The mission of International Development Law Unit (IDLU) is to conduct and promote policy-oriented legal research on international development law topics. Its focus is on how international legal principles can be incorporated into the procedures, operating principles, laws and regulations, and structures required to promote sustainable and equitable development at the global, regional, national, and community level, with a particular emphasis on the needs of Africa in general and Southern Africa in particular. Its current activities include the reform of international financial governance and promoting socially and environmentally responsible infrastructure and extractive industry projects.
In addition to its research activities, IDLU also seeks to stimulate discussion and debate on topics related to international development law by arranging lectures and the publication of short articles in the media on topics of current interest relating to international development. It also sponsors doctoral students and participates in the Centre's LLM in International Trade and Investment Law for African Lawyers.