- The Africa Sustainable Development Report 2024 highlights the need for increased concessional financing.
- Africa shows progress in poverty reduction and access to safe drinking water but faces challenges in hunger eradication and climate action financing.
- Governance remains mixed. Some countries have made strides against corruption, but significant challenges and illicit financial flows cost Africa about $88.6 billion annually.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), and the African Development Bank (AfDB) released the Africa Sustainable Development Report (ASDR) 2024. They launched the report at the United Nations High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.
The report, “Strengthening the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063 and Eradicating Poverty in Times of Multiple Crises,” calls for more concessional financing, better information systems, and swift economic reforms.
The ASDR 2024 reviews African countries’ progress towards five Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 32 targets linked to the 2030 Agenda and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. The goals include eradicating poverty (Goal 1), ending hunger (Goal 2), combating climate change (Goal 13), promoting peaceful societies (Goal 16), and strengthening global partnerships (Goal 17).
The findings concern many: Africa tracks fewer than three of the 32 targets, shows setbacks in eight, and records slow or no progress in the rest.
“Advanced economies rebounded from COVID-19, but many African countries face high debt, double-digit inflation, and limited access to development and climate finance,” said Claver Gatete, ECA Executive Secretary. “Human Development Index disparities widen, highlighting significant challenges despite some progress in recent decades.”
Official development assistance (ODA) to Africa increased by 2% in 2023 yet remains at 0.37% of donors’ combined gross national income, far below the 0.7% target UN member states agreed upon. As the 2030 SDG deadline approaches, many countries risk failing to mobilise the necessary resources.
“African countries have made significant progress, but we are running out of time,” said Matthias Naab, UNDP Acting Deputy Regional Director for Africa. “Strengthening partnerships and seeking innovative solutions is imperative to halt the current deceleration and even reversal in some areas. This report paves the way for critical acceleration.”
The report highlights progress in reducing poverty (Goal 1) despite setbacks from crises like COVID-19, which increased poverty rates. Efforts to enhance social protection systems, currently covering only 17.4% of the population, continue. Access to safe drinking water rose from 68.7% in 2015 to 72.9%, and essential sanitation services now reach 52% of the population.
Addressing hunger (Goal 2) remains critical. In 2022, 281.6 million people were affected, an increase of 11 million from 2021. Initiatives to improve agricultural investments and strengthen food security require urgent support.
Africa shows resilience in combating climate change (Goal 13) but mobilised only $29.5 billion of the $2.8 trillion needed between 2020 and 2030. “Financing remains a challenge for Africa, requiring $118.2 billion to $145.5 billion annually to implement climate action commitments,” said Dr. Al Hamndou Dorsouma, AfDB’s Climate Change and Green Growth Division Manager. He emphasised the need for development partners to increase support and for African countries to prioritise domestic resource mobilisation through reforms.
Progress in governance (Goal 16) remains mixed. While countries like Malawi have made strides against corruption, it remains a significant challenge, with illicit financial flows costing Africa about $88.6 billion annually.
The report calls for closing significant data gaps and prioritising skills and capacity building to assess progress better and the need for inclusive and sustainable development.
“This report highlights the commitment and progress of African countries, but also the challenges that remain to shape ‘the Africa we want’,” said Monique Nsanzabaganwa, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union. “Accelerating sustainable development actions and empowering communities for more inclusive growth is essential. Innovative financing and strengthened partnerships are crucial for countries to redouble their efforts.”