NEW YORK/United States of America: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have presented the 2024 Africa Sustainable Development Report (ASDR) at the UN High-Level Political Forum for Sustainable Development.
The ASDR, titled “Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063 and Eradicating Poverty in Times of Multiple Crises: The Effective Delivery of Sustainable, Resilient and Innovative Solutions,” underscores the urgent need for scaled-up access to concessionary development financing, strengthened climate information and early warning systems, and economic reforms.
The report provides a comprehensive review of African countries’ progress towards five sustainable development goals (SDGs) and their 32 targets under the 2030 Agenda and the African Union’s 2063 Agenda. The SDGs under review include ending poverty (Goal 1), eliminating hunger (Goal 2), combating climate change (Goal 13), promoting peaceful societies (Goal 16), and strengthening global partnerships (Goal 17).
Despite efforts, Africa is on track to meet less than three of the 32 assessed targets. The report indicates setbacks for eight targets, with slow progress or status quo for the remaining goals.
“Advanced economies have rebounded from COVID-19, but many African countries struggle with high debt, double-digit inflation, and limited access to crucial development and climate funding,” said Claver Gatete, ECA Executive Secretary. “Disparities in the Human Development Index are widening, highlighting significant challenges across Africa despite some progress.”
Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Africa increased by two percent in 2023 but remains at 0.37 percent of donors’ combined Gross National Income, far below the 0.7 percent target. The short period remaining before the 2030 SDG deadline raises concerns about mobilizing adequate resources to close the financing gap.
“African countries have made significant progress in important areas, but we are running out of time,” stressed Matthias Naab, UNDP Africa Deputy Regional Director a.i. “It is imperative we reinforce partnerships and look at innovative solutions to stop the current deceleration and even reversal in some areas.”
Africa has made strides in poverty reduction (Goal 1), despite setbacks from crises like COVID-19, which increased poverty rates significantly. In 2022, Africa accounted for more than half (54.8 percent) of people living in poverty worldwide. Efforts to enhance social protection systems are ongoing but currently cover only 17.4 percent of the population, well below the global average. Access to drinking water has improved from 68.7 percent in 2015 to 72.9 percent, and basic sanitation services now reach 52 percent of the population.
Efforts to combat hunger, undernourishment, and stunting (Goal 2) are crucial. Despite challenges such as increased hunger affecting 281.6 million people in 2022, initiatives to improve agricultural investment and aid are underway but need urgent support.
Africa has shown resilience in addressing climate change (Goal 13), though efforts to enhance disaster risk reduction continue. Only 29 out of 54 countries have established national and local disaster risk reduction strategies since 2015. Financing climate action remains a significant challenge, with only $29.5 billion mobilized of the $2.8 trillion needed between 2020 and 2030 for African countries to implement their NDCs under the Paris Agreement.
“Financing remains a challenge for Africa,” explained Al Hamndou Dorsouma, Manager of the AfDB Climate Change and Green Growth Division. “Development partners need to scale up their support, and African countries must prioritize domestic resource mobilization through reforms.”
In governance (Goal 16), countries like Malawi have taken significant measures to combat corruption, though it remains a significant challenge across the continent. High illicit financial flows, totaling around $1.3 trillion in outflows and $1.1 trillion in inflows in 2020, continue to hinder financing key agendas.
The ASDR also highlights key data gaps and recommends including skills and capacity building in priorities to have a more accurate picture of countries’ achievements and needs in terms of inclusive and sustainable development.
“This report underscores African countries’ commitment and progress but also highlights the challenges that remain,” said Monique Nsanzabaganwa, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union.
“It stresses the urgent need to accelerate sustainable development actions and the imperative for African countries to step up their efforts and empower communities for more inclusive growth. Innovative financing and strengthened partnerships are key to redoubling these efforts.”
