Africa is diligently working to achieve the pledges outlined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aiming at establishing a favorable environment on the global stage. African nations are implementing and reforming various policies and strategies focusing on sustainable development so as to ensure progress and change.
In 2013, leaders from across Africa convened under the auspices of the African Union (AU) to work on the ambitious Agenda 2063 initiative, which envisions a united and prosperous continent.
It emphasizes collaboration among member states as a crucial element in driving the continent’s vision forward, fostering economic growth and development.
Additionally, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) initiative aiming at creating a more competitive and integrated African economy by eliminating trade barriers and promoting regional value chains.
This initiative is set to facilitate the free flow of goods, services, and people, thereby deepening economic integration and significantly boosting intra-African trade. By enhancing trade among African nations, AfCFTA is expected to contribute to sustainable economic growth across the continent, lifting millions out of poverty.
In addition to economic initiatives, African leaders are also prioritizing efforts to combat climate change through various nature-based solutions. Notable programs such as Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative and the Great Green Wall project are designed to mitigate the impacts of climate change, including droughts and floods.
These initiatives not only aim to restore degraded land but also seek to enhance agricultural production, which is essential for ensuring food security across the continent.
Through these collaborative efforts, Africa is positioning itself to tackle its challenges head on striving for a resilient and prosperous future for all its citizens.
In the progress of SDGs, Africa possesses immense untapped natural resources, such as minerals and oil. However, this wealth has not translated into economic prosperity for many Africans. A significant portion of the population lives on less than two dollars a day, struggling to meet basic needs like food, clean water, and healthcare.
This vast resource potential often fuels Western economic development, while many Africans continue to face hunger and poverty, compounded by the burdens of aid dependency and debt.
In this regard, Aboubakri Diaw, Chief of Staff at the Economic Commission for Africa, reported that over 460 million people in Africa live in extreme poverty, which makes up 55% of the world’s total. He also noted that 62% of the global working poor reside in Africa, with over 6 million young people neither in education nor employment.
In sub-Saharan Africa, more than 67% experience food insecurity, and only 17.4% benefit from any form of social protection. Income inequality is stark, with over 75% of earnings going to the top 11% while the bottom 50% controls less than 10%.
Additionally, many regions of Africa have been marred by conflict since their inception, leaving millions to endure the harsh consequences of war, which appears to be an unending cycle. Africa is often perceived not only as a place of tragedy but also as a site of normalized violence, complicating peace efforts.
Despite the initiatives by African leaders through various continental and regional organizations, significant progress remains elusive. During the African Union’s 50th anniversary in 2013, a bold goal was set to silence the guns by 2020. However, this deadline passed without achieving its objectives, highlighting deep-seated grievances against governments.
In response to this setback, the AU has extended its timeline to 2030, but experts express concerns about the effectiveness of its strategies. Reports indicate that the AU’s efforts to silence the guns may not meet their goals, especially with ongoing conflicts and foreign military presence posing significant challenges. While the AU’s commitment to peace is commendable, the realities on the ground suggest a different narrative.
The feasibility of reaching the 2030 target remains uncertain, underscoring the need for substantial efforts and resources to foster meaningful progress.
Recently, Africa hosted a forum for its leaders in Kampala, Uganda, aimed at accelerating the implementation of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through strong leadership and decisive policies that promote job creation, inclusive growth, and evidence based solutions.
During the discussions, it was highlighted that there are only five years left to meet the 2030 Agenda, which encompasses the SDGs.
President Kaguta Yoweri Museveni emphasized the importance of halting the export of raw materials, stating that when these resources are shipped abroad, and others profit from them, it effectively amounts to donating jobs and wealth. He has enforced a ban on exporting unprocessed minerals from Uganda, insisting that if the minerals cannot be refined locally, they should remain in the ground for future generations to utilize.
The forum serves as a vital platform for dialogue and action, potentially influencing Africa’s path toward sustainable prosperity in the years ahead, focusing on job creation and economic growth through sustainable, inclusive, and evidence-based solutions aligned with both the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063.
President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa on his part remarked that individual nations cannot lead alone; there needs to be a collaborative effort among countries to share strategies and discuss means to achieve their collective goals.
United Nations Deputy Secretary General Amina J. Mohammed pointed out that progress has been insufficient, with structural inequalities persisting and informal unemployment remaining widespread. She called for a new narrative led by young Africans, driven by local values.
In his part, Claver Gatete, Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), highlighted significant barriers to progress, including the ongoing impacts of COVID 19, geopolitical conflicts, and a substantial debt burden at 64.3% of GDP.
He noted that Africa’s GDP growth has stagnated at around 3%, far below the 7% needed to meet SDG 8, which focuses on economic growth and decent work.
He stressed that reliance on aid is no longer viable, advocating for increased domestic resource mobilization, the curbing of illicit financial flows, and the utilization of pension and sovereign wealth funds to finance Africa’s transformation.
Robert Rae, President of the Economic and Social Council, reiterated the importance of regional cooperation, suggesting that the slogan “Africa for the Africans,” once popular in the 1950s and 1960s, remains relevant for achieving prosperity today.
The next five years must be characterized by bold leadership, decisive policies, and enhanced partnerships. The ECA and the UN system are committed to working with African nations and partners to fulfill the promises of sustainable development on the continent.
The ARFSD 11 forum, themed “Driving job creation and economic growth through sustainable, inclusive, science and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda and AU Agenda 2063,” has convened heads of state, government officials, academics, civil society representatives, and international partners to address urgent development challenges.
According to the ECA, the forum is taking place amid concerning statistics: with only five years until 2030, out of 144 measurable SDG targets, only 10 are on track, while 106 are progressing too slowly.
Leaders have called for a transition from merely identifying problems to implementing actionable solutions regarding the five critical SDGs set for review in 2025: Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3), Gender Equality (SDG 5), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), Life below Water (SDG 14), and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17).
Moreover, African nations must take responsibility for their resources and implement strategies to ensure their sustainable use and they efforts should to fostering peace and resolving conflicts among citizens, as instability often hinders development efforts.
Besides, some researchers emphasize that the necessity for a more integrated approach that fosters collaboration and enhances the capacity of both the AU and regional organizations to work together toward common goals.
BY FIKADU BELAY
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 12 APRIL 2025
