African Leaders Press for Fast Implementation of SDGs to Drive Jobs, Inclusive Growth
Kampala: African leaders stressed for fast implementation of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with bold leadership and decisive policies that drive jobs, inclusive growth, science, and evidence-based solutions. The leaders made the remark at the ongoing Eleventh Session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD-11) in Kampala, Uganda.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the meeting highlighted that five years remain until the deadline for fulfilling the 2030 Agenda, commonly referred to as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). President Kaguta Yoweri Museveni emphasized the need for Africa to stop exporting raw materials, stating that exporting raw materials leads to other countries making more money and creating jobs for their children. He declared a ban on the export of unprocessed minerals from Uganda, indicating that if they cannot be processed locally, they should remain in the ground for future generations.
The forum serves as a critical platform for dialogue and action, with the potential to shape Africa’s trajectory towards sustainable prosperity. President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa, highlighted the importance of collective efforts among African nations, advocating for shared discussions and strategies to achieve their goals.
United Nations Deputy Secretary General Amina J. Mohammed noted that progress towards the SDGs has been insufficient, with structural inequalities and widespread informal unemployment persisting. She called for a new narrative driven by African leadership and values, particularly emphasizing the role of young people.
Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Claver Gatete, pointed out significant challenges hindering the continent’s progress, including the impacts of COVID-19, geopolitical tensions, and a high debt burden. He stressed the need to scale up domestic resources, curb illicit financial flows, and utilize pension and sovereign wealth funds to finance Africa’s transformation.
Robert Rae, President of the Economic and Social Council and Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations, reiterated the importance of regional cooperation and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) for achieving prosperity.
The 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 gathered heads of state, government officials, academia, civil society, and international partners to address the pressing development challenges facing Africa.
According to ECA, the urgency is underscored by data showing that out of 144 measurable SDG targets, only 10 are on track, with 106 progressing too slowly. Leaders have called for actionable solutions, particularly focusing on the SDGs under 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).