AFRICA AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS: LOCALIZATION OF THE GLOBAL AGENDA TOWARDS FUTURE PROSPERITY

Abstract

The introduction of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015 offers a universal agenda, dealing with poverty, inequality, environmental sustainability and inclusive growth. These goals cannot be achieved by the policies established at the national level in Africa, where the development agenda remains worrisome due to weak institutions, infrastructure deficits, youth unemployment, and climate change vulnerability. The paper examines the way localization of SDGs can be implemented in the national and subnational systems to enhance the effectiveness of the development agenda. It also evaluates how institutions can be reinforced, participatory governance can be enhanced, resources mobilized, and multi-stakeholder cooperation can serve as a strategy for sustainable prosperity. The qualitative study design was desktop-based through the use of policy document analysis, development reports, and the available literature on sustainable development, decentralization, and public sector governance in Africa. The study revealed that localization can enhance policy relevance, accountability and citizen involvement, particularly in decentralization reforms, institutional empowerment, mobilization of domestic revenues, technological innovation and collaborative partnerships. The attainment of SDGs in Africa is hindered by perennial ineffective funding, data mismanagement, and political unrest. The paper concludes that the development of Africa-SDGs can still proceed successfully based on successful integration of global agendas in the regional governance systems with high emphasis on the capacity of resilient institutions and the ownership of the community to provide a realistic, inclusive and sustainable development outcome.