The main purposes of ISAS are research and the development of information systems and services. It focuses on the Southern African region, including Botswana, Lesotho, Angola, Namibia, Tanzania, Mauritius, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Swaziland. Although its main focus is on the southern African region, it also collaborates with the African region as a whole and other developing countries, and has been engaged in regional and sub-regional research projects since the 1980s.
In addition to research reports, papers, and special publications, ISAS publishes several series, including a Southern African Studies Series and a Human and Peoples’ Rights Series.