New report shows more action is needed if Africa is to meet SDG, Agenda 2063 goals | African Development Bank

The coronavirus pandemic, the war in Ukraine and climate change have all hampered Africa’s progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With 2030 less than 8 years away, most African countries are struggling to meet SDG targets. Without renewed efforts, nearly 492 million Africans will be in extreme poverty and at least 350 million will be in that condition by 2050.

The African Union Commission (AUC), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the African Development Bank and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) jointly released a status report on the SDGs at the 2022 African Economic Conference which is currently taking place in Mauritius.

Building better from the coronavirus disease while advancing the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development reviews Africa’s progress towards the SDGs and the African Union’s 2063 Agenda in the context of the triple crises of COVID -19, climate change and the war in Ukraine. All three have hampered the continent’s performance towards both goals.

“Africa can no longer wait on the margins, and now is the time for the continent to redraw its development path and take control of its development agenda,” said Ms Ahunna Eziakonwa, Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Africa, UNDP.

The 2022 Africa SDGs Report provides an in-depth analysis of five SDGs: Goal 4 (Quality education), Goal 5 (Gender equality), Goal 14 (Life under water), Goal 15 (Life on land) and Goal 17 (Partnerships for the goals ).

Some highlights from the report

SDG 4: Quality education

Africa has made slow progress in providing quality education for all. Despite a significant improvement in school enrollment, 288 million school-age children are out of school, mostly in conflict countries. According to the report, more money is needed for educational infrastructure, especially at the pre-school and primary level. Other areas to invest in are teacher training and digital connectivity.

SDG 5: Gender equality

The report indicates slow progress in gender inclusion across Africa and recommends the enforcement of legal frameworks to protect women and girls from discrimination, domestic violence, child marriage and female genital mutilation. For example, despite women making up a significant portion of the African workforce, only 29.8% of managerial positions across the continent, excluding North Africa, were held by women by 2022, a modest increase from 29.3 % in 2015.

SDG 14: Life under water

Organic and chemical pollutants from human activities continue to endanger Africa’s marine ecosystem. The report calls for more institutional capacity to enforce laws and regulations for the sustainable use of marine resources. Marine life is an important source of income for many African countries, especially the Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

SDG 15: Life on land

The report finds that loss of forest cover, biodiversity and land degradation remains high and widespread in Africa due to deforestation for agriculture and grazing, and climate change. Land degradation affects 46% of the African country and 65% of the population, costing the region $9.3 billion annually. More public and private partnerships are critical to mobilize and channel funding to scale up sustainable management of land, forests and biodiversity towards a green and resilient recovery.

SDG17: Partnerships

The continent has made tentative progress on this benchmark, according to the report. Domestic revenue generation and foreign direct investment inflows in Africa lag behind other regions. Debt management remains a persistent challenge for African governments, and debt service reduces already scarce capital resources. In 2020, Africa lost about $89 billion in illicit financial flows (IFFs).

The report makes a number of recommendations. These include strengthening domestic resource mobilization and curbing illicit financial flows. It also suggests seeking support from international actors to roll out innovative financial instruments such as green and blue bonds and debt-for-climate swaps.

“As a continent, we must do more for better results. Knowing the challenges we have, it is important that we look within and find a way to implement homegrown initiatives to address challenges. The partnership between AfDB, ECA, AUC and UNDP is a good platform that presents the challenges for our countries to address,” said Vincent O. Nmehielle, Secretary General of the African Development Bank Group.

To get back on track, Africa needs to promote the mobilization and savings of domestic resources, as well as strengthen its information and communications technology infrastructure to drive the achievement of the SDGs and the 2063 Agenda.

“I am hopeful that the findings and recommendations of the Africa SDG Report for 2022 will help Member States take urgent action to accelerate the achievement of the SDGs and the 2063 Agenda,” said Dr Hanan Morsy, Deputy Executive Secretary and chief economist of the ECA.

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About UNDP

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustices of poverty, inequality and climate change. Working together with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help countries build integrated, sustainable solutions for people and the planet. Learn more at undp.org or follow @UNDPAfrica

About the African Development Bank

The African Development Bank Group is Africa’s leading development finance institution. It consists of three different entities; the African Development Bank, the African Development Fund and the Nigeria Trust Fund. On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and social progress of its 54 regional member states. Visit: www.afdb.org/en

About the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), established in 1958 by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) as one of the five UN regional commissions, is tasked with promoting the economic and social development of its Member States to promote intra-regional integration and promote international cooperation for the development of Africa. The ECA consists of 54 member states and plays a dual role as a regional arm of the UN and as an important part of the African institutional landscape. For more information, visit: www.uneca.org

About the African Union

The African Union (AU) was established in 1999 by the African Heads of State and the Government of the Organization of African Unity (1963) to accelerate the continent’s integration process so that it can play its rightful role in the world economy and multifaceted social, economic and political development challenges. The AU’s vision is for “An integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena”. Visit: https://au.int/