A comprehensive examination of the legal frameworks governing international financial institutions (IFIs) such as the African Development Bank, Bank for International Settlements, Group of 20, Financial Stability Board, International Monetary Fund, Paris Club, Trade and Development Bank, or the World Bank.

From a South African perspective, this twelve-hour course especially examines the complex relationship between the IFIs and South Africa as one of Africa's largest and most influential economies. In recent years, the country has relied on support from these institutions to address issues like the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, energy challenges, and persistent inequality.

When and where?

11 to 14 May 2026, 14:00 to 17:00 SAST

This course will be held remotely, most likely on Zoom - exact details will be sent to registered participants a few days before the course.

Course outline

Participants will explore the legal foundations, governance structures, and the regulatory mechanisms through which these institutions operate. Through case studies, policy analysis, and critical discussions, participants will assess the impact of IFIs on the global financial system, developing countries, and international economic law. The course also explores current debates on IFI reforms and their role in addressing global challenges such as climate change, poverty reduction, and financial crises.

In this course, we will cover:

  • The legal status of IFIs, their decision-making processes, and accountability structures.
  • Financial assistance mechanism and conditionality
  • Sovereign debt restructuring and the role of IFIs crisis management
  • The relationship between IFIs and international law, human rights and environmental concerns

Who will benefit from this course?

Legal practitioners, legal advisers, policymakers, economists, academics, researchers, and students with a focus on international and financial law as well as development aid

Presenter

Dr Sebastian Krafzik is a postdoctoral research fellow in Banking and Finance Law. His research sits at the intersection of international financial regulation, corporate governance, and development finance, with a particular focus on how regulatory frameworks shape financial inclusion outcomes in Africa and the Global South. His current work examines the role of international financial institutions in influencing domestic financial regulation in developing countries, drawing on regulatory transplantation theory and comparative methodology to interrogate the tension between financial integrity imperatives and access to financial services. 

Sebastian studied law and economics at Goethe University Frankfurt and brings practical experience from roles at the German Financial Conduct Authority, the German Stock Exchange, and an international law firm. His academic career began at KU Leuven, where he worked on post-crisis banking regulation. He holds a doctorate from the University of Basel (insigni cum laude), with a dissertation on board member participation duties in Swiss and French corporate law, published with support from the Swiss National Science Foundation. He has presented at international conferences and held research stays at institutions including Cambridge, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, UCL, and the University of Zurich. He teaches Banking and Finance Law, Financial Regulation and Capital Markets, and International Trade Law.

How much?

R6,600 per person

Certificate

A digital certificate of attendance from UCT will be issued to those who attend the full course.

Please note that the digital certificate can only be viewed on a secure portal. It cannot be downloaded or printed. You will have the option of ordering a hard copy of the certificate at your own cost, including the cost of the courier fee. More information is available here.

No certificate will be issued without the full course fee having been received. Please allow up to three weeks after the end of the course for certificates to be processed.

How to sign up

Complete and submit the registration form. You will then be given the payment information. Please note that your registration is not complete until payment has been made.

One or two days before the course, we will send you the Zoom link. You will need to register and use a password to access the course.

Registrations close three days before the course starts.

Download the brochure.