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The 50th journal series of Africa in Fact, the journal of the nonprofit Good Governance Africa (GGA), is a compilation of 23 well-researched essays on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)..
Written by experienced writers and experts on the subjects, the essays highlight progress and challenges in the achievement of SDGs in Africa.
In the preface GGA executive director Alain Tschudin emphasizes the theme of sustainability: 鈥淭he 2019 Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services devastatingly indicates that one million species of plants and animals face extinction and that without 鈥榯ransformative changes,鈥� we are doomed. We are literally facing a real and present cataclysm.鈥�
Generally, writes Osita Agbu in the overview, countries in Africa appear to focus, to varying degrees of success, on SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). The selective emphasis reflects Africa鈥檚 development priorities.
Region-by-region assessments of success in SDG implementation show that North Africa has made the most progress, particularly in tackling poverty and providing energy access, while Central Africa has made the least. However, North Africa has not performed well on gender equality (SDG 5).
The main development need for East Africa is infrastructure development, followed by health (SDG 3); in Southern Africa it is health, followed by poverty reduction (SDG 1). Poverty remains a significant challenge for all regions.
To achieve SDGs, Africa will have to rely on three pillars: political will, cooperation and partnerships, and investment in reliable data, Mr. Tschudin writes.
Published in July 2019 by GGA, this compilation of essays includes illustrations, photos and colorful infographics that make the 128-page text a quick and enjoyable read.
GGA operates in Johannesburg, Harare, Accra and Lagos, and, through its research, promotes good governance in Africa. 鈥�
