations, governments, and the European Union to support its research, training, and policy engagement activities across Africa.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Institute for Security Studies product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Institute for Security Studies is an independent African non-profit research institute that produces evidence-based analysis, policy briefs, regional reports, and academic publications on peace, security, and governance across Africa. It also delivers capacity-building training for peace operations personnel through the African Centre for Peace and Security Training (ACPST) and the Training for Peace Programme, and runs specialized platforms such as African Futures (scenario modeling), Crime Hub, and ENACT (organised crime research).
Product overview
The Institute for Security Studies operates as a research and policy institute offering a platform of interconnected research products and training services focused on African peace and security. The core offerings include ISS Today (daily analysis articles), the Peace and Security Council Report, Policy Briefs, Regional Reports (covering Central, East, North, Southern, and West Africa), Monographs, and Books. Specialized sub-brands include African Futures (futures modeling and scenario analysis), Crime Hub (crime data platform), ENACT (organised crime research), and the African Centre for Peace and Security Training (ACPST). The institute also produces multimedia content through ISS Live videos, Infographics, and publishes two academic journals: the South African Crime Quarterly and African Security Review. Training programs are delivered through Training for Peace. All offerings collectively serve policymakers, researchers, and security professionals working on African peace, governance, and security challenges.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- ISS Today: Daily analysis of Africa's current peace and security issues
- African Futures
- Crime Hub
- ENACT
Quantifiable outcome
- Published daily ISS Today articles on current African peace and security issues
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Institute for Security Studies
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Institute for Security Studies technology and API
TechnologyAPI detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Institute for Security Studies partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Training for Peace ProgrammecoreFunded by the Government of Norway, the Training for Peace Programme supports ISS training activities for peace operations personnel across Africa, including AU peacekeepers.
- GIZminorGerman development agency providing support for ISS events and activities.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Institute for Security Studies competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA): Pretoria-based foreign policy think tank producing research, policy analysis, and dialogue on African international affairs. Closely comparable to ISS in geography, mission, and audience, with overlapping governance and peace/security coverage.
- African Centre for Strategic Studies (ACSS): U.S. Department of Defense-funded institute supporting African security sector development through research, academic programs, and outreach. Comparable as a pan-African security research and capacity-building institution, though funded by Washington rather than European donors.
- International Crisis Group: Global conflict-prevention think tank producing independent analysis and policy prescriptions on wars and crises, including dedicated Africa programs. Highly comparable to ISS in mission, methodology, and target audience (governments and multilateral security bodies).
- Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC): Accra-based African training centre delivering courses in peace support operations, conflict management, and security. Directly comparable to ISS's Training for Peace Programme and ACPST as a security-sector capacity-building provider for AU member states.
- Institute for Peace and Security Studies (IPSS), Addis Ababa University: Academic centre at Addis Ababa University focused on peace and security in Africa, offering MA programs, research, and policy advisory. Comparable to ISS on the African peace and security research, training, and policy engagement axis, with strong AU ties.
Broad incumbents
- Chatham House (Royal Institute of International Affairs): London-based foreign affairs think tank with a substantial Africa programme covering security, governance, and political economy. Comparable in research methodology and policy advisory function but operates globally rather than Africa-exclusive.
- Brookings Institution - Africa Growth Initiative: U.S.-based policy research organization with a dedicated Africa programme covering governance, security, and development. Comparable in producing high-quality African policy research, though part of a much broader global portfolio.
Emerging players
- Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP): Global think tank producing the Global Peace Index and research on peace, conflict, and violence. Comparable to ISS on peace measurement and policy benchmarking, with stronger quantitative methodology but weaker African on-the-ground presence.
- African Leadership Centre (ALC): Nairobi and London-based centre developing African leaders in peace, security, and development through graduate training and research. Comparable to ISS's Training for Peace Programme on leadership and capacity building, though younger and smaller.
Regional players
- Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD): West Africa-focused think tank headquartered in Abuja and Accra analysing governance, democracy, and security. Comparable to ISS on West African security and policy engagement, but lacks ISS's continental footprint.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Institute for Security Studies social profiles
Digital presenceInstitute for Security Studies financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Institute for Security Studies leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Institute for Security Studies subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Institute for Security Studies funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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Institute for Security Studies M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Institute for Security Studies
What does Institute for Security Studies do?
The Institute for Security Studies is an independent African non-profit research institute that produces evidence-based analysis, policy briefs, regional reports, and academic publications on peace, security, and governance across Africa. It also delivers capacity-building training for peace operations personnel through the African Centre for Peace and Security Training (ACPST) and the Training for Peace Programme, and runs specialized platforms such as African Futures (scenario modeling), Crime Hub, and ENACT (organised crime research).
Is Institute for Security Studies a public or private company?
Institute for Security Studies is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Institute for Security Studies founded?
Institute for Security Studies was founded in 1991. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Institute for Security Studies based?
Institute for Security Studies is headquartered in Pretoria, South Africa, in the Africa region.
How does Institute for Security Studies make money?
One revenue line is on record: development Partner Grants.
Who are Institute for Security Studies's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), African Centre for Strategic Studies (ACSS), International Crisis Group, Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) and Institute for Peace and Security Studies (IPSS), Addis Ababa University. Broad incumbents are Chatham House (Royal Institute of International Affairs) and Brookings Institution - Africa Growth Initiative. Emerging players are Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) and African Leadership Centre (ALC). Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) is listed as a regional player.
Does Institute for Security Studies have an API?
No public API is recorded for Institute for Security Studies.
What industry is Institute for Security Studies in?
Institute for Security Studies's product category is Policy Research and Security Analysis. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAKADAG, Security Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) Advisory, with a secondary code of BPAKAOAH, Security Risk Assessment, Auditing & Security Consulting Training. Its NAICS code is 928110 and its SIC code is 8700.