CAfPRA participated in the 12th African Regional Summit on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) held in Addis Ababa. The summit remains one of the major annual policy surveillance platforms for tracking Africa’s progress on the global development agenda.
Our assessment of the proceedings and the data presented reveals a concerning reality: progress on the SDGs across Africa is grossly dwindling. Most countries appear to be backtracking, with declining interest and performance indicators moving consistently against the agenda.
The charts and country reports presented at the summit pointed to widespread stagnation and, in several cases, regression. Rather than advancing toward the 2030 targets, many African states are showing reduced commitment and weaker outcomes across key goal areas.
This development raises serious questions about the continued relevance and effectiveness of the SDG framework as currently pursued on the continent. At CAfPRA, we view this trend as further evidence that Africa must prioritise its own development rather than remaining locked into externally driven targets that are increasingly disconnected from continental realities and political will.
We will continue to monitor these policy spaces and advocate for development strategies that are owned, financed, and directed by Africa.